Mandello and surroundings
Mandello del Lario
Mandello is a beautiful lakeside town and a popular destination for Moto Guzzi fans. It is home to the Moto Guzzi factory and a Moto Guzzi museum. The beautiful lakeside promenade and fishing harbour are ideal for long walks.
For day trips, we recommend hiking in the surrounding Le Grigne mountain range, and the San Giorgio rock is also worth a visit. If you want to enjoy a magnificent view, don’t miss a visit to the Santa Maria pilgrimage church.
For motorbike enthusiasts, this place is an ideal starting point for excursions. You can also meet like-minded people at the annual Moto Guzzi meeting.
Lecco
Lecco is the capital of the province of the same name and is located at the southern end of the right arm of Lake Como. The city is surrounded by a fascinating mountain landscape, which is ideal for hiking, mountaineering or climbing in summer and skiing in winter. The beautiful, historic old town with its winding streets, many small cafés and nice restaurants invites you to linger. There is also a pretty pedestrian zone with many small boutiques (Italian fashion).
There are also excellent shopping opportunities at the Centro Meridiana shopping centre, which offers free parking. The waterfront promenade with its view of the bay, stunning backdrop and benches invites you to linger. There are also various historic buildings and museums that are always worth a visit.
Excursion possibilities:
- Como – approx. 35 km
- Milan (fashion capital of the world) – approx. 50 km
- Mandello del Lario (Moto Guzzi) – approx. 10 km
- Well-known places such as Bellagio, Varenna and Menaggio can be reached by boat.
- Charming lakes of Brianza between Lecco and Como
Lierna
Lierna is a small town with an old town centre on the southern part of Lake Como, with beautiful mountain scenery between Varenna and Mandello. The small promenade invites you to take a stroll. The idyllic old town peninsula with its medieval castle, Castello, is always worth a visit.
There are small grocery shops, a butcher’s, a greengrocer’s and a local bakery in the village.
Activities and highlights in and around San Siro
Transport links
By car:
- Beautiful lakeside road along the eastern shore (expressway in tunnel) towards Colico and Lecco
- Beautiful places to visit nearby:
Varenna with its picturesque old town, lakeside promenade and Castello di Vezio on the mountain
Vestreno – accessible via winding roads (also ideal for motorbike enthusiasts), impressive panoramic location
Perledo – above Varenna with a dream view
Corenno Plinio – directly on the lake with an old castle and small bathing beach
Valle Varrone – nearby side valley, sun-kissed with fruit and wine growing - Valsassina – famous for its scissors
By Boat
- Good ferry connections from Varenna to Menaggio and Bellagio
- Bellano and Varenna are ideal starting points for excursions on leisurely excursion boats or speedboats.
By train:
- Good connections on the eastern shore: the Panoramazug train connects most towns on the eastern shore with Chiavenna and Milan.
Swimming opportunities, beaches & pools
- Lierna: Two gently sloping beaches, Riva Bianca and Riva Nero, which are also suitable for children: a wide beach with fine pebbles towards Varenna and a small beach north of the Lierna peninsula.
Boat hire and moorings
- Lierna: Motorboats and canoes
Sports
Golf:
- Nearest golf course in Brianza (38 km)
- Menaggio e Caddenabbia golf course above Menaggio – accessible by car ferry from Varenna
By bicycle
- East bank traffic relief (bypass road)
- The lakeside road towards Colico and Lecco is well suited for competitive cyclists.
- Many touring opportunities for mountain bikers in the surrounding mountains
- Mountainbikeverleih in Lecco
Sailing, surfing & kite surfing
- Most reliable wind for passionate surfers and sailors in Lecco Bay in the early hours of the morning
Hiking, walking, mountaineering & climbing:
- Climbing opportunities on the Grigne mountain range near Varenna, on the rock massif in Varenna by the lake and on the mountain range around Lecco
- Numerous mountain hikes with magnificent panoramic views of the surrounding mountains
- Local mountain Piani d’Erna with many hiking opportunities and a cable car
Canoeing & Rowing
- Lovely walks along the banks possible and charming
- Traditional rowing club ‘Moto Guzzi’ in Mandello and Lecco
Indoor swimming pool & thermal baths
- Lecco
The whole family
- Every town has children’s playgrounds and riverside areas with play facilities.
Markets
- Weekly markets every day in a different location in the neighbourhood
Shopping & Dining
- Mandello: Restaurants/pizzerias, large supermarket and traditional pastry shop in Mandello
- Centro Meridiana shopping centre with free parking in Lecco
- Many restaurants in Mandello, Lierna and Lecco
- Lierna: rustic ‘crotto’ restaurant with garden terrace and restaurants/pizzerias in the village, some on the lakefront
Winter attractions in Como
- Lecco-Piani-Erna winter sports area with downhill skiing opportunities
- Christmas markets and nativity scene exhibitions in Lombardy