The journey to discover the 6 most beautiful lakes in Italy continues in Lombardy. For those who love to immerse themselves in nature and be fascinated by buildings of the past, Lake Como is the ideal choice. On its banks there are beautiful villages, all rich in artistic, cultural, historical and landscape elements recognized nationally and internationally. Its most famous villas are coveted and sought after by foreigners.
It is enough to get to the guide to explore, then, the surroundings: starting from Lecco or Como, that is the main cities, it is recommended to go to the discovery of the smaller and less known villages, able to prove true pearls characterized by woods, gardens, valleys, sumptuous villas and medieval buildings!
What to see on Lake Como
The area of Lake Como is a real spectacle: there are villages and very special places, able to capture tourists just by looking. Inside they preserve and offer artistic, cultural and architectural heritage of extreme value that, on a trip out of town, deserve exceptional attention.
hoteldelaville
Como
The town of Como gives its name to the lake, and consists of the most important center of the place. Once arrived, it is absolutely necessary to see the Duomo, considered among the most beautiful monuments in Italy, the Palazzo Broletto, the Villa Olmo, the Tempio Voltiano and the entire lakeside promenade.
An experience to live in the city includes climbing the funicular Como – Brunate, which connects the lake to the top of the mountain in less than 7 minutes and allows you to enjoy a breathtaking view. Admire the sails gliding over the lake against the backdrop of the mountains, the boats that reach the different locations that seem to come out of a nineteenth-century print and the seaplanes that depart from the base near the promenade. An image of another time.
siviaggia
Tremezzo
Known as “the village of gardens”, Tremezzo is the ultimate expression of the extraordinary villages of Lake Como; its name means “middle ground” because of its location, that is exactly halfway between the Po Valley and the Swiss pass of the canton of Graubünden.
Tremezzo is the ideal place to find peace and relaxation in the midst of nature. All around there are palaces, churches and villas that enrich the landscape with a remarkable artistic and architectural value, such as Villa Carlotta, Villa Carlia and the Church of San Lorenzo.
SiViaggia
Menage
On the western shore of the lake is Menaggio, a small town that offers visitors a lakeside promenade characterized by flower beds, palm trees and wrought iron railings. Also here there are majestic churches and sumptuous villas, such as Villa Mylius Vigoni with a typical English appearance.
Menaggio is the perfect village to walk and enjoy beautiful views, especially the one offered by La Crocetta, which gives directly on Lake Como.
mylakecomo
Bellagio
The town of Bellagio is famous for its characteristic old town and for its location, so much so as to be nicknamed “the pearl of Lake Como”. It is located, in fact, on the tip of the promontory that divides the lake in the two branches of Como and Lecco. From this point, on clear days you can see the lake almost in its entirety until Domaso, located almost at the end of the north branch. A unique panorama.
Along its streets you can admire colorful houses, picturesque alleys, churches and staircases; among the unmissable stops include Villa Melzi and Villa Serbelloni, symbols of Bellagio and known worldwide for their splendor.
lombardia
Lecco
That branch of Lake Como so dear to Manzoni corresponds precisely with the city of Lecco; here there are important monuments, such as the Basilica of San Nicolò, the Palazzo delle Paure, Villa Manzoni, the Church of Santi Vitale and Valeria. This is considered the famous parish of Don Abbondio).
In the city there would also be the Manzoni Lughi par excellence, such as the alleged residence of Lucia Mondella, precisely in Via Caldone 19, while in Via Resegone there would be the hill of the Palazzotto of Don Rodrigo.
Cernobbio
On the western shore rises Cernobbio that, with Mount Bisbino, reaches the 1300 meters above sea level. Just like the other neighboring cities, here you can admire beautiful villas and views; the most famous is Villa Erba, historical residence of the director Luchino Visconti, followed by Villa d’Este, of sixteenth-century origin.
Given its location and its predominantly mountainous territory, Cernobbio is a favorite destination for lovers of trekking, who can make exciting excursions along Via dei Monti Lariani, among the most popular hiking trails in Italy.
welcometoitalia
Isola Comacina
Comacina Island consists of a piece of land totally surrounded by Lake Como. Its fame is mainly linked to the remains of the Church of Sant’Eufemia, dating back to the 11th century and considered among the most representative monuments of the Romanesque Comasco.
A must-see is also the three Houses for Artists, built by architect Pietro Lingeri in 1940 to accommodate for short periods painters, sculptors, writers and artists in general looking for inspiration.
lagodicomo
Burnished
The city of Brunate can be reached by the funicular of Como and it is a real attraction born initially for the rich Milanese bourgeoisie. Over time, the target audience has expanded involving tourists from all over the world.
Brunate is also known as “the balcony over the Alps”; following a pedestrian path you can admire its Art Nouveau villas and, at the same time, admire the panorama of the entire western Alps, the Apennines and the Po Valley from the lighthouse of Volta.
lakecomotourism
Laglio
The town of Laglio has just 900 inhabitants; yet, right here the famous Hollywood actor George Clooney decided to buy his very personal Italian villa,
initalia
l’ Oleandra.
In Laglio it is possible to admire the Church of San Giorgio and Villa Oleandra (current property of the American actor), as well as walk along the lakefront overlooking the surrounding hills rich in olive groves and vineyards. Birdwatchers, then, will not be able to avoid climbing Mount Torriggia: from here, in fact, you can admire hawks and entire migratory flocks heading towards Switzerland and northern Europe.
lakecomotourism
Varenna
Varenna is known as “the village of lovers”: it can also be reached by boat from Bellagio and, despite being born as a small fishing village, over time it has become one of the richest villages in Lombardy.
The most romantic couples must make the Lovers’ Walk, which consists of a short metal walkway with an arch fixed in the rock, overhanging the water. Besides this, it is recommended to visit Villa Monastero, the Church of San Giorgio and the Church of San Giovanni Battista.
lombardia
Food and wine tradition of Lake Como
Just like every other area of Italy, the territory of Lake Como is also able to tell its story through its gastronomic tradition: between fish, salami, cheese and polenta, there is so much to taste in the company, of course, a good glass of wine.
Among the typical dishes include:
- Polenta: is the typical dish par excellence, of very poor origins, made only with corn flour or buckwheat, water and salt. Being a very simple food, it can accompany various delicacies such as cheese, eggs, meat, fish and potatoes. Irresistible its version “hook” enriched with cheese, garlic, butter and sage;
- Missoltini: called “missultin” in dialect, these are the agons that are caught in the month of May, left to dry in the sun and then stored in the mix (a container closed by a wooden lid) together with bay leaves. Finally, they are grilled and seasoned with oil and vinegar;
- Risotto with perch: paired with carnaroli rice seasoned with perch, caught exclusively in Lake Como. The risotto is made with local cheese and butter and flavored with spices and lemon peel; fish fillets, instead, are floured and browned in alpine butter and, once crispy, are placed on the risotto;
- local cheeses: Lake Como is famous for its cheeses, especially for the semuda, the lean of Bellagio, goat’s lump and zincarlin;
- Miascia: it is a sweet bread cake made with stale bread, to which are added milk, eggs, sugar, macaroons, pine nuts and raisins.
To accompany the typical dishes listed so far, can not miss the local wines, first of all Inferno, Sassella and Sforzato: the first is rich in flavors and particular aromas, the second is particularly fruity, while the third is ideal for meat dishes and mature cheeses.
Copertina: lombardia
