towns near Varenna

Photo: Ktulu

Como is Lake Como's largest city where you will find shopping, works of art, churches, gardens, museums, theatres, parks and palaces. Places to go inlcude the Duomo, the Basilica of Sant'Abbondio, Villa Olmo, the Volta Temple and Museum, the Teatro...

High on the road is the sanctuary of the Madonna of Peace, erected in 1659 to celebrate the peace of Pirenei, which ended the Thirty Year War between the French and Spaniards. Characteristic is the Romanesque hanging bell (sec. XIII), and in the...

This parish church rebuilt between 1725 and 1738, is a remarkable example of Baroque art. Inside, in addition to the frescoes of Luigi Tagliaferro, is a valuable painting of the "Madonna of the Seven Sorrows" and a wooden statue of Lorenzo Matieli...

In 1688, a plaster relief of the Madonna of Sorrows kept in the small chapel of Lezzeno is said to have cried. And thus, in 1690 a Sanctuary was built in her honour. The work designed by Giovanni Battista Quadrio, was completed in 1704. Today we can...

Photo: Michael Ortelli

We are part of the Anglican Church, belonging to the Diocese in Europe but we welcome all visitors of the Christian faith to our services of Holy Communion. These are held every Sunday at 10.30 am from the beginning of May to the end of October....

Photo: Michael Ortelli

The parish church is located next to the historical centre of the village of Griante. It was built at the beginning of the 18th century on the site of an ancient temple, that was probably consecrated by St. Felice, bishop of Como. The church has a...

The church S. Carlo which was built in 1614 on order of Cinzio Calvi so that he and his wife could have their tombs in it. The church has a characteristic Spanish style bell tower a reminder of the period of Spanish domination in the 15-16th...

This church is located in the village Nobiallo just north of Menaggio. The houses are clustered around the church which stands on the Antica Strada Regina, the antique Roman Road that connected Como with Alpine passes. The characteristic leaning...

The church S. Marta is of ancient origins. On the facade you can see the Roman memorial plaque of Minicio Exorato, a notable of the Roman empire; above it the town-arms. Inside the church there are some interesting paintings of the 17th century....

The parish church of S. Stefano is of very ancient origins whose original Roman structures have however been lost; in fact the orientation itself is in the opposite direction of its primitive setting. The church has three naves which, in 1899, were...

Photo: Enrico Colzani

Executed in Baroque style (17th c.), with single nave and wooden altar piece dating back to the 1600's. On the left side is a bell tower containing five bells. Inside is the "Madonna delle Grazie" fresco of the Lombardy school, statue of the...

Photo: Di Daderot

The church of St. George is located in Bellagio, next to City Hall. It is contemporary with the Basilica of St. James, dating back to ' XI - XII century (dated between 1080 and 1120). Originally the apse and altar were facing east; but then moved...

The parish church of Saints Nazaro Celso with the black-white Gothic front, was built in 1348 by Giovanni Ugo di Campione and architects from the valley Intelvi. The church has some beautiful rose windows and frescoes of the Lombard school. The...

Photo: Peverelli Lecco

The church stands on a hill that dominates the valley. The current building is the result of a series of operations occurred over the centuries. Rebuilt on top of the pre-existing building, in the 16th century the church was formed of only one...

Photo: Enrico Colzani

One of the finest examples of Lombard-Romanesque with an intact apse. The parish Church of San Giacomo (St. James) dates back to the 12th century. The rest of the structure has undergone numerous restorations, especially during the 18th century....

This is one of the oldest churches in the Lake Como area and the oldest one in Varenna. Dated back at the 11th century, this Church is defined by the Belfry built toward the lake, as usual at that time, and it keeps inside few frescoes from the 14th...

Photo: Michael Ortelli

A perfect morning or afternoon hike with stunning views of Lake Como. San Martino is Lake Como’s most famous mountain church perched on a top a cliff above the town of Griante. Its official name is "Santuario Della Madonna delle Grazie di San...

Consecrated on 1313, the parish church of San Giorgio is a small masterpiece of the 14th century Lombardy architecture. Located in the main square, this is a basilica with nave and two aisles embellished by a rose window and a fresco portraying...

Located up the Grona Mountain, at 600 m. altitude, above the town of Menaggio ( 10 minutes by car) .Plesio is the ideal start point to many hikings like Rifugio Menaggio, Sant Amate, Alpe di Nesdale, Mount Grona and Mount Bregagno. Things to see:...

In the seventeenth century the inhabitants of this village near Lecco were granted the right to fish in the river Adda. Fishing boats were pulled up on dry land when done with their day’s catch and when combined with the small fisherman homes became...

The origin of Erba is lost in the mists of time, There is evidence showing the area was inhabited before the Romans. Erba, in Roman times, was named "Herba". In the Middle Ages, two important castles dominated the territory, a place located in upper...

Lecco is a not a tourist hot spot, but it is one of Lake Como's largest cities. It has beautiful scenery, a nice lakeside promenade, and is accessible by train. Lecco is famous for inspiring Alessandro Manzoni, one the most world-renowned and loved...

Not far from the shore, in front of the town Ossuccio, lies Comacina Island, the only Island in lake Como with its little white church dedicated to S. Giovanni. The island is also home to roman ruins, nature hikes and a well known restaurant:...

Argegno is a small village situated on an inlet in the lake, and is built alongside the River Telo. A popular cable car excursion, one of the steepest in Europe, can transport people up to the nearby village of Pigra. A newly opened beach or "lido"...

Old world atmosphere characterizes this town with narrow streets, laneways and steep stairs. Mount San Bernardo and Briante rise over 1300 meters in the background. Characteristic of the skyline is the tall bell tower of San Vittore....

Faggeto Lario’s name originates from the large number of beech forests in the region. In the village of Palanzo, on the occasion of the Sagra Torchio, an ancient wine press dating from the second half of the sixteenth century carved from a single...

Historically significant as the location near Musso where Benito Mussolini was captured and executed as he attempted to escape to Switzerland. The Museum of Resistance records events from this tumultuous period....

The village extends from the shore of the lake to Monte Preàla. The higher part of the village is called Castello because it was fortified in the Middle Ages. It took part in the feud of Nesso, which was ruled by the Visconti family but was later...

Destination of natural beauty including the Val Senagra Oasis, waterfall and Rogolone, one of the oldest oak trees in Europe. Here you can also visit S. Maria del Tiglio, one of the most important Romanesque buildings of the province....

Pigra is located above the picturesque town of Argegno and can be reached by cable car. From Pigra you can do the wonderful hike down to Colonno (2 hrs.) situated on the lake....

Famous for the gorge that bisects the colourfully painted town. The Ponte Roma bridge near the shore affords views of the waterfall on one side and the lake on the other....

This little village, which lies on the western shore of Lake Como, at the foot of Monte Costone, is one of the most distinctive places on the lake. In the last century Sala Comacina was already considered an important holiday destination, as is...

Located on the northern shores of Lake Como, this town boasts a large marina and beach set against dramatic mountains in the background. Water sports are popular here as well as hiking and bird-watching in a nearby bird sanctuary....

Dervio lies on a peninsula that juts out into the waters of the lake, situated at the mouth of Valvarrone and the river Varrone. Very ancient in origin, it was an important fortified village since Roman times for its strategic position on the road...

Domaso lies on the west side of the northern lake. It was a fishing village, now transformed into a popular and dynamic tourist area. Domaso is one of the most famous and hospitable villages of the Alto Lario. It is the surfers' paradise, thanks to...

Located on the western shore of Lake Como, the area consists of the two distinct centres: Urio and Carate Lario; they were administratively united in 1927. Urio, rich with residential villas, is situated on a beautiful panoramic position, on a slope...

The town is situated in a panoramic position in front of Lecco, before the construction of the bridge Azzone Visconti was connected to Lecco only via ferry. In the Middle Ages, it was a large town whose castle was destroyed during the decades of war...

Ossuccio is a small town home to less than 1000 people. It looks onto Lake Como’s only island Comancina while inshore the hills quickly ascend into mountains. The town is most known for its UNESCO Heritage Site, the Sacro Monte—a place of pilgrimage...

Located on the western shores of Lake Como, the town derives its name from the river that flows from the mountains to the lake. A pebble beach invites water activities like swimming, kayaking, windsurfing and sailing....

Great example of a medieval village with many preserved architectural elements that can be experienced on foot without the bustle of vehicle traffic. Of particular interest is the parish church St. Tecla and Villa Pliniana....

The town overlooks Como, some 500 metres below linked by a steep, narrow, winding road, and by the Como-Brunate funicular. The highlight of the trek is the lighthouse dedicated to Allesandro Volta who lived in Brunate for a short period. Brunate is...

Blevio is the first town you come to on the eastern shore of the lake when coming from Como. From the centre of town spectacular panoramas greet visitors. Home to several private villas and luxury resort, Casta Diva....

A fishing village at the extreme north of Lake Como, close to the Swiss border. It is surrounded by majestic mountains which create a dramatic backdrop to this picturesque area. The main activities favour outdoor enthusiasts and include water...

A very small town located 14KM north of Como made famous by George Clooney’s purchase of a villa previously owned by the Heinz family. The villa was location for scenes from Ocean’s Twelve. Also of interest is an out-of-place pyramid mausoleum to...

Located in the gulf of Lecco, edged by the Prealps, Grigna, Grignone, Mount Barro, Corni di Canzo mountains with walks and walls of mountaineering famous all over the world. Explore villas, restaurants, gardens and breath-taking panoramas.
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Lenno lies roughly at midpoint of Lake Como’s western shore. Its most popular attraction is Villa Balbianello, an ivy covered building that was the setting for a number of Hollywood blockbusters including Star Wars: Attack of the Clones and Casino...

Located on the eastern shore of Lake Como, it is famous for being the location of Moto Guzzi, the well known manufacturer of Italian motorcycles. But it also boasts great scenic beauty with pebble beaches and the start of hikes into Plan Resinelli...

Colico is a town located at the northern part of Lake Como dominated by Mount Legnone. It is characterized by natural attractions as well as those made by man including forts, guard towers and the Piona Abbey. Its location on the water makes it...

Gravedona is situated in an enchanting gulf, protected to the north by picturesque mountains and allocated in a harmonious way, caracterised by small squares, lanes and alleyways. With its churches and monuments, testimonies of a past filled with...

Moltrasio is located on the west shore in the first basin of Lake Como. Famous for its villas, houses, personalities and gardens (see for example, Villa Fontanelle, once owned by Versace). The mild and sunny climate and the enchanting view, make it...

Because of its favourable geographical position, Cernobbio was chosen as an ideal location to build palaces and elegant villas such as Villa Pizzo and the famous Villa d’Este, one of the most elegant and famous hotels in the world. From the town...

The walks in the many hamlets of Lezzeno offer special relevances historical and architectural such as Villa Citterio seventeenth century. The morphology of the territory of Lezzeno offers spectacular views with boat tours where you can see, in...

Como is Lake Como's largest city where you will find shopping, works of art, churches, gardens, museums, theatres, parks and palaces. Places to go inlcude the Duomo, the Basilica of Sant'Abbondio, Villa Olmo, the Volta Temple and Museum, the Teatro...

Tremezzo is centrally located on lake. Base yourself there and you will have quick access to the ferries and some of the most prestigious accommodation that Lake Como has to offer. Tremezzo, and its nearby town Cadenabbia, give you Lake Como's most...

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