Argegno
Located on the western branch and overlooking the widest area in depth of Lake Como, Argegno is a small quaint village crossed by the Telo stream.
In this complete guide you will discover the best things to see and do in Argegno, Lake Como, and all the information you need to plan your trip.
Argegno charms with its restaurants overlooking the lake, quaint harbor, colorful houses, and Romanesque bridge on the Telo stream. Read more ↓
The Argegno-Pigra cable car offers stunning lake views, with dining options in Pigra and hiking to huts such as Alpe di Colonno. Read more ↓
The Church of Santissima Trinità, dating back to 1632, features a mosaic of saints and hosts a 19th-century Child Jesus sculpture. Read more ↓
Val d’Intelvi is home to many nature trails, ideal for regenerating and cooling off during hot summer days.. Read more ↓
Here are some popular private boat tours departing from Argegno that will allow you to explore the surrounding area:
Argegno has one pier dedicated to passenger transport only. From Argegno you can reach all major destinations on Lake Como throughout the year.
Below is a selection of Argegno accommodations best reviewed on Booking.com:
Here is a list of the most popular tours and experiences in the Argegno area:
A pebble beach ideal for swimming and diving in the crystal-clear waters with unique views of the lake, the perfect location to restore yourself during a hot summer day. Reach the parking area in Piazza Grandi and you’ll find the beach right in front of you.
Address: Piazza Giovanni Grandi, Argegno
Situated near the little harbor of the town, Lido di Argegno is fully equipped with sun beds and umbrellas. Its grassy beach with pool makes it suitable both for families and groups of friends. Guests can buy some food and drinks at the bar. Ample parking space is also available right outside the lido.
Address: Piazza Dante Rosati 2, Argegno
Bellagio and Lezzeno, both reachable in about 30 minutes / 1 hour by ferry. Also a short distance away in the direction of Como is Tremezzina (20 minutes by C10 bus).
The lakefront and Telo stream banks are easily accessible by anyone, while the historic area is unfortunately not suited for people with reduced mobility due to its stairs and steep climbs. Having your own car is not strictly necessary but might be useful to reach certain areas (such as Val d’Intelvi).
The center of Argegno is built around Piazza Roma, a small square that overlooks the town’s lakefront and filled with typical restaurants and cafes.
Here, you can enjoy a wide variety of Italian dishes ranging from local lake fish, such as perch or misultin, to traditional Italian pizza.
Taste a homemade gelato and a walk along the lake, where you’ll see the bust of the engineer Pietro Vassena. Right here, in 1948 he made a memorable dive in the waters of Argegno aboard the C3 submarine he designed and set a new world depth record reaching the bottom of the lake.
The lakefront is home to the town’s beautiful harbor and the local lido, where visitors can enjoy access even just for an aperitif. It is an ideal spot for capturing stunning panoramic photos of the entire town.
The historic core of Argegno features peculiar stairs and steep climbs, and is embellished by its characteristics colorful houses. Follow the banks of the Telo stream and enjoy a magnificent view of the Romanesque bridge that spans above it.
Explore the village on the town’s official website, visitargegno.com.
Accessible by walking along the Telo stream banks, this 13th-14th century Romanesque bridge offers a unique glimpse into Argegno’s history and natural beauty.
From the bridge you can admire the dramatic gorge carved by the Telo, ancient buildings perched on steep rocky slopes, and a striking wall of marine-origin sedimentary rock shaped during the formation of the Alps.
Nearby, you’ll find remnants of an 18th-century forge built by the Peroni brothers, which once used the Telo’s waters to power tools for crafting farm implements and horseshoes. The forge ceased operation in 1968.
One of the coolest things to do in Argegno is riding the Argegno-Pigra cable car, which connects the two towns and takes you from 200 to 850 meters above sea level in just 5 minutes.
Enjoy extraordinary views of Lake Como and the Pre-Alps and dine at one of the many bars and restaurants overlooking the lake situated nearby the Pigra station.
If you’re up for a hike, you can continue from Pigra all the way up to Alpe di Colonno hut and taste some local specialties.
Opening season: All year round only on Friday, Saturdays and Sundays (including holidays) from 10 am to 6 pm, with rides every 15 minutes.
Round-trip ticket: €5,50
Reservation required: No
Address: Via Spluga 39, Argegno
Dating back to 1632, the Church of Santissima Trinità overlooks the mouth of the Telo stream.
Under the rose window, the facade features a beautiful mosaic depicting the four Evangelists, as well as Sant’Abbondio (the patron saint of Como), and Sant’Anna (patron saint of Argegno).
A sculpture of the Child Jesus from the 19th century is also preserved in the church, which gets carried in procession through the alleys of the town as a celebration on New Year’s Day, on the occasion of the “Living Nativity”.
Val d’Intelvi is one of the most beautiful and industrious valleys in the province of Como, connecting the basin of Lake Como with Lake Lugano.
This valley is home to many nature trails, ideal for regenerating and cooling off during hot summer days. Visit the official tourist website of the Val d’Intelvi to find out all the information.
If you have a car and want to enjoy a breathtaking view of Lake Lugano, head to Balcone d’Italia, a vantage point located on Mount Sighignola that can be reached in about 40 minutes.
The Mount Sighignola area is also home to a ski resort and ski school, an ideal destination for your winter vacation on Lake Como.
🥾 Lake Como offers many hiking opportunities. Here are a couple of my favorite hiking locations around Argegno.
This half-day tour starts from Pigra (which you can reach by cable car from Argegno), goes up to Alpe di Colonno, passes through the hamlet of Corniga, and ends in Colonno, from where you can return to the starting point via C10 bus.
Along the way, I recommend stopping to have lunch at Alpe di Colonno hut, where you can enjoy some local specialties in a rustic and traditional setting. Reservation is recommended.
A walking route of 11.5 km going from Colonno to Griante following the ancient Via Regina, built by the Romans.
It can be divided into five stages, so you can even just take a short walk and get back to the starting point via C10 bus.
From Argegno, reach Via Cappella in the village of Colonno (the starting point of Greenway del Lago di Como) and continue heading north of the lake.
It is suitable all year round even for people with mild disabilities.
If you are looking for private boat tours from Argegno, here are some options that may be right for you! ⬇️
Argegno has one pier dedicated to passenger transport only.
Argegno – Bellagio: 1h 15 minutes by regular service, 35 minutes by express service
Argegno – Como: 1h 10 minutes by regular service, 25 minutes by express service
Timelines are approximate and depend on the route you choose. Read my guide on Lake Como ferries to understand how the service works.
