NESSO
Nesso, a paradise for those seeking calm
Literally split in half by its famous gorge, Nesso is a picturesque village sitting on the banks of Lake Como.
Nesso is smaller than the nearby – and more popular – Bellagio, but it’s a real heaven for those who seek peace, tranquility, and all the regenerating aspects of slow-living.
Read this guide to find out the best of Nesso!
Discover Nesso
A few tips for your stay in Nesso
What to do in Nesso, Italy
The town center
The ancient taste of local food and culture
Nesso gorge and Ponte della Civera
Majestic waterfall and breathtaking view
Strada Regia and Careno
A green walk from Como to Bellagio
Boat tours & beaches
Sit back, relax and enjoy the view!
Plan your holidays in Nesso
I did a lot of search and collected a selection of accommodations and experiences to help you organize your trip to Nesso, Italy.
If you can’t find what you’re looking for, or just want to give me some suggestions on how to improve this website, please do not hesitate to get in touch 🙂
5 best places to sleep
Top reviewed from travelers
Experiences & tours
Make your trip to Nesso a unique experience!
Map of Nesso
Click the play button and explore the area
As for many other lake towns, when walking around the streets of Nesso you jump back some hundreds of years. Houses made of stone, small boutiques selling only what is necessary, and, above all, tons and tons of steps.
Nesso is a small charming village both from a naturalistic and historical point of view, but is also a good place to enjoy some local food.
The typical flavors of these areas are a mixture of hills and mountains: a well-known local delicacy is polenta taragna, seasoned with butter and cheese. Another typical dish is missoltini, which is Agone fish sun dried and stored in a jar with salt and laurel.
The Church of Saints Pietro and Paolo
Walk among the typical houses of the old town center and reach the Church of Saints Pietro and Paolo.
Nesso history goes back to the ancient Roman times, although most of its interesting historical landmarks, such as the church, belong to more recent times.
The church was inaugurated in 1095 by Pope Urbano II, but what you see today is a reconstruction in the Baroque style of the 1600s. If you love Holy art you should see its interior, widely decorated, that consists of a single nave covered with numerous frescoes and paintings.
After a short walk, you will reach Piazza Castello, the central part of the village. As soon as you get there, you will immediately hear the typical noise of a waterfall coming from a gorge that snakes into Lake Como.
It’s the famous Nesso Gorge, locally known as Orrido di Nesso, probably one of the best natural wonders that you can find around the lake.
Enjoy a stunning view of the waterfall from Ponte della Civera, a Romanesque bridge made of stone that you can reach from Piazza Castello; this is a nice place to take pictures of the amazing waterfall.
Yes, you have to deal with something like 340 steps, but the view is worth the effort! It’s a real paradise for nature lovers. And once you’re there, you can also take the opportunity to refresh yourself with a swim in the lake.
Nature enthusiasts and wildlife observers will enjoy some hiking on the ancient Strada Regia, a footpath that connects Como to Bellagio.
Just follow the directions from Piazza Castello and look for the Nosé, one of the two streams which gives birth to the waterfall within the gorge (the other one is called Tuf).
Among the most interesting neighborhoods of Nesso there is Careno, once a separate municipality which currently constitutes the southern part of the village.
Careno hosts the Church of San Martino, a Romanesque building that is located a few steps away from a cozy beach that gets full of people on summer weekends.
Private and public tours
If you are looking for private boat tours from Nesso, here are some options that may be right for you!
Looking for information about public boat service? Read my guide to boats and ferries on Lake Como.
Public boat service is perfect if you are on a day trip and want to start your journey from Como, Varenna or other towns of the lake.
Beaches in Nesso
If you are in Nesso and want to relax on a beach, you can get to the public beach in Careno (via del Pontile), which is partly lawn and partly natural sand.
Discover the best beaches in Lake Como!
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