Menaggio is a picturesque town of ancient origins overlooking Lake Como.
Menaggio is loved by tourists all over the world, especially because of its elegant lake promenade and its proximity to very popular towns such as Bellagio and Varenna (where you can get by ferry in 15-30 minutes) and to Tremezzina (easily reachable by bus in 10′).
In this guide I collected the best things to do and see in Menaggio: get ready to pack your bags and start planning your visit to Lake Como!
Upon your arrival in Menaggio, you may want to experience the town the way a local would.
In that case, start your tour from Via Calvi and take a look at the small boutiques and shops of craftsmen (see here for a complete list), who sell local products such as food, shoes, clothing, and home accessories.
While walking, you should pay attention to the Church of Santa Marta, which you will find in the middle of the street. Take some time to visit the interior of the church, and admire the ancient paintings that date back to the 17th century.
By continuing your walk in the direction of Lake Como you will get to Piazza Garibaldi, a fantastic place to sit for a coffee or an ice cream while enjoying an awe-anspiring view of the most beautiful lake in the world.
The elegant lake promenade of Menaggio starts from Piazza Garibaldi and is the perfect place for a relaxing walk between flower beds and colorful houses.
During your walk along Viale Benedetto Castelli, the road that runs along Lake Como, you will notice many facilities that allow you to take a boat trip or rent a boat in Menaggio.
If you have enough time, don’t miss the chance to go aboard a boat and visit the other pearls of Lake Como, such as Bellagio and Varenna. Lake Como is even more beautiful when seen from the water!
Some personal tips on where you could sleep:
The upper part of the town still retains a medieval look and is characterized by narrow alleys, steep stairs and stone buildings.
If you want to visit the oldest part of Menaggio, Get to Via Castellino da Castello and walk along the enormous perimeter walls that once bordered the ancient castle, now largely demolished. You will take a step back in time!
Enter the narrow Via Strecium and see the picturesque bridge over the Senagra stream, where you can enjoy the sound of the waterfall below.
On the bridge you will find a bas-relief by Vannuccini, as well as a chapel that is dedicated to the Madonna di Caravaggio (the apparition of the Virgin Mary in Caravaggio, Lombardy, in 1432).
Loveno, hamlet of Menaggio, hosts the beautiful Villa Mylius Vigoni, definitely one of the best things to see in Menaggio.
Villa Mylius Vigoni was built in the first half of the 19th century and is surrounded by a large English garden that, together with the breathtaking view of Lake Como, creates a naturalistic setting of rare beauty.
The villa currently houses the German-Italian Center for European Excellence: this is a high level conference center that “aims to foster the Italian-German dialogue in a European and global context”.
Guided tours to the villa and its extensive park are available every Thursday afternoon from March to October (except in August). Remember to book your visit in advance (more info here).
You can get to Villa Mylius Vigoni by walking along the footpath that starts from Via Strecium (click here to open directions).
If you are in Menaggio and want to relax on a beach, you can choose between the public beach Lerai and the Lido di Menaggio, which offers two swimming pools, a restaurant and a small playground for children.
Also, you have the chance to take a boat tour to enjoy Lake Como from a unique point of view. You can choose between public or private tours, depending on your needs and the budget you have available. Notice that public boat service is perfect if you want to reach any other town of the lake.
Menaggio is about an hour and a half drive from the airports of Bergamo (Orio al Serio) and Milan (Malpensa and Linate). Once you arrive in Menaggio, you can find parking along Via Benedetto Castelli and in the area around the town center.
Experience Lake Como at its best! Traveling by car, you can quickly reach some of the nearest towns to Menaggio: Tremezzina, Gravedona, Argegno, and many others. The best way to experience your holiday at your own pace!
