Nesso
Literally split in half by its famous gorge, Nesso is a peaceful village on the western branch of Lake Como known for its authentic charm, scenic waterfall, and historic stone-paved alleys.
In this complete guide you will discover the best things to see and do in Nesso, Lake Como, and all the information you need to plan your trip.
Nesso’s historic center offers castle ruins, views on the stunning gorge, stone alleys, and a Baroque church with ancient origins. Read more ↓
The Nesso gorge features a scenic waterfall, a Romanesque bridge, historic ruins, and lake access perfect for a summer swim. Read more ↓
Careno features stepped alleys, a lakeside Romanesque church, and a scenic beach near a trattoria where traditional dishes can be enjoyed. Read more ↓
Valle di Nosee is a beautiful natural site with a picnic area and access to the creek, perfect for summer. Read more ↓
Here are some popular private boat tours departing from Nesso that will allow you to explore the surrounding area:
Nesso has two piers for passengers only operating in the summer season: the main one is in the oldest part of the village (Borgovecchio), while the other is in the hamlet of Careno.
Below is a selection of Nesso accommodations best reviewed on Booking.com:
Here is a list of the most popular tours and experiences in the Nesso area:
Located in the southernmost part of Nesso, Careno hosts a beach that consists partly of lawn and partly of pebbles. It can be reached on foot by simply following the alley leading to the pier through the old village. Sun beds or other facilities are not available on site.
Address: Via del pontile 13, Careno
South of Careno, in the village of Pognana Lario, is the public beach of Riva di Quarzano, a green area on the shores of the lake that can be reached only after a long and steep walk. The beach does not provide any services, but there’s a bar at the beginning of the walk. Parking places are along Via Matteotti.
Address: Via Matteotti 73, Pognana Lario
Nesso is characterized by many stepped alleys, so visiting some of the areas has limitations for people who have difficulty walking.
The historic center of Nesso winds around Piazza Castello, named after the ruins of an ancient castle. This is the perfect starting point to visit Nesso, as it’s also one of the stops of the C30 bus connecting Como and Bellagio.
From here, you’ll get your first glimpse of Nesso’s star attraction: the Nesso Gorge, along with views of Brienno across the lake.
To dive deeper into the village’s charm, take Via Coatesa. This stone-paved path winds through centuries-old alleyways lined with rustic stone houses and small stores selling only basic necessities.
In the historic center, you’ll find two hamlets: Coatesa and Borgovecchio, home to the Church of Saints Pietro and Paolo, a site with historical and artistic roots. Originally consecrated in 1095 by Pope Urban II, it was rebuilt in the 1600s in the Baroque style.
Be aware that, due to its conformity mostly made of steps, walking around Nesso can be challenging and unfortunately most areas are not easily accessible to people with reduced mobility.
The Orrido di Nesso is a natural gorge in Coatesa, home to a stunning waterfall created by the Tuf and Nosée rivers.
Best viewed in spring or after rain, it can be admired from Ponte della Civera, a Romanesque stone bridge connected to Piazza Castello by 340 steps. Scattered within the gorge are also some remnants of the old water-powered machinery.
If you visit in summer, don’t miss a swim in the lake after soaking in the views!
Careno is one of the most interesting hamlets in Nesso. Located in the southern part of the town just a short distance from Pognana Lario village, it features a handful of small houses arranged in a peculiar triangle shape.
Highlights include the Romanesque Church of San Martino, which can be visited by asking the keys at the nearby Trattoria del Porto. The church overlooks the lake and is within walking distance of a grassy beach that offers a great summer spot for locals.
Note that the hamlet has steep, stepped alleys that make it hard to access for those with mobility issues.
The Valle di Nosée is a natural beauty equipped with a picnic area, making it the ideal spot for regenerating in nature and cooling off in the waters of the stream during the hottest summer days.
You can reach it in less than 30 minutes by climbing up along Salita Municipio, then continuing along Via della Castagna roughly skirting the course of the Tuf stream until you encounter Via Nosée.
Follow the route and you’ll find yourself right at the heart of the valley at the scenic Roman bridge.
The Castle of Nesso, also known as the Castle of San Lorenzo after the nearby church, played a key role in defending the area.
Originally a walled fortress with towers, it guarded against enemy movements and was part of a surveillance system connected to Brienno’s Torraccia.
Today, visitors can still see a 15-meter stone wall, the foundation of the terraced structure, and three 19th-century crenellated turrets added to the ruins, while enjoying a stunning view of Lake Como.
🥾 Lake Como offers many hiking opportunities. Here are a couple of my favorite hiking locations around Nesso.
Strada Regia is an ancient mule track connecting Como to Bellagio in about 35 km. From Nesso you can choose 2 different paths.
Going north in the direction of Bellagio, you can reach Baita La Morena in about 1 hour and try some local delicacies. Continuing for about another 3 hours, you will reach the Devil’s Bridge (on the border between Lezzeno and Bellagio) where you can take the C30 bus back to Nesso.
The southern route instead will bring you to the village of Pognana Lario passing through an enchanting forest path up until some old huts in about 1.30 hour.
A 2-hour loop trail starting at Orrido di Nesso and going along the Nosée stream up until Monti di Careno.
The path is quite easy with an elevation gain of only 430 m. Along the way you’ll encounter the Romanesque bridge over the Nosée river and a series of picturesque small stone houses.
Remember to bring water and some snacks as there are no facilities on the way.
If you are looking for private boat tours from Nesso, here are some options that may be right for you! ⬇️
Nesso has two piers for passengers only operating in the summer season: the main one is in the oldest part of the village (Borgovecchio), while the other is in the hamlet of Careno.
Nesso – Bellagio: 1h
Nesso – Tremezzina: 1h 10 minutes
Nesso – Varenna: 2h
Nesso – Como: 1h 10 minutes
Timelines are approximate and depend on the route you choose. Read my guide on Lake Como ferries to understand how the service works.
