Menaggio Holidays

You can spend days taking in the sights of this traditional part of Lake Como. With its popular waterfront and colourful gardens, holidays to Menaggio take you to an old town nestled snugly beneath the craggy limestone mountains.

Medieval town

Sitting just below the Alps, Menaggio is an ancient town with a medieval history. Its medieval roots remain on show in many places, such as the ruins of the old perimeter walls from the former 10th-century castle. Try venturing into the old centre, and exploring winding streets that lead to little squares. Here, you can pick up a souvenir from traditional shops selling local produce, art and leather goods. A popular souvenir to bring home is miascia, a sweet cake that's a Lake Como speciality. You can also stop at the Church of Santa Marta for a glimpse of artwork dating back to the 1600s.

Lake Como’s best angle

You can wander along the promenade for views of the lake, fountains, and grand fir trees. Later, you might want to indulge in some traditional gelato or a real Italian coffee in a waterside café or restaurant. You can also see what life on the lake is all about by renting a boat for the day. In hot weather, cool off at Lido Menaggio or Pradello Beach.

Out and about

Here are some of the activities you can enjoy in Menaggio:

• Rent a boat for the day

• Hire bikes and cycle around the town

• Play tennis at a local court

• Visit the Chocolate Factory in Lugano

• Play minigolf with the family

At a glance

Immerse yourself in Italian history and culture on the leisurely Greenway del Lario walk
Explore Lake Como's beautiful villas and their botanical gardens by boat
Try out some fresh missoltino and homemade olive oils at the local restaurants

Menaggio Lido

Menaggio has a local lido just 10 minutes' walk from the centre. The lido is made up of a large, sandy beach area and sunbathing lawns. It has two large pools, the smaller of which is ideal for kids, and has easy access to the lake.
What you'll find

Just to let you know, the lido charges for entry, sun loungers, parasols and compulsory swimming caps if you haven’t bought your own. There’s a restaurant and snack bar on site, too, where you can pick up delicious light-bites, homemade ice cream, fresh fruit and cocktails.
Catering for all

The lido is wonderfully family-friendly, with a kid’s playground and beach volleyball court for hire. For an extra level of indulgence, upgrade to the deluxe premium beach - a garden space dotted with white gazebos with mattresses, privacy curtains and tables.

Bargain Buys

On Friday nights from June to September, you can shop under the stars at the weekly street market. This is the perfect chance to purchase bargain souvenirs from artisans, or eat your way around the tasty food stalls.
Mid-Range Buys

There are a number of mid-range options for shopping around Menaggio. You’ll mainly find shops of local craftsmen and retailers selling shoes, clothing and home goods. A pretty little shop called Coccio, near the bus station, sells a lovely collection of gifts, Murano glass, silk scarves and more, so you're sure to find the perfect memento of your holiday.

Laid-back evenings

On a quiet evening, pick up a couple of scoops of gelato from Gelateria Edo, in Piazza Giuseppe Garibaldi, and go for wander around the town. Walking along the shoreline and looking out over the water at night is the best way to soak up of the feel of Lake Como.
Lively evenings

For a fun evening of drinks and a bit of atmosphere, stick to the local restaurants, which come into their own after last orders. Most places are full of jazzy lakeside ambience, fuelled by a few after-dinner cocktails and interesting conversations.

Eating out

There's a range of fantastic eateries in Menaggio. From the bustling hotspots, just off the main square and with views of Lake Como, to the tucked away trattorias further up the hill, which are quieter and part of the local food scene. At every turn, you'll find traditional Italian dishes, homely family-run establishments and the odd gelato shop tempting you inside.
Local flavours at Trattoria La Vecchia Magnolia

Well-liked by the locals, Trattoria La Vecchia Magnolia offers simple yet delicious Italian food with friendly service. This a hidden-gem of a place tucked away from the main areas. Fresh fish features heavily on the menu - and the stuffed ravioli with shrimp and scallops comes highly rated. This place is roughly 25 minutes' walk uphill from the Piazza Giuseppe Garibaldi, so it might not be a good choice for those with mobility issues, unless you can arrange a taxi.
Popular pizzas at Osteria il Pozzo

Just off the main square by the waterfront, Osteria il Pozzo is a classic Italian restaurant that's ideal for a tasty pizza before an evening walk along the promenade. It's a first-come, first-served kind of place and tends to get very busy, so timing your arrival for when it opens is a good idea. And you won't be left hungry here, as portion sizes are incredibly generous - and excellent value for money.
Family fare at Ristorante Il Vapore

Run by a mother and son duo, the small but deservedly popular Ristorante Il Vapore is another spot set back from the main hub, nestled in a corner of Piazza Tommaso. It stands out with a compact menu of authentic and straightforward local cuisine at reasonable prices. The friendly ambience coupled with quality speciality dishes keeps this place booked up in advance, so making a reservation as soon as you can is strongly suggested.

On foot

Walking around Menaggio is the perfect way to take in this picture-perfect lakeside town. Practically made for leisurely strolls, the town is divided into an upper part, characterised by medieval alleys, and a lower section overlooking Lake Como.
Ferries

Using the public boats is a much recommended way to get around easily and take in all that Lake Como has to offer. They depart from the signposted waterfront area of Menaggio on a regular basis.
Trains

The nearest train stations are Lugano (27km away), Como (30km) and Varenna Esino (4km), which is on the opposite side of the lake, so you would need to take a ferry over.
Buses

The C10 bus service for Menaggio stops outside the bus station. Make sure to buy your ticket before boarding at the station bar or at the news kiosk.

Walking

Menaggio is in a perfect location for exploring walking routes from other villages along Como's shoreline, as well as its own. Lots of popular routes here are signposted, and they range from gentle strolls to steep hikes - like trekking up to the panoramic summit of Monte Grona. Set against the rugged foothills of the Alps, not to mention the wonderful sunny weather, this place really is ideal for exploring on foot.
La Crocetta walk

This easy walk promises superb views of Menaggio and the lake. Catch the C12 bus up to the tiny village of Croce - the highest village in the area. Here you'll find a 16th-century square and one of the oldest golf courses in Italy, the Menaggio-Cadenabbia Golf Club. Head in the direction of the golf course and, a little further along, turn left onto Via per la Crocetta, leading you to La Crocetta. Look out for the network of WWI trenches that were part of the defense against German attack along the Swiss-Italian border.
Valley walk from Menaggio

Wind your way to the upper part of town, referred to as Castello. Once you reach the marked entrance for Parco Val Sanagra, take path no. 4 and enjoy the shift in surroundings. Cross age old stone bridges, potter past a handful of farms and keep following the path, which runs mainly beside the crystal-clear waters of Sanagra Fume. A good spot for a picnic lunch is at Sass Corbee, where the river turns into rapids, beating against large boulders.

SIMILAR DESTINATIONS

Where we go in Menaggio

Hotel Grand Menaggio

!!!!! Plus

Menaggio Holidays

Medieval town

Lake Como’s best angle

Out and about

At a glance

Top things to See and Do in Menaggio

Menaggio Lido

What you'll find

Catering for all

Bargain Buys

Mid-Range Buys

Laid-back evenings

Lively evenings

Eating out

Local flavours at Trattoria La Vecchia Magnolia

Popular pizzas at Osteria il Pozzo

Family fare at Ristorante Il Vapore

On foot

Ferries

Trains

Buses

Walking

La Crocetta walk

Valley walk from Menaggio

SIMILAR DESTINATIONS

Where we go in Menaggio

Hotel Grand Menaggio

Popular holidays

BOOK NOW! Call us on: 1850 946 164

Travel Aware – Staying Safe and Healthy Abroad