Holidays in Menaggio

Lake Como , Italy

  • Walks for All Abilities
  • Sightseeing
  • Couples Holidays

Poised on the western shore of Lake Como, Menaggio is perfectly placed for summer holidays exploring the promenades, mountains and historic routes of Lake Como

  • Glamorous piazzas & villas
  • Stunning views
  • Walking paths from lake to mountain
  • Menaggio, Lake Como, Panoramic View with Mountain Backdrop
    View of Menaggio with Mountain Backdrop
  • Menaggio, Lake Como, Sumemr Holidays in Italy
    Old Harbour with Boats
  • Lakeside Promenade, Menaggio, Lake Como, Italy
    Lakeside Promenade
  • Menaggio, Lake Como, Summer Holidays in Italy
    Boats on the Lakefront
  • Menaggio, Lake Como, Italy
    Fountain on Menaggio Promenade
  • Summer Holidays in Lake Como, Menaggio, Italy
    Purple Wisteria in Menaggio
  • Piazza Garibaldi, Menaggio, Lake Como, Italy Summer
    Piazza Garibaldi

Save up to £150pp this summer

Book your Italy 2025 walking holiday and take advantage of savings up to £150pp!

Walking in Menaggio

Walking Trails:
425km of walking trails

Terrain:
Wooded trails, asphalt surfaces, dirt tracks, lakeside paths, ascents and descents
More walking info

Menaggio at a glance

  • Italian
  • Euro (EUR)
  • London Gatwick (LGW), Manchester Int. (MAN), Bristol (BRS), Edinburgh (EDI)
  • London St Pancras (QQS)
More about Menaggio

Travel included to Menaggio

Depart on: Wednesday, Friday, Saturday or Sunday

Arrive into: Milan airport or Como St Giovanni train station

Transfer time: approx. 1 hour 30 minutes by coach and 1 hour from Como St Giovanni train station

More about travel & transfers

Included in your Menaggio walking holiday

  • On holiday support and tailored advice from our Destination Expert based in Lake Como
  • Inghams Digital Resort Guide with things to do, walks and useful information on holiday
  • Flights or rail from the UK, transfers and accommodation

Walking in Menaggio

Walks and hikes

Walking Trails:
425km of walking trails
Terrain:
Wooded trails, asphalt surfaces, dirt tracks, lakeside paths, ascents and descents

Want to spend your summer holiday doing more than just marvelling at the mountains around you? Spend your days taking to the walking trails on Monte Grona, aiming for the rifugio restaurant and alpine dairy farms. The adventurous (and fit) can continue clambering to the peak, which offers dizzying views over three lakes. Easier walking and cycling routes include the route to Porlezza that traces the old railway line between Lake Como and Lake Lugano. Alternatively, head north to Sorico via the lakeside promenade and abandoned state road that runs through fishing villages and some seriously lovely mountain scenery.

Our favourite self-guided walks in Lake Como

The Greenway Path is one of the most popular trails in Lake Como. Take a pleasant walk through the 'The greenway of Lario', passing the old villages of Colonno, Sala Comacina, Ossuccio, Lenno, Mezzegra, Tremezzo and Cadenabbia di Griante. Its well-maintained paths and gentle ascent makes it accessible for all walking abilities. The walk takes you through some of the most charming villages on the lake, including: Colonno, Sala Comacina, Ossuccio, Lenno, Mezzegra, Tremezzo and Cadenabbia before arriving at the village of Griante. The path follows some of the old ‘Antica Strada Regina’ and takes you up to some beautiful viewpoints of the lake and through some traditional towns on the mountain side, slightly off the usual tourist trail.

  • Grade: Easy
  • Distance: 11.4m
  • Walking time: 2 hours, 45 minutes

An amazing walk from Cadenabbia to the historic church dedicated to San Martino, clinging on the mountain and admiring the magnificent scenery of the Lake and Bellagio.

The church of San Martino sits at an altitude of 475metres on the steep slopes of Sasso San Martino above the village of Griante. An easy path leads up to the church from where you have one of the most beautiful views of the central part of Lake Como. The walk is mostly an ascent up the mountain, but the trails are well-maintained and easy to navigate. You'll pass through wooded areas and come across little religious shrines, dotted along the path. Make sure you read up about the history of the church before you go, in particular its relation to the First World War.

  • Grade: Easy-Moderate
  • Distance: 4.5km
  • Walking time: 2 hours

A walk through Val Sanagra Park, a vast territory rich in flora, fauna and ancient rural settlements. This is an enjoyable & refreshing forest walk along the Sanagra river, with beautiful viewpoints at Tobi waterfall and Sanagra gorges.

  • Grade: Easy-Moderate
  • Distance: 5km
  • Walking time: 2 hours

Discover Menaggio

  • Walk up to the Santuario di San Martino and learn about its rich history
  • Indulge in a gelato in Piazza Giuseppe Garibaldi
  • Hop on a ferry to nearby towns like Bellagio and Varenna

Menaggio relaxes on the western shore of Lake Como, at the mouth of the valley to Lake Lugano. It’s a popular spot for the Milan elite who favour the extravagant piazzas and villas for their summer holidays. But for all its riches, Menaggio remains a welcoming town where a wealth of lake and mountain views (and tempting gelato shops) glitter around every corner. Walking and cycling paths reach around the lakefront and into the mountains behind- and it’s all just a 15 minute ferry ride from Bellagio and a 15 minute bus ride to Lenno.

Civilisations have wrestled over Menaggio’s strategic, sheltered seat for thousands of years. Walking around town reveals remnants of Roman, Spanish and World War II fortifications. Alleys and stone staircases framed by shops, aperitivo bars and restaurants climb to the medieval part of town and the old castle. Here, you’ll also find the stone Church of San Carlo and its distinctly Spanish bell tower. Back at lake level, meander along Menaggio’s tree-lined waterfront- home to a pocket-sized harbour, palatial villas and a monument to the tessitrice silk weavers who once worked in the waterfront mills.

Menaggio's the place where vital trade and transport routes once met, including the Via Regina, which connected Lake Como and Milan to the Alps beyond. These days, you can follow its steep tracks past sanctuaries, villages and stone bridges. Menaggio’s excellent connections extend to its boat routes too. Ferries scoot between the towns on Lake Como’s shores– Bellagio, Varenna, Tremezzo, Cadenabbia, Como Town- or you can explore the lake under your own steam aboard a sailing boat or kayak. A stunning way to spend your Italian summer holiday!

The squares and waterfront of Menaggio come alive in the summer, staging Renaissance concerts, craft markets, book fairs and open-air art exhibitions, as well as a Friday evening market. August’s International Guitar Festival treats visitors to impromptu 'musical aperitivi' in the streets, whetting the appetite for the evening performances. Piazza Garibaldi is a great place walking around and soaking up the atmosphere, or sitting in a cafè with a cappuccino and plate of polenta in reach.

Ferries

The ferry network is one of the most efficient ways to explore the lake. With direct links between Menaggio and Bellagio and access to many other resorts, we'd recommend making the most of it on your summer holiday. Buy a 6 day ferry pass for easy access to resorts in the central Lake Como area. For more information head to the Cards & Passes tab. The official ferry website has information about timetables and dropping off points.

Buses

The buses in our resorts can be a useful and cost effective way of travelling short distances along the lakeside. For getting to next door towns and attractions such as Villa Balbianello in Lenno. The C10 bus will take you directly from Menaggio to Lenno in under 20 minutes. However, if you're hoping for a punctual service, the ferry is the better option as the buses run on their own timetable and may not come when you expect them to!

6 Day Ferry Pass

Buy a 6 day ferry pass for easy access to resorts in the central Lake Como area. These include: Lenno, Cadenabbia, Tremezzo, Bellagio, Menaggio, Varenna, Bellano. The card costs approx. €45 per person and can be purchased from the ticket office at the ferry port when you arrive in resort.

For more information about ferry timetables and dropping off points, visit the official website for ferries on the lake.

Please note, prices are accurate at the time of publishing but may be subject to change.

Travel to Menaggio

Travel by air

Flights to Milan depart on Wednesday, Friday, Saturday or Sunday between 03 May - 11 Oct 25 and 02 May - 10 Oct 26

Fly from:

  • London Gatwick, Manchester, Bristol, Edinburgh

Transfer times: 

  • Milan airport: approx. 1 hour 30 minutes by coach

Private transfers are available on request, for a supplement.

Travel by train

We offer holidays by train to Menaggio, which depart on a Wednesday and Friday. The journey takes around 14 hours.

On arrival, you'll transfer to Menaggio by taxi/coach, which will take around 1 hour.

Provisional outbound timings are: 

  1. London St. Pancras

  2. Paris Nord

  3. Paris Lyon

    Change

  4. Milano Porta Garibaldi

  5. Camo St. Giovanni

Provisional inbound timings are:

  1. Como St. Giovanni

  2. Milano Porta Garibaldi

  3. Paris Lyon

  4. Paris Nord

    Change (Following Morning)

  5. London St. Pancras

    (Following Morning)

Things to do in Menaggio

Follow in the footsteps of stars, from George Clooney to James Bond and explore some of Lake Como's most spectacular villas and gardens, including the 17th century Villa Carlotta in Tremezzo which houses sculptures by Canova. Why not head to Bellagio to scope out the stunning Villa Melzi and walk around its vibrant botanical gardens and museum, or book dinner at the acclaimed Villa Serbeloni, where you can enjoy a fantastic local culinary experience. If you head over to Laglio, see if you can get a glimpse of George Clooney's old Lake Como stamping ground, Villa Oleandra, located directly on the lakeside.

Many film buffs will also recognise the Villa Balbianello in Lenno– it featured in two of the biggest blockbusters of the modern age, including James Bond: Casino Royale and Star Wars: Attack of the Clones. The villa offers discounted entry to National Trust members, so don’t forget your card!

Please note: Villa Balbianello's a very popular attraction and tickets get booked up quickly. We recommend booking well in advance (a few months if you can) online if you would like to visit the villa.

Vineyards to the south in Brianza and on the northern end of the lake above Domaso produce some lovely local wines. It’s great to visit in autumn when the grape harvest is taking place. The Valtellina is another area of vineyards where they produce Valtellina Superiore DOCG red wine.

We’d definitely recommend exploring Lake Como from the water. There are loads of activities for you to try like kayaking, water skiing, swimming and sailing. There’s also a regular ferry service and all sorts of boats available to hire. The geography of the lake means it has the ideal wind conditions for wind-surfing, so it's a great place to go if that's your cup of tea.

Throughout the summer months festivities liven up the lakes shores. The City of Music Festival in Como transforms the town into one giant music, dance and art venue with shows and performances taking place at various historic locations. In July and August the Bellagio Festival brings concerts, films and performances to many of the lakeside towns. They’re held in gorgeous settings like churches, piazzas and castles.

from £81 per person

This excursion takes you along the northern part of the lake to the town of Tirano where you will stop for a coffee along the way, before heading into Switzerland and reaching Poschiavo. As part of the excursion, you will experience the Bernina train for approx. 1 hour of the journey. Taking the train from Poschiavo (Switzerland) and continuing onto Diavolezza (Switzerland), which is one of the best sections of the Bernina Railway. You will see the White Lake and the Black Lake, as well as plenty of beautiful glaciers. Then, by bus, you’ll reach St. Moritz. The famous Swiss holiday and ski resort on the southern side of the Alps in the Engadine Valley with its numerous crystal clear mountain lakes. This trip is all about the journey and the incredible viewpoints you'll discover along the way!

Details: Departs on Mondays. A passport may be required for this excursion as you will be crossing country borders. Please note, this excursion will not be running between the 7-13 May 2025.

We act at all times as a selling agent for our suppliers. All excursions require minimum numbers to run and are subject to change. Some excursions may not be available to pre-book in low season but may be available to book locally subject to numbers. Prices will be confirmed at the time of booking. See terms & conditions.

from £95 per person

A fantastic guided private cruise (2 hours long) during which you'll get to admire some of Lake Como's most iconic villas. On the trip you'll see the Villa Carlotta, famous for its beautiful garden, the Villa Balbianello whose gardens were used in the James Bond film ‘Casino Royale’, Villa la Cassinella, the most prestigious private villa on the lake, Villa Balbianello - another private villa used for weddings and private VIP events, Comacina Island, the only island on the Lake and Villa Melzi which overlooks Bellagio's lakeside.

Details: Departs on Thursdays. You can book this excursion locally with your Destination Expert.

We act at all times as a selling agent for our suppliers. All excursions require minimum numbers to run and are subject to change. Some excursions may not be available to pre-book in low season but may be available to book locally subject to numbers. Prices will be confirmed at the time of booking. See terms & conditions.

from £80 per person

Located on the border of Italy and Switzerland, Gandria's one of Ticino’s most beautiful lakeside villages. This will be your first stop before heading over to Lugano on the ferry. In Lugano you'll have free time to explore this elegant town. Lugano, often referred to as the ‘Rio de Janeiro’ of Switzerland, combines the efficiency and elegance of Switzerland with the joie de vivre and friendliness of Italy. We'd highly recommended visiting the famous Franciscan church of Santa Maria degli Angeli while you're there. It houses the famous fresco of the Crucifixion, painted by Bernadino Luini, student of Leonardo da Vinci. After lunch you'll head over to Como on the bus where you'll have more free time to explore this interesting city. Stop off at Como Cathedral with its many masterpieces and walk through the historic centre.

Details: Departs on Fridays. A passport may be required for this excursion as you will be crossing country borders. You can book this excursion locally with your Destination Expert.

We act at all times as a selling agent for our suppliers. All excursions require minimum numbers to run and are subject to change. Some excursions may not be available to pre-book in low season but may be available to book locally subject to numbers. Prices will be confirmed at the time of booking. See terms & conditions.

from €100 per person

Visit the Sorsasso agricultural company in Domaso. They grow their grapes on the hills of Domaso Alto in Lake Como, using modern winemaking methods. Their wines are characterized by the intense aromas that represent the countryside around the lake. This is a fantastic wine tasting experience, during which you'll enjoy a guided tour of the ancient wine cellar and have the chance to taste three wines accompanied by a selection of locally sourced of cold cuts and cheeses.

Details: Departs on Tuesdays. You can book this excursion locally with your Destination Expert.

We act at all times as a selling agent for our suppliers. All excursions require minimum numbers to run and are subject to change. Some excursions may not be available to pre-book in low season but may be available to book locally subject to numbers. Prices will be confirmed at the time of booking. See terms & conditions.

Spend your holiday marvelling at Lake Como from above. Walk along the famous Greenway Path and through sleepy villages which will give you a taste of the old Lake Como (before it became 'Lake Como'). Or, walk up to the historic Church of San Martino, and learn about its fascinating World War I history. You can also head up Monte Grona, the rocky peak above Menaggio. There are lots of lovely walking routes in the area and Via Ferrata for the more adventurous holiday-makers.

In the summer, many hill, mountain and lakeside walks are just a bus ride away, with miles of old mule tracks and well-marked footpaths, it's a back-packers paradise! History buffs might be interested in the walk from Colonno to Cadenabbia. It passes the village of Mezzegra where Benito Mussolini was killed as he tried to flee to Switzerland with his lover Claretta Petacci.

You can also head up Monte Grona, the rocky peak above Menaggio, by bus. There are lots of lovely walking routes in the area and via Ferrata for adventurous climbers. The views of Lake Como from the top are incredible.

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