Welcome to Menaggio, ancient village on Lake Como, that once was a merchant village, situated in a crucial position at the mouth of Menaggina Valley, that joins the Lario with Ceresio. Now it is a well-equipped touristy resort that offers a mild climate with a beautiful view over the lake and a typical dock.
The old city centre is divided in an upper part, characterized by medieval alleys, and a low part, overlooking the lake, that represents the touristy area with an nineteenth architectural elements.
Walk along via Calvi, go pass the church of Santa Maria and admire the beautiful Santo Stefano, with the bell-tower and the frescoes by Tagliaferro, then go up the Castle hill where you can see the remains of the ancient walls and visit the church of San Carlo.
On the hills of the little village of Loveno, you can visit one of the nicest villas of Lake Como: Villa Mylius Vigoni, with its elegant rooms, luxurious furnishings and big paintings, all surround by a wonderful English garden.
From Loveno go up until you get to Plesio and you can reach Rifugio Menaggio (1400m) and admire a breathtaking view.
Menaggio, what to see – Image
Menaggio – What to see
In the old city centre you can visit the church of S. Stefano, built in the eighteenth century upon early roman buildings. Inside it has a nave and two aisles, frescoes by Tagliaferri, important paintings from the Lombard and Flemish school, while the altar is surrounded by 18th century copper medallions.
Walking along via Calvi you find the church S. Marta, where you can see on the façade the first century Roman memorial plaque of Minicio Exorato. Above the ruins of the ancient castle you find the church S. Carlo, then you can visit the Sanctuary della Madonna della Pace, built in 1659 to celebrate peace in the Pirinei.
The castle of Menaggio dates back to the 10th century . It was completely destroyed in 1523 by the Signori delle Leghe Grigie and today only the to towers, the walls and the bridge are left intact.
On the slopes above Menaggio, in the little village of Loveno you can visit Villa Mylius, that was bought in 1829 by the German entrepreneur and banker Enrico Mylius, that enlarged it and enriched it with his painting collections. Today it’s seat of the German-Italian cultural foundation and stands out overall for the rich artistic elements, for the wonderful rooms and for the beautiful park, that forms a frame of natural beauty: orchids, hundred-year-old trees and exotic plants form a unique atmosphere.
Only a few kilometres away are the little villages of San Siro, Sant’Abbondio e Santa Maria Rezzonico in a characteristic landscape of rocks and slopes and the Sasso Rancio. Here Villa La Gaeta is worth a visit, that represents a mix of styles, with two striking towers overlooking the lake.
Menaggio also offers several trekking routes, like the one that starts from Loveno and goes through Sanagra Valley. Otherwise you can leave from Breglia (797m), taking the road for Plesio, and in two hours you can arrive at Rifugio Menaggio, 1400m; from here you can take various beautiful hikes on the Prealps.
Lake Como – Image
Menaggio – Cuisine and Restaurants
Here listed are some good restaurants in Menaggio and nearby:
Osteria Il Pozzo
P.zza Garibaldi – Menaggio
Typical restaurant in the heart of the historic center. Homemade pasta.
Closed on Wednesdays.
La Vecchia Magnolia
Via Plesio 6 , Loc. Loveno – Menaggio
Tel. +39 0344 30567
La Baita
Via Wyatt 60 loc. Paullo – Menaggio
Tel. +39 0344-32195
In the middle of nowhere in a forest full of character. Braised beef on polenta and the like. View overlooking Lake Como.
Closed on Tuesdays.
Il Ristornte di Paolo
Largo Cavour, 5 , Ground Flr, Hotel Garni Corona – Menaggio
Tel. +39 0344 32133
Closed on Tousdays.
Menaggio – How to get there
By air
From the Milanese air Terminals of Linate, Malpensa and Orio al Serio, you should make your way to the centre of Milan and then take the train to Como. With the Malpensa Express it is preferable to get off in Saronno and then get the train of the Ferrovie Nord to Como. From Malpensa, it is also possible to get to Como by bus (line n250) in only an hour.
By train
The nearest train stations are: Lugano 27km, Como 30km and Varenna Esino 4 Km (on the opposite side of the lake).
To get to Como you can take the train that leaves from Milan Central station (Ferrovie dello Stato)or the train of the Ferrovie Nord (Milano Cadorna-Saronno) and then take the bus or the ferry in direction Menaggio.
To get to Varenna you have to take the train in the direction Sondrio or Tirano and then take the ferry to Menaggio.
By car
Milano is 80 km away. The quickest way to get to Menaggio is to take the motorway A9 Como-Chiasso then take the exit Como nord, then drive along the Statale Regina SS340 following the indications for Menaggio.