Menaggio · Lake Como
Menaggio
& Croce
The small lakeside town and Borgo Croce, the hillside village where the villa takes its name.
A town on the lake
Small town on the western shore of Lake Como, for centuries a meeting point between German and Italian culture. Its position at the centre of the Centrolago — equidistant from Bellagio to the east and Varenna to the north-east — makes it one of the most connected and convenient bases for exploring the lake.
Menaggio has a lively lakeside promenade, a weekly market, restaurants, bars and a wide range of services. The direct ferry to Bellagio takes about 15 minutes; the crossing to Varenna is equally fast. The town is also the starting point for hikes towards La Grona (1,736 m).
Villa Vigoni, in the Loveno di Menaggio district above the town, is one of the most significant cultural addresses on the lake. Created in 1829 as a wedding gift from Frankfurt merchant Heinrich Mylius, the complex was donated to the Federal Republic of Germany in 1978 and is today the official Italian-German Centre for European Excellence. Its 19th-century English landscape park — with ancient trees, panoramic terraces and magnificent lake views — is among the most extraordinary green compositions on the Lario. Guided public tours are available from March to October, excluding August. villavigoni.eu →
Borgo Croce
Borgo Croce sits above Menaggio like a quiet balcony, and it is from this hillside village that the villa takes its name. At an elevation that opens the entire Centrolago to view, Croce offers an unobstructed panorama: Bellagio to the right, Varenna to the left, La Grigna in the background — one of the most complete views of the central lake available from any fixed point.
Secluded and peaceful, Croce is just five minutes by car from central Menaggio and its ferry connections. The combination of complete tranquillity with easy access to the town — and through it to the entire lake — is what makes Grazia di Croce a particularly well-positioned base for any stay on Lake Como.
Activities & surroundings
Menaggio is an excellent base for exploring the Centrolago. The ferry reaches Bellagio in 15 minutes and Varenna in 20, and the trails to La Grona open 360° views over the entire Lake Como.
Ferries
Direct ferry connections run from Menaggio to Bellagio (approx. 15 min.), Varenna and Cadenabbia. The Navigazione Laghi operates classic passenger steamers, fast hydrofoils and a car ferry linking Menaggio with Varenna and Bellagio. The Centrolago day pass allows unlimited crossings between the central lake towns on a single day — ideal for exploring Bellagio, Varenna and the Tremezzina without a car. In summer the timetable is dense, while in the low season the last boats depart considerably earlier, so it is worth checking the schedule.
Hiking — La Grona
La Grona (1,736 m) is Menaggio's local mountain — reached via Breglia (bus C13 from Menaggio) and the Rifugio Menaggio at approx. 1,400 m. The ascent from Breglia takes about 2–3 hours; from the summit the view stretches across the whole of Lake Como and Lake Lugano to the Valais Alps. For a gentler outing, walk to the pilgrimage chapel of Sant'Amate or follow a section of the Via dei Monti Lariani, the high-level trail above the western shore. Sturdy footwear and plenty of water are recommended.
Cycling
Menaggio is a starting point for rides along the western shore and into the Valle d'Intelvi. The lakeside SS340 (Strada Regina) towards Tremezzo and Como offers spectacular water views, while the climbs to Croce and Plesio challenge keen road cyclists. Mountain bikers find an extensive network of trails above the village, including stretches of the Via dei Monti Lariani. E-bikes and regular bikes can be hired in Menaggio — a relaxed way to discover the villages and bays of the Centrolago.
Boat trips, Kayak & SUP
Private boat tours from Menaggio lead to the villas, bays and fishing villages of the Centrolago, which look their finest from the water. Boat rental — even without a licence — as well as guided excursions and atmospheric sunset cruises are available. Active guests can take to a kayak or stand-up paddleboard to explore the quiet shores below Croce. Seeing Bellagio and the mountains opposite from the lake is one of the most memorable experiences on Lake Como.
Gastronomy
The cuisine of Lake Como blends Lombard tradition with simple, high-quality local ingredients: typical fish dishes such as missoltini — dried and grilled lake fish — creamy polenta, or the classic risotto with perch are among the area's finest specialities. Added to these are regional products like the fine olive oil of Osvaldo Vanini, pressed from olives grown right on the shores of Lake Como. To eat here is to experience an authentic, down-to-earth yet surprisingly elegant cuisine — shaped by the lake, the mountains and the Italian art of living.
Events
From Menaggio, many of the finest events along the western shore and around the lake are within easy reach: the prestigious Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este with world-class classic cars, the atmospheric LacMus music festival in the Tremezzina, summer concerts, village festivals and markets, and the famous San Giovanni fireworks at Isola Comacina. A stay in Menaggio thus combines relaxed days by the lake with culture, music, the Italian art of living and unforgettable evenings on the water.
Villas of the Tremezzina
Villa del Balbianello — Standing on the promontory of Lenno, about 15 minutes from Menaggio by car. Managed by the FAI — the Italian National Trust — since 1988, it is one of the most celebrated and photographed sites on the entire lake. The villa served as a filming location for Star Wars: Episode II and James Bond's Casino Royale. Its terraced gardens and loggia overlooking the Centrolago are extraordinary. Open Tuesday to Sunday, April to October.
Villa Carlotta — In Tremezzo, one of the most visited destinations on Lake Como. Its neoclassical building houses an important collection of sculptures — including works by Thorvaldsen and Canova — while its terraced botanical gardens are among the finest on the Lario. Particularly spectacular in spring, when the azaleas, rhododendrons and camellias are in bloom. Open from March to November. Reachable in about 10 minutes from Menaggio by car, or by ferry to Cadenabbia.
Frequently asked questions about Menaggio
Menaggio is often preferred by travellers looking for authenticity without Bellagio's crowds. Less touristy, with a well-preserved old town, restaurants frequented by locals, and direct ferries to Bellagio (15 min.), Varenna and Cadenabbia. The Croce location, above Menaggio, offers panoramic views across the Central Lake that are rare elsewhere.
Grazia di Croce is in Borgo Croce, approximately 5 minutes by car from the Menaggio ferry jetty. The elevated position provides panoramic views across the Central Lake — Bellagio and Varenna are visible from outside. Reachable by car or on foot from central Menaggio (approx. 20 min. walk, moderate incline).
May–June and September are ideal: extended ferry timetables, full bloom, pleasant temperatures (18–24 °C), fewer crowds. July–August is peak season with more warmth and more visitors. April and October offer lower prices and a peaceful atmosphere, but some seasonal services are reduced.
By car: approx. 1h15 via A8/A9 and SS340 (approx. 75 km). By train + bus: Malpensa Express to Milan Centrale, then train to Como S.Giovanni or Varenna-Esino, then ASF bus C10 to Menaggio (total approx. 2–2.5 hrs). Direct taxi from Malpensa approx. 90–120 min.
Menaggio has public car parks in town (some free, some paid). Grazia di Croce includes a private garage: no parking worries for our guests.
Yes — from Menaggio harbour you can hire kayaks, SUPs and motorboats (some without a licence). In season (May–September) several operators offer guided tours or free hire. With a boat you can reach the heart of the Central Lake in minutes.