La Casa di Maria: Where To Go & Where to Eat
Places to see nearby
There are many gems to explore on lake Como. Whether you have just a few days or a week or more, there is plenty to see and do on this beautiful lake. These are some of our favourites.
Menaggio is one of the prettiest towns on Lake Como. There are many lovely shops and restaurants, and this is where you can catch the ferry to Bellaggio. We recommend the restaurant La Vecchia Magnolia, high above Menaggio, for great food at good value.
200 locals recommend
Menaggio
Menaggio is one of the prettiest towns on Lake Como. There are many lovely shops and restaurants, and this is where you can catch the ferry to Bellaggio. We recommend the restaurant La Vecchia Magnolia, high above Menaggio, for great food at good value.
Dongo is the site of a weekly market and a fantastic bakery/patisserie! It’s also a historic place, as Benito Mussolini was captured nearby trying to escape to Switzerland.
25 locals recommend
Dongo
Dongo is the site of a weekly market and a fantastic bakery/patisserie! It’s also a historic place, as Benito Mussolini was captured nearby trying to escape to Switzerland.
The beauty of Bellaggio is renowned throughout the world. A stunning little town in between the two branches of Lake Como. Come here for the shops, the views, the romantic lake-side restaurants & the Museum of Cycling, which is high above Bellaggio. Spectacular views await you from this vintage point!
645 locals recommend
Bellagio
The beauty of Bellaggio is renowned throughout the world. A stunning little town in between the two branches of Lake Como. Come here for the shops, the views, the romantic lake-side restaurants & the Museum of Cycling, which is high above Bellaggio. Spectacular views await you from this vintage point!
A lovely place to stop by if renting a boat, with wonderful views high above from the old town.
395 locals recommend
Varenna
A lovely place to stop by if renting a boat, with wonderful views high above from the old town.
Como is a picturesque town on the shores of the stunning Lake Como, offering a charming blend of historic architecture, scenic landscapes, and a vibrant cultural scene that captivates visitors.
393 locals recommend
Como
Como is a picturesque town on the shores of the stunning Lake Como, offering a charming blend of historic architecture, scenic landscapes, and a vibrant cultural scene that captivates visitors.
Rescia
Enjoy the beautiful caves of Rescia, 22010 Claino Con Osteno (CO).
Visit this beautiful villa, which has featured in both a James Bond film (Casino Royale) and a Star Wars film: http://www.villabalbianello.com/
337 locals recommend
Villa del Balbianello
Via Guido DelmatiVisit this beautiful villa, which has featured in both a James Bond film (Casino Royale) and a Star Wars film: http://www.villabalbianello.com/
Visit this enchanting botanical garden and museum: http://www.villacarlotta.it/home.php?pag_id=9&sez_id=13&lang_id=2
421 locals recommend
Villa Carlotta
2 Via ReginaVisit this enchanting botanical garden and museum: http://www.villacarlotta.it/home.php?pag_id=9&sez_id=13&lang_id=2
Whether you are into cycling or not, the museum is very interesting but the views from the top are breathtaking! Well worth a trip up from Bellagio via car or bus.
https://www.museodelghisallo.it/it/
24 locals recommend
Museo del Ciclismo - Madonna del Ghisallo
4 Via Gino BartaliWhether you are into cycling or not, the museum is very interesting but the views from the top are breathtaking! Well worth a trip up from Bellagio via car or bus.
https://www.museodelghisallo.it/it/
The aim of the museum is to use its extraordinary collection of over 400 boats to tell the story of sailing in Lombardy and Lake Como, an area steeped in history and culture: http://www.museobarcalariana.it/en/
6 locals recommend
Museo della Barca Lariana
1268 Via ReginaThe aim of the museum is to use its extraordinary collection of over 400 boats to tell the story of sailing in Lombardy and Lake Como, an area steeped in history and culture: http://www.museobarcalariana.it/en/
Golf Club Menaggio Cadenabbia
54 Via A. WyattLido di Menaggio
11 Via RomaThe Lido di Cadenabbia is a picturesque lakeside destination on the shores of Lake Como, offering visitors a range of amenities and services to enhance their stay. The lido features a restaurant that exudes a romantic and cozy atmosphere, serving classic Italian dishes while providing spectacular views of the lake and the town of Bellagio. Visitors can also enjoy the open-air swimming pool on warm days and take a refreshing dip in the lake. The Lido di Cadenabbia is a popular spot for meals with family and friends, providing a relaxing and enjoyable experience along the beautiful Lake Como.
25 locals recommend
Lido di Cadenabbia
Via ReginaThe Lido di Cadenabbia is a picturesque lakeside destination on the shores of Lake Como, offering visitors a range of amenities and services to enhance their stay. The lido features a restaurant that exudes a romantic and cozy atmosphere, serving classic Italian dishes while providing spectacular views of the lake and the town of Bellagio. Visitors can also enjoy the open-air swimming pool on warm days and take a refreshing dip in the lake. The Lido di Cadenabbia is a popular spot for meals with family and friends, providing a relaxing and enjoyable experience along the beautiful Lake Como.
In the centre of Lake Como, on the promontory overlooking Varenna, the Vezio Castle has stood for more than a thousand years, an ancient military outpost of late medieval origins built to defend and control the lake and the surrounding villages by the Lombard queen Teodolinda. Immersed in the greenery of one of the northernmost olive groves in the world and in a Mediterranean garden at the foot of the Alps, the Castle occasionally hosts exhibitions of works of art of various kinds. With its visitable underground rooms, the furnished tower, the botanical garden, the statues scattered throughout the garden and the "ghosts", the castle blends, in a context of unparalleled natural beauty, with the art, history and culture of the territory and we hope it can give you a pleasant break of relaxation and harmony in contact with nature.
201 locals recommend
Vezio Castle
Via del CastellanoIn the centre of Lake Como, on the promontory overlooking Varenna, the Vezio Castle has stood for more than a thousand years, an ancient military outpost of late medieval origins built to defend and control the lake and the surrounding villages by the Lombard queen Teodolinda. Immersed in the greenery of one of the northernmost olive groves in the world and in a Mediterranean garden at the foot of the Alps, the Castle occasionally hosts exhibitions of works of art of various kinds. With its visitable underground rooms, the furnished tower, the botanical garden, the statues scattered throughout the garden and the "ghosts", the castle blends, in a context of unparalleled natural beauty, with the art, history and culture of the territory and we hope it can give you a pleasant break of relaxation and harmony in contact with nature.
Our Favourite Restaurants
This is an exceptional culinary experience in an exceptional setting.
Wonderful food, and wonderful views.
http://www.lamarianna.com/
La Cucina della Marianna
57 Via ReginaThis is an exceptional culinary experience in an exceptional setting.
Wonderful food, and wonderful views.
http://www.lamarianna.com/
If home cooking is your thing, this restaurant is the place. We recommend pasta with arrabbiata sauce!
21 locals recommend
Da LUIGI
59 Via StataleIf home cooking is your thing, this restaurant is the place. We recommend pasta with arrabbiata sauce!
Eat indoor or in the enchanting garden. Fabulous pizzas and ‘sciatt ’, a traditional dish of the area: https://www.trattorialavecchiamagnolia.it
8 locals recommend
Trattoria La Vecchia Magnolia
1 Via per PlesioEat indoor or in the enchanting garden. Fabulous pizzas and ‘sciatt ’, a traditional dish of the area: https://www.trattorialavecchiamagnolia.it
Veranda Beach
890E Via ReginaExcellent food and setting: https://verandabeachpianello.com
Spinnaker
84 Via StataleGreat food by the lake in Pianello: https://spinnaker.webs.com
Laguna Beach Ristorante
890D Via StataleOutstanding views and simple, traditional mountain food from this refuge: http://www.rifugiocanua.it
Rifugio La Canua
Via ai MontiOutstanding views and simple, traditional mountain food from this refuge: http://www.rifugiocanua.it
Hotel Ristorante La Pergola
12 Via E. SfondratiBellaggio
Sightseeing
This free garden is well worth a visit. A short hike from Pianello takes you to the top, where the views of the lake and surrounding villages are simply breathtaking. Take a picnic up with you and enjoy the panorama. Exceptional!
15 locals recommend
Il Giardino del Merlo
12 Via del GiardinoThis free garden is well worth a visit. A short hike from Pianello takes you to the top, where the views of the lake and surrounding villages are simply breathtaking. Take a picnic up with you and enjoy the panorama. Exceptional!
City/town information
Como
Walks
Comune di Pianello del Lario
Scenic Journeys
If you are staying at La Casa di Maria for one week or more, consider driving to Tirano to catch the wonderful Bernina Express. This train will take you from Tirano, in Italy to St Moritz in Switzerland on a breathtaking journey in the Alps and up to a glacier before descending into St Moritz. Highly recommended!
28 locals recommend
Bernina Express
1 Bahnhofpl.If you are staying at La Casa di Maria for one week or more, consider driving to Tirano to catch the wonderful Bernina Express. This train will take you from Tirano, in Italy to St Moritz in Switzerland on a breathtaking journey in the Alps and up to a glacier before descending into St Moritz. Highly recommended!