As one of Italy’s most beautiful destinations, Lake Como is known worldwide for its natural and luxurious beaches.
Picturesque villages dot the lakeside, giving you fantastic views when you stop for a refreshing dip or to take in some rays.
Here’s our take on the best beaches in Lake Como.
1. Lido di Bellagio
Lido di Bellagio is located in Northern Italy on the shores of Lake Como.
It’s a popular tourist destination and can get very busy in the summer months when the weather is warm and sunny.
When we visited in the third week of July, it was pretty busy and difficult to get a sun lounger by noon.
If you’re keen on visiting this beautiful beach, plan to arrive early to make the most of what it has to offer.
This sandy beach offers swimming pools, sun loungers, a restaurant, and a bar. There are also plenty of parasols, which we were very grateful for as the temperature hit 30 degrees on the day of our visit!
Lido di Bellagio also offers a good choice of watersports, which my two older kids loved!
My little girl was happy building sandcastles on the beach, but it was great to have options for my two older ones to keep them busy! They enjoyed paddleboarding and waterskiing, and there were some other families using kayaks too.
If you want a break from the beach, you can visit the nearby town of Bellagio. Here, there are many historic villas to explore as well as beautiful gardens and churches.
We had a lovely, relaxing trip to Lido di Bellagio and the watersports were a real highlight for my kids.
2. Spiaggia di Gravedona
If mountain scenery and crystal-clear waters are what you are after, then look no further than Spiaggia di Gravedona.
Located on the northwestern shore of Lake Como, it is surrounded by stunning mountain scenery.
Spiaggia di Gravedona also offers windsurfing and kayaking, though we didn’t try these out on our visit this time, preferring to relax instead.
There were, however, plenty of families out on the lake enjoying the watersports and it was not too busy in the late afternoon.
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Swimming here was wonderful. The water was crystal clear (if a little chilly!) and there were plenty of facilities such as showers and restrooms to freshen up. Changing rooms, beach umbrellas, and sun loungers were available to rent.
If you fancy a break from the beach, some of the best places to visit in the nearby charming town of Gravedona are:
- Chiesa di Santa Maria del Tiglio: This stunning 12th-century church is a must-visit for history buffs. Its stunning frescoes and sculptures are inspiring.
- Palazzo Gallio: This interesting cultural center and historical building dates back to the 16th century.
- Piazza Cavour: This beautiful square in the center of Gravedona is a perfect place to relax and enjoy the local atmosphere.
3. Spiaggia di Lenno
The stunning Spiaggia di Lenno is a popular beach located on the western shore of Lake Como.
Situated near Villa Balbianello, it is known for its clear blue waters and gorgeous mountain views so we were keen to try it out for ourselves.
We found there to be plenty of facilities including:
- Parking: A paid parking lot is available for visitors.
- Boat rental: Boats can be rented at the marina nearby.
- Snack bar: The snack bar located on the beach offers a range of food and drinks.
- Beach volleyball court: Available for visitors who would like to play some sports.
We enjoyed a relaxing afternoon at Spiaggia di Lenno.
My kids loved the gelato available at the snack bar whilst my husband and I had a lovely, cold beer. The lake itself was cool, but just what was needed to refresh on a hot day.
There were several restaurants and cafes nearby and though we didn’t try any of them, the menus looked amazing and were all offering local cuisine. I would definitely head back to try one of these places on our next visit!
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4. Spiaggia di Dongo
Located in the Lombardy region on Lake Como’s northwestern shore, Spiaggia di Dongo is known for its stunning views of the lake and surrounding mountains.
We couldn’t believe the color of the lake here when we first arrived, it was pure turquoise! My daughter said it looked like something out of a dream!
The beach is on the smaller side and is pebbly rather than sandy.
This didn’t bother my two older kids, but my daughter quite likes sandy beaches, so we came prepared with a few extra toys and games to keep her busy.
My husband and two sons rented a pedal boat and went off exploring the lake whilst my daughter and I stayed on the beach.
We saw lots of people dressed for hiking, one lady told us it was a popular starting point for heading up into the mountains for hiking or biking.
We loved our visit here as it was such a stunning spot. If you have little ones who prefer sandy beaches, I would perhaps consider a few extra toys to keep them busy, as the lack of sand bothered my daughter after a couple of hours.
5. Lido di Menaggio
Located in the town of Menaggio on Lake Como’s western shore, this stunning beach is popular with tourists and locals alike.
There are gorgeous mountain and lake views at every turn, creating a lovely, tranquil feel.
We found the beach to be well-maintained with a good supply of sun loungers, umbrellas, and changing rooms.
For cooler days, there is a heated swimming pool with a separate children’s area.
My little girl spent a good hour in the playground, which she loved, whilst my husband and older kids cooled off in the bar. The bar and restaurant both had excellent food choices and pleasant staff.
Final Thoughts on Best Beaches in Lake Como
Wherever you choose, it’s impossible to be disappointed here in the beautiful surroundings of Lake Como.
However, since we’re comparing the best beaches in Lake Como, our winning vote goes to Lido di Bellagio. Its natural beauty, sandy beach, and excellent watersport facilities made for the perfect day.
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