Visit the free beaches on Lake Como and discover the natural beauty that surrounds these places so popular with tourists
Lake Como is a favourite destination for international tourism and attracts visitors in all seasons of the year. It offers a special spectacle: a sheet of water surrounded by mountains, with picturesque villages that offer emotions and postcard landscapes.
You can discover all these locations and their activities by visiting the free beaches on Lake Como, small oases of peace from which you can admire the shades of the colours of the landscape and practise water sports in total freedom. It is an unusual point of view that will bring you into direct contact with nature and make you understand why the free beaches on Lake Como are so popular. The waters are swimmable, admission is free, and some offer refreshment facilities.
The locations are renowned centres and characteristic villages, and these are all suggestions if you are looking for what to see on Lake Como.
Discover 10 unmissable free beaches on Lake Como
The free beaches on Lake Como are spread along 170 kilometres of coastline. They are wonderful destinations, like all the villages along the Lario, and offer the possibility of joining moments of relaxation with cultural visits. They can be reached by land or by boat. Travelling by road, the ideal thing is to move in the morning, to avoid the traffic and look for a quiet parking space. Better still is to use a motorbike or go for a bike ride.
Take the time to make small stops and immortalise the sights you will see during the trip. These are memories you will share immediately and take home with you after spending a wonderful day at one of the free beaches on Lake Como. Some sceneries have inspired artists and writers, others have been the backdrop for successful films. It is also an opportunity to discover the beauty of the towns of Como and Lecco.
Our itinerary starts from the eastern shore, from the branch that embraces the province of Lecco. We will then go up to the upper lake and return to the western shore, which is the territory of the province of Como.
Set off with us to discover the free beaches on Lake Como!
10. Abbadia Lariana
Among the free beaches on Lake Como, the one in Abbadia Lariana is the closest to the town of Lecco. You can reach it from the provincial road, leave your car in the Ulisse Guzzi Park pay car park, and then continue on foot. You will find an expanse of white pebbles stretching along the entire length of the municipality's coastline. It offers ample space to relax and near the park entrance you will find an area equipped with tables and benches.
9. Onno e Vassena
The coastline from Onno to Vassena is characterised by beaches that can be reached on foot, leaving the car on the road at paid stops. It is a stretch rich in vegetation and the views are wild and enchanting. The beaches are made of stone and pebbles and it is possible to walk along the paths that climb up the mountain. From here the panoramas offer a wide view of Lake Como.
8. Lierna
It is a very characteristic and renowned village. Its beach is called Riva Bianca because it is made of white stones with some grassy areas and is one of the wonderful free beaches on Lake Como in the province of Lecco. The luxuriant vegetation offers unmissable scenery. It is connected to other locations by numerous paths. The centre of Lierna is special, with narrow alleys and places to spend the evening after a day at the beach. The castle, in particular, is worth a visit.
7. Colico
Moving further north, we arrive at Colico, a centre appreciated for its nature and tourist activities, as well as the variety of sporting activities that can be practised. The breezy location and grassy beach provide the ideal setting for water sports, while the mountains behind the lake invite cyclists and bikers to try their hand at trails and paths of various levels. Access to the lake is safe and therefore also popular with families with children.
6. Sorico
It is located on the northern end of the Lario and enjoys the Breva breeze, the typical wind of Lake Como. A favourite destination for sailing, windsurfing and kitesurfing enthusiasts, it is also popular with those just looking to relax. It has a sandy beach a few minutes from the centre and is the largest of the free beaches on Lake Como. It is located near the Pian di Spagna Nature Reserve, to be discovered on foot or by mountain bike.
5. Gravedona
The municipality of Gravedona is well known in terms of tourism. Well organised, it is appreciated for the various bicycle paths, the fitness trail and the green areas that beautify the entire territory. It has a fairly quiet rocky beach where one can relax and enjoy beautiful scenery. The water here is not very deep and therefore also safe for children.
4. Dongo
Dongo is one of the free beaches on Lake Como favoured by tourists and locals. Like the others, it is more crowded at weekends. Here the waters are clearer and it is more pleasant to practice water sports, such as kitesurfing and windsurfing. It is also popular with families, as the shady areas allow for pleasant moments all day long. There is free parking in the vicinity and others for a fee.
3. Cremia
We move down to the other branch of the Lario and find Cremia, an ideal village for those who enjoy strolling along the lakefront. Its houses face directly onto the shore, creating a special landscape. It has several paths that climb up the mountain behind it and a bicycle path that connects several villages on the western shore. The long, narrow beach of San Vito is popular with kitesurfers. It is convenient because it is close to restaurants and various services that you can use to enjoy a day in the sun.
2. Bellagio
The beach at San Giovanni is reached by a steep path. It is located near Villa Melzi and the view is very impressive: the two banks of the Lario come together and you can admire the whole of Lake Como. There are also platforms for taking a dip. The setting is extremely naturalistic, wild and with a great variety of plants. It is sunny especially in the morning. To enjoy the view of the lake from above, you can climb up to Civenna and admire the view from one of the famous Big Benches.
1. Lezzeno
On the eastern shore of Lake Como lies Lezzeno, the longest village in Europe. On these shores we find another of the free beaches on Lake Como. It is not very crowded, and tourists often choose more famous locations nearby. This is an advantage for those seeking clear water, sun and relaxation, which can be reached quite easily. The turquoise-coloured lake and the wooded mountains behind it provide a special landscape that suggests relaxation and quietness.
