Eco Hotel a Lecco, Lombardy

Perché Soggiornare a Lecco

Lecco sits at the southeastern tip of Lake Como, where the lake feeds into the Adda River and the limestone peaks of the Grigne mountains rise from the water's edge. With a population of roughly 48,000, it's a working Alpine city with a university, a historic iron and steel industry, and a genuine pulse that sets it apart from the polished resort towns on the central lake. This is the city of Alessandro Manzoni, who set his masterpiece The Betrothed (I Promessi Sposi) here in the 17th century, and it claims the proud title of birthplace of Italian alpinism — mountaineering culture runs deep in Lecco's DNA.

What makes Lecco genuinely special is the contrast. Monte Resegno (1,875m), Grignetta (2,177m), and Grignone (2,409m) form a dramatic alpine backdrop that drops straight into the lake. The Lungolario promenade along the lakefront is where locals gather at sunset to watch the mountains turn gold, children play in the Parco dell'Adda Nord, and ferries connect to Bellagio, Varenna, and Menaggio. The historic centre clusters around Piazza XX Settembre with its cafes, the Basilica of San Nicolo, and the 96-metre bell tower that dominates the skyline. The 14th-century Ponte Azzone Visconti bridge spans the Adda, connecting Lecco to the suburbs of Pescarenico — the fishing village described by Manzoni.

For the eco-conscious traveller, Lecco is a near-perfect base. The historic centre is compact and walkable. The train station connects to Milan in 40 minutes. The Sentiero del Viandante — an ancient mule track along Lake Como's eastern shore — starts right in town. The Funivia dei Piani d'Erna cable car lifts hikers to 1,383 metres in under 10 minutes. And every hotel booking through EcoHotels-IMPT removes one tonne of CO2 through verified carbon offset projects at no extra cost. With 8M+ hotels across our network, EUR5 free credit on your first booking, and 5% cashback in IMPT tokens, there's no reason not to choose the greener option.

Lecco at a Glance

Getting the Most Out of Lecco

The easiest way to reach Lecco is by train from Milan. Regioneal trains depart from Milano Centrale every 30 to 60 minutes and arrive in just 40 minutes — faster than driving when you factor in traffic on the SS36. The station is a short walk from the lakefront, making Lecco one of the most accessible Lake Como towns from the city. A one-way ticket costs roughly EUR5.60, making it an affordable day trip or base for exploring the wider region.

Once you arrive, the first thing to do is walk the Lungolario — the lakefront promenade that runs from the port area past the iconic Ponte Azzone Visconti bridge to the green lung of Parco dell'Adda Nord. The views across the lake towards the Grigne mountains are breathtaking, especially in the golden light of late afternoon. From the lakeside, take the cable car (Funivia dei Piani d'Erna) from Versasio up to Piani d'Erna, a mountain plateau at 1,383 metres that offers panoramic views over the entire lake and the Bergamo Alps beyond. The ride takes about 10 minutes and costs around EUR10 return — one of the best value cable car rides in the Italian Alps.

For getting around, Lake Como ferry services connect Lecco's port to Bellagio (about 1 hour), Varenna (45 minutes), and Menaggio during the warmer months. By train, Como is just 25 minutes away, Bergamo is 45 minutes, and Milan is 40 minutes. If you're driving, the SS36 connects Lecco north toward Sondrio and Valtellina or south to Milan. Parking in the historic centre is limited and often paid, so many visitors arrive by train and explore on foot, by bike, or using the local bus network. The Sentiero del Viandante hiking trail, an ancient mule track along the eastern shore of Lake Como, begins in Lecco and stretches north to Colico through some of the most scenic lakeside terrain in Lombardy.

Neighbourhoods & Areas

Hotels in Lecco

Cosa Fare a Lecco

Sentieri & Hikes

Nearby Cities

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