Last updated: July 2026
Lecco is one of the most underrated destinations on Lake Como. It lacks the glamour of Bellagio and the polish of Como, but it makes up for it with dramatic mountain scenery, genuine local culture, and a range of activities that far surpass the tourist towns on the central lake. Whether you're hiking the Grignetta where Italian alpinism was born, riding the cable car to Piani d'Erna, exploring the historic haunts of Alessandro Manzoni, or simply eating your way through the trattorias of Pescarenico, Lecco delivers experiences that many Lake Como visitors miss entirely.
This guide covers the best things to do in Lecco, organised by activity type, with practical information on how to get there, when to go, and what to expect.
The definitive Lecco mountain experience. Grignetta is the smaller but more dramatic of the two Grigne peaks, with exposed limestone pinnacles and a classic via ferrata route called the Cresta Cermenati. Start from the Pian dei Resinelli car park (reachable by car or taxi from Lecco, about 15 minutes). The trail is well-marked but serious — proper hiking boots, helmet (recommended for the via ferrata section), plenty of water, and good weather are essential. The summit views over Lake Como, Monte Resegone, and the Bergamo Alps are breathtaking. Not for beginners or those with a fear of heights.
Getting there: Take the bus from Lecco to Pian dei Resinelli (line D35, about 30 minutes) or drive. The trail starts clearly from the car park. Best from May to October when snow is absent.
The Wayfarer's Trail is the most historic route on Lake Como's eastern shore. It follows ancient mule tracks from Lecco north to Colico, passing through olive groves, chestnut forests, medieval villages (Lierna, Varenna, Dervio), and offering uninterrupted lake views. The full route takes 2-3 days with overnight stops in guesthouses along the way. For a day hike, the section from Lecco to Lierna (about 12 km, 3-4 hours) gives you the best scenery-to-effort ratio. The trail is well-marked with red-and-white CAI (Italian Alpine Club) signs.
Getting there: The trail starts in Lecco near the Parco dell'Adda Nord. No special equipment needed for the day section. Best in spring or autumn when temperatures are moderate.
The Funivia dei Piani d'Erna cable car lifts you from Versasio (a suburb of Lecco) to the Piani d'Erna plateau at 1,383 metres in about 10 minutes. At the top, a gentle loop trail offers panoramic views of Lake Como, the Grigne massif, Monte Resegone, and the Bergamo Alps. There's a mountain refuge (Rifugio Piazza) serving polenta, local cheeses, and cold drinks. This is the most accessible alpine experience from Lecco — suitable for families, beginners, and anyone who wants mountain views without the climb. The cable car costs around EUR10 return.
Getting there: Bus from Lecco centre to Versasio (line 1, about 10 minutes) or drive. Cable car runs March-October, weather permitting.
Monte Resegone — the saw-tooth mountain — gets its name from the Italian word “sega” (saw), and its jagged ridgeline is visible from anywhere in Lecco. The hike starts from the Piani d'Erna plateau and follows the ridge to the summit. The views along the ridge are spectacular: the Lecco branch of Lake Como on one side, the Imagna Valley on the other. The summit cross is a popular photo spot. This is a less technical alternative to the Grignetta but still requires proper footwear and fitness.
Getting there: Take the cable car to Piani d'Erna, then follow trail signs toward Monte Resegone. Allow 3-4 hours return from the cable car top station.
Lecco's main church, dedicated to the patron saint of sailors (appropriate for a lake town), was built in the 19th century in neo-Gothic style. The striking facade with its three rose windows dominates Piazza San Nicolò. But the main draw is the 96-metre bell tower (Campanile di San Nicolò), one of the tallest in Lombardy. Climb the 400+ steps for a panoramic view that takes in the entire city, Lake Como, the Grigne mountains, and the Adda River valley. On clear days, you can see Milan's skyscrapers on the southern horizon.
The former home of Alessandro Manzoni, author of Italy's most famous novel The Betrothed (I Promessi Sposi), is now a museum dedicated to his life and work. The building itself is a historic villa with period rooms, original furnishings, and personal belongings of Manzoni. The museum traces the connection between Manzoni's writing and the Lecco landscape — many of the settings in the novel are real places you can still visit today. Pescarenico, the Convento dei Cappuccini, and the Ponte Azzone Visconti all feature prominently. A must for literature lovers.
Built in the 14th century by Azzone Visconti, the ruler of Milan, this fortified stone bridge spans the Adda River just below where it flows out of Lake Como. At 130 metres long with nine arches, it's one of the most impressive medieval bridges in Lombardy. The bridge connects Lecco's historic centre to the Pescarenico district and the suburb of Malgrate. Walking across it at sunset, with the Grigne mountains glowing behind the lake, is one of the simplest and best free experiences in Lecco. The bridge also appears in Manzoni's The Betrothed.
On the far side of the Ponte Azzone Visconti lies Pescarenico, the historic fishing village that features prominently in The Betrothed. This is where Manzoni's characters lived and worked, and the atmosphere remains remarkably unchanged. Narrow cobbled streets, houses painted in faded pastels, fishing boats pulled up on the riverbank, and the smell of woodsmoke from the trattorias. The Convento dei Cappuccini (Capuchin monastery), another Manzoni setting, sits on a hill above the village. Spend an hour wandering Pescarenico for a glimpse of Lecco's pre-industrial past.
The Lungolario is Lecco's lakefront walkway, stretching from the port area in the south to the Parco dell'Adda Nord in the north. Lined with benches, mature plane trees, and the occasional cafe kiosk, it's the heart of public life in Lecco. Locals walk here in the evening, children ride bikes, couples sit on benches watching the sunset over the Grigne. The best time is 30 minutes before sunset, when the mountains turn pink and orange and the lake becomes a mirror. The full walk from port to park and back is about 5 km and takes an hour at a strolling pace.
Lecco's port is a full stop on Lake Como's ferry network. From here, you can take ferries to Bellagio (about 1 hour), Varenna (45 minutes), Menaggio, and other lake towns without changing hotels. This is a major advantage over staying in the central lake towns, where you'd pay more for less space. The ferry ride itself is an attraction — the views of the Grigne from the water are postcard-perfect. Buy tickets at the port or use the Gestione Navigazione Lakes app. Summer schedules are frequent; in winter, services are reduced.
There are no sandy beaches in central Lecco, but the Parco dell'Adda Nord has grassy banks and rocky shore access points where locals swim in summer. The water at the lake's southeast end is clean and calm, reaching 24°C in August. The best spot is near where the Adda River begins to flow out of the lake, just north of the Parco dell'Adda Nord entrance. Bring a towel, find a flat rock, and jump in. For a proper beach, head to Abbadia Lariana (10 minutes south by train) where there's a small pebble beach.
The most beloved trattoria in Lecco, Trattoria Vecchia Lecco is the place to try lake fish prepared the traditional way. The menu changes with the seasons, but expect lavarello grilled with olive oil and herbs, risotto with perch fillets, and missoltino (sun-dried lake fish) with polenta. The stone-walled dining room is warm and unpretentious. Reservations essential, especially on weekends. If it's full, try Antica Trattoria Visconti in Pescarenico as your backup — similarly excellent and a short walk across the bridge.
Every Saturday, Lecco's weekly market fills two main squares with food stalls. It's the best place to taste local products without committing to a restaurant meal. Sample bresaola from Valtellina, Taleggio cheese, fresh lake fish (Friday is better for fish, but Saturday still has some), seasonal mushrooms in autumn, local honey, and Alpine cheeses. The produce comes directly from farms in the surrounding valleys. Grab a picnic and eat on the Lungolario.
The Italian aperitivo tradition is strong in Lecco. Between 6pm and 8pm, bars along the Lungolario and around Piazza XX Settembre serve drinks with complimentary snacks. A spritz (Aperol or Campari) or a glass of Franciacorta sparkling wine typically comes with olives, chips, nuts, and sometimes small sandwiches or bruschetta. The best spots are those with outdoor tables facing the lake — watching the sunset over the Grigne while sipping a spritz is a daily ritual you should not miss.
Take the morning ferry from Lecco port to Varenna (45 min) or Bellagio (1 hour). Varenna is a romantic lakeside village with colourful houses, a lakefront promenade, and the beautiful Villa Monastero gardens. Bellagio is more touristed but has elegant shops, grand villas, and the famous Punta Spartivento viewpoint where the lake splits into three branches. Return to Lecco in the evening. This makes a perfect day trip without moving hotels, and Lecco's cheaper accommodation makes it financially sensible.
A 45-minute train ride from Lecco takes you to Bergamo's lower city, where you can ride the funicular up to the Città Alta (Upper City). This medieval hilltop town is enclosed by Venetian walls (a UNESCO World Heritage site) and filled with cobblestone streets, art galleries, the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, and the best food scene in Lombardy after Milan. Bergamo's restaurants are legendary for their casoncelli pasta and local wines. A full day is recommended.
Forty minutes by direct train from Lecco puts you in Milano Centrale. From there, the Duomo, Galleria Vittorio Emanuele, La Scala opera house, and the Brera art district are all within walking distance. Milan's museums (Pinacoteca di Brera, Museo del Novecento, the Last Supper at Santa Maria delle Grazie) are world-class. Lecco works brilliantly as a base for a Milan day trip — you save money on accommodation and escape the city noise at night.
Summer (June-August): Lake swimming, full ferry schedules, high-altitude hiking on the Grignetta and Grignone, the Palio di Lecco boat race in September, outdoor concerts on the Lungolario.
Autumn (September-November): Best hiking weather (cool mornings, warm afternoons), porcini mushroom foraging, autumn colours on the Sentiero del Viandante, grape harvest in Valtellina (easily reached by train from Lecco).
Winter (December-February): Skiing at Piani di Bobbio and Madesimo (about 60-90 minutes by car), Christmas market in Piazza XX Settembre, vin brulé (mulled wine), snow-capped mountain views, lowest hotel prices of the year.
Spring (March-May): Wildflowers on the Grigne foothills, Piani d'Erna cable car reopens (late March/Easter), fewer tourists, rising temperatures, Easter processions in the historic centre.