Lecco is an incredible alpine city on the shores of Lake Como in Italy.
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Lecco Italy will appeal to everyone from mountain lovers, water sports enthusiasts and those who consider gelato tasting to be a serious sport!
It dates back to the 12th century. It grew to become one of the most important industrial centres in Italy during the Industrial Revolution. Today, the affluent city is home to ~48,000 people.
It’s a 50-minute drive from Como, or a 40-minute drive from Viale Campoè, where you can do a very cool zip line!
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Lecco should definitely be on your list of places to visit when you travel to Lake Como!
The first thing I do upon arriving almost anywhere in Italy is head for a gelato! Then, you’ll want to take a leisurely stroll along the shoreline of Lake Como for breathtaking views of the lake, and the mountains meeting the lake. You’ll also see Malgrate, the town across the lake from Lecco.
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You’ll soon come across a golden statue. This is St. Nicholas, the patron saint of sailors on Lake Como. Be sure to be extra nice to him – especially if you’re on a boat!
Next, you’ll want to take a boat ride on the beautiful Lake Como or Lago Di Como as they say. If you think Lecco is pretty from land, you haven’t seen it from the water:
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Of special note, is the distinctive mountain, Resegone. Its name is derived from the word for “saw” due to its resemblance. You can even see it from Milan!
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Unsurprisingly, their outdoor activities are a must in Lake Como! It is a water sports lover’s paradise, especially for sailing. So make sure to set a time for that! I also saw a couple of sea-doos and diving is also possible. Just don’t expect to reach the bottom.
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At its deepest point, it’s 410 metres deep, one of the deepest lakes in all of Europe!
I would love to come back to dive in Lake Como!
Or, your adventure can simply be looking glamorous on the wonderful Lake Lake Como. You can let the captain does all the work. That was my strategy when I visited Lecco:). I figured I deserved a day off after my incredible bungee ziplining adventure the day before!
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Back in Lecco, it’s easy to explore the historic city centre on foot. The bell tower, the Campanile di San Nicolo is a popular attraction. You can climb to the top of the 98-metre bell tower for a small donation.
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Travel tip: You must book in advance as it’s only possible with a guided tour. You can book your visit at www.campaniledilecco.it.
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You can choose to explore the gorgeous historic city, or perhaps the mountains in the backdrop are calling your name! Besides hiking to San Martino (pictured behind the bell tower), or taking a cable car, there are an incredible 10 via Ferratas in the area.
A via Ferrata is a hike that involves wearing a harness and clipping into ropes and ladders secured to a mountain. You’ll find one of the highest concentrations of via Ferratas in all of Europe here! The not-so-far-away Dolomites also offers via Ferratas and incredible multi-day hikes.
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Afterwards, you’ll definitely want to enjoy the delicious food.
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Whether you’re an adventurer or more of a cultural adventurer, Lecco has something for every traveller.
Note: My trip to Lake Como was made possible via the #inLombardia365 project planned by iAmbassador and the Lombardia Tourism Board. As always, all opinions are my own.
