Varenna

Varenna sits on the eastern shore of Lake Como at the point where the lake forks into the Como and Lecco branches, opposite Bellagio and Menaggio. Local fishermen founded the village in 769. In 1126 it was destroyed by Como during the wars between the lake's communes, and in 1169 it absorbed the refugees from the destroyed Isola Comacina.

The streets fall in a steep grid toward the water, with the lakefront passerella running between the houses and the lake. The Castello di Vezio, above the village on a spur reached by a 30-minute climb, was a Lombard watchpost reused through the Middle Ages. Villa Monastero, on the lakefront, started in the 12th century as a Cistercian convent and now runs a two-kilometer botanical garden along the shore. The frazione of Fiumelatte hosts one of the shortest rivers in Italy, 250 meters from spring to lake.

From Milan (BGY), about 1h 22m by car.

Verona (VRN) is about 2h 30m away.

By car from the centre of Brescia 1h 48m.

There is a railway station in the comune, so you can arrive without a car.

Coming from Milan or Verona?

Coming by train into Monza? Varenna is about 1 hour away by road.

Every town within reach of Milan airport.