SALA COMACINA
Hotspots
Sala Comacina is a lovely fishermen village between Ossuccio and Colonno on the west coast of Lake Como with 600 inhabitants. This authentic village featuring old stone portals, little bridges, romantic balconies, charming stone facades, and humble townhouses overlooks the stunning scenery of Isola Comacina, the only island on Lake Como.​
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Nearby villages: Ossuccio, Colonno, Lenno, Argegno & Tremezzo
01.
Food & drinks
Breakfast
Italy is well known for its delicious (and affordable) cappuccinos & sweet pastries. Try out our favorite 4 spots close to the house.​
Le Tout Paris and Panificio Amalia Ostinelli 2min walk
Good for local pastries and a real italian coffee.
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​If you fancy an extensive brunch instead of a quick breakfast, you can have a delicious breakfast at Musa, the 5* hotel from Sala Comacina.
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Bar Pasticceria Tremezzina - Lenno 30 min walk, 8 min by car
Very local, popular bakery where you can sit among the real Italians. Make sure to try the pistachio croissant and brioche, they are delicious.
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​Barchetta & Cafè Colombo - Argegno 8 min by car
Casual breakfast spots on the square of Argegno where you can enjoy a good cappuccino and croissant while enjoying the lake view.
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Tirlindina
Tirlindina
View from Tirlindana on Isola Comacina
Grand Hotel Tremezzo
Da Giacomo al Lago
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​​Lunch or Diner
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Locanda La Tirlindana 2min walk
Definitely one of our favorite restaurants on the lake. This family-owned pittoresque restaurant with delicious food is situated right next to the lake, in front of the Isola Comacina. Make sure to try their signature dish 'Ravioli with lemon butter' which has been on the menu since their opening in 1974. We recommend booking in advance to ensure you get a table.
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Lido di Sala Comacina 4 min walk
Chill lunch spot right next to the lake, recommended for a good pizza and a quick sandwich for lunch.​
Roteo - Musa (Pricey) 3 min walk
Gourmet dining at a higher level in the 5* hotel MUSA, definitely worth it for food enthusiasts. A fun option on Mondays (when many restaurants are closed) is the pizza night, where a mobile pizza oven is set up next to the hotel and you can enjoy pizzas for €14.​​
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Al Vecchio Bacucco 14 min walk
Try traditional Italian dishes with a modern twist, featuring fresh, local ingredients. We recommend booking in advance to ensure you get a table.
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Il Griffo 24 min walk - 6 min by car
Enjoy the local specialties in the shade of linden trees. We recommend booking in advance to ensure you get a table.
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Piazzetta​ - Argegno 7 min by car
Charming restaurant in the picturesque town of Argegno, La Piazzetta offers refined Italian cuisine and a cozy ambiance. Delicious pizza!
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Da Giacomo al Lago (Pricey) 13 min by car
If you think of classical Italian beauty and class, this is the definition of it. Part of the 5-star Grand Hotel Tremezzo, its colorful striped interior and beach vibes make it the perfect spot for a cocktail, lunch, or dinner. We recommend booking in advance to ensure you get a table.​
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Al Véluu - Griante (Pricey) 15 min by car
Spectacular view on the lake from higher up in the mountains. It's a pricey restaurant but it's an experience to pass by Luca and to enjoy his meals and to hear him talk about they are made from the vegetables of his garden. Our favorite: Fiorentini with zucchini fries. We recommend booking in advance to ensure you get a table.​​​​​​
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Icecream
No Italian holiday is complete without having tried a real gelato! No words needed just gotta taste it.
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La Fabbrica Del Gelato 30 min walk, 8 min by car
Il gelato di Zoe - Argegno 8 min by car
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02.
MUST SEE
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Villa Balbianello - A Cinematic Masterpiece on Lake Como 8 min by car
Perched on the tip of the Dosso d’Avedo peninsula in Lenno, Villa del Balbianello is one of Lake Como’s most iconic landmarks. Originally built in 1787 by Cardinal Angelo Maria Durini atop a former Franciscan monastery, the villa features twin towers—remnants of the original church—and a stunning loggia offering panoramic views of the lake. ​
Over the centuries, the villa has been owned by notable figures, including explorer Count Guido Monzino, who led Italy's first expedition to Mount Everest. Monzino adorned the interiors with artifacts from his travels, 18th and 19th-century French and English antiques, and installed secret passages due to security concerns during Italy's tumultuous 1970s. Today, the villa is managed by the Italian National Trust (FAI) and is renowned for its terraced gardens and cinematic allure, having featured in films like Star Wars: Episode II and Casino Royale.
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Villa Carlotta - Art and nature in perfect harmony 15 min by car
Located in Tremezzo, Villa Carlotta is a splendid 17th-century residence celebrated for its art collections and botanical gardens. Commissioned in 1690 by Marquis Giorgio Clerici, the villa later became the property of Gian Battista Sommariva, who enriched it with masterpieces by artists like Antonio Canova and Francesco Hayez.
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In 1844, Princess Marianne of Nassau gifted the villa to her daughter, Charlotte, upon her marriage to Duke George II of Saxe-Meiningen. An avid botanist, the Duke expanded the gardens into a 70,000 m² landscape featuring over 150 varieties of rhododendrons and azaleas, ancient camellias, and exotic plants.
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Today, Villa Carlotta operates as a museum and botanical garden, offering visitors a blend of artistic treasures and horticultural splendor against the backdrop of Lake Como.
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Isola Comacina - The Enchanted Island of Lake Como 5 min by ferry
Once a powerful Roman outpost and early Christian stronghold, Isola Comacina played a key role in Lake Como’s medieval history—until it was destroyed in 1169 by Como’s allies under Emperor Barbarossa. For centuries, it remained abandoned and wrapped in local superstition, believed to be cursed.
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Fast forward to 1919: the island was gifted to King Albert I of Belgium in gratitude for Belgium’s WWI heroism. In a gracious gesture, he returned it to Italy on one condition—it be dedicated to the arts.
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In the 1930s, architect Pietro Lingeri built three minimalist artist residences, now managed by Milan’s Brera Academy. Since then, Belgian and Italian artists have come to live, dream, and create here, keeping alive a tradition of artistic exchange in one of the most magical corners of Lake Como.
Villa Balbianella by Peter Thomas
Villa Balbianella by Peter Thomas
Villa Carlotta
Villa Carlotta
Isola Comacina
03.
Must Do
Villa Balbiano
Greenway walk
Boat tour on Lake Como
​​Greenway Walk
Start your journey right from Sala Comacina on the Greenway del Lago di Como, a scenic 10 km (6.2 mile) trail that winds its way north along the lake to Griante, near Menaggio. The full walk takes about 3 to 4 hours at a leisurely pace, passing through picturesque villages like Ossuccio, Lenno, Mezzegra, and Tremezzo.
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Along the way, you’ll discover historic villas like Villa Balbiano, Romanesque churches, peaceful gardens, and postcard-perfect views of the lake. The path is mostly flat and easy to follow, making it ideal for all ages.
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If you head south from Sala Comacina instead, the trail leads into hillier terrain with sweeping mountain panoramas — perfect for those seeking a more adventurous route.
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Rent a kayak, paddleboard, or boat
No better way to experience the beauty of Lake Como than from the water! You can rent a kayak, paddleboard (SUP), or boat to explore the lake at your own pace. Whether you prefer to glide across the water on your own or enjoy a relaxing cruise with a skipper, there are options for everyone.
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Book a private boat ride with a local skipper who will guide you to the best spots on the lake, including hidden beaches, historic villas, and charming lakeside villages. If you’re feeling more adventurous and have a boating license, you can rent a self-drive boat and navigate the lake on your own. It's the perfect way to enjoy the freedom of the water with a bit more privacy.
Booking online at hiringaboat.com
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Take the ferry and visit Varenna, Bellagio, or Como
Hop on the ferry and embark on a leisurely journey across Lake Como, one of the most relaxing and scenic ways to explore the region. The ferry offers breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains and pristine shoreline as you glide between some of the lake’s most charming towns.
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Stop off at Varenna, a picturesque village with narrow cobbled streets, colorful buildings, and stunning lakeside views. Or head to Bellagio, often called the "Pearl of Lake Como," known for its cobbled streets, elegant villas, and magnificent gardens. Como, the city at the southern tip of the lake, offers a rich blend of history, culture, and modern Italian life, with historic landmarks, shopping, and stunning waterfront promenades.
The ferry ride itself is a highlight, offering panoramic views of the lake’s sparkling waters, lush hillsides, and luxurious lakeside villas.
With regular departures from several towns, including Sala Comacina, it’s an easy and unforgettable way to see the beauty of Lake Como.
Book tickets online on navigazionelaghi.it
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• • Rent a bike: https://www.bicisport2000.com/noleggio-bici-da-corsa/
Grand Hotel Tremezzo
Da Giacomo al Lago