Lecco Branch
Lierna
The pale pebble beach of Riva Bianca and a station on the Milan–Lecco–Sondrio–Tirano line.
June – August
Summer
Swimming, boat trips and sailing along the lakeshore.
- Ivo Kruusamägi · CC BY-SA 4.0
- Kaitu · CC0
- Benreis · CC BY-SA 3.0
- Pymouss · CC BY-SA 4.0
- Benreis · CC BY-SA 3.0
- Corradox · CC BY-SA 4.0
- Eustace Bagge · CC BY 3.0
- Pomptidom · CC BY-SA 4.0
In summer, visitors swim in the bathing areas and travel by boat between the lakeside villages.
On the upper lake, between Domaso, Gera Lario and Colico, the Breva blows from the south on fine afternoons, and people sail, windsurf and kitesurf. At the end of June, for the Sagra di San Giovanni, thousands of small lights are lit around Isola Comacina.
What changes
- Water temperature varies by location and depth: the surface value does not describe the whole lake.
- In fair weather, the Breva can strengthen over the upper lake in the afternoon.
- Boats run their most frequent services of the year, and the line between Lecco and Bellagio runs too.
- The villages host festivals and outdoor events.
What to do this season
15 Jun – 10 Sept
Riva Bianca at Lierna
A pale pebble beach in Lierna, within walking distance of the station.
Riva Bianca, Lierna15 Jul – 5 Sept
Swimming in the lake
The monitored bathing spots, the class of their water and where you can get into the water from the shore.
1 Jun – 15 Sept
The Breva at Domaso
The Breva blows up the lake from the south and can strengthen in the afternoon in fair weather.
Wind and board on the upper lake26–27 June 2027 · Indicative dates
The Sagra di San Giovanni
Thousands of small lights around Isola Comacina at the end of June.
Sagra di San Giovanni
Where to go this season
Upper LakeDomaso
An upper-lake village with a long beach and areas for sailing, windsurfing and kitesurfing.
Centro LagoMenaggio
In the middle of the lake, between the ferry, the Regina road and the bus to Lugano.
Upper LakeColico
A railway junction between Lake Como, the Valtellina and the Valchiavenna.
What water you swim in
The official classification of the Lario's bathing points, and the names of the ones that are not excellent.
The Lario has 64 official bathing points. In the 2025 season 51 were classed excellent. The other 13 are these, under the names the register gives them.
In July, last sun is estimated at the reference point for Villa Erba Ex Galoppatoio (Cernobbio) at 20:44, and for Campeggio Quanzito (Abbadia Lariana) at 16:36. The estimated difference is 4 h 8 min.
- Excellent51
- Good7
- Sufficient3
- Poor2
- Not classified1
- CanottieriLeccoPoor
- Inganna - Lc 53ColicoPoor
- Laghetto PionaColicoSufficient
- Riva del Tenciu'LaglioSufficient
- Spiaggetta MalgrateMalgrateSufficient
- Lido di ColicoColicoGood
- MalpensataLeccoGood
- S.VitoCremiaGood
- San BiagioMussoGood
- Spiaggia di OroBellanoGood
- Spiaggia FoppaSan SiroGood
- Zona Campeggi - RivaPianello del LarioGood
- CarenoNessoNot classified
Official water quality classification for the 2025 season, usually based on samples from four bathing seasons. For recent test results and bathing bans, see the Ministry of Health's Portale Acque. Sun times are July estimates at the marked point, based on the terrain. Data European Environment Agency.
Experiences
Itineraries
Events
19Jun 2027
Palio del Baradello
Como returns to 1159, with its quarters in procession and in competition.
Como's lakeside gardens and historic centreuntil 27 JuneUsually free entryIndicative dates
25Jun 2027
Sagra del Misultin
The lake's dried fish, in the park, the last weekend of June.
Parco Boldona, viale degli Alpiniuntil 27 JuneIndicative dates
26Jun 2027
Bellagio and Lake Como Festival
Chamber music in the villas, churches and gardens, all summer.
Multiple venues on both shoresuntil 9 AugustUsually free entryIndicative dates
26Jun 2027
Sagra di San Giovanni
Fireworks over Isola Comacina and celebrations at Ossuccio and on the island.
Isola Comacina and the town park at Ossucciountil 27 JuneUsually free entryIndicative dates
Stories
Story·2 min
Missoltini, the fish preserved in the sun
Shad are caught in summer, dried in the sun and wind and pressed into tins with bay leaves, to be eaten in the months that follow.
Story·3 min
Breva and Tivano, the lake's breezes
The Tivano blows from the north in the early hours; the Breva blows up the lake from the south during the day. Their daily pattern depends on the weather and the season.
Guides for this season
- What is there to do with children?Where to go with children: beaches, ferries, gorges and museums.
- Can you swim in Lake Como, and where?It is a swimmable lake, and also an Alpine lake more than 400 metres deep.
- Where do you walk, and how hard is it?Two walking routes through villages, along mule tracks and beside the shores.