From Malgrate to Bellano, a few ideas for spending a day on the eastern shore, combining charming towns, scenic walks and good food.
A Sunday on Lake Como does not necessarily require a packed itinerary. On the eastern shore, the short distances between destinations make it easy to choose a place to explore at a relaxed pace, enjoy a walk and make lunch an integral part of the day.
From Malgrate to Bellano, here are four ideas for planning your Sunday, each offering a different atmosphere.
Malgrate and Lecco: two lakefronts, one walk
Start in Malgrate, walking along the lakefront with views of Lecco and Mount Resegone. From here, continue on foot towards Lecco, crossing into the historic centre and exploring Piazza XX Settembre, Piazza Cermenati and the Basilica of San Nicolò.
For lunch, heading back towards Malgrate, one option is Da Giovannino Bistrot, a lakefront restaurant whose menu draws inspiration from Italian culinary traditions and the local area.
Those who prefer to stay in Lecco can choose Ristorante Enoteca Frigerio, in the heart of the historic centre, also a good option for a Sunday lunch with the family.
Varenna: lunch and a stroll through the village
For a Sunday with more of a holiday atmosphere, without travelling too far, Varenna is an ideal choice. You can walk along the famous Passeggiata degli Innamorati, reach Piazza San Giorgio and then wander through the narrow streets and stairways that characterise the village.
For lunch, one option is Hosteria del Platano, in Fiumelatte, just a short distance from the centre of Varenna. It is an ideal stop to combine with a visit to the village and its surroundings, enjoying a relaxing meal before continuing your day by the lake.
Bellano: from the Orrido to the table
Bellano offers the opportunity to combine nature and culture in a single day. A visit to the Orrido di Bellano can be followed by a walk through the historic centre and, for those who want to explore further, a visit to BAC – Bellano Arte Cultura, with its museums, art spaces and historic sites.
For lunch, Ristorante La Darsena overlooks the lake and offers a menu with a particular focus on Valtellina traditions, including dishes such as pizzoccheri and sciatt, creating an interesting connection between the lake and the mountains that surround it.
Mandello del Lario: Lake Como and a stop at Mamma Ciccia
Another idea is to head to Mandello del Lario, a town that retains a quieter, more authentic atmosphere. The day can combine the historic centre and the lake with a visit to the Church of San Giorgio, along the Sentiero del Viandante, or a stop dedicated to the history of Moto Guzzi, a name that has been inseparably linked to the town for generations.
For lunch, Mamma Ciccia offers an informal option to include in a day exploring Mandello and its surroundings, before continuing your journey along the eastern shore.
Brianza: a Sunday surrounded by nature at La Galbusera Nera
For a complete change of scenery, leave the lake behind and head towards Brianza, where the landscape gives way to the hills, woodlands and countryside of the Montevecchia and Curone Valley Regional Park.
Here, La Galbusera Nera, an agriturismo and osteria surrounded by greenery, can become the destination for a Sunday dedicated to nature and good food. Lunch can be combined with a walk through the surrounding countryside, following local trails and exploring the rural landscape, turning the day into a short escape away from the lake while still remaining within easy reach of the East Side.
A different Sunday every time
That is one of the pleasures of the eastern shore: there is no single way to spend a Sunday on Lake Como. You can experience the urban side of Lecco, walk along the waterfront in Malgrate, lose yourself in the streets of Varenna or combine nature and culture in Bellano.
And perhaps this is one of the best ways to discover the area: choose a destination, walk without rushing, stop for lunch and let the surroundings inspire your next stop.
