Lecco sits at the southern tip of the eastern branch of Lake Como, the one that bears its name, in a spectacular position between the water and the mountains. It’s dominated by the unmistakable profile of the Resegone and surrounded by the Grigne, an amphitheatre of peaks that makes it a destination loved by lake lovers, hikers and climbers alike. Above all, it’s the city of The Betrothed: here Alessandro Manzoni set his famous novel, and the places in the book are still recognisable.
Compared with the more glamorous destinations of the western shore, Lecco is more authentic, lived-in and affordable, and very easy to reach by train from Milan and Como. The ideal base is the old town on the lakefront, but mountain lovers can choose a spot closer to the lifts. Here are the best areas and recommended hotels.
Lecco town and the lakefront
The old town, overlooking the lakefront, is the ideal base: from here you can walk to the statue of Manzoni in the main square, the Basilica of San Nicolò with its soaring bell tower, the Visconti Tower and the Azzone Visconti Bridge, the medieval bridge over the Adda. It’s a lively area, with bars, shops and restaurants serving lake fish, and a splendid promenade over the water with views of the mountains.
Sleeping in the centre means having everything within reach and enjoying the lake and the sunsets behind the mountains. Most of the properties are charming apartments and guest rooms on or near the water, perfect for a couple or a family. Here are some recommended addresses.
La Casa sul Lago Lecco
A well-kept property on Piazza XX Settembre, in the pedestrian heart of Lecco, a step from the lakefront and the monuments. An impeccable location and a warm welcome make it a very convenient base for experiencing the city on foot and boarding a boat to the lake’s villages.
Villa del Cigno
A well-oiled, much-loved property, with over a thousand happy guests, in a handy location in Lecco. Practical spaces and attentive management make it a reliable, worry-free base for discovering the city, the lake and its surroundings, with excellent value for money.
La Casa sul Lago Lecco 2
Welcoming, well-kept rooms a step from the lakefront, ideal for those who want to experience Lecco with the independence of their own space. Handy on foot to the centre and the station, it’s a perfect choice for a couple seeking comfort and a central location.
The city of The Betrothed: what to see
Lecco is inextricably linked to Alessandro Manzoni and The Betrothed: you can follow a real itinerary among the places of the novel, from Villa Manzoni, now a museum, to the old fishing quarter of Pescarenico, right up to the landscapes that inspired the story of Renzo and Lucia. It’s a fascinating experience that combines literature with the lake scenery.
Besides the Manzonian sites, the city offers a lovely old town, the lakefront and a strategic position for exploring the whole Lecco branch of the Lario: villages such as Varenna and Bellano are reachable by boat or by train along the shore, while the opposite bank offers spectacular glimpses. At the table, lake fish — such as the missoltini — rounds off an authentic, human-scale stay.
Lecco’s charm lies precisely in this dual soul: on one side the water, with its promenades, boats and sunsets behind the mountains; on the other the peaks mirrored in the lake and calling to adventure. It’s a less touristy but characterful city, where literature, nature and everyday life coexist in a rare balance, perfect for those seeking a different Lake Como, more genuine and lived-in.
Towards the mountains and the Piani d’Erna cable car
Lecco is also a mountain capital: from the city the Piani d’Erna cable car climbs in a few minutes to over 1,300 metres, among trails, huts and views over the lake, while the walls of the Grignetta are the cradle of Lombard mountaineering, home of the famous “Ragni di Lecco” (Spiders of Lecco). For lovers of hiking, climbing and nature it’s an unbeatable base, with the mountains literally overhead.
Those seeking this kind of holiday can choose a property near the lifts or otherwise handy for the trails. Here are some ideal addresses for combining lake and mountains in a single stay.
B&B Partenza Funivia
A welcoming B&B right by the departure of the cable car to the Piani d’Erna, much loved by many guests. It’s the perfect base for combining lake and mountains, with trails and huts within reach and the city just a few minutes away.
Huonder House
A well-kept, much-loved holiday home, ideal for those who want the independence of their own space. Perfect for families and longer stays, it combines the comfort of a home with a handy location for experiencing Lecco between lake and mountains, in a welcoming, well-tended setting.
La corte di Danilo
A welcoming, well-kept holiday home, with the space and independence of an apartment, in a handy location in Lecco. A great choice for families and groups who want a quiet base from which to explore the lake, the mountains and the Manzonian sites, with good value for money.
This guide is part of our tour of the region: discover all the areas in Where to stay in Lombardy. Lecco is the eastern gateway to Lake Como and is less than an hour by train from Milan.
Frequently asked questions
Quick answers to the questions we are asked most often about where to stay in Lecco.
What is the best area to stay in Lecco?
For a sightseeing stay the best choice is the old town on the lakefront, to walk among the monuments, the statue of Manzoni, the bars and the promenade over the water, with views of the mountains. Those who love the mountains and hiking may prefer a property near the Piani d’Erna cable car or handy for the trails. The city is compact and well connected by train, so wherever you sleep you can easily reach the whole Lecco branch of the lake.
Lecco or the western shore of Lake Como?
It depends on your travel style. Lecco and the eastern branch are more authentic, less crowded and cheaper, and combine the lake with the mountains, with excellent train links to Milan. The western shore, with Bellagio, Varenna and the great villas, is more glamorous and scenic, but pricier and more touristy. For a quiet, active, budget-conscious holiday Lecco is best; for the iconic, fashionable charm of the lake, the opposite shore. The two sides are, in any case, connected by boat.
What is there to see in Lecco?
Not to be missed: the lakefront with the statue of Manzoni, the Basilica of San Nicolò with its bell tower, the Visconti Tower and the Azzone Visconti Bridge. Then the places of The Betrothed, from Villa Manzoni to the Pescarenico quarter. For nature lovers, the Piani d’Erna cable car and the trails of the Resegone and the Grigne. From Lecco, you can also easily explore the branch of the lake towards Varenna and Bellano, by boat or by train along the shore.
Is Lecco good for mountain lovers?
Very much: it’s a true mountaineering capital, home of the “Ragni di Lecco”, with the walls of the Grignetta and the trails of the Resegone within reach. The Piani d’Erna cable car climbs to altitude in a few minutes, among huts and views, and all around there are opportunities for hiking, climbing and mountain biking. It’s the ideal destination for those who want to combine the relaxation of the lake with mountain adventure in a single stay, a rare and precious combination.
How do you reach Lecco and get around without a car?
Lecco is well connected: by train it’s reached from Milan in under an hour and from Como in about forty minutes, and it’s a handy rail hub. In the city the centre is pedestrian and walkable; for the lake there are the Navigazione boats, while the Piani d’Erna cable car takes you into the mountains. Thanks to trains and boats you can also reach Varenna, Bellano and the western shore on a day trip, so a car isn’t essential.
