Holiday apartment in Griante – paths, villas and churches on Lake Como

Griante showcases Lake Como in several ways: paths lead through the town and into the hinterland, while villas and churches preserve different traces of history.

Greenway and paths through the landscape

The approximately 10-kilometre-long Greenway del lago di Como passes through Griante. It can be completed on foot in around three and a half hours or explored in sections. A section of the historic Via Francigena Romana also runs through Griante. An alternative is the Via dei Castelli: this easy walk through the hinterland passes various sites of former fortifications and takes around 40 minutes each way. There are free and paid parking spaces near the starting point.

Panoramic views and history at Sasso San Martino

A hike from Griante leads to Sasso San Martino, which offers extensive views over Lake Como. The area around Sasso San Martino was part of the Cadorna Line, an important defence line from the First World War; trenches, tunnels and armoured positions bear witness to this. The Chiesa di San Martino stands at an altitude of 475 metres on a natural terrace with panoramic views of Lake Como and the mountains in the background.

Villas and churches with their own character

Villa Margherita in Cadenabbia di Griante was built in 1853 on behalf of publisher Giulio Ricordi. Villa Collina in Griante stands on the ruins of an old medieval tower and is surrounded by a park. Villa Maresi, a historic residence facing the lake, lies between Griante and Cadenabbia. It was built between 1895 and 1905 on the ruins of an old manor house that belonged to a fortification complex, and is located in a park at the foot of Sasso di San Martino. Villa Maresi was designed in the English Gothic Revival style.

The Chiesa di San Martino already existed at the end of the 16th century under the name San Martino al Monte and received its current name and title around the middle of the 17th century. The Chiesa dei Santi Nabore e Felice preserves a fragment of a 14th-century fresco depicting the Adoration of the Magi at the grotto in Bethlehem. It also contains an altarpiece of the Assumption of Mary by Alessandro Maganza (1556–1632), a student of Titian. The Chiesa Anglicana dell’Ascensione displays features of 15th-century late Lombard Gothic, including a single-nave layout, large transverse arches, a rose window, small arches beneath the eaves and pinnacles above the supporting pillars. It was the first Anglican church built on Italian territory.

Which holiday apartment suits your plans

When choosing a holiday apartment in Griante, you can first determine the kind of daily routine you want: the Greenway, Via Francigena Romana, Via dei Castelli and hike to Sasso San Martino represent different ways of getting around. If churches, villas and architectural history are more central to your plans, the specific points of interest are Villa Margherita, Villa Collina, Villa Maresi, as well as the Chiesa di San Martino, Chiesa dei Santi Nabore e Felice and Chiesa Anglicana dell’Ascensione. Cadenabbia is also relevant for your further planning, as one of the most important ferry terminals is located there, connecting the centre of Lake Como with Varenna and Bellagio.

Further places to include in your travel plans are Lucino, Faggeto Lario, Gera Lario, Inverigo, Musso, Lezzeno, Magreglio and Cernobbio.

For the broader travel overview: Como.