Holiday apartment in Bellano: Gorge, culture and trails on Lake Como

A holiday apartment in Bellano is well suited to a stay shaped by the natural surroundings, the lake, outdoor activities and culture as defining themes of the area. The Orrido di Bellano and the Sentiero del Viandante offer different ways to experience Lake Como and its surroundings. When choosing a holiday apartment in Bellano with your family, you can therefore decide in advance whether shared discoveries, walking stages, experiences on the water or cultural and historical impressions should shape your holiday.

Gorge and unique insights

The Orrido di Bellano is a natural gorge that was formed 1.5 million years ago through the erosion caused by the Pioverna River and the Adda Glacier. At the entrance to the Orrido, Ca’ del Diavol stands above the Pioverna River. The three-storey pentagonal tower combines striking architecture with a special visitor perspective: a VR journey follows the course of the Pioverna River back to the Grigna and then continues across Lake Como to return to Ca’ del Diavol. The route through the Orrido includes stairs and narrow passages; access with pushchairs and wheelchairs is not permitted.

Hiking along the eastern shore of the lake

The Sentiero del Viandante is 45 km long and can be walked in its entirety or in individual stages. It runs along the eastern shore of Lake Como, connects Lecco and Colico, and then continues towards Valtellina via a network of hiking trails. This range of options offers various possibilities for planning your days: you can view the entire route as one continuous undertaking or incorporate individual stages into your holiday. The choice of a holiday apartment therefore remains connected to the question of whether you want to focus on longer hiking experiences or on a varied mix of culture and scenery.

Water, rail and regional connections

Sailing is also one of Bellano’s attractions. The Circolo Vela Bellano was founded in 1970 and ranges from a sailing school to international top-level competitions. For your planning, it is also relevant that Bellano is a stop on the Milano–Tirano railway line. The town is likewise a stop on the Navigazione Laghi boat services between Como and Colico, as well as between Colico and Como. These connections add another dimension to the range of experiences, allowing you to consider the lake, railway line, hiking route and cultural destinations together.

Church, art and local history

The Chiesa dei Santi Nazaro e Celso was built between 1342 and 1350 and is Bellano’s parish church. Its façade is characterised by alternating white and black marble stripes as well as hanging arches typical of Romanesque architecture. In Bellano’s historic centre, the Museo Giancarlo Vitali is also part of the BAC tour, meaning Bellano Arte Cultura. In addition to experiences in nature, Bellano therefore offers specific points of interest for days when you would like to explore architecture, art and the history of the area.

Traditions and Muggiasca

Pesa Vegia takes place every year on 5 January in Bellano and has a history spanning more than 400 years. Its origins are most likely dated to around 1605; it is associated with the reintroduction of older units of measurement. The MUU Museo del Latte e della Storia della Muggiasca in the Vendrogno district of Bellano offers another way to explore the region’s past. The ethnographic museum was founded in 2008 to preserve and pass on artefacts and traditions from the Muggiasca area, with particular emphasis on milk processing.

These different focal points can be helpful when choosing your accommodation: the Orrido is ideal for observing nature and having an unusual spatial experience, the Sentiero del Viandante for flexibly planned hiking stages, the Circolo Vela for those interested in sailing, and the museums, church and Pesa Vegia for cultural and historical discoveries. This allows you to choose a holiday apartment in Bellano according to your preferred holiday pace, without a single activity having to define your entire stay.

Further destinations for regional orientation

If you would like to compare Bellano with other places, you can find additional destinations here: Valmadrera, Piantedo, Baita, Garlate, Robbiate, Premana, Calolziocorte and Missaglia.

For the overarching travel overview: Lecco.