Cernobbio, Como, Nesso, Torno and Blevio Tour on a Week Day
This itinerary not only includes Cernobbio and Como, but also sets the stage for an afternoon visit to the famous Orrido di Nesso, in Nesso Italy, one of Lake Como’s most dramatic natural landmarks.
Before heading south, if you travelled directly from Milan Airport to Menaggio on your arrival day and did not have time to explore the western shore of the lake, this morning offers a perfect opportunity to make a few short stops at some lesser-known but charming villages along the way. Travelling on a weekday, particularly a Monday morning, is ideal, as traffic is generally lighter and parking is easier to find in these small lakeside communities.
Later in the day, after exploring Como and Cernobbio, the route continues to Nesso and the spectacular Orrido di Nesso before following the scenic lakeside road through the elegant villages of Torno and Blevio. From there, you will make your way back along Lake Como’s shoreline, enjoying beautiful views and picturesque villages before returning to Menaggio for the evening.
Optional Morning Stops on the Way to Como
- Ossuccio: Chiesa Santa Maria Maddalena
- Sala Comacina: Chiesa di San Bartolomeo
- Colonno: Piazza Matteotti, Church of Saint Michael Archangel
The scenic drive along the western shore of Lake Como is filled with historic churches, quiet waterfront squares, and picturesque viewpoints. Consider stopping briefly at one or more of the locations above before continuing to Cernobbio.
Ossuccio
Visit the beautiful Church of Santa Maria Maddalena, one of the most photographed churches on Lake Como. Standing directly on the waterfront, its elegant bell tower and peaceful setting provide wonderful views across the lake toward Comacina Island. A short walk around the village is highly recommended.
Sala Comacina
Take a quick stop at the historic Church of San Bartolomeo., located in the heart of this charming lakeside village. The narrow streets, stone houses, and lake views make Sala Comacina a pleasant place to stretch your legs.
Colonno
Pause in Piazza Matteotti, the small central square overlooking the lake, before visiting the nearby Church of Saint Michael Archangel. Colonno retains an authentic village atmosphere and offers beautiful scenery without the crowds found in the more famous destinations around the lake.
These villages can be visited with only a minimal detour from your route to Cernobbio, making them convenient stops for travellers who did not have the opportunity to explore the western shore of Lake Como on arrival. Parking is limited in many of these lakeside communities, particularly during the summer months. Also, some streets are narrow and not well suited to prolonged driving or searching for a space. Visiting on a weekday—especially on a Monday morning—generally offers a quieter experience, with lighter traffic and a better chance of finding parking. For families travelling with a baby, these short stops provide a welcome opportunity to take a break from the car, enjoy a gentle stroll along the lake, and experience some of the area’s historic churches and charming village centres before continuing the journey south toward Como.
Cernobbio, Lake Como – Breakfast & Lakeside Walk
After Moltrasio you will leave SS340 and turn left on Via Regina in order to stop in Cernobbio for breakfast or a snack and to visit.
You should see Villa d’Este – 5-star hotel and it’s beautiful gardens. Check their website for info. The park is not open to public visits. If you like to access Villa D’Este you need to make a reservation at one of the bars or restaurants: Veranda, Grill, Platano, Sundeck, Canova Bar. Only Veranda restaurant is open for breakfast, between 7 – 10.30 am.
Afterwards drive to the city center. Turn the car at the roundabout and park by the city hall if any parking spaces are available. If not, go right on Via Giuseppe Garibaldi, then turn right on Via Besana and then left on Via Erba and find another parking lot.
Walk towards the lakeshore and get to Piazza Risorgimento. See the Cernobbio ferry stop on Lake Como and Lido di Cernobbio. Then you can walk north along the lakeshore, Lungolago di Cernobbio. You can notice Chiesa di San Vincenzo in the distance. You can return and stop to eat at Bar Ristorante MGCavour.
Villa Erba & Villa Bernasconi, Cernobbio, Lake Como
If you walk on the alley between Bar Ristorante Cavour and Lido di Cernobbio along the shore of Lake Como you will arrive at Villa Erba. When no event is scheduled, visits are by appointment only and for groups of 10-15 people (entry is free unless you need a guided tour).
You can visit Villa Erba when it hosts public events (fairs, concerts, etc.) or during specific days of the year. Check their website at the section “Scheduled events” and find out the events scheduled. But if you just want to relax in its gardens, check the opening hours here.
Take the car and drive back to the roundabout near the city hall, turn South, towards Como, on Via Regina, and at the second intersection you will find the Liberty style Villa Bernasconi on the right; the villa was built in 1905, and is now used for cultural events. A big 2-level parking lot can be found on the main road, after the villa. The villa is open on Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday between 10 am and 6 pm. Price is 8 euros.. Check the website for updates.
Moreover, if you need anything, the Bennet hypermarket is nearby.
Como Old Town
Drive to Como, 5 km – 13 minutes. Maybe stop for an ice cream in the old town.
From Via Regina continue ahead on Via Per Cernobbio, pass by Villa Olmo and its park and underneath the Ponte del Chilometro della Conoscenza. Then at the roundabout go left on Via Borgo Vico. At the next roundabout go left on Via Fratelli Rosselli and then turn right on Viale Massenzio Masia. Keep right at the intersection, then at the third small intersection turn left on Via Gerolamo Borsieri. Turn right at the next intersection, on Via Torriani. Then turn left and right and again left on Viale Carlo Gaetano and drive by Porta Torre. You can find parking near the old town. From Via Carlo Gaetano turn left on Viale Lecco – at the intersection with a train line.
From the parking lot, Parcheggio via Lecco/Valduce, cross the street and pass through the archway of the Saint Vitale Tower to enter the old town. Go right along the fortress walls and get to Palazzo Giovio hosting the Civic Museum. Continue forward on Via Vittorio Emanuele II full of shops. Keep forward and see Cattedrale di Santa Maria Assunta – Duomo di Como in Piazza del Duomo. Walk forward and get to Piazza Cavour on the lakeshore. Go right on Lungo Lario Trieste. You can have ice cream at Ceccato Garden Bar.
Drive Toward Nesso, Italy
Get back to the parking lot. Drive forward towards the North on Viale Lecco. At the intersection near the train station Como Lago keep ahead on Via Alessandro Mazzoni. There in the intersection you can buy something to eat from Bar Vittoria, Sicilian Pastry And Ice Cream Shop.
Continue forward, keep right at the big intersection on Via Torno. Keep ahead on SP583 all the way to Nesso, 18 km, around 30 minutes. Pass through Blevio, Torno, Fageto Lario, Pogana Lario, Careno and finally get to Nesso.
Orrido di Nesso, Italy – Waterfall & Historic Village
Nesso is a picturesque quiet village in Italy sitting on the banks of Lake Como, split in half by its famous gorge, Orrido di Nesso.
Stop in Piazza Castello, the central part of the village,. From there you can hear the noise of a waterfall coming from the gorge that snakes into Lake Como. There is a free parking lot, but it may be crowded. Across the street from the parking lot there is the waterfall, the famous Nesso Gorge, locally known as Orrido di Nesso.
Cross the street and there is Belvedere di Nesso, a scenic spot, although the waterfall (Orrido di Nesso) is better seen from below from, Ponte della Civera, a Romanesque bridge made of stone that you can reach from Piazza Castello; this is a nice place to take pictures of the 200 m high waterfall. Leonardo da Vinci has said about Nesso in his Atlantic Codex: “Nesso, terra dove cade uno fiume con grande empito, per una grandissima fessura di monte” (Nesso, land where a river falls with strong impetus, in a large break in the mountain).
Snack Stop & Walk Down to the Lake in Nesso, Italy
Across the street from the parking lot, on the right, there is Bar la Cascata, where you can stop for a snack and drink, enjoying some nice views.
From Piazza Castello from where you see Orrido di Nesso on the right, descend the 340 steps of the Via Coatesa and reach the lake shore. The alley transforms in a flight of steps at Antico ingresso al Borgo archway. At the end of the stairs there is Antico Portico, from where you can see Ponte di Nesso, Ponte della Civera. Go through the small tunnel on the right side of the bridge in front of Orrido di Nesso – there is also a small drinking well; and a little to the right there are Coatesa Beach and Porticciolo di Nesso – marina, Nesso boat stop.
Borgo Vecchio Area, Nesso, Italy
Get back to Piazza Castello. Drive towards North on Via Borgonuovo. After you see the tower of a church on the left, at the first intersection with a road that descends to the left, go left, see a parking lot, see baroque style Archpriestal Church of Sts. Peter and Paul and then continue down the stairs and reach the lake shore in Piazza Vecchia – rocky beach, and also see Casa Borgo Vecchio on the right. This is a nice house on the lake offering accommodation, dating from 1700 and renovated; it is commun for photographs viewed from the lake or from Piazza Vecchia if visible. It is located in the old village of Nesso, in the old district “Borgo Vecchio”. And a little ahead there is Porto Borgovecchio.
As for many other lake towns in Italy, when walking around the streets of Nesso you jump back some hundreds of years. Houses made of stone, small boutiques selling only what is necessary, and lots of steps.
Torno – Lakeside Village
Next you can stop for a quick visit in Torno. Torno is a picturesque village on the eastern shore of Lake Como, located just a few kilometers from Como. In addition to its stunning lake views, it is known for its historic stone buildings, small harbor, and also a relaxed atmosphere. Consequently, it is a popular stop for visitors seeking a quieter and more authentic experience of Lake Como.
Drive back towards Como on Strada Provinciale 583. Enter Torno and park near the town hall. From SP583 turn right on Via Plinio and park for free in Piazza Tomasso Bianchi. From the town hall walk towards the lakeshore on Via Plinio. Continue forward and see Parrocchia di Santa Tecla and Molo di Torno – marina and Imbarcadero di Torno – ferry terminal. Next to the church there is Concordia acqva fountain – a drinking water fountain.
Take the car and turn right from Via Plinio to the main road SP583 – Via Roma. There is Piazza Caronti. You will see a gas station on the left and Gelateria Pasticceria La Pliniana – a pastry shop on the right.
Then the route passes through Blevio, a picturesque village on the shores of Lake Como. In addition, the village is known for its elegant villas, historic churches, and also stunning lake views. As the road follows the shoreline, travelers can enjoy beautiful panoramas of the water and the surrounding mountains. Furthermore, Blevio offers a peaceful atmosphere that reflects the charm of the Lake Como region. Consequently, passing through Blevio makes the journey both scenic and enjoyable.
Mandarin Oriental Lago di Como – Blevio
While passing through Blevio, consider stopping at the luxurious Mandarin Oriental, Lago di Como, a renowned five-star hotel set directly on the shores of Lake Como. In particular, the hotel’s lakeside restaurant and lounge, CO.MO Bar & Bistrot,, offers an exceptional setting to relax and enjoy the surroundings.
From Torno continue forward South SP583, Via E. Caronti turn right and arrive at the hotel. They are open daily between 11 am and midnight: lunch is served between 12:30 pm and 3 pm, and dinner between 7 and 11 pm, between 3 and 6 pm afternoon tea is served and between 6 and 9 pm, you can have aperitivo.
Although drinks and light snacks are somewhat expensive, the quality of the experience more than compensates for the price. Moreover, the elegant atmosphere, attentive service, and breathtaking lake views create a memorable stop along the journey. Therefore, it is worth spending some time on the terrace, where you can admire the water, the mountains, and the beautiful gardens that surround the property.
For the best experience, consider dressing smartly, as the venue has a refined and sophisticated ambiance. Furthermore, if you would like to secure a table with a prime view, reservations can be made through the hotel’s official website. Additional information about the menu, opening hours, and dining options is available on the Mandarin Oriental Lago di Como website.
Parking is available at the hotel, making it a convenient stop before continuing the scenic drive toward Menaggio. As a result, this brief detour can transform a simple journey around Lake Como into a truly elegant and relaxing experience.
Evening Return to Como
Finally drive back to Como – 6.4 km, approx. 15 minutes. If you want you can stop again in Como, for dinner. Get to the intersection near Como Lago train station. Then from Via Torno turn right to Piazza Giacomo Matteotti, at the roundabout take the third exit and drive along the lakeshore on Lungo Lario Trieste. Take the first street to the right – Viale Vittorio Veneto. There is a parking lot at the end of the street. Enter the park by the War Memorial, Monumento ai Caduti – Como. So you can visit Giardini del Tempio Voltiano and see Tempio Voltiano. Also, make sure you stroll along Lungolago di Como and see the Life Electric sculpture.
On the way back from Como to the accommodation in Menaggio, the route passes by the Bennet hypermarket. Moreover, it avoids the center of Cernobbio, which helps reduce traffic and makes the journey more convenient. As a result, the return trip is generally smoother and more efficient.
Read On
Be sure to explore Destination Italy: Lake Como and Lugano by Car + Baby on Board – Day 5, for the next chapter of the Italian journey — from hidden corners to breathtaking views, there’s so much more to discover. You can find all our posts about Lake Como on this page. For more inspiration and practical travel tips, don’t miss our maps and travel guides, and visit our Italy Travel Hub and Italy Bucket List — your go-to resources for exploring Italy in depth. Are you looking to expand your itinerary? Don’t miss our posts on Venice!
Thanks for reading!
Table of contents
- Cernobbio, Como, Nesso, Torno and Blevio Tour on a Week Day
- Optional Morning Stops on the Way to Como
- Cernobbio, Lake Como – Breakfast & Lakeside Walk
- Villa Erba & Villa Bernasconi, Cernobbio, Lake Como
- Como Old Town
- Drive Toward Nesso, Italy
- Orrido di Nesso, Italy – Waterfall & Historic Village
- Snack Stop & Walk Down to the Lake in Nesso, Italy
- Borgo Vecchio Area, Nesso, Italy
- Torno – Lakeside Village
- Mandarin Oriental Lago di Como – Blevio
- Evening Return to Como
- Read On
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