The Town of Varenna

Just across the lake, this colourful town has buildings and small steep streets reminiscent of a Ligurian coast village.

Varenna is a small picturesque 15th century settlement (population 859) on the eastern shore of Lake Como. It is characterized by colourful buildings and small steep streets reminiscent of a Ligurian coast village. It is only a short boat ride across the lake from Griante and it is the the town closest to Griante with a train station.

If you are staying in Griante, Varenna is an ideal place to spend an afternoon strolling the lakeside, frequenting excellent restaurants, or enjoying its quaint and colorful atmosphere while taking in spectacular views of Lake Como and its surrounding mountains.

Varenna is quieter and more laid back than Bellagio, and there are typically fewer tourists. Still, there are many places to stop for lunch or just a coffee and tea. A great place to hang out, for example, is the small terrace of the Hotel du Lac with its wonderful view of Lake Como. If you are looking for an interesting out of the way lunch experience you could try il Cavatappi, a very small and intimate restaurant with 4 or 5 tables with the chef usually taking on waiter duties as well. Vecchia Varenna, is a well known restaurant in Varenna that feature many local dishes that follow ancient culinary traditions.

Getting to Varenna from Griante is easy. Simply take a Ferry or boat from Cadenabbia, Menaggio, or Bellagio. Check the Navigazione Laghi website for more information about departure times.

Giovanni Battista Pirelli, the founder of Pirelli, the Italian manufacturer of tires and cables, was born in Varenna in 1848.