Lake Como itself is famous for its incredible beauty, with its crystal clear waters surrounded by majestic mountains and lush green hills. It is hard not to be impressed by its romantic and charming atmosphere.
Menaggio is a small and charming town located on the shores of the picturesque Lake Como. This picturesque Italian village boasts a rich history and tourist attractions that make it an ideal destination for travelers in search of natural and cultural beauty.
Historically, Menaggio played an important role in trade along the lake due to its strategic location between the towns of Como and Colico. Today, this ancient past is reflected in the presence of beautiful historic buildings that dot the town center.
One of Menaggio's main tourist attractions is undoubtedly its charming central square, Piazza Garibaldi. Among the places of worship, here you can admire the majestic parish church dedicated to St. Stephen, the Church of Santa Marta, in the center of the village where you can enjoy an outdoor coffee while observing town life.
Menaggio has ancient origins evidenced by important artistic legacies that can be discovered through an interesting itinerary shown on the leaflet "Historical Itinerary of the Town and Hamlets". For families there is a fun quiz itinerary to follow along with the downtown itinerary. In the sunny hamlet of Loveno, where patrician families loved to stay, there are prestigious aristocratic villas, among which Villa Mylius Vigoni stands out. The hamlet of Nobiallo, clustered around the parish church of SS.Bartolomeo and Nicolao and characterized by an unusual leaning Romanesque bell tower, is crossed by the Antica Strada Regina, of Roman origin.
From the village of Croce it takes about 30 minutes to reach the viewpoint la Crocetta, where the remains of the trenches of the Cadorna Line, a defense line of World War I, can be found. Thanks to its central location between the lake and the mountains, Menaggio is an ideal starting point for all kinds of excursions. On foot or by mountain bike, you can discover the trails of Val Sanagra Park, a large green lung just outside Menaggio.
The gastronomic specialties of Menaggio
Menaggio is famous not only for its natural beauty and panoramic location on Lake Como, but also for the culinary delights it offers visitors. This picturesque Italian village boasts a rich and varied culinary tradition that makes every meal an unforgettable experience.
Among the most beloved specialties, of course, are fish dishes. One of the most popular and beloved dishes in Menaggio is risotto with perch fillets. It is followed by: angoni in carpione (fried fish marinated in water and vinegar flavored with local herbs), polenta uncia (with cheese, butter and garlic), lavarelli and trout with butter and sage, and angoni in green sauce.
But that's not all! In Menaggio you can also enjoy other specialties such as missoltini, dried fish typical of Lake Como. Crispy and flavorful, these little fish are perfect to accompany with some excellent local wine.