A scenic stony beach located in Rezzonico. To reach the beach, look for the 13th-century stone castle, built by the Della Torre clan and largely intact (closed to the public). Around it, stone stair paths lead downhill to porticoed houses right to the lake's edge. To the castle's left, a path marked Via al Lago winds past grey-stone houses and lush green gardens to the beach.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby attractions

1. Piazza Garibaldi

1.97 MILES

Piazza Garibaldi is roughly cobblestoned and it's plain from its time-warped nature that nothing much has changed here down the centuries. Many of the…

2. Orrido

2.4 MILES

Once an industrial centre, Bellano (5km north of Varenna) is a sleepy lakeside town with a singular sight: the Orrido, a powerful waterfall where the…

3. Antica Strada Regina

3.27 MILES

A narrow cobblestone lane that was once part of a Roman road along the western side of Lake Como has been preserved in sections. The Antica Strada Regina…

4. Castello di Vezio

4.23 MILES

High above the terracotta rooftops of Varenna, the imposing Castello di Vezio offers magnificent views over Lake Como. The 13th-century building was once…

5. Chiesa di San Giovanni Battista

4.29 MILES

Much overlooked in all the excitement about Varenna's villas are the lovely 14th-century frescoes, somewhat damaged but nevertheless full of colour,…

6. Villa Cipressi Botanical Gardens

4.32 MILES

The villa itself is a hotel, but the steeply terraced grounds are open to anyone willing to part with €6. The gardens bloom with cipressi (cypress trees),…

7. Abbazia di Piona

4.4 MILES

The Cistercian Abbazia di Piona has a magnificent setting on a promontory stretching out into Lago di Como. There's evidence that a small chapel was built…

8. Villa Monastero

4.44 MILES

At Villa Monastero elegant balustrades and statues sit amid exotic shrubs; spiky yucca trees frame lake and mountain views. The villa itself is a former…