Our journey of exploration of the elegant hamlets of Tremezzina continues: after Tremezzo and Mezzegra, today is the turn of Lenno.

There's only one word, in our view, that defines Lenno: privileged. Yes, because this elegant village is nestled in a natural bay - nicknamed “Gulf of Venus” (“Golfo di Venere”) for its undisputed beauty - washed by calm waters and kissed by the sun all day, surrounded by olive trees and tons of other luxuriant Mediterranean essences.

If living here is not a privilege, tell us what it should be!

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But let’s see in details what makes this sunny village so damned special.

A charming alley in Lenno | © Ray in Manila via Flickr

Golfo di Venere, a sunny paradise

Besides being amazingly panoramic (you can see Bellagio and Punta Balbianello in one fell swoop), the promenade of the Golfo is incredibly romantic and it’s just perfect for a coffee break or a meal in one of the restaurants facing the lake.

Our lovely Pepito exploring Golfo di Venere in Lenno

In Piazza XI Febbraio, next to the tourist office, you’ll see the Church and Romanesque octagonal baptistery. The latter, dating back to the XIth century, is definitely one of the most charming symbols of Lenno. At the centre of the piazza there’s also the war memorial. It might interest you to know that Lenno is one of the most decorated Italian cities for the locals’ bravery during Word War II.

Piazza XI Settembre in Lenno. Image via Google Street View

Fun fact: there’s a legend claiming that Lenno holds a little Atlantis underwater right in the Golfo di Venere: it seems that in the center of the bay there was a church that was submerged by a flood in the 15th century. The incredibly fun fact is that some explorers have actually found fragments of a tiled floor and some stone steps: all seems to belong to a church. What’s more, some inhabitants of Lenno swear that on stormy days and every Holy Friday they clearly hear the bells of the disappeared church ringing.

Apparently, the legendary underwater church in Lenno should be approximately in front of Villa de Herra | © Lakeside

A couple of things you definitely can’t miss in this part of Lenno:

Karaoke at Il Golfo pub, every Thursday year round (unmissable if you love this kind of events)
The artisan ice cream at La Fabbrica del Gelato (pure peace of mind)
The local market every Tuesday: you’ll find all local products including mountain cheese and delicious genuine cold cuts

Check out our ultimate guide to Lake Como local markets

Villa Balbianello and Villa Cassinella, pure splendor

Lenno proudly hosts the spectacular Villa Balbianello, largely considered among the most charming villas of Lake Como.

The villa is famous not only for its incredible waterfront gardens, but also for having all its rooms overlooking the water (no other local villa has such a privilege 360° lake view!).

Villa Balbianello has been the setting of Star War’s Episode II - Attack of the Clones (2002).

Discover 19 Unforgettable Movies Set on Lake Como

The centenary ivy in Villa Balbianello | Image by Magro Kr via Flickr

Together with Villa Balbianello, Villa la Cassinella - just a few meters southward along the Punta di Lavedo - represents the pinnacle of luxury on Lake Como: a truly exceptional private villa with astounding gardens and a luxurious facade.

Not by chance, Forbes included it among the 11 best holiday villas of the world.

Interestingly, the villa is accessible exclusively from the water: that’s why it enjoys the very maximum privacy one can desire on earth.

Campo, where time stopped

If you are a fan of all medieval tiny hamlets, you can’t miss Campo, located just beyond the Perlana stream and its grassy beach.

Campo historic center, Lenno. © Lakeside

The hamlet - one of the most charming attractions along the Greenway of Lake Como - was born on a roman castrum, and its structures is still clearly visible.

In Campo we also find Villa Monastero Pax, a convent dating back to the eleventh century and still surrounded by ancient walls (the area was probably a military settlement).

Its main entrance, a few meters from the water, is so graceful: a terrific stone portal adorned by ivy, overlooking the long stairway that leads to the waterfront gardens.

The entrance gate of Villa Monastero in Lenno | © Lakeside

The staircase leading to the lake in front of Villa Monastero | © Lakeside

Last but not least, Casa Brenna Tosatto deserves a mention: it’s a liberty dwelling of the early years of the 19th century. Today it’s been converted into an interesting cultural hub.

Casa Brenna Tosatto and Locanda Il Grifo on the right | © Google Street View

If you are hungry while in Campo, try Locanda Il Grifo: it’s one of the last places where you can taste the authentic home-made Paradèl, the king dessert of Lake Como made with flour, milk and cut apples.

The lovely rustic decoration of Locanda Il Grifo in Lenno

Learn more about the specialities of Lake Como

Two final (delicious) tidbits

You can’t say you’ve visited Lenno if you haven’t tried (and bought) these 2 delicacies:

#1 “Torta Tremezzina”

the original one was created in the ‘70s in Porlezza by Fulvio Cairoli. This cake is made of a soft and light dough that meets a base of pastry filled with a layer of jam, garnished with almonds and decorated with icing sugar. Today the Cairoli’s legacy is in the hands of Pasticceria Tremezzina in Lenno, in Via Rima 2.

Image via Pasticceria Tremezzina Facebook page

#2 Vanini oil

The historic Oleificio Vanini in Lenno is a must-visit. Founded in 1850, the company obtained a diploma with a gold medal at the International Expo in Paris in 1905. The best time of the year for visiting this Oleificio is of course between October and November, during the olives harvest. Buy a bottle of this jewel and try it on a bruschetta with fresh tomatoes (bought at the local market on Tuesday!).