Mandello del Lario: what to visit in the "motorcycle town" on Lake Como

Mandello del Lario, located a few kilometers north of Lecco, is a town of ten thousand inhabitants overlooking the eastern branch of Lake Como and framed by the Grigne mountain range.

To reach it, you need to take the SS36 highway towards Sondrio until the Abbadia Lariana exit. Just past the center of this small town, you will have arrived in Mandello.

In the village, there are many parking areas, including the one near the train station, which is free and located just a few meters from the center and the lake.

Alternatively, you can take the train from Milano Centrale to Tirano/Sondrio line, which stops right in Mandello.

This quiet lakeside village remains a secondary tourist destination on the eastern branch compared to the better-known Varenna, Bellano, and Colico, although it offers respectable natural and cultural attractions.

Below, we will provide you with some ideas on what to see in Mandello del Lario.

First of all, head to the town center, where you'll find the Church of San Lorenzo, the patron saint of Mandello, and a beautiful cluster of colorful houses, characteristic arcades, ancient alleyways, and picturesque views.

From the streets of the center, you can have a pleasant walk to the beach area, passing through the small port, a beautiful tree-lined avenue, and the public gardens.

Mandello is also the perfect destination for summer, as it offers a well-equipped beaches with sun loungers and umbrellas to spend a relaxing day, enjoying swimming and sunbathing with the promontory of Bellagio in the background.

For the sweet-toothed, a must-stop at Bar Costantin in Piazza Italia is essential, right in front of the pier, a traditional meeting place for Mandello locals and beyond, offering a wide variety of ice creams and other treats.

For motorcycle enthusiasts, it's impossible to think of Mandello without mentioning the famous Moto Guzzi, whose museum is located opposite the train station. Numerous motorcycle models are exhibited here, including the first one built by Carlo Guzzi in 1919. Every year, in September, Mandello hosts the International Motorbike Rally, attracting enthusiasts from all over the world.

A curiosity: in front of the museum's entrance, there are 39 signs indicating the distance to as many cities linked to the world of motorcycles, from the nearby town of Arese all the way to Sicily!

For a historical and cultural experience, you can visit the hamlet of Maggiana and explore the Barbarossa Tower, where the emperor of the same name was hosted in 1158 during one of his journeys to Italy. To learn more about opening hours and visiting arrangements, consult this page.

Lastly, Mandello is also one of the stops along the famous Sentiero del Viandante (Wayfarer's Path), as well as a starting point for numerous trails leading to Piani Resinelli and the Grigna mountain.

Mandello is, therefore, the perfect destination that caters to the tastes and needs of any visitor looking to spend a few hours of their time if they happen to be passing through the eastern branch of Lake Como.