CASTLE OF VEZIO
If you are in the Bellagio or Varenna area during your vacation on Lake Como and feel like spending a couple of hours exploring the nature and history of the area, this is the walk for you.
In fact, with only a 30-minute walk from the center of Varenna, you can reach the top of the hill that houses the Castle of Vezio, a medieval fortress that has stood for more than a thousand years on the promontory overlooking Varenna. Note: the castle is open from March to the end of October. In other months, the castle is open on weekends when the weather is good.
In addition to offering beautiful views of the central area of Lake Como, this walk (suitable for moderately trained people) allows visitors to discover the history of the area through the display of banners and artifacts inside the castle tower.
It doesn’t end there: the castle also houses special sculptures (plaster ghosts), some birds of prey, and a panoramic terrace where aperitifs are organized. Entertainment for everyone, including those visiting Lake Como with kids.
Learn all about the Castle of Vezio and follow my own steps with the GPS routes I recorded on the Komoot app (available for iOS and Android)!
Useful tips
🎒 Things to bring with you
- Power bank
- A cape or poncho to cover yourself in case of rain, a hat for the sun
- Comfortable hiking shoes
- Energy snacks such as dried fruit and nuts
- Water (at least ½ liter)
- Sunscreen
- The Komoot app!
🚨 In case of emergency
Call 112 for any kind of emergency
Things to bring with you
- Power bank
- A cape or poncho to cover yourself in case of rain, a hat for the sun
- Comfortable hiking shoes
- Energy snacks such as dried fruit and nuts
- Water (at least ½ liter)
- Sunscreen
- The Komoot app!
In case of emergency
- Call 112 for any kind of emergency
A walk of about 30 minutes, easy but with some short uphill sections, that connects Piazza S. Giorgio (Varenna) to the Castle of Vezio via the Scabium trail, offering incredible views of Lake Como.
✨ Highlights
1. Church of San Giorgio, built in the 14th century in a style somewhere between Romanesque and Gothic. It houses numerous paintings from the late 15th and 16th centuries. As you look down, you can see the solid pavement, made entirely of traditional local black marble.
2. Villa Monastero. If you want, you can include in your itinerary a visit to Villa Monastero and be fascinated by its beautiful botanical garden.
3. Castle of Vezio, a medieval fortress that has stood for more than a thousand years on the promontory overlooking Varenna. Some quick information about the castle:
- Full ticket costs €5, reduced €3 (for over 65s, groups of more than 12 people and kids aged 7 to 18)
- From the castle garden, as well as from the top of its tower, there is a truly incredible view of the central area of Lake Como and its branches
- The exhibit inside the museum collects important evidence of local history and of the Lariosaurus, the alleged monster of Lake Como
- The complex also houses some birds of prey (once used for falconry) and the castle's "ghosts", white plaster sculptures made each year with the help of people who pose for an hour
- Finally, on summer Friday and Saturday evenings (usually from early June to early September) the castle organizes aperitifs on the panoramic terrace at a cost of €35 per person.
📍 Facilities
Bars and restaurants
Piazza San Giorgio and the surrounding streets are filled with bistros, restaurants, bars, and ice cream parlors to suit all tastes and budgets.
You can also relax at the end of the tour at the castle bar where you can also buy souvenirs (including olive oil from the area).
Pharmacies
Grocery stores
🥾 Trail description
The trail begins in Piazza S. Giorgio in Varenna, where the church of the same name is located.
Proceed in the direction of Villa Monastero and immediately afterwards turn left onto Via Roma in the direction of the Scabium trail.
The route, which already offers splendid views, proceeds on a paved road for a few minutes until the detour that leads to a large parking lot, from which the Scabium path actually starts.
The path is now completely immersed in nature, and proceeds for about 10 minutes with a medium-high gradient (20%). After another 5 minutes of slight ascent it reaches the entrance to the Castle of Vezio.
Open the "Highlights" tab to find out more about the Castle of Vezio or check out their website!
Previous
Next
A short walk, ideal for heading back toward Varenna after visiting the castle. Unlike the other route, this path is mostly shaded. It does not give splendid views of the lake but allows you to discover Vezio, a hamlet of the village of Perledo.
✨ Highlights
1. Vezio, a hamlet in the municipality of Perledo that has a few dozen inhabitants and just as many charming stone houses. Characteristic is the atelier Le Ceramiche di Vezio, where fine ceramics made with the Japanese raku technique can be found.
2. Pier of Varenna, from which you can take the public boat service to all the main towns on the lake. Learn more about boat tours on Lake Como.
📍 Facilities
Bars and restaurants
In addition to the castle bar, you can also find food and drink at a restaurant in Vezio and several bars and restaurants at the end of the route near the pier.
Pharmacies
Grocery stores
🥾 Trail description
From the castle you return to the path from which you came until you meet the small village of Vezio, with its stone houses and pottery store.
From here, take the cobblestone road on the left that leads, in moderate descent and shade, to the village of Varenna.
Finally, take Via alla Riva, which comes out near the Varenna pier from which you can take the boat to Bellagio, Menaggio, Tremezzo and many other places on the lake.
Previous
Next
Related posts