A hidden gem just a few steps away from Bellagio, where time truly seems to have stopped
Just a few minutes’ walk from Bellagio, a town famous for its villas and gardens, there is a timeless place few know about, yet it captures the heart of everyone who visits. Its name is Pescallo, a small village overlooking the Lecco branch of Lake Como, steeped in a calm that seems suspended between water and sky.
Once a fishing village, today Pescallo retains the charm of its simple, authentic past. Its narrow, cobbled streets wind between colourful houses covered in climbing plants and fragrant flowers, while bars and restaurants overlook the small harbour, where visitors can relax to the sound of the waves and the wind rustling through the olive trees. Reaching Pescallo is already part of the experience: just a short walk from Bellagio along the scenic Salita Cappuccini, with its panoramic views and Mediterranean vegetation. Once there, you step into a world of its own, where time slows down and every nook and cranny calls for quiet reflection.
ICONIC SPOTS
The location’s iconic spots include the small square with the church of Saints Biagio and Andrea, simple and intimate, almost hidden among the houses. From here, a small maze of streets leads down to the harbour, one of the most romantic corners of the village, especially at sunset, when the sun reflects on the water and everything is bathed in a beautiful mingling of gold and orange hues.
Beyond the main attractions, wandering through the lanes of Pescallo reveals details often overlooked elsewhere: an old oar hanging on a wall, a boat drawn up on the shore, laundry drying in the sun between two houses. Every glimpse tells a story, every silence is steeped in memory. This is Lake Como at its most authentic.
A PERFECT VILLAGE FOR A MISTERY NOVEL
With its hushed atmosphere and cinematic views, Pescallo was chosen as the setting for the mystery novel La regola del lupo, written by Franco Vanni and published in 2019. The village is therefore not only an ideal place to relax but also a source of inspiration for mysterious stories and timeless landscapes.
A HUB FOR SAILING
Pescallo is also a popular destination for competitive sailors and sailing enthusiasts: every September, the Circolo della Vela hosts the Trofeo Velico Serbelloni, a parade of classic boats that brings the bay to life. For those seeking relaxation, a simple bench by the lake and the soft murmur of the water are enough to bring a sense of peace. This is the secret of Pescallo: the ability to charm people with simplicity, evoking genuine emotions in one of the most poetic and unspoiled corners of Lake Como.
