Easy Como
Events

Romanesque churches, old palazzi and a quiet harbour. Where the lake feels like a wide river.

Things to do

The best of Gravedona

  1. Santa Maria del Tiglio
    No. 01

    Santa Maria del Tiglio

    The single best-preserved late-Romanesque church on the lake, built in the 12th century on top of an earlier Christian baptistery. The exterior is unmistakable — alternating bands of grey serizzo and white Musso marble climb into an octagonal bell tower, a north-Italian rarity. Inside, a 12th-century wooden crucifix and faded frescoes are worth the few minutes it takes to walk through. Entrance is free; a small donation is appreciated.

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  2. Palazzo Gallio
    No. 02

    Palazzo Gallio

    The four-towered Renaissance palazzo on the waterfront, commissioned in 1586 by Cardinal Tolomeo Gallio to consolidate his control over the Tre Pievi feud. The waterfront loggia, the formal gardens and the fountain courtyards still host concerts, exhibitions and weddings in season. Open Monday to Friday 09:30 to 16:30; weekends by reservation only.

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  3. Windsurf and kitesurf at Domaso
    No. 03

    Windsurf and kitesurf at Domaso

    The shoreline immediately north of Gravedona is the lake's main windsurf and kitesurf base — the thermal Breva wind from the south builds reliably from late morning through the afternoon between April and October. Several schools rent boards, sails and wetsuits by the half-day. A flat lakeside bicycle path connects Gravedona to Domaso and Sorico in 25 minutes.

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  4. Walk the lakefront promenade
    No. 04

    Walk the lakefront promenade

    Gravedona's lungolago is flat, paved and almost completely free of cars, threading from the Serenella pebble beach in the south to the church of Santa Maria del Tiglio in the north in around 25 minutes. The alto-lago opens wide here — the far shore feels almost a kilometre away — and the light at sunset bounces off both ranges at once.

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  5. Lake Como Adventure Park
    No. 05

    Lake Como Adventure Park

    An adventure park in the chestnut and linden forest above the village, with eight aerial trails of varying difficulty wired up between the trees. Open daily from April to November, 10:00 to 18:00, around €30 entry. Easy to combine with a lakeside lunch — the park sits a five-minute drive from the waterfront.

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Good to know. Gravedona is a small, calm town and generally very safe, but keep an eye on your belongings around the busy lakefront, beach kiosk and ferry pier where casual visitors gather. The historic centre has steep, narrow cobbled lanes and the lakeside road can be tight for both cars and pedestrians, so walk carefully and watch for traffic. If you swim, note the lake bottom shelves gently but gets deep quickly and the water stays cold, so water shoes and caution near boat areas are sensible.

Practical info