Laghetto di Piona, affectionately known as “el laghett” by locals, is one of the rare spots on Lake Como that stays swimmable all summer long: a bay sheltered from the wind in the municipality of Colico, with warmer waters than the rest of the lake.
A distinctive microclimate
Tucked into the bay sheltered by the Olgiasca peninsula, this stretch of shore enjoys a microclimate that favours swimming: the lake bed slopes gently, the water is often warmer and calmer than elsewhere on the lake, and it’s here that generations of local children learned to swim. An equipped lawn with a kiosk and parking looks out over the promontory that hosts the Abbazia di Piona, a Cistercian priory founded around the year 1000 and still home to monks today, who produce herbal liqueurs following an old monastic tradition: a visit at sunset, as the light fades over the Romanesque cloister, is well worth the detour.
Getting there
It can be reached by car from Colico by following the signs for Olgiasca, with parking near the beach, or by bike along the cycle path that runs along the lake as far as the abbey; for those arriving by boat, it’s one of the most scenic mooring spots in the whole of Alto Lario.
Practical information
- The waters are generally safe for swimming, although in some recent seasons ATS Brianza issued short-term bans after legal limits were exceeded, promptly lifted after further checks: it’s worth checking seasonal updates before planning a swim.
- Not to be confused with the nearby locality of Inganna, also in Colico, where swimming is not permitted.