Riva Bianca is a beach in Lierna, on the eastern shore of the Lecco branch, close to the old hamlet of Castello di Lierna.
What it is like
According to eccoLecco, the tourism portal of Lecco, the shore is made of small light-coloured pebbles, which give it its name, and has a fine view of the mountains and the lake. The hamlet of Castello is not far, so a swim can be combined with a walk among the old houses. In 2023 LeccoToday, however, described it with “fine sand” and a small lawn: the two sources do not agree on the shore, and it is best to expect pebbles.
Getting there
By car from Milan take the SS 36 towards Lecco and Sondrio, leave at Abbadia Lariana, Mandello del Lario and Lierna and follow the SP 72 to the centre of the village, then the signs for Castello di Lierna. Park along via Roma and via Castello; at weekends and in summer the spaces fill up early.
By train, Lierna station, on the Milano-Lecco-Sondrio-Tirano line, is about ten minutes on foot: you cross the centre following the signs for the lake and for Castello (eccoLecco).
Practical information
- Entry is free and there is a kiosk; according to eccoLecco (page updated on 8 July 2026) sun loungers cannot be hired. The official profile of the bathing site, from 2017, instead lists parking, a bar and hire of loungers and umbrellas. The sources do not agree: check on site.
- The competent authority given in the profile is the Comune di Lierna, telephone 0341 740108.
- The coordinates on this page are those of the “Riva Bianca” sampling point in the European bathing-water data (EEA).
Water quality
In the official European classifications (data reported by Italy to the European Environment Agency) the monitored bathing site «Riva Bianca» is rated “Excellent” in every annual classification from 2021 to 2025. The classifications summarise several seasons of sampling and do not rule out temporary bans after storms or other events: before swimming, check the Ministry of Health’s Portale Acque and the signs on site.