Located in the hamlet that gives it its name, the Spiaggia di Oro in Bellano offers a pebbly shoreline with a striking view over the lake, though it’s worth checking bathing water quality before planning a swim.
The beach takes its name from the small hamlet of Oro, one of the many that make up the municipality of Bellano together with Biosio, Bonzeno, Costa and the other hamlets scattered between the lakeshore and the slopes of the Valsassina. This stretch of coast, characterised by pebbles and a view opening onto the central basin of Lake Como, is one of the two bathing spots historically monitored in the municipality, together with the nearby Lido di Puncia.
Water quality and bathing conditions
Unlike the Lido di Puncia, the water quality at the Spiaggia di Oro has repeatedly failed to meet bathing standards in recent seasons: sampling by ATS Brianza (the local health authority) has more than once found Escherichia coli concentrations above the legal limits, most likely linked to inflows from the Pioverna stream after storm events, leading to temporary bathing bans.
Before planning a swim here, it’s always worth checking updates on the Portale Acque di Balneazione (the official bathing water portal) or announcements from the Municipality of Bellano, which promptly report water suitability season by season. For a safer swim in the meantime, the nearby Lido di Puncia generally offers greater guarantees, while the centre of Bellano, with its famous Orrido, remains a worthwhile stop even just for a walk.