Just outside the centre of Bellagio, towards the gardens of Villa Melzi d’Eril, the Spiaggia di San Giovanni is the destination for anyone looking for a genuine, unspoilt swim, with no beach clubs or bars, in a setting that remains largely natural. It lies in the hamlet that gives its name to this stretch of shore.
Getting there
The beach is reached by leaving the car along the road and continuing on foot down a path towards the water: a walk of a few minutes that rewards you with a stretch of lakeshore free of paid sunbeds and commercial activity, set in the quiet vegetation typical of this part of the shore. It’s the ideal choice for visitors to Bellagio who want a more authentic swimming experience than the equipped lidos in the town centre.
Nearby
Bellagio, nicknamed the “pearl of the Lario” for its position at the exact centre of the lake, is easily reached by boat from the main towns on the lake — Como, Lecco, Varenna and Menaggio — making it easy to plan a day trip combining a swim at the Spiaggia di San Giovanni with a walk along the town’s famous flower-lined stairways and a visit to the gardens of Villa Melzi d’Eril, just a short distance away.