Pescallo is a small quiet village on Lake Como and is located less than a mile from the larger resort town of Bellagio. Having read about this place as being a little fishing community away from the tourist area, I was interested to see it for myself. On my first visit to Lake Como and Bellagio in 2011, I started exploring and found that it was only a short walk to Pescallo.
The walk to Pescallo may be short but it is not that simple. For anyone who has difficulty navigating steps or uneven walkways, this trek is definitely not for you. Although Bellagio is at the water’s edge, the town is built on a hill.
There are various staircases rather than streets because of the steep topography, and the names of these walkways reflect that they are staircases, e.g. Salita Monastero. The term Italian word salita means climb. The path to Pescallo cannot be reached on foot except by first walking uphill in Bellagio.
The main road in Bellagio at the top of the hill is Via Giuseppe Garibaldi and eventually leads to the town hall or municipio. Just across from that town hall is a paved footpath that goes off to the left with a small sign indicating Salita Cappuccini and this goes towards Pescallo.
The walk down is less than ten minutes away and consists of part path and part staircase.
There are more steps than you think possible, and after turning a corner, there is another set of steps, and another and another. They are quite steep in places and this continues for awhile. Eventually Pescallo is just ahead after turning right onto Via E. Sfrondrati.
Pescallo looks like a postcard and is truly an enchanting and lovely little fishing community. Only a few people are around and there are ducks in the water and boats pulled up on the shore. Reminiscent of a scene from a movie, a couple sits on a bench in the quiet solitude of Pescallo.
One of the two hotels in Pescallo is the family-operated La Pergola and its covered outdoor restaurant sits right on the water. This 14th-century restored convent is the perfect location for a drink or a meal while enjoying il dolce far niente, or the sweetness of doing nothing.
For a little respite from the crowds and activity of beautiful Bellagio, take the walk to Pescallo and don’t forget to bring your camera.
Have you been to this out-of-the-way place? Or do you think you’d like to see Pescallo for yourself? I’d love to hear your thoughts. Please leave a comment.
Sameer
Hello Margie – We are traveling to Bellagio in April 2023. We are a couple with a 8 year old kid. We have options to stay in Bellagio (conca verde apartments) or Pescallo (pescallo apartments). The later looks cool but looks like there is quite a bit of walking and lugging suitcases along the way. Do you have a recommendation / suggestion for us. We will be there for 3 nights (6th-9th) and need to catch a ferry/bus back to Como on Sunday morning. If you havent guessed it is our first trip to Como and Italy.
margieinitaly
Hi Sameer,
Thank you for contacting me. I would stay in Bellagio because it’s much larger with many more options for shopping restaurants and catching the ferry. You could always take the short walk to Pescallo to enjoy it but yes, it’s up and down several hills and with an eight year old it’s probably not a good idea.
Anonymous
Thank you Margie. 🙂
margieinitaly
And have a wonderful time. It will probably be cool at that time of year
wil robertson
I have just found your Blog/article and lovely description of Pescallo. We are staying in Pescallo for 4 nights in September 2019.
margieinitaly
Thank you so much. What a lovely choice! I’m sure you’ll enjoy
Ann Marie Ackermann
This was the post that convinced me to spend a vacation on Lake Como two years ago, and we loved it so much we went back again last year. Thanks for the inspiration!
Tracey
We are staying here at the moment and yes to lie and read look out at the lake hear the birds chirping in earlier hours of the day is delightful a must stay from the busyness of life
Jack Anderson
You’ve nailed this beautiful village. We have now stayed there twice and would love to go again. We timed our non-stop trip from Melbourne, Australia at 36 hours from door to door. A long trip, but well worth it!
Gene Hull
il dolce far niente, the sweetness of doing nothing.!!!!
That says it. What a charming, humbling place.
How wonderful. Mirabile dictu.
Love this entry. Very special.
Gene
margieinitaly
Thank you Gene – You always have the perfect comment! I appreciate it
imarancher
All of Italy seems to be covered in flowers and vines. Is that Ivy that I see climbing over all the walls and stone hedges? Or is it some exotic greenery that only grows on foreign shores? I prefer to think it is ivy and that we are all tied together by the green growing things of this world.
margieinitaly
Yes Bonnie, I think it is ivy. This was June so everything was in full bloom too! Thank you so much
Paula
I have also walked there from Bellagio and you are definitely not exaggerating at all! It is truly stunning and so quiet. We kept walking even further and ended up into the hills around the back of Bellagio with small farm houses. It became a regular exercise walk in order to counterbalance the pasta and wine!
Everytime we visited the other towns such as Mennagio or Argeno, we did the same thing and walked up behind the settlement into the hills. Such a beautiful part of the world!
margieinitaly
Great information Paula, and a great way to walk off the food as well!! Thank you for sharing your experiences!
Ann Marie Ackermann
Those pictures are so beautiful they hurt! I’ll definitely think about visiting any place so beautiful!
margieinitaly
I don’t think you’ll be disappointed, Ann Marie Thanks for commenting
timelessitaly
What a dream place! I’m glad you warned about the walking and climbing. I love this kind of thing because of the views, but definitely not for everyone. Gorgeous, enticing photos!
Ishita
Lets all go here next time 😉
margieinitaly
Thank you Susan…It’s so quiet, a nice place to write or meditate and enjoy the natural beauty. Worth the walk and the steps.
Sue Heath, Geelong, Australia
I have just returned from a holiday in the Italian Lakes region. In Bellagio, I stayed at an apartment on Viale Domenico Vitali, and the highlight of every morning was the walk, via Pescallo, into Bellagio. Pescallo is quiet, quaint and offers the most divine views of the local properties and the lake. I would sit on a bench, in the autumn sun, watching the ducks, and feel so lucky to be enjoying such picturesque scenery! Pescallo seems to be a hidden secret, probably due to the steep, cobbled pathways and stairs which link it to Bellagio. That’s fine with me – keep it a secret, I say!
margieinitaly
Grazie Sue~I haven’t met that many travelers who have discovered Pescallo and its uniqueness… Thank you for sharing your own experience here!