Limonta, Lake Como: The Sunny Hamlet Facing the Central Lake

Limonta seen from Lake Como on the Lecco branch — Limonta seen from the water near the meeting of the Lecco branch and central lake. Photo: Davide Mauro / Wikimedia Commons – CC BY-SA 4.0.

Limonta occupies the sunniest corner of Oliveto Lario, close to the point where the Lecco branch rejoins Lake Como’s central basin. The hamlet faces Lierna and the mountains of the eastern shore, with Bellagio only a short distance around the headland.

It is the northernmost and most historic-feeling of Oliveto Lario’s three villages, built around a small church square and a steep green shore.

A brief history

Limonta was an independent community until the creation of Oliveto Lario in 1927. Its name and landscape are closely tied to olive growing, encouraged by the mild, sunny position. The hamlet also appears in local literary history, including Tommaso Grossi’s nineteenth-century novel Marco Visconti, remembered by a plaque in the village.

Where Limonta sits on the lake

Limonta lies north of Vassena on the western shore of the Lecco arm, shortly before Bellagio. It looks across to Lierna and the Grigna mountains, while the central lake opens beyond Punta di Limonta.

Historic church square in Limonta, Oliveto Lario — The small historic church square at Limonta. Photo: Giovanni.baietti / Wikimedia Commons – CC BY-SA 4.0.

The best things to see in Limonta

1. The old church square

A small square beside the historic church forms Limonta’s quiet centre. Stone surfaces, old houses and a simple view toward the lake give the hamlet a compact character distinct from Onno and Vassena.

2. The view from Punta di Limonta

Around the headland, the landscape changes from the enclosed Lecco branch to the wider central lake. The meeting of water, olive-covered shore and high mountains is Limonta’s defining sight.

3. The Sentiero degli Ulivi

Paths through the olive-growing slopes connect Limonta with the wider Oliveto Lario landscape. Choose a short section or a longer walk, checking conditions and carrying suitable footwear.

Planning your visit

Getting there. Buses between Lecco and Bellagio serve the Oliveto Lario shore. Limonta has no railway station; boat options are limited, so road transport is the practical choice.

Best for. Olive landscapes, quiet village atmosphere and a stop away from Bellagio’s crowds.

When to go. Spring and autumn for walking; summer mornings for the calmest shore.

Nearby. Bellagio lies north, while Vassena and Onno continue south. See the broader Oliveto Lario guide.

Limonta is small, but its sunny position at the meeting of the lake’s branches gives it a landscape much larger than the village itself.