Hidden Beaches of Lake Como: Secluded Shores Away From the Crowds

Tucked away on Como's eastern shore, Riva di Faggeto feels like stepping into a secret world. The beach takes its name from the beech trees (faggi in Italian) that cascade down the mountainside to frame this pebbled shore. Unlike the manicured beaches of Bellagio or Varenna, here nature remains delightfully wild.

I discovered this spot during one of my summer visits to my nonna in Faggeto Lario. The narrow stone steps leading down from the road don't immediately suggest a destination worth pursuing—which is precisely its charm. The descent takes about 15 minutes through terraced olive groves until the lake suddenly appears below, impossibly blue against the white stones.

The beach itself is relatively small, perhaps 100 meters long, with smooth pebbles that warm in the afternoon sun. The water deepens gradually, making it suitable for less confident swimmers. What makes Faggeto exceptional is the natural diving platform—a flat rock jutting about three meters above the water—perfect for plunging into the refreshing depths after sunbathing.

I always pack my insulated water bottle when visiting, as there are no services here. The double-wall vacuum insulation keeps my water ice-cold even after hours in the Italian summer sun.

On Lake Como's eastern branch, where tourists rarely venture, lies the village of Onno and its remarkable beach. What separates Spiaggia di Onno from other Como beaches is its unusual sandy composition—a rarity on a lake dominated by pebbles and rocks.

The beach stretches for nearly 300 meters, curving gently along a bay protected from strong winds. This natural shelter makes the water here exceptionally calm and slightly warmer than elsewhere on the lake. The sandy entry gives way to smooth stones deeper in, creating that perfect balance of comfort and authentic Como character.

My ritual here involves arriving early with my packable beach blanket, which unfolds to a surprisingly large 63" x 44" space yet packs down to pocket size. It's been a game-changer for my spontaneous beach visits around the world.

Onno remains predominantly frequented by locals from nearby Lecco and Bellagio. You'll hear genuine Lombard dialect here, not the international chatter of the western shore. The atmosphere is unpretentious—families gather for long Sunday picnics, elderly couples stroll along the waterline at sunset, and teenagers perfect their diving techniques from the small pier.

The beach offers basic amenities including a small bar serving espresso and panini during summer months. For a more substantial meal, walk ten minutes into Onno village where Trattoria del Porto serves lake fish so fresh it practically swam onto your plate.

Near Lierna, about halfway up the eastern shore, lies a beach that perfectly embodies what I seek in design—harmony between natural and built environments. La Riva Bianca (The White Shore) takes its name from the distinctive pale limestone pebbles that create a striking contrast against the deep blue waters.

What makes this beach special is its careful development that enhances rather than detracts from the natural beauty. A thoughtfully designed promenade follows the shoreline, with minimalist concrete elements that echo the gray-white of the native stone. It's a masterclass in respectful intervention—the kind of subtle design that enhances human experience without shouting for attention.

During my last visit, I spent hours photographing the interplay of light on water and stone. For these extended photography sessions, my waterproof beach mat has become essential equipment. Its patented design lets sand and water fall through while keeping you dry and comfortable—perfect for the pebble beaches of Como where conventional beach setups fail.

The beach offers two distinct experiences: the free public section to the north, and a well-maintained lido with rental loungers to the south. I typically start at the lido for morning swimming, then migrate to the public beach later when I want to photograph or sketch the mountain vistas. The water clarity here is exceptional—on calm mornings, you can see straight to the bottom even meters from shore.

While technically not unknown, the small beach below Villa del Balbianello deserves mention for being consistently overlooked despite its proximity to one of Como's most famous attractions. Most visitors to the villa never realize that by following a narrow path to the right of the main entrance, you can descend to a perfect crescent of pebbles with the most photogenic view on the entire lake.

This beach embodies what I find most fascinating about Lake Como—the dialogue between human ingenuity and natural splendor. From the shore, you look up at the villa's terraced gardens and loggia perched dramatically on the promontory. The scene is quintessentially Italian: ochre walls draped with wisteria against the backdrop of the Pre-Alps.

The beach itself is small, perhaps 50 meters long, but rarely crowded as most tourists focus exclusively on the villa. The swimming here is exceptional, with deep, clear water and views of both lake branches as you float on your back.

For this spot, I always pack my dry bag backpack which keeps my camera gear and villa entry ticket perfectly dry during the swim. With its roll-top design and 35L capacity, it's ideal for carrying everything needed for a day of architecture photography and swimming.

To make this beach truly special, arrive by water taxi from Lenno rather than walking down from the villa entrance. The approach by boat reveals the harmony of the villa's design with its peninsula setting—a perspective that helps explain why directors from Star Wars to James Bond have featured this location.

For those seeking the perfect sunset beach, I direct you to the western shore near Ossuccio where Riva del Tenciuu offers front-row seats to nature's nightly spectacle. The name comes from Lombard dialect for the terraced fields (tenciuu) that surround it, evidence of centuries of human cultivation shaping this landscape.

What distinguishes this beach is its perfect eastern exposure. While most Como beaches fall into shadow by late afternoon as the sun dips behind the mountains, Tenciuu's position on a small bay means it captures golden hour light until the very last moment. The sun sets directly across the water, illuminating the eastern mountains in spectacular alpenglow.

The beach itself is a mix of fine pebbles and coarse sand, sloping gently into crystalline waters. A grove of ancient olive trees provides natural shade during the day's heat. I've spent countless evenings here sketching the changing light on my watercolor travel set. This compact kit contains 12 half-pan colors that perfectly capture Como's palette—from the deep blues of the water to the terracotta rooftops dotting the shores.

What I appreciate most about Tenciuu is its community atmosphere. Unlike the anonymity of larger beaches, regulars here acknowledge each other with a nod or brief ciao. On summer evenings, impromptu gatherings form as locals bring bottles of Lombardy wine and simple picnics to share while watching the sky transform through impossible gradients of color.

The beach has no formal facilities, preserving its untouched character. However, the excellent Locanda del Notaio restaurant sits just a five-minute walk up the hill—their lake fish risotto makes for a perfect post-swim dinner as stars begin to appear above the mountains.