landmark
Moto Guzzi Museum
The historic Moto Guzzi factory and museum on the shores of Lake Como at Mandello del Lario, running since 1921.
9 km · about 15 min drive
EuropeItalyLombardy
Lecco
Lombardy, Italy · Europe
About Lecco
Lecco works well as a base: 10 minutes from Galbiate, 21km from Lake Como.
Lecco is in Lombardy, Italy, with about 47,000 people. You drive on the right here. The nearest town is Galbiate, about 5 km away.
Lecco (US: LEK-oh, LAY-koh, Italian: [ˈlekko], locally [ˈlɛkko] ; Lecchese: Lecch [ˈlɛk]) is a city of 46,831 inhabitants in Lombardy, Northern Italy, 50 kilometres (31 mi) north of Milan. It lies at the end of the south-eastern branch of Lake Como (the branch is named Branch of Lecco / Ramo di Lecco). The BergamoRead more
Alps rise to the north and east, cut through by the Valsassina of which Lecco marks the southern end.
The lake narrows to form the River Adda, so bridges were built there to improve road communications with Como and Milan. There are four bridges crossing the river Adda in Lecco: the Azzone Visconti Bridge (1336–1338), the Kennedy Bridge (1956), the Alessandro Manzoni Bridge (1985), and a railroad bridge.
Lecco obtained the title of city on 22 June 1848, and was elevated to province by decree of the President of the Republic of 6 March 1992.
Known for being the place where the writer Alessandro Manzoni set The Betrothed, the city is located in one of the vortices of the Larian Triangle. It overlooks the eastern branch of Lake Como and is included in the Orobic Prealps, between the Grigne mountain chain and the Resegone.
As a strategic crossroads for Valtellina, Lecco assumed increasing importance during the Middle Ages when it was annexed to the Duchy of Milan following the Peace of Constance. During the second half of the 19th century, under the Austrian dominion, the city went through a particularly flourishing period during which palaces and arcades in neoclassical style were constructed. After the unification of Italy, Lecco established itself as one of the most important industrial centers of the nation thanks to the development of the steel industries, which had been active since the 12th century. For this reason, Lecco is also called "the Iron city".
Lecco was named Alpine Town of the Year in 2013.
Where to Stay in Lecco
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is there to see near Lecco?
Within an hour or so of Lecco: Moto Guzzi Museum (9 km), Bellagio (18 km), Varenna (19 km), Villa del Balbianello (19 km).
Are there any good drives near Lecco?
The nearest famous roads are Lake Como Shore Road, Passo della Presolana and Maloja Pass.
Where is Lecco?
Lecco is in Lombardy, Italy, about 5 km from Galbiate.
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Quick Information
- Population
- 46,580
- Continent
- Europe
- Country
- Italy
- Region
- Lombardy
- Timezone
- Europe/Rome
- Coordinates
- 45.8559, 9.3970
Emergency & Services
Essential numbers in Italy
ACI roadside assistance: 803 116. ZTL (limited traffic zones) in city centres are camera-enforced.
Full driving guide for ItalyTags
Worth the detour from Lecco
8 notable places within an hour's drive.
landmark
Bellagio
The pearl of Lake Como, set on a promontory where the lake's two southern arms divide, lined with grand villas and gardens.
18 km · about 20 min drive
landmark
Varenna
A tranquil fishing village on Lake Como's eastern shore with romantic lakeside walkways and the terraced Villa Monastero gardens.
19 km · about 20 min drive
landmark
Villa del Balbianello
A stunning 18th-century lakeside villa on a wooded promontory of Lake Como, famous as a film location for Star Wars and James Bond.
19 km · about 20 min drive
landmark
Villa Carlotta
A grand 18th-century lakeside villa on Lake Como famous for its botanical gardens with azaleas, rhododendrons, and Canova sculptures.
19 km · about 20 min drive
film location
Villa del Balbianello, Lake Como (Casino Royale)
Bond convalesces in the terraced gardens of this lakeside villa in Casino Royale; it also appeared in Star Wars Episode II.
19 km · about 20 min drive
natural wonder
Lake Como
Italy's most glamorous lake surrounded by Alps, dotted with elegant villas, gardens, and charming lakeside villages.
21 km · about 25 min drive
coastal drive
Lake Como Shore Road
A winding lakeside road hugging Lake Como's western shore with tunnels, villa gates, and views of snow-capped Alps reflected in deep blue water.
21 km · about 25 min drive
Driving roads near Lecco
21 named roads, passes and coastal drives within 100km.
- 21 kmLake Como Shore RoadA winding lakeside road hugging Lake Como's western shore with tunnels, villa gates, and views of snow-capped Alps reflected in deep blue water.
- 23 kmBrunate Funicular ViewpointA historic funicular climbs from Como city to Brunate for a sweeping balcony view over the lake and Alps.
- 55 kmPasso della PresolanaA busy resort pass under the pale walls of the Presolana massif, open all year and popular with motorcyclists.
- 56 kmMonte Isola, Lake IseoEurope's largest lake island rises car-free from Lake Iseo, crowned by a sanctuary with sweeping water views.
- 65 kmMaloja PassUnique among Alpine passes for having hairpins on only one side, dropping dramatically from the Engadin plateau into the Val Bregaglia toward Italy.
- 66 kmPasso del VivioneA narrow, little-trafficked pass through the Bergamo Alps, single-track in places and genuinely remote.
Driving in Italy
- Drives on
- the right
- Petrol
- ~€1.82/litre
- Motorway tolls
- ~€8.50/100km
When to drive here
April to October
Nearby Destinations
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