Malgrate, Italy is a small town on the shores of Lake Como

Visit Malgrate

Malgrate is a small town at the south-east end of Lake Como in northern Italy, opposite the large town of Lecco.

Explore Malgrate

Italy This Way review: although you would not choose to stay in Malgrate when you visit Lake Como, it is the first town you reach if you arrive at the lake from the south-west, and a pleasant place to stop for a pause and a promenade.

The town have made a lot of effort with their waterfront promenade, and this is the main reason you will want to visit Malgrate. The promenade includes modern sculptures, artwork and areas of water, and has pretty views across the water to Lecco, and north towards the more mountainous part of Lake Como.

There is access to a small beach in one part of the promenade, and several large trees that provide shade: overall it is a lovely walk, although we would have preferred to see more seats and less 'keep off the grass' signs.

At the northern end of the promenade there are cafes and a small town centre where you can also find the Malgrate tourist office: useful if you are just arriving at Lake Como and need information. The small port and the colourful houses together make an attractive ensemble.

There are two religious monuments in Malgrate, although both are places to see if you are exploring the village rather than places that you will want to come here to visit...

on Via Agudio that goes up the hill near the tourist office there is a small chapel called the Cappella dei Morti di Peste dedicated to (and containing the bodies of) those who died from the black death here in the 16th century
not far from the chapel, the Church of Saint-Antonio Abate is unremarkable from the outside but has an attractive baroque style interior

Attractions near Malgrate

The town of Lecco is across Lake Como from Malgrate and also has a small historic centre and nice views of the lake. If you continue north along the west coast of the lake, you can follow the lake to Bellagio and if you continue east from here you reach the south-west 'prong' of the lake at Como.

See also the visitor guide to Lake Como.

You can find more local travel ideas in the Lombardy guide.