Villas in Colico

About Colico

Colico is a town of about 8,000 people at 218 metres, where the Adda river runs into the northern arm of Lake Como beneath Monte Legnone, which rises to 2,609 metres. The homes are in and around the town, close to one another, and a minority have a pool. The lido is a green beach with a large lawn and free access, a bar, sunbed hire and windsurf and kite rental. A promenade follows the shore south to the Pian di Spagna reserve, more than 1,600 hectares of wetland. History here is military: Forte Montecchio dates from the First World War, Fort Fuentes from the early 17th century. Evenings are low-key, and the town has a station on the Lecco line.

Is Colico right for you?

Best for

Wind sports, birdwatching and days out by train

Not for you if

You want a polished lakeside resort, because Colico is a lake-head town defined by its forts, its railway and the wind.

Near Colico

• Piona Abbey

  A monastery at the top of the Olgiasca peninsula, with a medieval church and 14th- and 15th-century frescoes in the cloister.

• Pian di Spagna reserve

  Wetland of over 1,600 hectares between the mouths of the Mera and Adda, important for nesting birds and open to cyclists and riders.

• Fort Montecchio and Fort Fuentes

  A First World War fort and a Spanish fort from the early 17th century, both in the Colico area.

• Lecco and Como

  Boats run from Colico to both ends of the lake, and trains run along the eastern shore towards Milan.

Getting to Colico

Milan Bergamo airport is about 1 hour 15 minutes by car. There is no direct public link: the quickest route is a bus to Milano Centrale and then a train to Colico, close to three hours. The station sits on the Tirano to Lecco line, but homes are spread over a few kilometres, so a car helps.

When to go to Colico

Wind sets the day. A gentle south breeze blows until about 13:00, which suits beginners, then a stronger north wind usually picks up; average kitesurfing winds are given as 15 to 18 knots. Musica sull'Acqua, a classical music festival, runs in July with concerts in Piazza Garibaldi and at Piona Abbey, and the feast of San Rocco falls on 16 August.

Colico villa holidays: questions answered

Nearby towns to Colico

• Gravedona (93)
• Domaso (66)
• Dongo (38)
• Gera Lario (34)
• Lago di Mezzola (29)
• Bellano (28)
• All of Lake Como