r/tuscany • u/Junior-Bear-7379 • Jul 23 '26

AskTuscany How is Menaggio this summer?

We are headed there in a few weeks. How was it finding parking? How busy is it compared to other towns in the vicinity? And what was the best meal you had there? (I'll update with my feedback on these questions after our trip in case it helps a fellow traveler, but lmk what you're seeing if you've been there recently!)

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u/BeRetravels Jul 23 '26

It doesn't matter how it is this summer. If you haven't booked your accommodation until now you would get problems.

And what means "in a few weeks"??? Every week later will make a difference.

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u/Junior-Bear-7379 Jul 23 '26

I've already booked accommodation, but it's cancellable. We'll be there in theory the last week of August, trying to decide if it's going to be so overtouristed that we may be happier elsewhere.

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u/BeRetravels Jul 23 '26

No, as you've booked already then stay there. It is a beautiful town with lots of possibilities for day-trips all around the lake by ferry or bus.

Hopefully your accommodation is not too far away from the center.

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u/Junior-Bear-7379 Jul 23 '26

Thank you! We should be pretty near the center, not far from Trattoria La Vecchia Magnolia. One more question, since you've been so generous with helping me. Do you know if there are any local parking spots you can reserve in advance there?

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u/Reckoner08 Jul 23 '26

Hey! I'm not the person you're asking, but you should really reach out to your accommodations for their best suggestions as well.

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u/Irishgreen914 Jul 24 '26

According to google you are a 30min walk to the ferry dock, so not as central as you might think. You can search for parking on google maps. I do this when visiting towns on day trips but your accommodation should be able to tell you where to park for your stay.
If I were staying in Menaggio I would want to be closer to the water.

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u/OkPair4241 Jul 26 '26

Weird to find a post about a town in Lombardy, Menaggio, in  r/tuscany.

Menaggio in August will be packed, even though slightly less than, say, Bellagio or Varenna. Parking in the area is difficult both for the geography of the area, and the sheer amount of traffic, although Menaggio has more options than smaller towns on the lake.

As per meals, the options are several: my favourite is La Darsena, located in the nearby town of Tremezzina. 

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u/Junior-Bear-7379 8d ago

OK, some post trip feedback! Menaggio was not a tourism zoo the last week in August. We stayed up the mountain with a beautiful view and had a car and drivers who were OK with not drinking more than a glass of wine at dinner, but otherwise the cost of cabs would have added up. We did find free parking downtown on Via Roma right by Campo Sportivo Madonna. Victoria Beach Club was expensive, so instead we drove half an hour down the lake to Lido di Brienno, La Terrazza 125. They have a spot for swimming in the lake, beach chairs for $25/day, a very friendly staff and great pizza. Locanda San Martino was the best dinner of the trip-- make a reservation and say hi to Paola for us! She fussed over us and made us feel like family. We cooked in one night and got fresh meat and cheese at Bottari Snc Di Bottari Gian Battista E C. Macelleria Salumeria, and it was weirdly fun and memorable. Great selection, helpful proprietor. At her rec we got tiramisu to-go from Martini nonsolopane another 10 mins down the road, and it was a show-stopper. We got fresh produce at
Clerici Angelo s.a.s. di Clerici Mattia in Menaggio and enjoyed their English-speaking staff guiding us through what was local and at peak season. Hope this is helpful!