10 Best Things To Do In Lecco, Italy

1. Admire the baroque designs of the minor basilica of Lecco

The Basilica of St. Nicholas is a minor basilica of the Roman Catholic church located in the picturesque town of Lecco. The church has undergone numerous changes over the years from the 11th-century. These changes were mainly due to damages and reconstructions until the 17th-century when it started receiving Baroque design elements in its structure. The interior of the basilica contains numerous frescoes most notably the Life of Jesus and the Glory of the Madonna on the ceiling.

Minor Basilica of San Nicolò

Address: Via S. Nicolò, 1, 23900 Lecco LC, Italy

Phone: +39 0341282403

2. What fun it is to take a cable ride to Piani D'Erna

Piani D'Erna is a mountain resort based in Lecco projected by Monte Resegone and is accessible by a modernized cable car which is a fun ride in itself beginning from Malnago. Ever since the cable car was introduced in 1965 the town became a destination for skier and hikers. However, with a decline in snowfall the ski resort is open only for a few weeks during the season. Apparently, Piani D’Erna is still a favorite among hikers and the area is well known for Parco Avventura which is an adventure park filled with fun activities for all to enjoy amidst picturesque sights.

Piani D'Erna

Address: Via S. Eustacchio, Barzio

Phone: +39 341497337

Website: Piani Di Bobbio (in Italian)

3. Cycle your way on the track along the River Adda

The Adda River offers you the opportunity of availing its pedestrian-cycle paths that are available from Lecco to Milan. This path goes along the river and you enjoy the sight either by cycling or trekking via the path. The path permits you to explore its beautiful landscapes, the archeological sites and hydropower plants on your way. No wonder that the River Adda and its natural beauty had a profound influence on Leonardo da Vinci as well as inspiring the famous poet and novelist, Alessandro Manzoni to create the masterpiece “The Betrothed.“

Cycle Track on the Adda

Address: Via Funivia, 34, 23032 Bormio SO, Italy

Website: Stelvio Experience

4. Bells are ringing, are you listening

The bell tower of the Basilica of St. Nicholas is the second highest in Italy. The bell tower is also iconic due to its huge pencil design offering its silhouette to Lecco which creates a distinctive skyline when you look at Lecco from afar. Apparently, the current bell tower was not indigenous to the basilica and was an add-on during the 19th-century after the reconstruction of the basilica commenced. 9 bells were commissioned to adorn the tower and the 5 ancient bells of the church were smelted to do so. That means locals of Lecco were unable to hear the church bells ring. Until the night of Christmas, in 1904, when the sound of 9 bells permeated through the town, creating an almost magical feeling in the heart of Lecco.

Bell tower of San Nicolo

Address: Beside the Basilica of San Nicolo, 1, 23900 Lecco LC, Italy

Phone: +39 3711758132

Website: Campanile di Lecco

5. No fear in the Palace of Fears

The Pallazo delle Paure or the Palace of Fears plays host to exhibit contemporary art created by local and international artists. The exhibition also displays art created in photography, graphic illustration, and contemporary art. Located in the old center of Lecco known as Piazza XX Settembre, the building is of a Neo-medieval eclectic style. Built in the early 1900s, the building was the office of the Customs House, where locals would pay their taxes and hence derived the name “The Palace of Fears”.

Palace of Fears

Address: Piazza XX Settembre, 22, 23900 Lecco LC, Italy

Hours: 9:30 am to 6:00 pm (Tuesday to Friday) | 10:00 am to 6:00 pm (Saturday and Sunday)

Ticket: 7.04 USD

Phone: +39 0341286729

6. Experience the air of the classic literary masterpiece

This villa used to be the summer residence of the novelist Alessandro Manzoni. Impressed by the beautiful environment of Lecco, with its spectacular lake enclosed by mountains and the River Adda running through. Manzoni was inspired by the location and picked Lecco to be the setting for his masterpiece “The Betrothed”, a story depicting the tragic love story of young Lucia and Renzo.

Currently converted into a museum, Villa Manzoni hosts manuscripts and mementos from Alessandro Manzoni’s personal works and belongings. The upper floor of the gallery is the Civic Art Gallery displaying a series of artworks and engravings.

Manzoni Art Museum

Address: Via Don Guanella, 1, 23900 Lecco LC, Italy

Ticket: 6 EUR (7.04 USD)

Phone: +39 0341481247

Website: Ecco Lecco

7. Take a walk through time in the Natural History Museum

The Natural History Museum of Lecco is an intensive museum allowing you access to the natural environment of the area and a look at the rarest species it houses in its museum. The route has 9 rooms each specializing in a branch of the natural history, and commences with the rooms dedicated to ornithological collections, which include both local and European fauna and exotic fish, followed by a room that is dedicated to aquatic birds of European origin.

Also on display is the nineteenth-century assortment of lilies displayed in a beautiful cabinet of the same era interestingly called the ‘Peacock Room’. The next room leads you to the Hall of the Lariosaurus displaying the paleo-environment of the Triassic Period in which it habited. Further rooms exhibit rare specimen of exotic birds, reptiles, day and night birds alongside extinct and exotic specimens of the Tibetan collar bear and the Madagascar Pit. The museum visit ends with the mineralogical room displaying the classified minerals acquired from the nearby region.

Natural History Museum of Lecco

Address: Corso Giacomo Matteotti, 32, 23900 Lecco LC, Italia

Website: Musei Lecco (in Italian)

8. Follow the stars with your feet firmly planted on the ground

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

The Planetary City of Lecco is managed in collaboration with the Astrophile Group and consists of a dome, and is one of the interesting structures in Italy. The dome collects the light projected by the lenses, reproducing the celestial vault. The apparent motions are realized by motion of the projector, whose movements are guided by electrical controls and presented by a lecturer to give you in-depth information of the occurrence. One can look forward to astronomy fundamentals explained in this museum, where enthusiasts can learn more about our universe.

Gruppo Astrofili Deep Space

Address: Corso Giacomo Matteotti, 32, 23900 Lecco LC, Italy

Phone: +39 0341367584

Website: Deep Space

9. Take a stroll alongside the lake

A trip around the beautiful lake beside the town of Lecco is a tranquil experience. The most fascinating background almost embraces you with its beauty. You will not feel the fatigue if you take a stroll around the lake and admire the majestic Mount Resegone in the background highlighting the town of Lecco. Most of the places that we have covered in this article are around the lake.

Lungo Lago Aldo Moro

Address: 23808 Vercurago LC, Italy

10. Walk in to Rifugio SEL Azzoni to satiate your visual and gastronomical appetite

Backed by kind and friendly people, the Azzoni cabin offers dishes that are delicious as well as generously portioned and will certainly satiate your appetite. You can check out their appetizers from a selection of cured meats and cheeses followed by fine wine. Enjoy your meals looking at the mesmerizing visual treat of the lake below and the Alps. You will certainly want to come back for more.

Rifugio SEL Azzoni

Address: Monte Resegone, 23900 Lecco LC, Italy

Phone: +39 333144987

Website: Rifugi Lombardia

Fall in love with nature

Lecco is steeped in history that one can discover via the host of civic museums it houses. The town has somehow maintained its charm and ethnicity and not fallen prey to gross modernization which is a commendable thing to do in today’s world. Honestly, without any hesitation we can say that Lecco has a unique and awesome environment that will captivate you with its paths alongside the lake and the river, and the mountain experience offering stunning views.