CASA HELENA
Lake Como · Italy
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The apartment

Helena's place above the lake

Heleen found this place and made it hers, slowly, over years. Built in an old hat factory, it sits above Acquaseria on the western shore of Lake Como — from the balcony, you look directly west over the water, mountains on three sides and nothing in the way.

Two floors, two bedrooms, two balconies. The kitchen is properly kitted out. Mornings here tend to start by opening the balcony doors and simply seeing the Lake become part of the living room.

2 balconies with lake view
Fully equipped kitchen
Free WiFi
2 private parking spaces
Near ferry & village
6
Guests
2
Bedrooms
2
Bathrooms
2
Floors
2
Balconies
2
Parking
Helena by the lake
The original hat factory on Lake Como — now Casa Helena
The building as it once was — the old Carozzi hat factory, Lake Como

Explore the region

Discover

Village

Varenna

Flowers down to the water, steep lanes, a castle above the rooftops. Walk the Passeggiata degli Innamorati along the shore. The Fiumelatte — Italy's shortest river — is just above the village. Ferry from Menaggio.

~10 min by car · ferry from Menaggio Maps →
Botanical Garden

Villa Carlotta

One of the great botanical gardens of Italy — terraced lakeside gardens, Canova sculptures, and a famous blaze of azaleas and rhododendrons in spring. On the western shore at Tremezzo.

~15 min by car from Acquaseria Maps →
Lake Island

Isola Comacina

The only island on Lake Como. Take a boat from Ossuccio, explore the ruins of seven churches, and dine at the legendary Locanda dell'Isola — the same fixed menu since 1948, ending with a ritual flambé ceremony.

~20 min by car · boat from Ossuccio Maps →
Day Trip

Milan — day trip

The Duomo, Brera gallery, the Navigli district for aperitivo, and world-class shopping on Via Montenapoleone. If you book ahead: Leonardo's Last Supper. Train from Como takes just over an hour.

~1.5h by train from Como Maps →
Culture & Architecture

Culture & Architecture

Villa Mylius-Vigoni in Loveno — 5 min from the apartment, Hayez paintings, Thorvaldsen sculptures, open Thursdays. Abbey of Piona — 12th-century Cistercian monastery with Romanesque cloisters, 45 min north. Orrido di Bellano — a dramatic gorge with suspended walkways, 30 min.

5–45 min by car Maps →

Hidden gems · locals only

Local Secrets

Secret Valley

Val Sanagra

A secret valley between Menaggio and Grandola. Follow the trail 20 minutes to Vecchia Chioderia — a farmhouse serving fresh trout they raise on site. Almost no tourists. One of those places you feel you've discovered yourself.

~20 min by car Maps →
On Your Doorstep

Villa La Gaeta

Two striking towers rising straight from the lake in San Siro — James Bond scenes were filmed here. Most guests walk past without knowing. Take the lakeshore path from the apartment: five minutes and you're there.

5 min walk from the apartment Maps →
Free Beach

Ossuccio free beach

Grass, lake, a direct view of Isola Comacina. Bar on site. Locals swim here all summer. Almost never crowded.

~20 min by car Maps →
Hill Restaurant

La Stalla del Nonno

Rustic bar-restaurant in Plesio, above Menaggio. Bruschetta, local cheese, cold Prosecco, one of the better views of the whole lake. Worth the drive up.

~15 min by car · Plesio Maps →
Local Market

Menaggio Friday Market

Via Stoppani, 2nd and 4th Friday of every month. Local olive oil, regional cheeses, fresh produce direct from producers. The real thing — not a tourist market. Go early for the best picks.

~10 min by car · 2nd & 4th Friday Maps →
Local Olive Oil

Olio Vanini

Local olive oil, bought straight from the producer in Lenno. Small family operation, genuinely good oil. One of those things you take home and then spend months trying to find again.

~20 min by car · Lenno Website →

Food & drink

Eat & Drink

Restaurants
Mountain Village · €€

Locanda San Martino

Tucked into a tiny village square high in the hills above Acquaseria, with one of the most breathtaking views on the entire lake. Paola cooks from the heart — genuine, seasonal, traditional Italian food. The drive up is steep and narrow, but the reward is high. Book ahead — it's a very small place.

Hills above Acquaseria · ~10–15 min by car Maps →
Michelin Recommended · €€€

Hosteria del Platano ✦

Varenna's finest. Michelin-recommended, family-run, with a terrace over the lake. Outstanding lake fish and perch risotto cooked the old way. Take the ferry — worth every minute.

Varenna · ferry from Menaggio Maps →
Courtyard Trattoria · €€

Osteria il Pozzo

Hidden courtyard trattoria just off Menaggio's main square. Family recipes, wooden beams, candlelight. Order the pappardelle with wild boar ragù or the braised beef in Barolo. Book ahead.

Piazza Garibaldi 1, Menaggio · ~10 min by car Maps →
Mountain Cuisine · €€

Trattoria La Vecchia Magnolia

Up in the hills above Menaggio with sweeping lake views. Valtellina mountain specialties — pizzoccheri, sciatt, venison — alongside fresh lake fish. Cosy and genuine.

Hills above Menaggio · ~15 min by car Maps →
Next Door · €

Ristorante Da Luigi

No-frills trattoria in San Siro, practically next door. Good pizza, fresh pasta, missoltini — the local dried fish. Terrace with lake views. Fair prices and friendly service.

Via Statale 59, San Siro · ~2 min by car Maps →
Hidden Gem · €€€

Chez Mario

Hard to find — a long staircase down from the road. The reward: exceptional perch risotto cooked in butter the old way, lake fish antipasto, and that view. Worth every step.

Menaggio · ~10 min by car Maps →
Your Local · €

Bar Carlo

Your neighbourhood bar — five minutes from the apartment. Morning espresso, afternoon Aperol Spritz, a warm welcome every time. This is where the locals start and end their day.

Acquaseria · 5 min walk Maps →
Lakeside · €

Crème Caramel

This place carries a lot of memories for us. Simple and honest food, with the very best terrace directly on the lakeside.

Acquaseria · 5 min walk Maps →
Coffee & Drinks
Coffee & Bar

Veranda Beach

Coffee and sandwiches with a view directly over the lake. Simple, relaxed, and genuinely beautiful. One of those spots you return to every morning.

Pianello del Lario · ~20 min by car Maps →
Espresso Bar

Cafè del Pess

The table on the square with the lake and mountains in front of you. Smooth espresso, fresh cornetti, and all of Menaggio passing by. The classic morning ritual.

Piazza Garibaldi, Menaggio · ~10 min by car Maps →
Wine Bar

Divino 13

A proper wine bar with a curated selection of Italian labels. Great for aperitivo hour or a long evening glass. Good charcuterie and local cheeses alongside.

Menaggio · ~10 min by car Maps →
Gelato
Since 1890

Bar Gelateria Gei

This family has been making ice cream since 1890 — and that longevity says everything. Classic Italian flavours done with care. The pistachio and dark chocolate are outstanding.

Menaggio · ~10 min by car Maps →
Artisan Gelato

La Fabbrica del Gelato

Artisan gelato made with proper ingredients — one of the best on the western shore. Go for the pistachio or dark chocolate. Small, unassuming, and quietly excellent.

Menaggio · ~10 min by car Maps →
Waterfront

La Passarella

On the Varenna waterfront. The dark chocolate sorbet (dairy-free) is one of the best on the lake. Pistachio close behind. A short ferry ride well worth it — pair it with an afternoon in Varenna.

Varenna · ferry from Menaggio Maps →
Worth the Drive

Orchidee del Lario

Excellent ice cream slightly further north on the lake. Worth the drive — creative flavours, top-quality ingredients, and a lovely setting. A destination in itself.

~25 min north by car Maps →

On the water & in the mountains

Activities

No Licence Required

Boating & Kayaking

AC Boat Rentals, Menaggio. Motorboats up to 40HP — no licence required. Modern Italian boats with GPS and sun decks, 70-litre tank for 6–7 hours. Kayaks and doubles available. They can deliver to San Siro — launch from your doorstep. Book ahead in July and August.

Lungolago Castelli, Menaggio · ~10 min by car Maps →
Wind & Kite

Wind & Kite Surfing

The northern end of Lake Como is one of Europe's finest windsurf and kitesurf spots, driven by the Breva — a thermal wind that builds reliably from midday. Epic Gust (Domaso) and Boarderline (Dervio) are the established schools. Lessons and rental available. All levels.

Domaso · ~30 min north by car Maps →
From the doorstep

Hiking

The Antica Strada Regina — a Roman-era lakeshore path — starts from Acquaseria. Breathtaking and historic. For altitude, hike to Rifugio Menaggio at 1,400m above Loveno: 2–3 hours up, panoramic views of the entire lake. All levels catered for.

Trailheads from the apartment Maps →
Alpine skiing · Dec–Apr

Skiing

Madesimo is just over an hour away — a proper Alpine resort with long runs, good snow record, and excellent mountain food. For a longer day, cross into Switzerland: St Moritz is 90 minutes via the Maloja Pass. Ski hire and passes available at both resorts. December through April.

Madesimo ~1h by car · St Moritz ~1.5h by car Maps →
Founded 1907 · 18 holes

Golf

Menaggio & Cadenabbia Golf Club — one of the oldest in Italy, founded 1907. 18 holes with stunning lake views at every turn. Green fees bookable online. Equipment hire on site. About 15 minutes from the apartment along the lakeside road.

~15 min by car · Cadenabbia Maps →

Everything you need

Practical

Supermarket

Conad — Menaggio

The local supermarket — 10 minutes away. Good range of fresh produce, regional cheeses, pasta, and wine. Everything you need for a self-catering stay.

Menaggio · ~10 min by car Maps →
Large Supermarket

Iperal — Carlazzo

A bit of a drive but a proper full supermarket — well worth it for a bigger weekly shop. Good deli counter, wide wine selection, and all the brands you'd expect.

Carlazzo · ~25 min by car Maps →
Pharmacy

Farmacia Kluzer

The pharmacy in Menaggio. Via IV Novembre 30. Phone: +39 0344 32051. Open Mon–Sat 8:30–12:30 and 15:00–19:30. Closed Sunday.

Via IV Novembre 30, Menaggio Maps →
Cash · good to know

ATM & Cash

Many smaller restaurants and trattorie around the lake are cash only — it's worth keeping some euros with you. The nearest bancomat is in Menaggio town centre.

Menaggio town centre Find ATM →
Lake Ferry

Lake Ferry

Operated by Navigazione Laghi. Two services: the passenger battello and the car traghetto (Menaggio–Varenna–Bellagio). Menaggio pier is 10 minutes away. Tickets at the dock. Check the timetable online before you go — times vary by season.

Menaggio pier · ~10 min by car Timetables →
Laundry

Lavapù — Self Service

Self-service laundry in Menaggio. Card and cash accepted. Open 7am–midnight. Useful for longer stays — the apartment has no dryer.

Via N. Sauro 60, Menaggio · ~10 min by car Maps →
Emergency

Emergency — 112

Pan-European emergency number. Works for police, ambulance, and fire brigade. Nearest hospital: Ospedale A. Manzoni, Lecco — approximately 35 minutes by car.

Call 112 · Hospital ~35 min Hospital →

Everything on one map

Explore the area

All restaurants, gems, activities and places of interest plotted. Click any pin for details.

Casa Helena
Restaurants
Coffee & Gelato
Local secrets
Discover
Activities
Practical

Getting there

How to find us

Apartment Address
Residenza Lago di Como Aquaseria
Via Statale 34, San Siro 22010
Appartamento 28
Outside general Parking Area
Via Statale 34, Acquaseria, 22010 San Siro CO
Open in Maps →
Inside Private Parking
Residenza Lago di Como Aquaseria, underground garage
Open in Maps →
From Menaggio · to the apartment
1

Leave Menaggio heading towards Sondrio / St. Moritz. After about 4.4 km you will see this road sign.

Road sign for Sondrio direction
2

A few hundred metres further: look for the blue sign with yellow letters — BOTTA.

Blue BOTTA sign on roadside
3

About 150 metres after the BOTTA sign, directly past the first building on the right — this is your turn.

First building on right, turn ahead
4

Turn right into the small side street.

Side street entrance, turn right
5

After 20 metres take the first left.

First left turn after 20 metres
6

Drive past the row of houses.

Row of houses along the lane
7

On the right you will see a small square — park here temporarily to unload your luggage.

Small square for temporary parking
8

Walk through the passage under the building.

Covered passage under the building
9

On the right: the door of Appartamento 28.

Apartment entrance doorAppartamento 28 door signHallway to apartment 28View from apartment entrance
You have arrived
Parking garage

If space is available at the square, you can leave the car there. When it is busy, use the underground garage beneath the building.

1

Drive back to the main road, turn right, then immediately right again. This narrow lane descends steeply.

Narrow lane entrance from main roadLane descending steeplySteep descent toward garageBottom of lane, garage ahead
2

The garage entrance is on your right. Park on the left side, directly next to the first pillar — see floor plan.

Garage floor plan showing parking spot
3

From the garage, these stairs take you back up to the apartment.

Staircase from garageTop of stairs leading to apartment

Rates & seasons

Pricing

Low season

€114

per night

Jan · Feb · Mar · Nov · Dec

Mid season

€128

per night

Apr · May · Sep · Oct

High season

€160

per night

Jun · Jul · Aug

* Prices are per night, excluding any applicable linen and cleaning fees. Rates can also be discussed to fit your budget — feel free to ask!

Get in touch

Plan your stay

Feel free to contact me for any questions
or requests you might have!

Thank you all!
Sincerely,
Stef

Helena on the jetty, Lake Como