Next June, my husband and son, who will be 12 are planning trip through Northern Italy with the last 2 days being spent on Lake Como. I have not yet decided between Menaggio or Bellagio as a base.

I have narrowed down the hotel selection to those with pools for my son's benefit. (Hotel Belevedere or Grand Menaggio)

Does anyone know if there are public beaches near these towns or any hotels that might have beach access? I appreciate your help and advice.

I'm not sure about beach access in those specific places, but I'm not sure you'd want it, either. You don't want to be where the boats are, for obvious reasons. But also keep in mind that the water is usually COLD - this is a deep Alpine lake and it never warms up much. My husband and daughter do swim in it from time to time, but I'm a wimp.

There is a pool in Menaggio (called the Lido), which might also offer beach access.

best regards,
Deirdré Straughan

www.straughan.com (personal)
www.tvblob.com (work)

If you pick Menaggio as your base, you could take the bus (or drive) over to Lugano where there is a decent-sized public beach. We've gone swimming in Lake Lugano in the beginning of August and the water was brisk but not bone chilling. In June (particularly early June), not sure what the water (or air) temps will be.

If you have "that kind of money", the hotel Villa d'Este has a unique aquatic recreation choice... a swimming pool, which floats, in the lake, with a deck around it.

I don't know for a fact, but I assume that this means they make the necessary energy expenditure to keep the pool water filtered, and control (partially?) the temperature in the water of the pool, at least seasonally...

Best wishes,

Rex

Oh, to have "that kind of money..."

Thanks for the posts. I forgot about the alpine coldness of the lake. These are great suggestions and if the kid can't swim in the lake - i am sure he will still have fun. I sure didnt get to go to europe at age 12!

Thanks again

The pool at the Villa d'Este isn't heated and it is very chilly, although clean. There is a small beach on the grounds of the hotel from which we tried to swim in the lake (twice in July and once in August) and neither my husband or I could tolerate the cold temperature for more than 5 minutes.

There is a public pool in Bellagio near the Melzi Gardens. The Grand Hotel Serbelloni in Bellagio also has a (beautiful) pool.