San Mamete is an absolutely charming village on the banks of Lake Lugano, in the Lombardy region of northern Italy. We think it’s a real gem of a place to stay in the Italian Lakes, off the main tourist track but ideally placed to discover not just Lake Lugano but also neighbouring Lake Como. The popular lakeside town of Menaggio on Lake Como is just a 30 minute drive away and from here, it’s easy to catch a boat to all the other towns and villages on the lake.
What to do in San Mamete
San Mamete itself is small but there are still some gems to view in the village itself. First and foremost, we can recommend a visit to the Chiesa di San Martino. It is possible to reach this impressive church on foot up a series of steps and alleyways from San Mamete itself however you can also reach it by car if you prefer. When you get there, you’ll be rewarded with some impressive views over Lake Lugano below. But you’ll also be amazed by the church itself. Don’t be deceived by the plain exterior. Inside, this church is incredibly beautiful, with beautiful artwork by Paolo Pagani adorning its ceiling and walls.
Whilst San Mamete itself is small, there is also plenty to see and do using San Mamete as a base to explore the wider area. For example, less than two kilometres from the heart of San Mamete is Villa Fogazzaro Roi. This 19th century villa has been frozen in time. Once inhabited for long periods by the writer, Antonio Fogazzaro, it now allows visitors to enjoy a fascinating insight into the 19th century bourgeois world. Purchase your tickets online in advance.
A 3 kilometre drive in the other direction from San Mamete is the Santuario Nostra Signora Dei Miracoli O B. V. Della Caravina. It is another picturesque little church, with a neoclassical facade and an interior decorated with 17th frescoes. Again, it occupies a beautiful location overlooking Lake Lugano.
Here are plenty of other ideas of what to see and do in the area, using San Mamete as a base for your stay:
Visit the lido
If you are visiting San Mamete in the warmer seasons, there is nothing more relaxing than a day spent sunbathing at the lido and there are a number to choose from nearby! The nearest is less than 5 kilometres from the heart of the village – the Lido San Domenico. Open from June to September, it has a lovely grassed area with sun beds as well as a cafe serving refreshments. Tickets can be purchased online.
Alternatively, if you’re looking for something larger, just a 20 minute drive from San Mamete is the lido at Lugano. This is a large lido with lake access and sandy beach area as well as a large swimming pool if you wish to swim lengths, a diving pool and separate children’s pool. There is also an on site restaurant and cafe however you are welcome to bring a picnic. For the sporty ones amongst you, there is also volleyball and even a five a side football pitch.
Other lidos worth visiting include the Lido di Menaggio on Via Roma in Menaggio. This has an adults and children’s pool as well as a small sandy beach area. Just a word of caution – online reviews are more mixed here with some finding the music a little too loud and the whole experience not relaxing enough.
If you’re after variety, then a couple of other lidos also worth trying include the lido at Porlezza / Panama Beach on Via Prati in Porlezza as well as the Lido di Lenno on Via Comoedia.
Head to Lake Como
You can also use San Mamete as a base to visit Lake Como. From San Mamete, drive with the lake on your right and you can be at the lovely village of Menaggio on Lake Como in less than half an hour. Menaggio is located within the ‘golden triangle’ of Lake Como which also includes popular towns such as Bellagio and Varenna.
Bellagio is probably the most famous of these smaller villages. It’s lovely but does get very busy in the Summer. We actually prefer its slightly quieter neighbour, Varenna. You will find many famous villas located here. One villa you must see is Villa Balbianello. It is absolutely breathtaking, perched right on the lake and with beautiful gardens to explore. For film lovers, it was also the setting for scenes from Star Wars. You can get there by boat or simply by walking along the designated footpath. The villa used to be a private home until 1990 and is now part of the national trust of Italy. Other villas we highly recommend you visit are Villa Carlotta in Tremezzo and Villa Melzi in Bellagio. Lake Como is generally much busier than Lake Lugano and has a very different feel but it is absolutely lovely. The main city – Como – has some lovely shops and is a good place to buy your holiday souvenirs and silks in particular which the city is famous for.
Go cycling
This is great cycling country. At the most basic level, it is easy to explore nearby Lugano by bike using the Publibike system. Simply register your details via their App or online and follow the instructions. If you are after a more sedate ride, then why not try an e-bike instead. 2 Wheels Rental offer both e-bike hire and tours. There are plenty of bicycle rental stores on Lake Como too. Probably the closest offering a good range of bikes is Guti Bike Rent in Argegno.
Enjoy a day at the spa
Just 4 kilometres from San Mamete is the Aria Retreat and Spa. This upmarket spa and hotel offers spa treatments and the ultimate chance to unwind and relax.
Go Trekking
Just as this is great cycling country, it is also great walking country. Check out the official tourist website of Menaggio for some great trekking routes.
Check out the amazing views
To get the best views of the lakes head to Belvedere della Sighignola or Pigra. Head to the former on a clear day and you will be rewarded with views of Lake Maggiore, Lake Lugano, Lake Piano and even Lake Como if you’re really lucky. The drive to the summit is steep and potentially difficult for nervous drivers but the views at the top are more than worth it.
Remember that temperatures will be cooler at the summits so take a jacket with you and that way you can spend plenty of time admiring the incredible views whilst enjoying a drink or bite to eat at the restaurant. The other option is Pigra. Take the funivia from Argegno to Pigra for breathtaking views of Lake Como.
Hit the shops in Lugano
Lugano is full of designer shops and is an expensive place to shop as well as to eat out but, if you’re holidaying on a budget, there is a great value restaurant in one of the department stores which we’d recommend called Manora. It’s very informal with a buffet service concept but superb quality food for the price.
Grab a bargain at the shopping outlet
If you enjoy shopping, then you may want to find a bargain at Fox Town. Located in Mendrisio, Fox Town is an indoor outlet mall, featuring brands such as Bally, Burberry, Gant, Escada, Hackett, Boss and many others. Further away, there is the largest designer outlet mall in Europe – McArthur Glen Serravalle – however this is a 2 hour drive from San Mamete. Another option is the more recently opened ‘Il Centro‘ in Arese near Milan, which is one of the biggest malls in Europe. This offers more high street stores.
Visit the chocolate factory
A 30 minute drive from San Mamete, there is a chocolate factory at Caslano which welcomes visitors. Definitely try and visit on a weekday when it’s more likely that they will have production taking place. It’s very simple but if you are travelling with young children, they will love it… and they offer free tastings which always seem to be popular whatever your age!
Visit Swissminiatur
The best way to describe Swissminiatur is literally Switzerland in miniature. It’s a must see if you do have young children and is located less than 40 minutes from San Mamete.
Enjoy a passeggiata in Morcote
Morcote is a very pretty lakeside village on Lake Lugano, worth visiting for a short stroll and some gelato!
If you’re needing to burn off some calories, then you could climb the 404 steps to get a closer look at the churches of Sant’ Antonio Abata, Santa Maria del Sasso and the smaller chapel of Sant’ Antonio da Padova. Also worth visiting in the village is the medieval tower and the Scherrer botanical gardens. Those who are brave enough can also climb up to the 12th century castle at an altitude of 475 metres to enjoy the views at the top.
Spend a day on Lake Maggiore
Just as guests can use San Mamete as a base to visit Lake Como, it is also possible to use the village as a base to visit neighbouring Lake Maggiore. Here, Isola Bella is worth a visit to view the famous white peacocks and beautiful gardens. Whilst here, you may also want to hop across to the other islands. Isola dei Pescatori is the only inhabited island (with a population of around 25 at the last count) but those that do live there tend to be fisherman and, as a result, it boasts some great fish restaurants. Isola Madre is the third of the islands and again worth a stop. If you fancy a birds eye view of Lake Maggiore, then drive to Laveno and park up here to try the bucket lifts. These are literally what they sound like! Buckets that take you up the mountain! Everyone loves them, especially little ones but they aren’t for the faint hearted!! The views from the top are incredible though, especially on a clear day, so it’s worth heading up when you have a lovely blue sky or not too many clouds on the lake. Or if you prefer a spot of shopping, visit Lake Maggiore on market day and head to Luino. Luino has a huge market every Wednesday. It is hugely popular attracting thousands of visitors from all over Europe each week but it tends to have a bit of a ‘Marmite’ effect – you either love it or hate it.
Take a trip on the Great Bernina Express
The Great Bernina Express is a scenic train ride through Switzerland. The train goes along the highest train track in Europe and takes you on an incredible journey from Tirano to St. Moritz. Opt to get a bus transfer from Lugano up to the Bernina Express Station in Tirano or you could even drive to Tirano and catch the train from there. After the train trip, you will have plenty of time in St. Moritz, one of the most prestigious ski-resorts in Europe and a town that has just as much to offer during the Summer months as well. The scenery en route is absolutely spectacular.
Day at Splash and Spa waterpark
Less than 40 minutes from San Mamete, Splash and Spa is a water park and spa in Switzerland. Like the lido in Lugano, it’s great for all ages. Combine it with a trip to Monte Tamaro where there is a great toboggan ride which all ages tend to love along with an adventure park, zip wire and plenty of other outdoor activities to enjoy! It also offers a wonderful viewpoint and scenery, especially on a clear day and is popular with paragliding enthusiasts. It’s not cheap to access but lots of fun once there!
Spend an afternoon at an adventure park
As well as the adventure park at Monte Tamaro, there are a couple of other adventure parks within an hours reach of San Mamete. These include the Lake Como Adventure Park in Gravedona ed Uniti. Open all year round, the park offers 5 different trails catering for different ages and abilities with various height restrictions in order to qualify to have a go on each one. Alternatively, the Jungle Raider park in Civenna is similarly set up with tree top trails offering varying levels of difficulty.
Hire a Boat
Whilst the public boat network is fantastic, you can’t beat getting out and about on the lake by yourself. Hire a boat on either Lake Como, Lake Maggiore or Lake Lugano for anything from an hour upwards and get out on the lake yourselves.
You can hire a small boat without the need for a license. Just take a driving license or passport when booking and you can take it out there and then. Boat hire is available in most of the towns and villages around the lakes. You’ll also find that some of the lakeside restaurants have their own moorings so you can literally pull up for a meal. For those who don’t want to hire a boat, then each lake has its own public boat system too. Boats do leave from San Mamete itself allowing you to explore without the need to get in the car. Or, if you prefer a slower pace, you could always choose to hire a pedalo instead!
Enjoy a wine tasting experience
Azienda Agricola Sorsasso and Cantine Angelinetta are both notable vineyards on Lake Como, about 50 minutes from San Mamete. We recommend you contact them in advance to be sure that they are open.
Enjoy a round of golf
For keen golfers, there are plenty of fantastic golf courses to try within easy reach of San Mamete. The nearest to San Mamete is less than 30 minutes away and is the Golf Club Menaggio & Cadenabbia, a par 70 course with a long and illustrious history, however the golf club at Lugano is not much further away. Within an hours drive of San Mamete, there is also the Monticello Golf Club and the Lanzo Club.
Head underground to the Grotte di Rescia
The Grotte di Rescia are a series of caves situated on the eastern shores of Lake Lugano, just 10 kilometres from San Mamete. A tour will take between 30 minutes and an hour dependent on whether you opt for a group or private tour. Family owned and run, the caves are open from April to mid October each year and the owners also open at Christmas where the caves are transformed into a wonderful festive grotto. With temperatures lovely and cool inside, it’s a great way to cool off from the heat of the Summer sun! The visit to the cave also includes a visit to Saint Julia gorge and its 70 metre high waterfall.
Spend a day in Milan
Milan is a great city and well worth a visit although the journey there will take a couple of hours from San Mamete. Milan’s Cathedral is a great starting point for any trip to the city and it’s worth heading both inside the Duomo as well as on to its rooftop. Make sure you come suitably dressed if you want to visit the cathedral interior. Shorts and skirts will need to be over the knee and shoulders covered. In peak season, it can get busy so its worth investing in fast track tickets to skip the queues.
From the Duomo, it’s a hop, skip and a jump to what is arguably one of the world’s most beautiful shopping arcades – the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II. Other key attractions in the city include La Scala opera house and the famous painting of The Last Supper by Leonardo da Vinci, housed in the refectory of the Convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie in Milan.
Where to eat in San Mamete
San Mamete itself as well as the area around the village has a host of fantastic restaurants to try. Some of our favourites include:
Ristoro Del Pellegrino, Via Al Santuario 43: This restaurant is in San Mamete itself and also boasts lovely lake views.
La Taverna, Piazza Peppino e Angelo Selva 33, Porlezza
Il Ritrovo, Localita Cini 44, Cima di Porlezza
Ristorante Pronto Pizza Da Fabio, Via Giuseppe Garibaldi 31, Porlezza
Il Pinguino, Via Osteno 30, Porlezza
La Trattoria Constantin, Via Carlo Camozzi 16, Menaggio
Where to stay in San Mamete
This Lake Lugano apartment is the perfect place to stay in San Mamete. Located right on the lakeside and enjoying tremendous views of the lake from each room as well as from the private terrace, it’s also within walking distance of the village’s cafes and restaurants. The apartment sleeps up to three in one bedroom. But if you’re travelling as part of a larger group, it can even be extended to include the adjacent apartment, providing accommodation for up to five people altogether.
Alternatively, opt to stay in Casa Collina. This 2 bedroom San Mamete villa enjoys stunning lake views and is within a 5 minute walk of the lakeside where guests enjoy access to a private beach area. Once more, it’s also within walking distance of cafes and restaurants so you can opt to stay for an extra hour by the lake, safe in the knowledge that someone else can cook up the evening meal!
How to reach San Mamete
By air: The nearest airport is in Lugano however most people tend to fly into Milan Malpensa, which is approximately 85 km away.
By train: The nearest train station would be in Lugano but you could also get the train to Como and make your way from there to San Mamete.
By car: San Mamete is easy to reach by car. There is plenty of paid public parking within the village.
By boat: The public boat network that operates on Lake Lugano does stop in San Mamete.