Around Us
Pognana is becoming famous for its high-end tourism, celebrities houses, and luxury, but it has always been special for its location, tranquillity, and breathtaking views. You’ll have so much to discover while making Casa Villa El Paraíso JOY your base on Lake Como.
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🌿 Services nearby
***Pognana Lario***
– ☕ Peppo’s Bar (breakfast, pizza with lake view, lunch, dinner)
https://maps.app.goo.gl/gaVdjs5D3FM9FzXw7
– 🍹 Bar Sonia (breakfast, pizza with lake view, lunch, dinner)
https://maps.app.goo.gl/7hTtVbQm2pFz9eXk6
🥩 Macelleria Pennino (also small minimarket and basic groceries, great meat)
https://maps.app.goo.gl/kDyxDjF37t4gSkPeA
***Nesso***
💊 Nearest pharmacy: Farmacia di Nesso (10 minutes by car)
https://maps.app.goo.gl/3yQk9sJm9mKcR1hA7
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🧳 Shopping list & essentials
I’m also sharing a small “shopping list” just in case it’s helpful for your stay:
– Coffee capsules (Nespresso type) or ground coffee for Italian moka pot
– Shampoo and shower gel
– Salt, sugar, etc. (we usually have them, but we always recommend bringing your own as we can’t guarantee what previous guests leave behind)
✨ Our suggestions for longer stays:
🛒 Groceries
– For longer stays, we recommend doing a grocery shop in Como to cover the basics. When you arrive, if you share your itinerary, I can suggest the best places to stop. 🙂
– The local minimarket Macelleria Pennino is convenient and offers excellent fresh meat and high-quality local products.
🚌 Bus Transportation
We recommend avoiding buses, especially during peak hours (11:00–18:00), as they can get very crowded and sometimes they may not stop if they are full.
⛴️ Ferry
Ferries from Como and Bellagio can have long waiting times, especially in high season. We suggest arriving about 1 hour earlier.
The ferry from Pognana to Como o Bellagio is usually less crowded.
https://www.navigazionelaghi.it/en/tickets-and-timetables-lake-como/
🚗 Parking
We provide a private garage for 1 car free of charge.
If you have 2 cars, we recommend parking both outside whenever possible and using the garage only when needed. This way you always have a safe parking option available, especially during the busy summer season when parking can be difficult if you plan to move just 1 car.
We have some friends who has a Congierge service: boat party, trekking, chef at home, massages etc… we don’t work with them, zero commissions or money agreement but they are very nice and it’s good for our clients. If you want more info remember especially boat services are best booked in advance. Let me know and I’ll put in contact with her.
And for everything else… just relax, come and enjoy Lake Como!
Anything else just let us know! 🙂
Discover Lake Como
Our Local Guide
Everything below has been personally selected to help you discover some of the most beautiful places around Lake Como.
Pognana Beaches
5 min walk downhill from Casa Villa El Paraíso Joy
Just a few minutes from the villa you’ll find two small lakeside beaches. During summer, the water is not as cold as most people expect, making them perfect for swimming, sunbathing or simply relaxing while enjoying the scenery.
San Rocco Viewpoint
15–20 min walk
Walking up to the small Church of San Rocco is absolutely worth it. From here you’ll enjoy one of the most beautiful panoramic views over the Como branch of the lake. The church itself has ancient origins and is part of the village’s history.
📍 Google Maps
https://maps.google.com/?q=Chiesa+di+San+Rocco+Pognana+Lario
Strada Regia
Historic Hiking Trail
One of Lake Como’s oldest walking routes, connecting Como and Bellagio for centuries. Today it passes through forests, traditional stone villages, Romanesque churches and spectacular lake viewpoints.
Recommended section: Pognana Lario → Nesso
🌐 More information
https://www.lakecomo.is/strada-regia
Faggeto Lario
5 min drive
One of our favourite places on the lake. A very small town with everything…
Perfect for spending an entire day:
• Beach
• Restaurant
• Cocktails
• Sunbeds
• Paddle boards
• Boat rental (license-free options available)
• Live music on selected summer weekends
📍 Google Maps
https://maps.google.com/?q=Lido+di+Faggeto+Lario
Nesso
10 min drive
One of the most photogenic villages on Lake Como. Legend says that even Leonardo da Vinci was fascinated by this place. Don’t miss:
• Orrido di Nesso waterfall
• Ponte della Civera medieval bridge
• The lakeside steps
📍 Google Maps
https://maps.google.com/?q=Orrido+di+Nesso
Bellagio
30 min drive
Known as the Pearl of Lake Como. Take your time getting lost through its charming streets.
• Salita Serbelloni
• Punta Spartivento
• Villa Melzi Gardens
• Historic centre
• Artisan boutiques
📍 Google Maps
https://maps.google.com/?q=Bellagio+Lake+Como
🌐 Official tourism
https://www.bellagiolakecomo.com
Varenna
10 min ferry from Bellagio
For many visitors, the most beautiful village on Lake Como.
• Walk of Lovers
• Villa Monastero Gardens
• San Giorgio Church
• Castello di Vezio
📍 Google Maps
https://maps.google.com/?q=Varenna
🌐 Official tourism
https://visitvarenna.it
Torno
15 min drive
A peaceful and elegant lakeside village.
• Walking along the harbour
• Enjoying an Italian gelato
• Exploring the narrow streets
• Visiting Villa Pliniana
📍 Google Maps
https://maps.google.com/?q=Torno+Lake+Como
🌐 Tourism information
https://www.italia.it/en/lombardy/tornohttps://visitvarenna.it
Como
20 min drive
The largest city on Lake Como and well worth a full day.
• Como Cathedral
• Piazza Cavour
• Historic Centre
• Lakeside promenade
• Shopping streets
• Traditional market (Thursday & Saturday)
📍 Google Maps
https://maps.google.com/?q=Como
🌐 Official tourism
https://www.visitcomo.eu
Brunate Funicular
From Como by Funicular
One of the most iconic experiences on Lake Como. The historic funicular reaches Brunate in just seven minutes, offering spectacular views over Como and the lake.If you enjoy walking, continue for around 30 minutes to reach the Volta Light house, where you’ll find one of the best panoramic viewpoints in the region, with views stretching across Lake Como, the Alps and, on clear days, even Milan.
📍 Google Maps
https://maps.google.com/?q=Funicolare+Como+Brunate
🌐 Official information
https://www.atm.it/en/ViaggiaConNoi/Pages/FunicolareComoBrunate.aspx
Explore Lake Como by Ferry
One of the best ways to discover Lake Como is from the water.
From Pognana Lario ferry terminal, just 5 minutes of stairs donwhill from Casa Villa El Paraíso Joy you can easily reach:
• Como
• Torno
• Nesso
• Bellagio
• Varenna
You’ll also enjoy unique views of some of the lake’s most famous villas:
• Villa d’Este
• Villa Pliniana
• Villa Oleandra (George Clooney’s villa)
• Villa del Balbianello (featured in Star Wars and James Bond)
📍 Pognana Ferry Terminal
https://maps.google.com/?q=Pognana+Lario+Ferry+Terminal
🌐 Ferry timetables
https://www.navigazionelaghi.it/en/
All our friends bring it home…
“La Resta” di Como
Lake Como’s Traditional Sweet Bread
One of the oldest and most beloved specialties of Lake Como, Resta di Como is a traditional sweet bread often compared to panettone, although it has its own unique history and identity.
According to local legend, it was accidentally created in the early 1800s by an innkeeper in Como. After adding too much yeast, the dough overflowed from the bowl. To save it, he folded it back together and pressed a small olive branch into the top before baking.
Once out of the oven, the loaf resembled the backbone of a fish. The innkeeper is said to have exclaimed in the local dialect:
“Par la resca d’un pèss!” (“It looks like a fish bone!”)
From that moment, the bread became known as Resta di Como, while the olive branch remains its distinctive signature to this day.
Originally prepared for Easter, it is now enjoyed throughout the year and is considered one of Lake Como’s most authentic traditional delicacies.
📍 Where to find it
At Pennino, the minimarket in Pognana they have it from the bakery, and most traditional bakeries and pastry shops in Como, Bellagio and the surrounding villages sell Resta di Como, especially during Easter and festive periods.
🌐 Learn more
https://www.lakecomo.is/resta-di-como
Casa Villa El Paraíso & Joy 