Between Laglio and Argegno you will find the small village of Brienno. Just before Brienno, the main road disappears into a tunnel. By the time you come out of the tunnel, you’ve inevitably passed Brienno. This is precisely why Brienno remains largely unknown to tourists, and why time seems to have stood still here. Around 500 residents enjoy the tranquility of Brienno. Visiting Brienno feels a bit like traveling back in time.

Brienno lies at the foot of Monte Binate and Monte San Bernardo, directly opposite the village of Nesso on the other side of Lake Como. The houses of Brienno are built close together, forming a true labyrinth. Beautiful porticoes, stairways, and vaults make Brienno an absolute gem. Flowers add color to the balconies, and in front of the façades, elderly locals still murmur “ciao” or “salve” while sitting on a bench.

Brienno originally dates back to the Middle Ages, though traces of Celtic and Roman influences can also be found.

From the water, Brienno stands out even more. Its beautiful façades, painted in a rich palette of colors, touch the azure-blue waters of Lake Como. It almost looks like a Lego set. The silhouette of the slender bell tower of the Church of Santi Nazaro e Celso is characteristic. The church is known for its paintings and stained-glass windows. In the church garden, there is a bronze war memorial. Be sure to walk a bit further to the Church of the Immaculate Conception next to the cemetery. Here are two more hidden tips: on the lower left you can find a nice bar via stairs and on the right under the cemetery runs a hidden tunnel Galleria di Mina.

Brienno is not large. You’ll only find a few small local restaurants and bars. If you want to stay there, you’ll need to rent an apartment. You won’t find a hotel there. But let’s keep it that way, and in Brienno, savor the spirit of Lake Como as it was centuries ago.