Colonno has around 600 inhabitants and covers an area of 5.7 km². The village is flanked by Argegno and Sala Comacina. The area on Lake Como is also called Zoca de l’Oil or the oil basin: the water of Lake Como, as soft as oil. Colonno is located in a sort of corner where the wind has less grip on the surface of the lake.

Monte Colonno overlooks the village and lets its slopes descend into Lake Como through the pastel-colored houses.

Colonno originally was a fishing village where fishermen and farmers earned their living through trade. Above Colonno there are terraces where residents grew crops and sold their produce, along with fish and dairy products. The village used to belong to the parish of Isola Comacina.

Today there is no longer any manual labor, and the focus is on tourism. Although Colonno does not necessarily have that much to offer. Granted, it is a beautiful and picturesque village with a romantic and medieval town center. You can wander through the narrow streets where the houses literally lean against each other. At the water’s edge lies the 14th-century Chiesa di San Michele. Still, Colonno can hardly be called a tourist attraction.

The Cascate della Camogge waterfall can be seen from the Strada Regina when entering or leaving Colonno. During heavy rainfall, the water cascades down with impressive force. In July 2021, boulders and tree trunks literally thundered down. A major landslide caused the Strada Regina to be closed, bringing traffic to a standstill for several days. Colonno was also struck by severe flooding in 1905. Throughout the village, you can still find traces of the flooding. Be sure to take a look at Casa Ponte, a charming little bridge house over the Pessatta River.

Colonno is best known for the Greenway del Lario hike that starts in Colonno and ends ten kilometers away in Cadennabia.