Lido di Lierna (Riva Bianca)

Lido di Lierna, known as Riva Bianca, lies on the eastern shore of Lake Como between Lecco and Varenna in Lecco Province, and is celebrated as one of the lake's rare genuinely sandy beaches. The shore is a soft pale crescent backed by a cluster of pastel-coloured former fishermen's houses, giving it an almost seaside character unusual for Como. The water is clear and calm, shelving gently from the sandy edge so that children can wade safely, though like all of Lake Como it stays fairly cool, around 18-22°C at the height of summer. The beach forms a small sheltered bay framed by wooded slopes and mountains, with little exposure to wind, which keeps the surface placid and good for swimming and paddling. The atmosphere is relaxed and family-friendly rather than lively or commercial, drawing locals and Italian families more than international party crowds. Amenities include a beachside bar and restaurant serving fresh lake fish, showers, and kayak hire for exploring the quiet shoreline, while the picturesque hamlet of Riva Bianca itself is part of the appeal. One of Lierna's biggest advantages is access: direct Trenord trains run from Milan in about an hour, and the beach is a short walk from the station, making it one of the easiest sandy lake beaches to reach without a car. The setting beneath the Grigne mountains and the photogenic huddle of coloured houses make it a favourite for photographers as well as swimmers. With its scarce sandy shoreline, calm shallows, easy rail access and unhurried village mood, Riva Bianca at Lierna offers a distinctive and family-suited alternative to Como's grander resort towns.