Historic village shops One of the questions we hear most often from people arriving on Lake Como is simple:“Where do I buy groceries? Where can I find local produce? And where do locals actually go to eat?” Bellano and Varenna are two relatively small villages, but they offer everything you need for a comfortable and authentic holiday. The secret, as is often the case on the lake, is simple: knowing where to go and what time of day to go there. If you want to get your bearings from day one, you can also read what to see in Bellano, from hidden corners to authentic views.
If you are staying on the lake for a few days and want an easy place to do your shopping, Bellano is probably the most practical village to start with. 1. CONAD City ↗ (supermarket – near Bellano Lido) The easiest reference point for a full grocery shop in the village is CONAD City on Via Papa Giovanni XXIII, 12, in Bellano. It is a very convenient option if you need a supermarket close to the centre and practical for everyday essentials. 2. Eurospin ↗ (discount supermarket - near the station) If you arrive by car or want to do a slightly bigger and more budget-friendly shop, especially for longer stays, there is also Eurospin on Via per Taceno 13/B, in Bellano. It is handy as well if you want to pick up something quickly before heading back to your apartment. 3. Alimentari Vitali ↗ (near the ferry landing stage) If you prefer a classic village food shop, with a more authentic atmosphere and a more local feel, Alimentari Vitali on Via Cavour is still an interesting stop for cured meats, cheeses and local produce.
One of the handiest places is La Bottega di Varenna on Via Venini 6, ↗ where you can find fruit, vegetables, cured meats, cheeses and many local specialities. It is one of those places where you go in for two things and almost always come out with something extra, simply because it still has the charm of a well-stocked village shop. If you are staying in Varenna and want to organise a simple lunch in your apartment or prepare an aperitif with local products, it is one of the most practical addresses to keep in mind.
Lake Como souvenir: the Lucia If you want to take home a keepsake that does not look as though it was picked up in haste from just any display window, Varenna is the best place. The village has a collection of boutiques and shops where you can choose items that genuinely reflect the area, with more taste and less banality. For an artisan gift, Le Ceramiche di Vezio is a lovely detour just above Varenna: handmade artistic ceramics, bijoux and souvenirs with a strong identity. In the centre, Il Tornio is one of the names to remember for ceramic craftsmanship; Pelletteria Denti is a historic shop specialising in Made in Italy leather goods; and Varenna Holidays Boutique offers a selection of “Made in Lake Como” items, including ceramics, silk, local crafts, gin, wine and olive oil. In Bellano, Cartolibreria Pozzi is one of the best-loved shops in the historic centre: in addition to books, stationery and toys, it is also ideal if you are looking for a small gift or a keepsake to take home. If you want something genuinely local, a nice idea is to look for a souvenir inspired by the Lucia, Lake Como’s traditional boat, steeped in history and legend, a symbol of local heritage and often one of the loveliest mementoes to bring back home.
For the restaurants and trattorias we genuinely recommend between Bellano and Varenna, we have already dedicated a separate article to the topic: where to eat well: restaurants and trattorias in Bellano and Varenna.
Bellano for logistics and grocery shopping; Varenna for strolling and souvenirs. If you want to take things at an easy pace, this is the simplest way to think about it: Bellano in the morning for shopping and easy connections, a transfer or a walk to Varenna around midday, boutiques and souvenirs in the late afternoon, and dinner wherever suits the mood in the evening. If you are arriving from Milan and want to catch the ferry without dealing with too many queues, Bellano remains a very practical choice. To organise your trip more smoothly, also read how to get around Lake Como while avoiding long waits.
Between Bellano and Varenna, you can eat well, shop better than you might expect, and even do your grocery shopping intelligently without turning your holiday into a rush. Bellano is more practical, simpler and more everyday. Varenna is more scenic, more artisanal and richer in small gifts worth choosing with care. The real secret is to alternate between the two: one makes you feel comfortable, the other makes you feel on holiday. If after shopping you want to enjoy the village at a different pace, discover what to do and see in Varenna by night as well.
1. Where is it best to do the grocery shopping between Bellano and Varenna? For a more convenient and complete grocery shop, Bellano is often the most practical choice: here you will find supermarkets such as CONAD City and Eurospin, as well as local food shops in the centre of the village. Varenna is more suitable for smaller purchases, local produce and traditional village shops. 2. Is there a weekly market in Bellano? Yes, Bellano market takes place every Thursday morning, from 8:00 am to 1:00 pm, on Viale T. Grossi, with stalls selling food, fruit and vegetables, local produce, deli items and other useful goods. 3. Where can you find local produce in Varenna? In Varenna, one of the most useful addresses is La Bottega di Varenna / La Bottega di Cavalli Davide, on Via Venini 6, where you can find fruit, vegetables, cured meats, cheeses and local specialities. Macelleria Salumeria Lillia is also mentioned by the local tourist portal for local produce and artisan specialities. 4. Where can you buy authentic souvenirs between Bellano and Varenna? For more authentic souvenirs, Varenna offers more choice: Le Ceramiche di Vezio, Il Tornio, Pelletteria Denti and Varenna Holidays Boutique are useful references for ceramics, crafts, leather, silk and local products. In Bellano, Cartolibreria Pozzi is a good option for small gifts and items to take home. 5. Bellano or Varenna: which village is more practical for planning your day? If practicality is the main criterion, Bellano has an important advantage: for those arriving from Milan, it is often easier for reaching the ferry while avoiding some of the queues that are more common in Varenna, and it is also well connected to the railway station. Varenna is better suited to a slower stroll and a more scenic stop. 6. Where can you find reliable advice on where to eat between Bellano and Varenna? For restaurants, trattorias and the most recommended dishes between the two villages, visit the article dedicated to where to eat well on Lake Como and find out which local dishes are worth trying. 7. What is the most sought-after and authentic souvenir from Lake Como? If you want something genuinely local, a lovely idea is to look for a souvenir inspired by the Lucia, the traditional boat of Lake Como, a symbol of local heritage and often one of the most memorable keepsakes to bring home.