Cosy flat for nature lovers in the rustic mountain village of Livo on Lake Como

Apartment Alba is a special retreat for nature lovers and guests seeking peace and quiet. It is located in the traditional mountain village of Livo, above Gravedona ed Uniti on the north-western shore of Lake Como. At an altitude of around 650 metres, guests can enjoy clear mountain air, plenty of tranquillity and direct access to nature, while the lake can be reached in around 15 to 20 minutes.

The house is more than 300 years old and was once known as Ca’ Maddalenü. It consists of two residential units. The apartment on the first floor belongs to a friendly couple who are only occasionally present. Apartment Alba is located on the second floor and has its own separate entrance. The rustico is situated at the upper edge of the village, directly beside an old chestnut grove, and blends harmoniously into the historic surroundings of the mountain villages above northern Lake Como with its simple natural-stone architecture. Old stone houses, narrow lanes and the preserved rural building style give the village its special atmosphere and distinctive character.

The accommodation

The apartment is ideal for two people and can accommodate a maximum of three guests. It has a small bedroom with a double bed / sleeping alcove (160 × 190 cm), another small bedroom with a single bed (90 × 200 cm), a bathroom with shower and WC without bidet, an open living area with kitchen, and a balcony.

From the balcony, there is a wide view over the historic village, the 17th-century parish church of San Giacomo Nuova, the lake opposite Colico, the distinctive Sasso Pelo, the surrounding mountains and as far as the impressive Monte Legnone.

In Apartment Alba, historic details meet modern comfort. The result is an atmosphere that is authentic, quiet and pleasantly uncomplicated.

Facilities

The kitchen is fully equipped. It includes, among other things, a filter coffee machine, moka pot, French press, kettle and toaster. An iron with ironing board and two televisions are also available; only German TV channels are received.

The house also has a spacious woodland and meadow plot with several seating areas. The plot is not fenced.

Please note that the accommodation does not have a dishwasher, microwave or washing machine. Addresses of laundrettes in Gravedona can be found in the guest folder.

Nature, hiking and surroundings

From Apartment Alba, guests can set off on both shorter walks and more demanding hikes into the partly wild and unspoilt nature of the surrounding area. A popular destination is Dangri, where it is possible to swim in a clear, cold mountain stream. From there, paths continue further up into the mountain landscape of Livo, for example to Baggio or — for experienced hikers — as far as Lago Darengo.

Despite its modest size, Livo also has something to offer in culinary terms. In the village centre, you will find the well-known Bar-Trattoria Sant’Anna, which is popular throughout the year and known beyond the local area. Regional dishes are served there with consistently high quality; many also consider the pizza to be among the best in Alto Lario. At the end of the popular hiking trail to Dangri, Crotto Dangri is another inviting place to stop — rustic, regional and set in the unspoilt nature of the valley.

Livo was once known far beyond the area for its pasture farming and livestock. Numerous façades with votive paintings from the 16th century, as well as finely crafted stone portals with family coats of arms, still recall this history today. A particular point of interest is the parish church of San Giacomo Vecchia, located just behind the village in the direction of Dangri. It was first mentioned in documents in 1297 and contains numerous depictions of the Madonna and Child, as well as a fresco cycle more than 400 years old. In the village centre, there is also the 17th-century parish church of San Giacomo Nuova.

Thanks to the special combination of mountains and lake, Livo offers many ways to enjoy an active stay. While water sports enthusiasts can make use of Lake Como, hikers, mountain bikers and mountain lovers will find numerous routes and challenges in the surrounding landscape.

Gravedona ed Uniti, the nearest village directly on the lake, can be reached by car in around 12 to 15 minutes. It is considered one of the most beautiful places on the northern shore of Lake Como and offers supermarkets, bakeries, cafés, restaurants, banks and other shops.

Heating and stays in the cooler season

In the colder season, the apartment is heated exclusively by a powerful pellet stove. We provide one bag of pellets for the first evening. Guests purchase any further supplies themselves if needed (€7 per 15 kg, as of January 2026). Guests are responsible for operating and regularly cleaning the stove themselves.

During the winter months, Apartment Alba is therefore particularly suitable for guests who are comfortable with slightly lower temperatures in the bedroom and bathroom. The fireplace in the living room is for decorative purposes only.

Arrival and location

Apartment Alba is reached via an approximately 70-metre-long, very steep and narrow access path, either on foot or by vehicle. Please only book if this is manageable for you. This special location is precisely what makes the house so unique: Apartment Alba is the highest-positioned rustico in the village.

The accommodation includes a private parking space, which is by no means a given in an old mountain village. Vehicles with normal to slightly higher ground clearance can usually park directly at the level of the house. For low-slung or sports cars, or if the driveway feels too steep, there are parking options on the road below the house as well as a public car park nearby.

Livo is a small mountain village without a supermarket or bakery. For shopping and errands, guests drive to Gravedona, Domaso or Dongo. Arrival by bus line C18 is generally possible, but connections are very limited. During the day, some services run only by prior reservation via ASF Flex; in the evening and on Sundays and public holidays, there is no service. For a relaxed stay, we therefore expressly recommend arriving with your own vehicle. We also recommend arriving in daylight whenever possible.

The road from Gravedona to Livo leads along a winding mountain road with tight bends and some narrow sections. Guests who are not used to hairpin roads should take this into account when booking. However, the views along the way and on site more than make up for the drive.

Important information before booking

Before arrival, a refundable security deposit of €150 must be paid. Payment is made no later than the day before arrival by instant bank transfer to an Italian account or via PayPal. The refund is made within 2 to 5 days after departure, provided no damage or extraordinary additional cleaning is found.

Apartment Alba is a private self-catering holiday apartment. Consumables are not replenished during the stay. Basic items can be purchased by guests if needed. Please bring your own personal care products such as shampoo or shower gel.

A change of bed linen and towels is possible on request and for an additional fee for stays of seven days or more. The towel set costs €5 per person; bed linen for a double bed costs €15.

The accommodation has one double bed and one single bed. There are no additional sleeping places. Please take this into account when booking.

Visits from friends or family members are not intended.

Charging an electric car at the accommodation is not possible. The nearest charging station is in Peglio, about 1 km away.

Pets are allowed only on request (€40 per stay). Out of consideration for the furnishings, please bring your own blankets, towels and bowls for your pet.

Unfortunately, the accommodation is not suitable for allergy sufferers.

Due to the structural conditions, the apartment is not suitable for babies or small children. A cot or high chair is not available.

For safety reasons, electric blankets are not permitted. They increase the risk of fire and can place a heavy load on the electrical system.

Safety and natural surroundings

The path to the building and the lower part of the staircase leading up to the apartment are video-monitored by motion detector from evening until morning.

Our house is located in the middle of nature. For this reason, spiders, ants, small scorpions or lizards may occasionally find their way into the house. This is normal in this environment and generally harmless. A relaxed attitude towards insects and small animals is therefore helpful.

Transparent note

We deliberately point out the special characteristics of this accommodation. Please only book if the mountain village location, the distance from the lake and the steep access path are suitable for you, and if these aspects will not negatively affect your rating of the location or check-in. Transparency is important to us, and our directions are therefore very precise.

CIN: IT013130C29Y3XQLHD