Table of Contents
- What Makes Lake Como Different From Other Italian Lakes
- The Best Places in Lake Como
- Getting Around: Ferries, Boats and the Lake Transport System
- Lake Como Attractions Worth Planning Around
- Things to Do in Lake Como by Activity Type
- Eating Well Around Lake Como
- Lake Como Where to Stay: A Quick Look at Your Options
- Visiting Lake Como: The Practical Bit
- Places to Visit in Lake Como Beyond the Famous Spots
- A Few Things That'll Make Your Lake Como Trip Better
Lake Como's got a reputation - and honestly, it's earned it. Sitting at the foot of the Italian Alps in northern Italy, this gorgeous lake is one of the most visited destinations in Europe, and pretty much everyone who goes comes back wanting more. But there's a lot more to a Lake Como trip than just showing up in Bellagio and taking photos of the water.
Known in Italian as Lago di Como, the lake is shaped like an upside-down Y and is the third largest lake in Italy. It stretches about 46 km from Como city in the south to Colico in the north, passing through some of the most scenic terrain in all of Italy. This guide covers the best things to do in Lake Como, where to go, where to stay and how to actually get around - whether you've got two days or a full week, there's plenty here to fill it.
What Makes Lake Como Different From Other Italian Lakes
Lake Como sits about 40 km north of Milan, in northern Italy, bordered on all sides by the Italian Alps. The mountains come down almost straight to the water, so the towns are all packed in tight along the shoreline - there's not a lot of flat ground to work with. That geography is a big part of what makes it look so dramatic, and why every boat ride on the lake feels a bit cinematic.
The lake splits into three branches. The western arm runs down toward Como city, the eastern arm reaches Lecco, and the long central branch goes north toward Colico. Most visitors concentrate around the central lake area, which is where you'll find Bellagio, Varenna, Menaggio and Tremezzo - the towns that get the most attention, and for good reason.
The Best Places in Lake Como (And What They're Actually Good For)
Bellagio - The Pearl of the Lake
Bellagio is often called the "Pearl of the Lake," and once you get there, it's pretty easy to see why. It sits right at the point where the lake splits, which makes it one of the most photographed spots on the water. The old town climbs steeply from the waterfront, full of narrow streets, flower-covered balconies and small shops selling local products like silk scarves and olive oil. Visiting Bellagio for the first time tends to leave a pretty strong impression.
The main villa attraction near Bellagio is Villa Melzi - a neoclassical villa from the early 1800s with a long lakeside garden that's genuinely lovely to walk through in spring. It's calmer than some of the more popular villas and the views across the water toward the Alps are hard to beat. There are also a handful of good gelato shops along the waterfront, and the best gelato tends to be found just a short walk back from the main promenade - less tourist markup, same quality.
What to do in Bellagio specifically: walk the Salita Serbelloni up to the top of the headland for the widest view of the lake, take the ferry across to Varenna in the afternoon and come back for dinner, and if you're there in summer, book ahead for restaurants - it gets very busy.
Varenna - A Bit Quieter, Just as Good
Varenna sits on the east side of the lake and it's pretty much impossible to reach by road without going through a load of tunnels, so most people arrive by boat from the ferry terminal. That makes it feel more removed from the tourist trail - though it's definitely not undiscovered.
The big pull here is Villa del Balbianello, which sits on a wooded promontory just south of the village. It's one of the most-photographed spots on the whole lake and was used as a filming location for two James Bond films and parts of Star Wars Episode II (yes, really). The terraced gardens and loggia are absolutely worth the boat ride to reach them - you can take a short taxi boat from Lido di Lenno. Villa Balbianello is owned by the FAI (Italy's national trust), so it's well maintained and properly signed.
Varenna also has Villa Monastero - a villa with beautiful botanical gardens right on the waterfront that gets a bit less attention than Balbianello but is well worth an explore. The gardens run along the lakeside for several hundred metres and the plant collections are seriously good.
And up on the cliff above town there's the Castello di Vezio - a medieval castle ruin that dates back to the Middle Ages. It's a short, fairly steep hike from the village but the view from the tower over the central lake is one of the best you'll get anywhere. There are also resident falcons and falconry displays in summer.
Menaggio - Good Base, Underrated Town
Menaggio sits on the western shore, directly across from Bellagio, and it's one of the better places to stay if you want easy access to multiple parts of the lake without the Bellagio crowds and prices.
The town's got a proper local feel to it - a good central piazza, a long lakeside promenade and a range of restaurants that aren't all aimed at tourists. The ferry connections from Menaggio are really good too, so you can reach Bellagio, Varenna and Tremezzo without much effort.
For hiking around Lake Como, Menaggio is probably your best starting point. There's a network of trails in the hills above the town - the Greenway del Lago runs south along the lake, passing through ancient villages, Tremezzo and Lenno, and it takes about half a day to walk end to end.
Tremezzo - Where the Best Villa Garden Is
Tremezzo is a small town a bit south of Menaggio and it's mainly known for one thing: Villa Carlotta. This is a neoclassical villa with an exceptional botanical garden that's famous for its rhododendron and azalea collections. In April, when those plants are in full bloom, the gardens are pretty spectacular - this is probably the best time to visit if you can plan around it. But the villa is genuinely worth visiting any time the gardens are open, from mid-March to mid-November.
Inside there are 18th and 19th century sculptures and paintings, but most people are really there for the gardens. They stretch up the hillside in terraces with a wide variety of plant collections, impressive tree specimens and views down to the lake. Entry to Villa Carlotta is around €10-12.
It connects to Bellagio and Varenna by ferry, so it's easy to combine into a half-day excursion from either town.
Como City - The One at the Southern Tip
Como city sits at the southern tip of the western arm and it's where most people arrive if they're coming from Milan by train. A lot of visitors treat it as just a transit point - but that's a bit of a waste, because Como is actually a fun place to explore for half a day or more.
The Duomo di Como is one of the best examples of Gothic-Renaissance architecture in Lombardy - it took about 200 years to build, starting in the 1390s. The facade is very detailed and the interior has some good tapestries and altarpieces.
Just outside the old centre, Villa Olmo is a large neoclassical villa from the 18th century set in beautiful gardens on the lakeside. It's one of the grandest villas in Como and the gardens are free to enter - a good spot to slow down before or after exploring the old town.
There's also the Funicular to Brunate - a small cable car that leaves from the lakefront and goes up to the village of Brunate in about seven minutes. From there, you can walk up to the lighthouse above the village for breathtaking views that take in the whole lower lake and, on clear days, the Alps stretching north. It's been running since 1894 and it's absolutely worth the short journey.
What to do in Como beyond the cathedral and funicular: walk the old city walls, visit the Silk Museum (Como was historically the silk capital of Italy, and the Como silk industry still produces some of the finest fabric in Europe) and spend some time along the lakeside promenade at Lungo Lario Trieste. Como town is also a good base for exploring the lower lake by boat or bike - the cycle path along the Como lakefront is a pleasant way to get out of the town centre.
Getting Around: Ferries, Boats and the Lake Transport System
This is the thing a lot of first-time visitors underestimate - the ferry network is actually your main way of getting between towns, and it's pretty good once you understand how it works.
The ferry service connects Bellagio, Varenna, Menaggio, Tremezzo, Como and all the other main towns on the lake. There are regular scheduled ferries, faster hydrofoils and the car ferries that cross the central part of the lake. The central "Golden Triangle" ferry linking Bellagio, Varenna and Menaggio runs very frequently in summer and it's how most people move around the Como lake area. Como city is the southern ferry terminus - if you're basing yourself in Como town, you can pick up ferries heading north along both arms of the lake.
A few things worth knowing before you go:
- Ferry tickets must be bought on-site at the ferry terminal - they can't be purchased in advance, so budget a few minutes at the dock before each journey.
- Day passes are available and work out good value if you're planning to hop between multiple towns.
- The car ferry at the central crossing is a different service from the passenger ferry - if you want to take a car across, you need to specifically board the traghetto.
- Hydrofoils are faster but they don't stop everywhere.
- In peak summer (July-August) the ferries can get very crowded around midday - going earlier or later in the day is much more comfortable.
Beyond the ferries, a private boat is a really good option for exploring quieter parts of the lake or reaching places like Villa Balbianello by water. Small motorboats - including electric battery-powered ones that are quiet and easy to handle - can be rented without a licence in Italy under a certain engine size, so a private boat trip is actually pretty accessible even if you've never done it before. Private boat tours with a guide are also available if you'd rather someone else do the navigation - most private boat tour operators in the main towns can tailor a route to what you want to see.
Renting a car adds flexibility for reaching other towns not on the main ferry routes, but finding parking in popular towns like Bellagio or Varenna in summer is genuinely difficult - most visitors find the boat is a much less stressful way to explore Lake Como.
Lake Como Attractions Worth Planning Around
Villa del Balbianello
Villa Balbianello is probably the single most iconic attraction on the whole lake. The villa sits on a narrow wooded headland and the boat ride approaching it from the water is one of those views that tends to stick in your memory. Access is by guided tour inside - the gardens you can walk independently. Going on a weekday morning in spring or early summer is far better than a weekend afternoon, and booking ahead is absolutely worth it for the interior tour as slots do sell out.
Villa Carlotta, Tremezzo
The best botanical garden on the lake. The spring flowering season is the peak time, and if the rhododendrons and azaleas happen to be in full bloom when you visit, you'll understand why people plan their whole trip around Villa Carlotta. Open mid-March to mid-November.
Castello di Vezio, Varenna
Underrated spot. The hike up takes about 20-30 minutes from the village, it's not technical at all, and the view from the tower over the central lake is excellent. The castle dates back to the Middle Ages - there's a small museum inside and falconry displays in summer.
The Brunate Funicular from Como
It's short, cheap and the breathtaking views from the top are well worth it. From Brunate there's a further walk up to the Faro Voltiano lighthouse, which adds another 20-30 minutes but gets you to a panoramic viewpoint at around 700 metres with the Alps laid out in front of you.
The Sacred Mount of Ossuccio
Slightly off the main tourist circuit but absolutely worth the detour - the Sacred Mount of Ossuccio is a UNESCO World Heritage Site above the village of Ossuccio, close to Isola Comacina. It features 14 Baroque chapels built along a hillside path, each depicting a scene from the life of Christ. The views back down to the lake are really good and there are almost no crowds.
Things to Do in Lake Como by Activity Type
For Hikers
There are loads of good walks to explore Lake Como and its surroundings. The Greenway del Lago is the most popular trail along the lake's western arm - about 10 km passing through ancient villages, olive groves and gardens with lake views throughout. Most people walk the middle section between Menaggio and Colonno, which takes a few hours.
For something more serious, the Sentiero del Viandante runs the length of the eastern shore - it's about 45 km in total and one of the oldest paths on the lake, with panoramic views across the water for most of the route. You don't have to walk the whole thing - doing a section between two towns and taking the ferry back is a pretty good half-day option.
The trails above Varenna toward the Castello di Vezio and beyond go up into the proper mountains. The village of Esino Lario, accessible by cable car from Varenna, is a starting point for more serious alpine hiking.
For Swimmers
Swimming in Lake Como is allowed and loads of people do it in the summer months. The water's clear and cold - it doesn't warm up much even in August. The best spots tend to be on small rocky beaches or dedicated lidos (public bathing areas). Lido di Bellagio has a proper beach setup, Lido di Menaggio has a pool complex and a good beach, and Lido di Dorio is quieter than most.
The lake water quality is monitored and generally good, though areas near town centres or heavy boat traffic tend to be less ideal.
For Boat Trips
Exploring Lake Como by boat is genuinely one of the best things to do here. Beyond the scheduled ferries, organised boat trips are easy to find in summer. The classic tour covers the central part of the lake - Bellagio, Villa Balbianello, Tremezzo, Lenno and back - taking about half a day and covering the most scenic stretch of the lake.
Private boat hire is also really popular. Rental places operate in Bellagio, Menaggio and Como - including electric battery boats that are quiet and easy to handle - and heading out on a private boat early in the morning before the bigger vessels are out is a really good way to explore Lake Como from the water.
For Watersports
The northern part of the lake around Colico and Domaso is one of the best spots in northern Italy for kitesurfing and sailing. The geography of the lake funnels wind reliably into this area, making it a proper destination for those sports. If that's your thing, it's worth building the northern lake into your itinerary rather than spending the whole trip in the central lake area.
For Food and Local Flavours
Risotto with perch (persico) is one of the most traditional dishes you'll find - freshwater fish from the lake has been a staple here for centuries. Missoltino, sun-dried agone fish, is another local product that you'll find in traditional restaurants and is very much a Como thing rather than a general Italian dish.
Gelato is obviously everywhere, and the gelato shops around the main towns are generally pretty good - but the best gelato tends to be found away from the waterfront. Cooking classes are also available in a few of the towns if you want to get a bit more hands-on with local food culture and the area's produce.
Eating Well Around Lake Como
Food in Lake Como, Italy is genuinely good, and the restaurant scene across the lake covers everything from casual lakeside trattorias to proper fine dining. A few things worth knowing before you sit down.
In Bellagio, the restaurant choices are plentiful but pricing at the waterfront is pretty steep. The best restaurant options in town tend to be the smaller, family-run places one or two streets back from the main piazza - they're less polished, but the food is usually better and the bill is noticeably lower. Bellagio is also a good town for fresh pasta and lake fish. Most restaurant bookings during peak season should be made a day or two ahead.
In Varenna, the restaurant scene is smaller but good. There are several decent restaurant options along the lakefront and in the village itself. The town's compact enough that you can walk past most of the restaurant choices in about ten minutes and pick based on what looks good that evening.
In Como city, the restaurant variety is the best on the whole lake - the town has everything from quick trattorias near the train station to more upscale restaurant dining in the old centre. The area around the Duomo and Piazza Cavour has a good concentration of restaurant choices, and there are some genuinely local places toward the edge of the old town that are worth seeking out.
In Menaggio, the restaurant situation is more relaxed and reasonably priced compared to Bellagio - a good reason in itself to base yourself in this town. There are several reliable restaurant options along the lakefront and in the town centre, and the local fish dishes here are some of the best on the lake.
A few general restaurant tips for Lake Como: sitting down for lunch rather than dinner at the better restaurant options tends to be cheaper and less crowded. Most restaurant kitchens open for dinner from around 7pm - locals tend to eat at 8pm or later. And if you're visiting in the off season, check ahead because some restaurant and cafe closures happen from November through March, particularly in smaller towns.
Lake Como Where to Stay: A Quick Look at Your Options
Staying in Bellagio
The most popular choice and the most expensive. The location's hard to beat and the ferry connections are excellent, but prices in high season are pretty steep and it gets crowded. Good for a short stay if budget isn't a constraint. In the off season (November through March) it's much quieter and prices drop considerably - though some smaller hotels and restaurants close up.
Staying in Varenna
Smaller, quieter and a bit less expensive than Bellagio. Really nice if you want a low-key base with good ferry connections. The village itself's got maybe 800 residents, so the "resort hotel" scene is more limited - but there are some excellent small hotels and guesthouses with lake views.
Staying in Menaggio
Probably the best practical choice for most people. Central location on the lake, frequent ferries to Bellagio and Varenna, good range of accommodation at various price points and a proper town with supermarkets and local restaurants. It's also a reasonable base for day trips to Milan or the Swiss border towns.
Staying in Como City
A solid option if you're arriving from Milan and want a city feel alongside the lake. Como is the biggest town on the lake by far, with the most accommodation variety and the best transport links. Not quite the same "postcard lake" experience as staying in one of the smaller towns, but Como's location - right at the southern end of the lake - makes it very convenient, and Villa Olmo, the cathedral and the Como funicular are all right there to visit. Como also has the most reliable train connections back to Milan if your trip has a fixed end time.
Each town around Lake Como has a distinct character - here's a quick comparison to help you decide where to base yourself:
| Town | Best For | Vibe | Ferry Access |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bellagio | First-timers, romance | Upmarket, busy | Excellent |
| Varenna | Quieter trips, walkers | Peaceful, local | Good |
| Menaggio | Families, longer stays | Relaxed, practical | Excellent |
| Tremezzo | Villa gardens, calm | Very quiet | Good |
| Como City | Budget, transit base | Urban | Ferry terminus |
Visiting Lake Como: The Practical Bit
When to go: April and early May is probably the best window to visit Lake Como - the lake's not too crowded, the villas and gardens are all open, and the rhododendrons at Villa Carlotta are in full bloom. Note that May and June actually get the most rainfall on the lake, so pack accordingly. July and August are peak summer months - very busy and expensive but also the time for swimming, boat trips and outdoor events. September and October are actually great too, with thinner crowds and warmer autumn light. The off season in winter is much quieter and some ferries reduce their schedules, but it can be cold and dark - nice for a peaceful break, not ideal if you want to explore Lake Como properly.
How to get to Lake Como from Milan: The journey takes about 40 minutes by train. Lake Como Italy is one of the easiest major lake destinations in Italy to reach from a major international hub - coming from Milano Porta Garibaldi or Milano Centrale, you'll arrive at Como San Giovanni, the main train station in Como city - make sure you're on the right line, as there are two separate rail routes with different final destination stations. From Milan's airports, it's easiest to go into the city first and then take the train north. From London, direct train routes via Paris work well - it's do-able in a day to get to Lake Como, Italy from the UK.
How long do you need: Two nights gives you a taste of it. Three to four nights lets you actually explore Lake Como properly - visiting a couple of different towns, a villa or two and some time on the water. A week is more than enough to cover all the main places and a few less-obvious ones.
Day trips from Milan: Lake Como is a popular Milan day trip and it's do-able, but it's rushed. If you can stay overnight you'll get much more out of it - and the evening light on the lake is actually something worth sticking around for.
Places to Visit in Lake Como Beyond the Famous Spots
The main towns get most of the attention, but there are quite a few other places worth exploring if you've got the time - especially if you want to see a less polished side of the lake.
Nesso - A Little Village With a Gorge
Nesso is a little village on the southern side of the eastern arm that most visitors completely miss. It's split into two halves by a dramatic waterfall gorge - the Orrido di Nesso - with a picturesque stone bridge spanning it. It's not a huge detour from Como city and it's the kind of spot that feels completely different from the main towns.
Gravedona ed Uniti
Up at the northern end of the lake, this is an area most tourists don't reach. The Basilica di Santa Maria del Tiglio here is one of the finest Romanesque churches in Lombardy, dating from the 12th century - and there's basically no queue to get in. The northern lake has a different character from the central section, more alpine and less manicured.
Abbazia di Piona
A small Cistercian monastery on a headland on the eastern shore, just south of Colico. It's been here since the 11th century and the cloister is one of the better-preserved Romanesque cloisters in the region. The monks still live there and produce herbal liqueurs which you can buy at the small shop.
Isola Comacina
The only island in Lake Como, sitting in the western branch near Ossuccio. It's completely surrounded by water, uninhabited now, but there are ruins of multiple medieval churches on the island - you can reach it by boat from Sala Comacina and explore on foot. The island's had an interesting history, including a papal edict that supposedly cursed it after its destruction in 1169. Every year on the feast of San Giovanni, the curse is still enacted in an elaborate ritual at the restaurant on the shore opposite, complete with fireworks and a historical reenactment - one of the more unusual events on the lake if you're visiting at the right time.
A Few Things That'll Make Your Lake Como Trip Better
Taking the early ferry between Bellagio and Varenna - before the day-tripper crowds arrive - is genuinely worth the early start. The lake is very calm in the morning and the light's a lot softer.
Booking Villa Balbianello tickets in advance is really worth it for the interior tour. And remember that ferry tickets for the lake itself are not available online - they must be bought on-site at the ferry terminal when you arrive.
Renting a bike in Menaggio and cycling the Greenway del Lago gives you a much better look at the lake and its ancient villages than any of the organised tours do - and you can stop when you want.
And eating away from the waterfront in most towns cuts the price of a meal pretty significantly without losing much on quality. The restaurants one or two streets back from the lake in Bellagio and Varenna are generally better value and often better food too - try the lake fish dishes, particularly the perch risotto, which you'll find on most traditional menus.
Heading to Lake Como? Alle Travel has boat tours to suit every style - from shared hour-long cruises past the iconic villas to private speedboats with Prosecco and swim stops.