The Ultimate Guide To Visiting Lake Como, Italy
I spent 1 year living in Florence, Italy and somehow never managed to visit Lake Como! This picturesque Northern Italian gem has been on my Italy bucket list for some time. I can’t believe that it took me this long to organize a visit! In April, I had some time off work teaching English in Spain and finally decided that it was high time I visit the Lago di Como. (It also didn’t hurt that flights to Milan were quite inexpensive!) I couldn’t wait to get a taste of the lifestyle of the rich and famous and discover for myself why Lake Como attracts VIPs and celebrities like George Clooney. (Fun fact: Italians LOVE George Clooney. While there are many famous and fabulously wealthy people who own real estate along Lake Como, you will hear more about Clooney than any other celebrity during your visit.)
So, after my visit, what was the verdict?
I am happy to report that I am now completely enamored with Lake Como. The lake is just as beautiful as I’d hoped, nestled between gorgeous tree-covered mountains with plenty of villas, luxury hotels, and colorful houses dotting the landscape. I was lucky enough to visit during the spring, and practically everywhere I looked there were beautiful flowers blooming.
If you are searching for a romantic and relaxing Italian getaway with stunning scenery, then Lake Como is the place for you. I found that there are fewer tourists than many of Italy’s other popular destinations. While there are many villas and lovely lakeside towns to explore, you won’t feel the pressure to see and do “it all,” as you might experience in more monument-packed cities such as Florence, Venice, or Rome.
Another pleasant surprise? Lake Como is totally do-able on a budget! While I had initially heard that the area was quite expensive (after all, it is a hot spot for high profile vacationers), I had no issues sticking to my budget. (Although I did spend some time fantasizing about staying at some of the luxury hotels I passed.)
To help you plan a perfect visit to this irresistible location, I’ve put together this guide with helpful tips for visiting and exploring Lake Como. Even as a well-seasoned traveler and travel blogger, I must admit I found planning my visit to Lake Como to be a little daunting, so here is the guide I wish I had when planning!
Buon viaggio!
Getting to Lake Como
Lake Como is located about an hour’s drive from Milan, and is quite easy to reach by train. From Milan, you’ll have two options-take a train to Como or to Varenna. Both towns are located along the lake, you’ll have to decide for yourself which town is a more convenient option for your arrival. Trains run quite frequently, however, if you arrive later in the evening, you’ll want to make sure that busses and ferries are still operating if you aren’t staying overnight in Como or Varenna. (My friends, unfortunately, learned this the hard way and had to taxi from Como to Menaggio, as buses were no longer operating!) I took the train to Como and then hopped on a bus to Menaggio, where I stayed.
- Milan to Como: Train is 36 minutes and costs ~ €5
- Bus Como to Menaggio: 1 hour, ~ €4
- Bus Como to Bellagio: 1 hour, ~ €4
- Milan to Varenna: Train is about 1 hour and costs ~€7
Getting Around Lake Como
The map above lists some of the top things to do in Lake Como-you’ll find these suggestions later on in the post!
Lake Como is quite a large lake! 56 square miles, to be exact. The lake is Y-shaped and meaning that some of the towns are quite difficult to reach by land. Fortunately, the main tourist areas of Lake Como are well connected by buses and ferries. This does mean that you will have to do a little extra planning though, as you will have to work your schedule around the boats and busses.
Ferries
Ferries are an excellent and scenic way to travel around the lake! I really enjoyed using the ferry to get around, and loved being able to view each city from the water. I chose to purchase a day pass, and visited all of the cities that I wanted to by water on that day, and opted to take the bus the following day. If you have time, you can even take a slow ferry from the town of Como to Bellagio which takes about 2 hours, making stops along the way, and offering excellent views of the lake.
- A day pass for the ferries costs €15
- One way tickets are also available and cost €4.60 on up, depending on where you are traveling to/from
- You can find timetables, prices, and route information here.
- Tickets can be purchased at the ticket offices located near each boat landing
- Be sure to check the ferry schedule-you don’t want to get stuck on the other side of the lake without a boat back in the evening!
Buses
If you are on a budget, then buses are definitely the best way to get from town to town. I stayed in Menaggio, and used to bus service to get from Como to Tremezzo and back. Tickets were quite inexpensive, and the bus rides were quite beautiful as well, as many of the roads are right along the lake.
- Bus prices vary between destinations, but I never paid more than €4.50 to take the bus
- You can find bus routes and information here, however, I found Google to be easier to read and very reliable!
- Busses run frequently during the day, but stop running in the evenings-which is important to note if you arrive late at night
Taxis
Taxis are also available if you arrive in the evening and can’t catch a bus or ferry!
Where to stay
Deciding where to stay in Lake Como can be quite tricky! I myself had a lot of trouble when researching my trip deciding the best place to stay.
- If you arrive at night: Consider staying in either Como or Varenna, as both towns are directly linked to Milan by train. You’ll save yourself a potentially expensive taxi ride!
- If you’d like to stay in Como: Keep in mind that it is a bit farther from towns such as Menaggio, Bellagio, Tremezzo, and Verenna-these will take you 45 minutes by fast ferry to reach, or two hours via slow ferry. You can also take buses out of Como.
- If you have less time in town: Staying in Menaggio, Bellagio, or Varenna might be your best bet. These popular towns are all located along ferry routes, making it easy and fast to see some of Lake Como’s most popular tourist destinations.
- If you have more time in town: The world is your oyster! Stay in the more popular cities of Menaggio, Bellagio, or Varenna, or try stepping off the beaten path and finding a quaint spot away from these areas. There really is no way to go wrong in Lake Como-the whole area truly is stunning!
Note: I stayed in Menaggio. I really liked this location as it was easy to reach Bellagio, Varenna, and Como by ferry, and I was also able to visit Tremezzo by bus, as the town is also located on this side of the lake.
How Long to Spend in Lake Como
Lake Como is an incredible destination that one could easily spend a week or two in on its own. That being said, most people tend to incorporate Lake Como into a larger trip, like my ultimate two week Italy itinerary.
The amount of towns you are able to explore is totally up to you and how much time you have to available to visit Lake Como. You can quickly squeeze in 3 smaller towns on a day trip, or spend a week leisurely exploring 1 or two towns per day.
After my visit to Lake Como, I think that the magic number of days is 3-4. I only had 2 days to visit, and, while I explored quite a bit, I wished I had had 1 more day to explore the town of Como itself.
My personal recommendations:
- If you only have 1 day: Arrive early, grab a ferry pass, and squeeze in Bellagio, Varenna, and Tremezzo (visit 1 villa).
- 2 days: Explore Bellagio, Varenna, Menaggio, and Tremezzo. If you really want to squeeze in Como, you can try.
- 3-4 days: Explore Bellagio, Varenna, Menaggio, and Tremezzo, plus spend a day in Como.
- 4-7 days: Explore Bellagio, Varenna, Menaggio, Tremezzo, and Como at a leisurely pace, plus check out some of Lake Como’s other lesser known towns and villas. Consider taking a day trip to Switzerland.
Things to Do
So…now that we know how to get to Lake Como and how to get around, the question remains…what exactly does one do in Lake Como?
Explore all of the charming towns along the lake, of course! The following spots are some of Lake Como’s most famous towns, as well as suggestions for what to do and see in each place. When designing your itinerary, feel free to pick your favorites and decide which sights are the most interesting to you! What I loved about Lake Como was how easy it was to explore these smaller lakeside towns, and how flexible my plans for each day were.
Bellagio
Bellagio is possibly the most famous of Lake Como’s towns and is often believed to be the most beautiful. I certainly found myself enjoying Bellagio, and definitely recommend visiting. I found it to be very picturesque and really enjoyed wandering around the town. Here, you’ll find a grand hotel, lovely gardens, a charming town center, and a beautiful hidden gem known as Pescallo which is a must see!
Take the perfect photo
You won’t want to leave beautiful Bellagio without taking a photo on one of it’s most picturesque streets! This photo spot is quite iconic, and, I am happy to report, easy to find. You, too, can take an excellent photo of the quaint streets of Bellagio. Simply head to the corner of Salita Serbelloni and Via Giuseppe Garibaldi (the city’s main shopping street) and snap away!
View the grand Villa Serbelloni
If you arrive in Bellagio by ferry, you won’t be able to miss the stunning Grand Hotel Villa Serbelloni. This historic luxury hotel is what dreams are made of. If you aren’t willing to spend some major €€€, you’ll have to be content with viewing the villa from the outside, as the villa is not open to the public. A girl can dream!
Explore the town center
Continue along the Via Giuseppe Garibaldi and enjoy a stroll along the lovely streets of Bellagio. You’ll find plenty of shops, restaurants, cafes, and gelaterias to pop into as you take in the sights of Bellagio!
Enjoy the quaint fishing village of Pescallo
Step off the beaten path and head to Pescallo, a small fishing village just a short walk from the center of town. I was amazed by how tranquil and relatively tourist-free this lovely tucked-away spot was. It was a highlight of my visit to Bellagio! I couldn’t get over how cute the streets here were!
“Stop and smell the roses” in the botanical gardens of the Villa Melzi d’Eril
This photo was taken in the free gardens just outside of the Villa.
Enjoy the botanical gardens of the Villa Melzi d’Eril. These gardens cost €6.50 to enter, and are the perfect place to enjoy nature and “stop and smell the roses.” I didn’t visit the gardens, but I explored the park just outside, and was totally amazed by all of the beautiful flowers blooming in Bellagio!
Varenna
Upon approaching Varenna by ferry, I instantly felt that the town’s clusters of colorful homes made it one of the most beautiful locations along the lake. Varenna is known for its charming city center, steep walkways, and the villas and castle which add a rich sense of history to the town.
Stroll along the Riva Grande
The Riva Grande is where you will find Varenna’s beautiful lakefront. This area is perfect for a pleasant walk along the lake and is filled with inviting shops and restaurants.
Check out the Chiesa di San Giorgio
It is hard to miss this church when in Varenna! For starters, the bells of the Chiesa di San Giorgio are quite loud when they ring! The church also happens to be located in one of Varenna’s main piazzas.
See the gardens of the Villa Monastero
If you are looking to explore a beautiful garden and villa, consider visiting the Villa Monastero. The villa is located right on the lake, with stunning gardens and a villa filled with antique art and furniture. This former monastery costs €8.00 to enter both the villa and the gardens, and costs €5.00 to view only the gardens. You can find hours and information for visiting here. If you are on a budget, I personally found the gardens to be more impressive than the Villa itself, and while I am glad I visited the Villa Monastero if you can only visit one villa, I preferred the Villa Carlotta in Tremezzo.
Explore the Castello di Vezio
You’ll have to hike a bit to visit this castle and viewpoint in Varenna. When I visited, I was quite surprised by how steep and rocky the pathway to the castle was. While I must admit that I did my fair share of grumbling on the way to the castle about how out of shape I clearly was, the views of from the top are quite worth the walk! Entrance to the castle costs €4, and, while I wasn’t particularly impressed with the castle itself, I did appreciate the view. You can learn more about visiting this 1,000+ year old castle (and check opening times) here.
Hiking
If you decided to take the walk to the Castello di Vezio (and are wearing proper footwear), there are many excellent hiking trails to be found in Varenna and the surrounding area. There are even waterfalls nearby that one can trek to, although with just two days in Lake Como I didn’t have time to hike!
Tremezzo
Tremezzo is most well-known for being the town in which one of Lake Como’s most famous villas is located. That being said, there is more to Tremezzo than just the Villa Carlotta! If you have some time, I encourage you to walk around and visit some of the other lovely locations that Tremezzo has to offer.
Villa Carlotta
One of Lake Como’s most famous villas, the Villa Carlotta is a must see when in Lake Como, and truly was a highlight of my visit. The villa itself is gorgeous, with a beautiful facade and ornately decorated rooms, and the garden is even more perfect. My only regret was that I didn’t allow more time when visiting the Villa Carlotta. If you can, consider bringing a picnic lunch, there are tables and a picnic area available for this exact purpose. If you’d just like to enjoy the grounds, the recommended route takes 75 minutes! Be sure to allow plenty of time to take in the garden-you’ll discover many varieties of plants and flowers, trickling water features, bamboo groves, even a cacti section! Every turn through the grounds provides an unexpected delight, and I am happy to say this was one of the most beautiful places I encountered in Lake Como (and there were many!). A ticket to this stunning 18th-century villa costs €10.00. More information on visiting and hours can be found here.
Parco Civico Teresio Olivelli
Follow me on Instagram @missadventuresabroad for more of my favorite Lake Como spots! You’ll also lov my story highlights from Lake Como!
Fun fact-I actually stumbled upon this delightful little park when I accidentally missed the bus stop for Tremezzo! The park is located in a lovely spot just along the lake and is totally worth walking through while you are in town. I also snapped one of my favorite photos of the trip here-the blooming wisteria flowers were too perfect not to capture!
Church of San Lorenzo
If you are a lover of historic churches and architecture, continue walking past the park, where you are sure to pass the Chiesa di San Lorenzo, an 18th-century church with a tall bell tower and beautiful facade. I particularly loved the color of the stone used in the church’s construction-the buttery yellow contrasts nicely with the blue of Lake Como.
Villa Sola Cabiati
If you continue along this same road, you’ll happen upon another grand villa, the Villa Sola Cabiati. While you are unable to visit the villa (unless you are a hotel guest), the facade itself is worth a walk over. Plus you’ll get a great view of Tremezzo and the Chiesa di San Lorenzo from the front of the villa. It only takes 20 minutes by foot to walk from the Villa Carlotta and past the park and church to reach the Villa Sola Cabiati, and I felt that the walk along the lake was quite pleasant!
Menaggio
While Menaggio doesn’t have as many obvious landmarks, famous villas, or well-known sights as some of the other towns in Lake Como, it remains a popular town to visit thanks to its lovely views, seaside walkways, and excellent location. Menaggio is easy to reach by bus or ferry, making it a great place to stay or visit for a few hours. I stayed in Menaggio during my trip to Lake Como, and found the town to be quite alluring.
Stroll the promenade
While many places in Lake Como are great for strolling, the promenade of Mennagio is particularly enchanting. I really enjoyed following along the lake in the evening after the busses and ferries stopped running and I had finished tourist-ing for the day.
Como
Confession time: I went to Lake Como and didn’t actually visit the town of Como itself. However, I totally would have if I had more time and definitely would include it on any 3-4 day itinerary. I personally wanted to see some of the smaller towns along the week and spent more time exploring those. Como is also on the far southern end of the lake, so visiting the other cities would have been a little less easy had I opted to stay here instead. Hopefully, you will have time to visit Como itself, and, if you do, here are the highlights!
Marvel at the Como Cathedral
Image: Pixabay
This impressive Cathedral is a must-see when in Como. This gothic cathedral was officially completed in the 18th century, but the construction of the cathedral began in 1396.
Visit the Villa Olmo
From Como, one can easily visit the exhibition space and extensive gardens of the Villa Olmo. Villa Olma is a beautiful neoclassical villa located on the lake and is one of Lake Como’s most famous landmarks. The gardens and the villa are open to the public (although it is currently undergoing renovations). You can find hours and more information here!
Discover panoramic views from the funicular to Brunate
If you are looking for some seriously stunning panoramic views, consider taking the funicular from Como to Brunate. The funicular takes about 5 minutes to reach Brunate, and a return trip costs €5.50. In prime tourist season, you are likely to encounter lines, so be sure to arrive early if you are looking to avoid a queue.
Find frescos in the Basilica of Sant’Abbondio
If you love visiting churches and didn’t get enough at the Como Cathedral, the Basilica of Sant’Abbondio lies about .5 miles outside of the city center and features some lovely 14th-century frescos.
See the views from the Castello Baradello
This castle is also a little outside of the city. If you are willing to hike a bit, there are some lovely views. It is important to note that the castle is not open every day, so be sure to check if it is open before visiting!
Take the slow ferry to Bellagio
One of the best ways to get around Lake Como is by ferry! If you are into relaxing ferry rides, consider taking the slow ferry (approximately 2 hours) from Como to Bellagio. You’ll encounter lovely views of the lake along the way, and get to see the beautiful lakeside towns as you make stops along the way.
Other Things To Do
For those with more time to spend, here are some other Lake Como highlights which would make a great addition to any visit to Lake Como!
- Lenno: Visit the 12th century Villa del Balbianello. You may recognize it from films such as Star Wars and James Bond!
- Isola Comacina: Situated between Tremezzina and Argegno lies the Isola Comacina, the only island on Lake Como. You’ll have to take a boat to get there. The island is small, but there are ruins, a church, and a few spots to eat if this sounds like a spot you’d like to visit.
- Argegno: Can’t get enough of stunning lake views? Try taking the cable car which connects Argegno to Pigra. In a few minutes, you’ll find yourself 850 meters above sea level enjoying some of the best views that Lake Como has to offer.
- Outdoor sports: Rent a bike, kayak, canoe, or boat and enjoy the stunning scenery around you! Lake Como is a popular location for trekkers, bikers, and outdoor sports enthusiasts, so there is plenty to do for those who love to stay active.
- Switzerland day trip: If you’ve got time, consider taking a day trip to Switzerland-after all, you’re already so close! Lugano is just 35-45 minutes from Menaggio, making a day trip totally do-able!
There you have it, my beest tips and tricks for visiting Lake Como! What part of Lake Como are you most interested in visiting? Let me know in the comments below!
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