Lake Como, this most glamorous of Italian destinations, is certainly a sight worth seeing on your European travels.
Tucked between the snow-capped Alps and pretty-as-a-picture lakeside towns and villages that dot its shoreline, here’s everything to see, do, and experience in Lake Como, Italy.
Lake Como, Italy: need to know
Where is Lake Como?
Lake Como, Italy’s third-largest lake, is in the Lombardy region of northern Italy about an hour north of Milan.
Is 3 days in Lake Como enough?
For sure! In just two or three days, you can visit the city of Como and the towns of Bellagio, Varenna, and Menaggio. Using boat trips across the lake as your transport, you’ll sightsee as you go. You’ll still have time to tick off visiting the region’s famous Neoclassical villas and flower-filled gardens.
Image Credit: Getty Images, @ Didier Marti. Image Location: Como, Lake Como, Italy
Top things to do in Lake Como, Italy: your guide to the Italian lake
Which towns to visit in Lake Como
So, let’s start exploring Italy’s resplendent lake-lined region, so you too understand why celebrities like the Kennedys, George Clooney, and Madonna are drawn to the fancy hotels, gorgeous scenery, and the region’s rich seam of culture.
Como
Como, the provincial capital at the southern tip of the lake, is awash with cobbled streets, romantic restaurants, and upscale boutiques. A mosey over to the marble-clad Como Cathedral reveals a blend of Renaissance and Gothic architectural styles. Perfectly suited to the luxurious location, the chapel is decked out with tapestries woven in gold thread.
Image Credit: Getty Images, Phillntallura. Image Location: Brunate, Lake Como, Italy
Brunate
Take the funicular railway up to the hilltop resort of Brunate, passing through pretty gardens and with unrivaled views of the lake, where amid Art Nouveau villas and a collection of small bars and restaurants you can celebrate your good fortune.
Varenna
From Brunate, catch the boat to Varenna, where the terraced gardens at Villa Monastero—particularly lovely if you can visit in spring as everything blooms—await you. Here you can wander the lush landscapes or sit on one of the many benches and just soak up this slice of heaven. Varenna’s terracotta rooftops are easy to fall in love with, but take the half-hour hike up to Castello di Vezio, a medieval watchtower, for sigh-worthy views over Lake Como.
Image Credit: Getty Images, Roberto Moiola. Image Location: Varenna, Lake Como, Italy
Bellagio
From Varenna, it’s a short boat ride across the lake to Bellagio. Known as the “Pearl of the Lake”, the town’s authentic Italian charm is full of slender streets and 19th-century dusky pink and ochre buildings, all set against the splendid backdrop of Lake Como. A stroll through the gardens at Villa Serbelloni, property of the Rockefeller Foundation, is a must, as it occupies most of the end of the peninsula that Bellagio sits on.
Tremezzo
No visit to Lake Como is complete without admiring the Grand Hotel Tremezzo, an Art Nouveau palazzo on the western banks of Lake Como. With its lush gardens and floating swimming pool, the hotel looks out towards Bellagio. It ain’t cheap but a sundowner at the bar while watching the sunset shimmering on the lake will be a highlight of your Lake Como trip.
Menaggio
Menaggio, just as beautiful as its lake siblings but with fewer tourists, is easily reachable by the ferries that cross the lake from Bellagio and Varenna. Situated close to the pier is Piazza Garibaldi with its geometric paving and plenty of gelaterie. A circular walk from here leads past ancient churches to Castello, the medieval part of the town, mainly along pedestrianized streets.
Pro tip: While the Michelin-starred restaurants that line the lake are impressive, if you prefer a more wallet-friendly and authentically Italian experience, explore the lesser-known villages home to typical trattorie for a plate of mamma-made pasta.
Image Credit: Getty Images, John Harper. Image Location: Bellagio, Lake Como, Italy
What is the best way to travel to Lake Como?
There are several trains from Milano Centrale to Lake Como’s main station, Como San Giovanni, which is just a ten-minute walk from the center of Como. Better yet, trains run pretty much around the clock. Inspired? Download the Trainline App to search for the best fares and times for you. And check out our articles for other day trip ideas from Milan and how to buy train tickets for Italy online.
Header Image Credit: Getty Images, Roberto Moiola. Image Location: Ossuccio, Lake Como, Italy