The Top 10 Things You Should Do in Lake Como, Italy
Nestled in the foothills of the Alps, Lake Como is one of Italy’s most stunning destinations. It’s famous for its stunning landscape and very charming lakeside towns. In this guide, I’ll highlight how to get to Bellagio, where you should stay, and the what to do in Lake Como to help you make the most of your visit to this beautiful region. This is your all-in-one travel guide to Lake Como!
When to Visit Lake Como
The best time to visit Lake Como is during the spring (April to June) and early autumn (September to October). The weather during these months is really pleasant and there are much fewer crowds compared to the peak summer season. While July and August are the warmest and liveliest months, they can also be quite crowded which can take away from the peacefulness of the city.
How to Get To and Around Lake Como
The Ferry
The ferry will be the best, and sometimes only, way around Lake Como during your trip. They run frequently from each town’s docks with various lines going different routes either around Central Lake or down to the city of Como itself. They also take cars for those who need to cross the lake.
During peak season, I recommend getting a day ticket in the early morning so that you don’t have to keep waiting in line to buy tickets. It was very easy to get tickets at the door and they had many available for walk-ins even though online it had said sold out for months ahead of our trip.
The Train
There is a direct train from Milano Centrale to Varenna which runs every hour. This brings right to the center of the lake, so that you are just a quick ferry ride away if you are staying at any of the other central lake towns like Bellagio, Menaggio, and Tremezzo. If you are heading from Milan, be sure to sit on the left side of the train for stunning views of the lake as you pull into Como.
Taxi + Private Driving Services
There are taxi services that you can book to/from Milan to Como, but please be aware that these are not very trustworthy. All of these companies are based in Milan and often do not want to make the 90 minute, very windy drive out to towns like Bellagio. We saw many people miss their flights because taxi services failed to cancel ahead of time and didn’t ever show up. I highly recommend calling your hotel in Lake Como to have them arrange a driver service for you based on their own connections from drivers who are local. You can expect this to cost around €150 to €200 one way.
Where to Stay in Lake Como
Central Lake (Bellagio, Varenna)
I highly recommend staying in one of the small charming towns in the center of the lake! We personally opted to stay in Bellagio at the Hotel du Lac which had stunning lake views from the balcony. Bellagio was incredible to stay in to experience the town in the morning/evenings without tourist crowds from Como or Milan day trippers. I would also recommend Varenna as a great option to stay in as the town is a bit larger than Bellagio and more accessible with the train station being just a short 10 minute walk from the ferry docks.
Note that the other smaller towns at the center lake like Mennagio and Tremezzo are also very cute but they are quite small and have very limited options for eating and fewer shops or paths to walk around.
Como
Como is the main city in Lake Como and is also the most accessible to Milan. The city has a lot to offer for historic sites, restaurants, shopping, and more, especially in comparison to some of the smaller charming towns in the center of the lake. There are also more affordable accommodations here!
However, note that staying in Como does mean you are quite far from a lot of the main activities and sites so you’ll likely be taking the ferry up to the center of the lake most days during your trip. This is quite a lengthy trip that a lot of people don’t realize – the ferry one-way takes 2 hours on the regular service or 1 hour on the express service.
Day Trip from Milan
If possible, I would highly encourage you to not to do a day trip from Milan and carve out a couple nights to spend in Lake Como itself. The day trippers come in are of course only there during the afternoon, which is when the small towns like Bellagio get packed with tourists. The calm energy, beautiful walks, etc. are really only accessible during the morning and evenings before the crowds come. There is also so much to see that one day truly doesn’t do it justice! But if you can only fit in a day, these are two great tour options:
- Get Your Guide Day Trip from Milan to Bellagio ($95 USD)
- Viator Day Trip from Milan to Bellagio ($112 USD)
The Top 10 Best Things to Do in Lake Como, Italy
1. Explore Bellagio
Known as the “Pearl of Lake Como,” Bellagio is the most famous and photographed town in Como. It has lots of narrow cobbled streets, stunning views of the water, and a few really elegant villas.
It is also very famous for its street, Salita Serbelloni. This iconic, cobbled alley is lined with really charming boutiques and restaurants, making it one of the key stops while in Bellagio. I recommend walking through here in the early morning or evening before the crowds come.
I also recommend walking around the perimeter of Bellagio along the water towards both Punta Spartiventod and Lido di Bellagio which give a beautiful view of the surrounding water and Alps.
2. Book a Private Boat Tour
While one of the more expensive things to do in Lake Como, taking either a private or small group boat tour is one of the key highlights. The views of each town from the water itself has incredible views, in addition to it being so peaceful out on the water. This was by far the highlight of the trip!
We booked ours as a private tour through Viator, but there are so many great options. They can usually pick you up directly from the docks of the town in which you are staying.
3. Nesso Bridge
The Nesso Bridge, or Ponte della Civera, is a charming stone bridge that arches over the gorge where the Tuf and Nosée rivers meet. Located in the quaint village of Nesso, it has picturesque views of the waterfall cascading into Lake Como below. The bridge’s historic architecture and serene setting make it a perfect spot for photography and peaceful moments by the water. This is a bit further out to get to so see if your boat guide can take you here.
4. Visit Villa del Balbianello
Villa del Balbianello sits right along the water in Tremezzo, with some of the most breathtaking views of Lake Como, a historic villa you can tour inside, and beautiful gardens. The villa was also featured in both Star Wars and James Bond movies!
Note that to get to Villa del Balbianello, you will walk about 25 minutes from the ferry docks which is a paved path but partially up hill. Halfway along the path, you’ll see a long line to buy tickets but I highly recommend getting them online ahead of time! They do sell out so be sure to book it in advance.
5. Shop for Silk
Como is very well known for its high-quality silk, which has been a hub for silk production since the 1400s. Throughout Bellagio and Como specifically, you’ll see many boutiques and shops selling luxurious silk scarves, ties, and clothing, offering both locally crafted pieces and high-end designs. Como is actually one of the trop producers of silk for many top designer brands. It’s a prime place to buy really beautiful silk products either for yourself or as a unique souvenir.
6. Visit Villa Monastero
The villa in Varenna is Villa Monastero, one of Lake Como’s most beautiful landmarks. Originally built as a Cistercian convent in the 12th century, it was later transformed into a grand private residence. Today, it’s open to the public as a museum and botanical garden. The lakeside gardens stretch over two kilometers, filled with exotic plants, statues, and fountains.
Although Villa del Balbianello is more famous, I actually found Monastero to be much more beautiful and calmer. There were various benches you could pause at here for a bit to take in the view and even a little cafe with tea, coffee, and aperol spritz to stop at for a bit.
7. Walk through Varenna
Varenna is the largest of the towns around the Central Lake with lots of great restaurants, a lively square, Villa Monastero, and more filled with historic charm throughout. This was my personal favorite of all the towns with the views being stunning throughout the city. I would plan to spend some time just walking around, going into a couple of the local markets, and walking through the thin alleyways with a loose itinerary.
Be sure to do the “Walk of Love” in Varenna which is a stunning walking path along the water from the docks to the main town where you’ll find a lot of the restaurants and shopping.
8. Visit Castello di Vezio
Castello di Vezio is a medieval fortress that sits above Varenna, with ariel views of Lake Como and the surrounding mountains. The castle features ancient walls, a tower, and exhibitions on local history. You can buy tickets from the official website for just €5.
9. Walk through the smaller towns of Mennagio, TremMezzo, and Lenno
The various towns around Lake Como each have their own charm to them with cute restaurants and stunning views. Note that each of these can be explored within just an hour or two as they’re quite small!
10. Explore the main town of Como
Como is the main city in Lake Como, unsurprisingly given its name. It is also the most accessible and hence the most crowded. While it doesn’t have quite the same feel as the smaller towns in the Center of the Lake, there is so much worth seeing and doing here. I would personally opt to spend one night here to see this part of Lake Como before heading out! Below are some of the key activities:
- Como Cathedral
- Como Old Town
- Villa Olmo
- Brunate Funicular
Overall, Lake Como is one of my favorite spots in Italy. There is so much to do, yet the real highlight is just being in such a beautiful and peaceful location. I highly recommend visiting in the shoulder seasons (even June) before the crowds come in to take in the slow and quiet pace of life here from the locals. I hope this guide helps give you a good idea of how to get around Como and what to do in Como!
