Lake Como is in northern Italy and is one of the country's most beautiful places. The lake has clear waters and charming towns around it. The Alps around it also make a great backdrop.
The lake is Italy's third-largest at 146 sq km (56 square miles). Its depth of over 400 meters (1,300 feet) makes it one of the deepest in Europe.
Tourists can take a day trip from Milan to visit the lake. They can enjoy boat tours and explore towns like Bellagio.
Celebrities love the region because of its beauty. George Clooney has owned a home on the lake since 2002. Luxury hotels and famous villas make the region a prime place for anyone who seeks a touch of elegance.
One fun fact about the region is the popularity of the Aperol Spritz cocktail. It is a favorite with locals and tourists. So, what's the best way to enjoy all these treats? Here are some of the best things to do in Lake Como:
Films/TV references
Things to do & See
The Lake
Shaped like an inverted "Y," Lake Como stretches over 50 km (31 miles) in length, with a mix of serene waters and mountain backdrops. Its glacial origin is evident in the clear waters, which reflect the Alps. This makes it a perfect place to enjoy the beauty of the region.
The lake is a year-round place to visit. The region has mild summers and cool winters. Its waters also serve as a hub for water sports. The calm surface and cool waters are ideal for boating and swimming (in marked zones), making the lake a popular place with locals and tourists.
You can enjoy the beauty of the lake and the breathtaking backdrop from one of the viewpoints along its shores. Anglers will be happy to know that the lake's marine life includes many species such as pike, perch, carp, and trout. You can obtain a license to fish at one of the fishing spots.
Como
The northern Italian town of Como has the special privilege of having the lake named after it. It is on the lake's southwestern tip and is known for its rich history and scenic charm. The town has a network of narrow, cobbled streets lined with cafés and open squares. These invite visitors to wander and take in its timeless appeal.
The squares and markets offer a taste of Italian culture, and the lakeside street invites you to take in the stunning views of the lake. Como is known for silk, a craft rooted in the town since the 1400s.
If you want to learn more about how this came about, visit Museo della Seta (Silk Museum). Here, you can see how Como emerged as Italy's silk capital. The displays show the full silkworm-to-yarn process. It claims to be the only museum where you can see the process.
As the nearest lakefront town to Milan, Como is a great base to tour the area. You can hop on a ferry or boat tour from the town to visit the nicest places in the area (more on these below). That said, don't be in a hurry to choose your base. Take some time to learn more about each of the other lakeside towns before you make your choice.
Brunate
Brunate is on a steep slope close to the lake. You can visit it from Como via a funicular, the highlight of the trip to the village.
The town has great views of Lake Como's south side and the surrounding mountains. The station at the top has a cafe where you can enjoy real Italian espresso. If you like coffee, don't miss a chance to taste some of the best brews you can find.
If you like hiking, Mount Boletto is a great place to visit after arriving in Brunate. You should note that this is not an easy hike but the views are rewarding. The round trip should take 3 to 3.5 hours, not counting any rest stops you make.
Faro Voltiano is a great place to visit. It is about a 20-minute walk from the center of the village. The lighthouse was built in 1927 to honor Alessandro Volta, a pioneer in electric power. It offers some of the best views of the region.
Cernobbio
Cernobbio has nice views and grand villas. Here, you can enjoy the beauty of Lake Como in a quiet place.
Like other towns in the region, it offers views of the lake and nearby mountains. Villa d'Este is one of the most famous places in Cernobbio. It is a 5-star hotel known for hosting key events and famous guests.
In town, you can explore the streets filled with cafes offering Italian food and enjoy Italian charm. Visitors can hike up Monte Bisbino, a mountain with trails that offer great views of the area.
Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este
The Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este is a motor show for classic cars. Since the first one in 1929, the villa has hosted the event annually. The event has some high-profile partners. These include A. Lange and Sohne, BMW Group, and Pommery.
The display features around 50 show cars dating from the 1920s to the 1980s. Villa d'Este is a hotel that doesn't offer public tours like other Lake Como Villas. That makes the show a great time to explore its famous grounds.
If you're going to attend the show, you might as well stay at the villa. Visitors can book a room at the highly-rated hotel to enjoy all it offers. But you'll need to reserve your room early to avoid missing out.
Lake and Villa Tours
There are many nice villas around the lake, such as Villa Carlotta, Villa Melzi, and Villa Olmo.. Villa del Balbianello is the most popular one. It is also one of the most storied.
The villa is a popular wedding venue in real life and on the silver screen. In the movie Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones, the production shot the wedding of Anakin Skywalker and Padmé Amidala on 'Planet Naboo' at the villa. That is why people call it the 'Star Wars Villa'.
The grounds featured on planet Earth, too, in the 2006 James Bond film Casino Royale. Most of the villas are open for tours, so make sure to see at least a couple during your trip. If you want to explore more villas, the best way is via a boat ride. You can select a private boat tour with a packaged deal where you can visit up to 5 villas during the tour of the lake.
You'll find various kinds of boats, from classic wooden Riva boats to sailboats and mid-sized yachts to choose from. The tour is likely to be the highlight of your visit.
Bellagio
Bellagio (the "Pearl of Lake Como.") is the most popular town in the region. The city has drawn visitors with its old-world charm and a serene lakeside street.
Grand Hotel Villa Serbelloni is one of the best hotels in the town. A noble Italian family built the lakeside house as a holiday villa in 1850. It has been a hotel for over 150 years. Al Pacino and J.F. Kennedy are among the hotel's past guests.
Villa Serbelloni is another villa in the town. Unlike its waterfront namesake, it is at the top of the hill. Its claim to fame is its grounds filled with nice shrubs and trees.
If you know Las Vegas, you should know that this town inspired a famous hotel on the Las Vegas Strip. The hotel also shares its name with the town.
Isola Comacina
Isola Comacina is the only island on the lake. It is a gem rich in history and mystery. Located on the western side of the lake, it spans just 600 meters but boasts a rich past dating back to Roman times.
The 12th century war between Como and Milan (the Ten Years' War) almost destroyed the island. Today, it is an escape where guests can enjoy unique views of the lake.
Isola Comacina is a peaceful place to visit. It offers a break from the busy towns on Lake Como's shores. You can get to the island by boat from Ossuccio.
You can walk the trails and find ruins across the island. Before you leave, dine at the Locanda eatery. It has served tasty Italian meals for over 60 years.
Duomo di Como
The towns around Lake Como have some beautiful churches. The best of the bunch is Duomo di Como. Completed in 1770, it is the last Gothic cathedral built in Italy.
The church has art by Bernardino Luini and Gaudenzio Ferrari. It also has a large dome close to the east end of the building.
Duomo di Como has a twist compared to other churches in the area. Statues of Pliny the Elder and Pliny the Younger, both born in Como, stand on either side of the building's front door.
Another popular part of the church is the large bell tower on the southwest side. It looks like the one at Basilica of San Fedele, which is just a four-minute walk away.
Menaggio
Menaggio is on the western shore of the lake. The town has a nice natural scenery. It also has many activities by the lake for a fun escape from city life.
Nature lovers fall in love with the town. The beautiful trails along the shore and the gardens in the higher hamlets are the main attractions.
If you like golf, you should visit the Menaggio & Cadenabbia Golf Club. It is the second-oldest golf club in the country. Founded in the early 20th century, the 18-hole golf course has charming views of the city and the lake.
Music fans should know that the town hosts a Guitar Festival in August. The event draws artists and fans from all over the world.
Lugano
Lugano is a city on the shores of Lake Lugano in southern Switzerland. Known for its Mediterranean flair, the city is popular with travelers seeking natural beauty and cultural charm.
Just 28km from Lake Como, the palm-lined streets and piazzas give the town a distinct feel. It blends Swiss tradition with Italian warmth.
Visitors can enjoy views of the lake and mountains from various vantage points, including the peaks of Monte Brè and Monte San Salvatore.
In addition, Lugano is a hub for culture, shopping, and fine dining. The city is home to the LAC Lugano Arte e Cultura which hosts cultural events all year.
Upscale shops and charming cafes serving Swiss and Italian cuisine fill Lugano's city center. This reflects the city's unique position near the Italian border. One of Lugano's beautiful parks, Parco Ciani is one of the best parks in Switzerland. It offers a peaceful space for walking along the lakefront.
Ghisallo Cycling Museum
Cycling is one of Italy's most popular sports. It competes with Formula One and MotoGP as a major racing event followed by Italian fans. The Ghisallo Cycling Museum, also known as Museo del Ghisallo is located in Magreglio just south of Bellagio. The museum allows visitors to explore the sport's rich history in the region.
The museum contains exhibits with some of the most famous cyclists in the world. It also has data on some of the sport's lesser-known individuals, such as journalists, and designers who have impacted cycling. The Ghisallo Cycling Museum is only open from March to November. Thousands of cycling fans visit the museum each year, and many take to the hills around Lake Como to ride.
Varenna
Varenna is a village on the eastern shore. It offers a peaceful escape with its narrow streets and lake views. Visitors will love wandering through this yesteryear village.
You'll find beauty all around Varenna, such as gorgeous walks that blend history and nature around the lake and elegant historic villas.
These include Villa Monastero, known for its garden and grand architecture. The villa, which was a monastery, now hosts cultural events and conferences. However, it's worth noting that it is only open to the public between March and November.
Villa Cipressi, just next to Villa Monastero, is a 4-star hotel surrounded by terraced gardens. The vibrant flora and scenery make it the perfect spot for holiday photographs and dream-worthy destination weddings.
Castello di Vezio
If you're willing and able to go on a 30-minute hike up the hill from Varenna, you'll be rewarded with something special. The amazing views of the lake and mountains from Castello di Vezio. The 12th-century castle was once a military outpost and a dungeon.
Beyond the views, Castello di Vezio has exhibits of medieval weapons, banners, and other artifacts. It also has reproduced fossils of the Lariosaurus, an extinct reptile. Other things on display include creepy 'ghost sculptures' scattered around the castle (count how many you can find).
You can also enjoy the daily Birds of Prey show offered by a falconer. Pets are not allowed at the castle because of the presence of these birds. The castle is closed whenever it rains, so keep this in mind to avoid walking up only to be denied access.
Lake Como Tour - Exploring the towns around Lake Como
Airport
Transportation
- Bus: Three bus companies operate at the airport. You can take a bus to Saronno train station from where you can take a train to Lake Como.
- Taxi: Many taxi companies are available at the airport and easily reachable by phone or through the MiT app.
- Train: The Malpensa Express airport service connects Malpensa Airport to Saronno train station. You can take a train to Como from there. This is by far the most convenient option.
Ride Hailing
Blacklane, Uber
Popular Local Cuisine
Polenta
Polenta is a popular dish eaten in the northern region of Italy. It is a common item found on menus around Lake Como and one you will find served as a side dish to a meat or fish meal. Polenta comes from cornmeal and is served in multiple ways from hot to cold, sliced, creamy, or even baked.
That versatility of polenta is part of its brilliance. Polenta originated in northern Italy and was mostly eaten by poor families from the peasant and working classes. It was very simple, which made it cheap to acquire, yet it was fulfilling.
Best Time to Visit
The best time to visit Lake Como is late spring and early autumn. The weather is mild to warm during these months, rather than peak-summer hot. This makes boat rides, lakeside walks, and village tours more comfortable. In Como, average highs rise into the upper 50s to mid-60s °F in April, around the mid-70s °F in September, and peak near 81°F in late July, when the area is busiest. Summer brings the liveliest period, but also the largest crowds.
Historical Weather by Month
Lake Como, Italy
Where to Stay
