Lake Como is one of those rare places where beauty permeates from every corner. Framed by the foothills of the Italian Alps, manicured gardens and majestic villas create a calming aura that has long attracted aristocrats, artists, and discerning visitors.
What makes Lake Como especially worthwhile for a weekend? The views are sublime, and the best experiences unfold by boat. Moving from one lakeside town to another tells a subtly different tale of Italian culture.
Despite the area's vastness, it is possible to have a fulfilling experience in two days. Arrive from Milan, check into a legendary hotel, dine in a lakefront town, and explore world-famous villas via iconic Italian runabout boats.
Arrival
After landing at Milan Malpensa Airport, the best way to get to Lake Como is via a chauffeured car. This trip isn't about city living, so leaving the city's momentum behind as you drive away should set the mood for your getaway. If you're flying private, Lugano Airport in Switzerland is the better option as it is closer to Lake Como (though not by much) and the scenery is better.
With an abundance of cypress trees, villas fit for royalty, and mountains that seem to rise directly from the water, Lake Como exudes elegance. The destination is Villa d'Este, the grand address for the weekend and one of the lake's most storied places to stay.
Stay: Villa d'Este
Check-in should be unhurried. This is not a place to rush through. Let the luggage disappear, take in the gardens, and settle into the rhythm of the lake with an aperitivo, while you take in the views. The first evening belongs to Villa d'Este itself: dinner and a walk by the shore to see the famous floating pool.
Villa d'Este goes beyond being a place to stay. It is the anchor of the journey. The hotel's appeal lies in its rich history. Cardinal Tolomeo Gallio commissioned it as a residence, and it soon became a resort for politicians.
The villa became a hotel in 1873, and its elite status continues to draw discerning guests. Elizabeth Tailor stayed at the hotel at the beginning of her affair with Richard Button. Other notable guests include Queen Victoria, King Leopold of Belgium, and Frank Sinatra.
More recently, the hotel is famous for hosting the prestigious Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este and the Bastille Day Gala. It also still boasts a long list of A-listers as guests. These include George Clooney, Lady Gaga, who stayed at the hotel while filming the House of Gucci movie, and Emily Blunt and John Krasinski, who got married there.
The days can begin with breakfast by the water, continue with a lake tour, and end with a return to one of Lake Como's most iconic hotels for world-class pampering.
Day One: Bellagio and Varenna
The first full day should begin on the water. After breakfast, arrange a ride on the iconic Riva Aquarama (that is the best way to do this) for a private boat ride to Bellagio, the lake's best-known village and one of its most photogenic. The crossing is part of the pleasure: mountains fold into the distance, and the lake's polished surface gives every arrival a sense of occasion.
Spend the morning walking its narrow lanes, browsing boutiques, and pausing for views over the promontory where the lake divides. Lunch should be at Grand Hotel Villa Serbelloni, Bellagio's historic five-star hotel. For a midday meal, La Goletta offers lakefront dining, while Mistral provides a more formal fine-dining setting with select tables offering lake views through full-length glass walls.
After lunch, return to the boat and continue to Varenna. The mood here is more intimate than at Bellagio. Its waterfront promenade, pastel façades, and quiet lanes make it an ideal afternoon stop. Don't leave town before taking a detour to Vezio village to see the medieval Castello di Vezio. You will be rewarded with panoramic views of the lake and the castle's resident falcons.
By late afternoon, cruise back toward Cernobbio. The return to Villa d'Este should feel like a second arrival. This is the evening for dressing for dinner, having an aperitivo at the hotel, and letting the day's images settle in: Bellagio's glamour, Varenna's romance, and the amazing private lake cruise.
Day Two: Villa del Balbianello
The second day should be devoted to one of Lake Como's most beautiful landmarks: Villa del Balbianello. Not be be confused with the nearby Villa Balbiano, the villa sits on the southern tip of the Dosso di Lavedo peninsula near Lenno. It is famous for its terraced gardens, lake views, and extraordinary sense of drama. It's the reason why it is one of the most popular grand wedding destinations in Italy.
Villa del Balbianello can be reached by private boat, the most suitable approach for this itinerary. Staying on land requires parking about a mile away and taking a hike you probably want to avoid. That's assuming you don't have a need to burn off calories from sumptuous Italian cuisine.
Leave Villa d'Este after breakfast and cross the lake toward Lenno. It is a 45-minute boat ride, but the scenery will make it seem like 10 minutes. As you approach the peninsula, you will pass by Isola Comacina, the lake's only island.
Arriving by boat gives Villa del Balbianello the entrance it deserves. The villa appears gradually, set above the lake like a stage set carved into the landscape. Plan time for the gardens and terraces, where the views are among the finest on Lake Como.
The interior is worth exploring too, with the aid of a tour guide. The visit works best as the central event of the day rather than one stop among many. Afterward, stop at Isola Comacina for lunch at the Island's Locanda restaurant. After lunch, return to Cernobbio and take a short walk along the lakefront.
The evening can be left open for the pleasures of Villa d'Este: a swim, a spa appointment, waterfront fine-dining at La Veranda, or simply a glass of wine, as you reminisce over the events of the weekend.
