Visiting Lake Como

On our second trip to Italy, after two day stop in Milan, we headed to Lake Como, more specifically Varenna. This had been on the travel bucket list for quite some time so we were very excited to spend a few days exploring the area.

About Lake Como

Lake Como is one of Italy’s most famous and picturesque destinations, known for its stunning scenery, charming towns, and gorgeous villas. Located in Northern Italy and surrounded by mountains and hills, the lake offers stunning views making it a very popular destination.

The lake itself has a unique upside-down Y shape, with three branches meeting at the town of Bellagio. It’s also one of Europe’s deepest lakes, reaching over 400 meters (about 1,300 feet) at its deepest point.

In addition to those listed below, there are many other smaller villages and hamlets all around the lake, with over 30 municipalities in total, with each one having something special to offer.

• Como: The largest town, located at the southern end of the lake.
• Bellagio: Known as the “Pearl of the Lake,” located where the lake splits into two branches.
• Varenna: A picturesque village famous for its stunning villas and gardens.
• Menaggio: A popular spot on the western shore with a scenic lakefront promenade.
• Tremezzo: Home to Villa Carlotta, known for its beautiful gardens.
• Lenno: Famous for Villa del Balbianello, a historic villa with breathtaking views.
• Cernobbio: Where you’ll find the luxurious Villa d’Este hotel.
• Lecco: A major town located at the southeastern tip of the lake.
• Gravedona: A historic village set along the lakeside.
• Nesso: Known for its waterfall and charming atmosphere.
• Argegno: A small village with a lovely harbor and a cable car that takes you up to Pigra.
• Domaso: A favorite among windsurfing and sailing enthusiasts.

Where to Stay

While planning this trip, we explored a few options on where to stay. We opted for Varenna since lodging options appeared to be reasonably affordable, with access by direct train from Milan and ferry options to visit other towns.

While there, we opted to stay at an Airbnb in Varenna. If you are planning to visit the area, don’t delay booking accommodations as soon as you have confirmed dates.

Travel to and around Lake Como

Train

We travelled to Varenna from Milan. It’s a quick train ride, just a little over 1 hour, with a few stops along the way. For us, while in Italy, we mostly rely on train travel as much as possible, due to its convenience. But at times, it does have it’s drawbacks. Our Airbnb host told us, as he was dropping us off at the train station, that you can’t rely on trains in the area to be on time. So, keep that in mind when making your travel arrangements. No surprise, our train was late both on arrival and departure.

Keep in mind that on the western branch of Lake Como, Como is the only town to have train stations. However, traveling by train to the eastern branch of lake is much easier.

Ferry

The main towns on the lake such as Bellagio, Menaggio or Tremezzina, which are just 15-20 minutes away by ferry. Also, if you have travelled to Lake Como with a vehicle, some ferries do allow them onboard.

You can buy tickets in advance online by clicking here. We recommend doing that a few days in advance of the trip. Or another option is going in person to the terminal to purchase tickets for that day.

While there, we did take the ferry over to Bellagio. It was pretty easy, but we highly recommend checking the timetable and making plans for your return. The schedule can vary greatly depending on the time of year, the day of week and on holidays. Also, during peak season, the ferries can be very crowded, so go early to ensure that you have space at the time you want.

Keep in mind that buses and taxis are limited and plans should be made well in advance if you are planning on using those modes of transportation.

Where to Eat

Since we spent most of our time in Varenna, we ate most of our meals there. And, some of the food we had was great. For dinner the first evening, we at Osteria Quatro Pass. Second evening we ate at, Al Prato Restaurant. Both are great options if you are looking for higher end dining. We also did stop by Lake Bakery for some delicious pastries.

And, we did eat lunch in Bellagio, but it was only average. However, this could have been prevented with a little pre-planning on our part. We just walked around and stopped at the first place that some available spots.

Overall, our biggest takeaway was to make dinner reservations ahead of time to avoid having to wait for a table.

What to do

Lake Como Boat Tour

There are plenty of options for boat tours of Lake Como. From private, to small groups to larger boat cruises, there’s something for everyone. We opted for a 2 hour private tour of the lake. This was a bit pricy but definitely worth it in my opinion. We were able to enjoy a beautiful spring morning, away from the crowds, on the lake admiring the beautiful scenery.

Visit a villa

There are plenty of beautiful villas to visit around Lake Como. Below is a list of 5 of the most stunning.

1.Villa del Balbianello

• Location: Lenno, Western shore
• Description: Perched on a wooded promontory, Villa del Balbianello offers breathtaking views of Lake Como. Its terraced gardens, elegant architecture, and a rich history dating back to the 18th century make it one of the most iconic villas in the region. It has been featured in films like Star Wars and James Bond.
• Highlights: Lush gardens, panoramic terraces, historic interiors.
• Visit: Open to the public for tours and events.

2.Villa Carlotta

• Location: Tremezzo
• Description: This 17th-century villa is famous for its expansive botanical gardens, filled with azaleas, rhododendrons, and rare plants. The villa itself houses art and sculptures, including works by Canova.
• Highlights: Beautiful gardens, art collection, scenic location.
• Visit: Public museum and gardens open for tours.

3.Villa d’Este

• Location: Cernobbio
• Description: Now a luxurious hotel, Villa d’Este was once a royal residence. The villa is surrounded by meticulously manicured gardens and offers magnificent views over the lake. Its Renaissance-style architecture and grand interiors make it a favorite among luxury travelers.
• Highlights: Luxury accommodations, extensive gardens, lakeside views.
• Visit: Guests can stay at the hotel or dine in its restaurants.

4.Villa Monastero

• Location: Varenna
• Description: Originally a monastery, Villa Monastero is now a museum and botanical garden. It features stunning lakeside views and a long, narrow garden stretching along the shore. The villa itself showcases beautifully preserved interiors and hosts cultural events.
• Highlights: Waterfront gardens, elegant architecture, cultural exhibits.
• Visit: Open to the public for tours and events.

5.Villa Melzi d’Eril

• Location: Bellagio
• Description: Located in the picturesque town of Bellagio, Villa Melzi d’Eril is renowned for its landscaped gardens, dotted with neoclassical statues, exotic plants, and a serene lily pond. The villa, though private, can be admired from the gardens.
• Highlights: Immaculate gardens, neoclassical statues, lakeside setting.
• Visit: Gardens open to the public.

While in Varenna, we did take the opportunity to visit Villa Monastero. The villa itself and the gardens were beautiful but the views of the lake and surrounding mountains are even better.

Fun fact, while we were in Lake Como, Taylor Swift was vacationing in one of the area’s most luxurious villas, Villa Sola Cabiati. If you have an unlimited budget, you too can stay there for 70,000 to 140,000 EUR per week.

Spend time at the beach

Varenna’s main beach is called Olivedo Lido – Lido di Varenna and is equipped with sunbeds, deck chairs and a boat dock.

As throughout Lake Como, there are several small public beaches in various areas (e.g., here), but being free beaches, they are often really busy with tourists and locals especially in summer.

Go for a hike

Since Lake Como is surrounded by mountains, there are plenty of good hiking options.

Have a wedding or honeymoon

As you can imagine, the lake is also a popular destination for wedding. There is a great selection of luxury private villas and romantic getaways.

When to go

Obviously, summer is definitely the most popular time for tourists to visit Lake Como. However, the best time to visit Lake Como is during spring, between April and May, and autumn, between September and October. During these times, the climate is more comfortable and fewer crowds, making it easier to explore. We were there in mid-May, the weather was great and the crowds much less than when we visited Italy at the end of August.

Finally, if you are looking for more Italy content, the posts below might be of interest to you.

• Two Week Italy Itinerary
• Two Days in Bologna
• Visiting Cinque Terre
• Five Days in Florence

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