Lake Como, Italy: the best things to do | Lake Como Travel (2024)

If you can, visit Lake Como in the off-season!

Lake Como is a true corner of Italian paradise that attracts tourists from all over the world, especially during the high season (late May to late September). My advice is, if you can, to visit Lake Como during the low season (for example, in April or October) to have a more relaxing and authentic travel experience.

Como, the main city of Lake Como in Italy, enchants with its perfect mix of culture, architecture and natural beauty. The city center is compact and flat, and major attractions and the lakefront are within walking distance from the train stations.

Como's medieval walls enclose charming alleys and squares that are home to traditional restaurants and stores, markets selling local produce, and impressive houses of worship such as Como Cathedral.

In the lakefront area, where the pier is located, you can visit the temple to Alessandro Voltaand the large park surrounding the neoclassical Villa Olmo. On the opposite bank, you can take the funicular railway to Brunate.

If you love nature trails, you'll find several easy ones within Spina Verde Park.From Como you can easily reach the other towns on Lake Como by bus and ferry.

Bellagio, a vibrant gem an hour or two away from Como, dazzles with its lively town center, bustling with typical stores and colorful, step-laden alleys in true Italian style.

Explore the Park of Villa Serbelloni and the Gardens of Villa Melzi, and then stroll through the charming hamlets of Pescallo and San Giovanni, each offering a glimpse into Bellagio's authentic charm.

Reach Punta Spartivento to enjoy stunning views of the three branches of Lake Como and central area towns (such as Varenna, which can be reached in 15-20 minutes by boat).

Varenna, a short boat ride from Bellagio and easily accessible by train from Milan, offers a charming lakeside promenade - the famous Passeggiata degli Innamorati - that leads to the small bay of Riva Grande, where you will find plenty of cafes, restaurants and local craft stores.

Spend a few hours exploring the botanical wonders of Villa Monastero and Villa Cipressi, whose gardens weave a tapestry of colors along the lakefront.

Nature lovers can take rejuvenating hikes to historic sites such as Castle of Vezio or along the Sentiero del Viandante, experiencing incredible views and discovering local history.

Tremezzina is the union of several large hamlets (including Ossuccio, Lenno and Tremezzo) each with its own attractions and features, which I invite you to discover in the dedicated guide.

Among other things, Tremezzina is home to two of the most beautiful villas on Lake Como: Villa Balbianello, a museum and set for international films and weddings, and Villa Carlotta, a museum and botanical garden.

If you have a few hours to spare, explore the area along the Lake Como Greenway, an easy walk that also passes through Tremezzina's oldest villages and places of historical and religious interest. The mountains above Tremezzina also offer many more challenging trails.

Menaggio has a lively town center, which develops around Piazza Garibaldi and leads to the elegant and long lakefront, where there are several bars and restaurants.

Explore the characteristic hamletofLoveno, home to Villa Vigoni, and Nobiallo, a picturesque fishing village.

In addition, if you want to taste the true flavors of the area, you can reach the typical huts and farmhouses of Val Sanagra and Monte Grona with walks that start a short distance from the historic center.

Lecco, less frequented by international tourists than other Lake Como’s towns, is an ideal destination for those who want to experience Lake Como away from the typical high season crowds.

The city, perfectly connected to Milan by train, boasts one of the most beautiful walks along the lakefront. Its historic center, full of bars and restaurants, encloses buildings with obvious traces of its history.

The city is famous for its various ‘Manzonian locations‘ mentioned in the renowned Italian historical novel The Betrothed by Alessandro Manzoni.

Villa del Balbianello, in Lenno (hamlet of Tremezzina) is one of the most famous and fancy villas on Lake Como.

Not only a location for luxury events and weddings, but also the set of incredible movies such as Star Wars and Casino Royale.

The villa is mainlyopen from mid-March to end of November, and it’s closed on Mondays and Wednesdays (except on holidays).

The Gardens of Villa Melzi, in Bellagio, welcome visitors among centuries-old trees, Japanese-style ponds, colorful plants from around the world and more.

Also not to be missed are the distinctive Arab-style temple and the museum, which traces the history of the villa and surrounding area through the centuries of its existence.

Villa Melzi and its gardens,open from March to Octoberand located at aten-minute walkfrom Bellagio's town center.

Villa Monastero, located in Varenna, was once an old monastery that later became a patrician residence.

The villa attracts tourists from all over the world because of its beautiful botanical gardenwhich containsmany species of rare plantsand stretches for more than a mile along the lake shore.

When visiting this famous villa, you will also have the opportunity to seeCasa Museo, a museum that collects four centuries of history in an elegant setting with fine decorations and furnishings.

Villa Carlotta, in Tremezzo, is surrounded by a vast botanical garden full of ancient trees and exotic plants, palms, rhododendrons and azaleas.

I’d suggest you tovisit Villa Carlotta in springtime, during the blossom period. This is definitely the best time to soak up the scents these beautiful gardens can offer!

Villa Carlotta is also famous for itsart collection. An important museum original neoclassical furniture, as well as valuable masterpieces by Antonio Canova,Francesco Hayez, andBertel Thorvaldsen.

Spina Verde Park is a protected forest located southwest of Como, and gathers manysites ofpanoramic, historical, and natural interest.

The perfect place to escape the hottest hours of summer and taste traditional dishes at one of the area’s huts.

One of the most interesting attractions is the tower of Castello Baradello, which can be reached by following a path that starts from Piazza San Rocco, near the town center, and leads to the tower in about 30 minutes.

Val Sanagra, also known as Val Senagra, is a vast area rich in flora, fauna and ancient rural settlements included between the municipalities ofMenaggioandGrandola ed Uniti.

It takes its name from thestreamthat flows through the valley and createsbeautiful waterfallsoften topped by fascinating Romanesquestone bridges.

Val Sanagra isan ideal place to retreaton hot summer days, sheltered from the crowds that characterizeLake Como‘s most popular destinations in high season.

In fact, in addition to offeringtrails suitable for most people, the valley is also home to afarmhousewhere you can taste local products or stay overnight, and aneco-museumfor a different kind of day out.

Lake Como is located in the northern part of Italy, in the region of Lombardy.

It is situated approximately 45 kilometers (28 miles) north of Milan, one of Italy's major cities. Discover how to get to Lake Como from Milan.

Lake Como is famous for several reasons, including its stunning natural beauty, charming lakeside villages, and historic villas.

Lake Como has long been a favorite destination for celebrities, including actors (such as George Clooney, who owns Villa Oleandra in Laglio), musicians, and other prominent figures.

The number of days you might want to spend in Lake Como can vary based on your preferences, interests, and the pace at which you like to travel.

However, many visitors find that spending 2 to 4 full days in the Lake Como region allows for a fulfilling experience. Here's a suggested breakdown:

1. 2 days: with two days, you can explore the main towns around the lake. This allows you to enjoy the charming streets, visit historic villas and gardens, take a boat ride on the lake, and savor local cuisine.

2. 3 days: adding an extra day gives you more time to explore the surrounding areas, perhaps taking a longer boat trip to more distant parts of the lake or venturing into the nearby mountains for some hiking. You can also dedicate more time to visit additional villas and museums.

3. 4 days or more: if you have more time, you can delve deeper into the Lake Como region, visit smaller villages, and experience a more relaxed pace. Additionally, you might have the opportunity to take day trips to nearby attractions, such as Milan or the Swiss border towns.

It depends on the area that you want to reach. If you want to reachComo city,Milan Malpensa Airportis probably the best choice (read herehow to get from Malpensa to Como).

Milan Linate Airportis probably the best if you want to get toBellagio, Lecco andVarenna. However, all the Milan airports allow you to reach Lake Como’s towns quite easily.