Lake Como

An inverted-Y-shaped lake at the foot of the Alps, with Bellagio, Varenna and celebrity villas: an Italian lakeside getaway within an hour of Milan.

Lake Como is in the Lombardy region of northern Italy, on the southern slopes of the Alps about 50 km from Milan. The lake is shaped like an upside-down Y, about 46 km long, and is Italy's third-largest lake and one of the deepest in Europe (about 410 m at its deepest). For sightseeing it divides into three parts: the city of Como at the southern end (the cathedral, the old town, the Brunate funicular, 40–60 minutes by train from Milan); the "golden triangle" of Bellagio, Varenna, Menaggio and Tremezzo on the central lake, where the celebrity villa gardens are most concentrated and which is the core area for visitors; and the quieter northern lake, suited to sailing and outdoor sports. As for climate, April–June and September–October are the most pleasant, with rhododendrons blooming in the villa gardens in spring; July–August is peak season, with expensive lodging and crowds; from November to March some villa gardens and ferry routes stop operating. Getting around: from Milan Central Station, the train takes about 1 hour to Varenna (on the east shore, the most convenient), or go to Como and change to a ferry or bus; transport on the lake is mainly by Navigazione Laghi ferries, with a central-lake day ticket costing about €17–20, and fast boats costing extra. We suggest 2–3 days, staying in Varenna, Bellagio or Menaggio on the central lake for the easiest island-hopping. Note: lakeside roads are narrow and winding, so driving is not recommended for novices; popular villas (Villa del Balbianello) must be reserved in advance on the official website in high season; the last ferries leave early, and earlier still in winter, so check the timetable before setting out.

Top sights

• Bellagio – Perched at the tip of the peninsula where Lake Como's three arms meet, Bellagio is known as the “Pearl of the Lake.” Stone-stepped lanes, l…
• Varenna – A colorful fishing village on the east shore, with the Lovers' Walk stretching over the water, the Castello di Vezio on the hill and two la…
• Villa del Balbianello – An 18th-century villa and terraced gardens on the tip of Lavedo Point, featured in Star Wars: Episode II and Casino Royale.
• Villa Carlotta – A late-17th-century villa on the shores of Lake Como at Tremezzo, with an 8-hectare botanical garden famous for its spring azaleas, and a c…
• Como Cathedral – A Gothic-Renaissance cathedral built over nearly 400 years (1396–1770), with a dome designed by Juvarra that has become a landmark of Como.
• Como–Brunate Funicular – A century-old funicular opened in 1894 that climbs to the “Balcony of the Alps” in seven minutes, with views over Como and the lake.
• Menaggio – A ferry hub town on the western shore with a lakefront promenade, Piazza Garibaldi and walking routes, and a gateway to Lake Lugano.
• Villa Monastero – A villa on the Varenna lakeshore converted from an old monastery, with a nearly 2 km long narrow botanical garden running along the water a…
• Villa Melzi Gardens – A neoclassical villa garden on the Bellagio lakeshore, with a Japanese-style pond, a rhododendron path and lakeside pavilions.
• Castello di Vezio – A medieval hilltop castle above Varenna, with a tower offering 360-degree views over the three arms of Lake Como, and a raptor display.
• Isola Comacina – The only island on Lake Como, scattered with the ruins of Romanesque churches, and home to an island restaurant known for its fixed menu.
• Sacro Monte di Ossuccio – One of the UNESCO World Heritage “Sacri Monti of Piedmont and Lombardy,” with 14 Baroque chapels along a mountain path leading to a sanctua…
• Villa Olmo – A neoclassical villa on the lakeshore north of Como city, whose free lakeside gardens are often used for major art exhibitions.
• Basilica of Sant'Abbondio – An 11th-century Romanesque church on the southern side of Como, with twin bell towers and a 14th-century fresco-covered apse of great beaut…
• Como Silk Museum – Tells the story of Como as Europe’s silk capital, with exhibits covering silkworm rearing, weaving and printing equipment.
• Life Electric & Diga Foranea – The Life Electric steel sculpture by Daniel Libeskind at the end of the breakwater on the southern tip of Lake Como, one of the best spots…
• Madonna del Ghisallo – The patron sanctuary of cyclists, with a hilltop chapel hung with champions’ bikes and a bicycle museum next door.
• Lecco – A city at the far end of the southeastern arm of Lake Como, the setting of Manzoni’s novel The Betrothed, with the Grigna mountains rising…
• Sentiero del Viandante – An old merchant trail along the hillside of Lake Como’s eastern shore, running from Abbadia Lariana to Colico, which can be walked in secti…
• Greenway del Lago di Como – A gentle walking route of about 10 km on the western shore from Colonno to Cadenabbia, linking villas, old villages and lake views.
• Orrido di Bellano – A deep gorge carved by the Pioverna River above the town of Bellano, with suspended walkways following the rock walls past waterfalls.
• Orrido di Nesso – A waterfall gorge in the eastern shore village of Nesso, where a medieval stone arch bridge spans the gorge mouth above the lake and makes…
• Piona Abbey – A Cistercian abbey on a small peninsula at the northern end of Lake Como, with a peaceful 12th-century Romanesque cloister.
• Forte Montecchio Nord – An Italian fortress built during World War I that still houses its original cannons, one of the best-preserved fortresses of its era in Eur…

Where to eat

• Materia – A one-Michelin-starred restaurant in Cernobbio, where Davide Caranchini crafts creative dishes using lake ingredients.
• Ittiturismo Mella – Run by a Bellagio fishing family, serving fresh daily catches. The tasting menu changes with the catch, making it a pri…
• Ristorante Bilacus – A long-standing restaurant in Bellagio, featuring a vine-covered terrace next to the Serbelloni steps, serving fresh pa…
• Osteria del Gallo – An old-school osteria near Como Cathedral, featuring a short menu that changes daily, specializing in polenta and Lomba…
• Il Cavatappi – A tiny restaurant in an alley of Varenna, highly praised for its handmade pasta and smoked trout. Limited seating, book…

Itineraries

• Milan & Lakes Maggiore, Orta, and Como – Depart from Milan to explore three lakes by train and ferry, visiting the Borromean Islands, Orta, and Bellagio.
• Milan In Depth and a Day on Lake Como – Take your time with Milan's old town, museums and Porta Nuova district, plus a round-trip train day to Varenna and Bell…
• in Milan with Day Trips to Bergamo and Two Lakes – Stay near Milano Centrale and take day trains to Bergamo's Upper Town, Lake Como, and the Borromean Islands on Lake Mag…
• Northern Italy Grand Road Trip: 15 Days from Milan to Venice – A two-week road trip traversing Northern Italy, connecting Milan, Lake Como, Lake Garda, the Dolomites, and Venice.
• Milan, Lake Como & Scenic Trains Loop – An Italy-Switzerland rail loop connecting Lake Como, the Bernina Express, the Glacier Express, and Lake Maggiore
• Milan & Swiss Bernina & Glacier Express – Travel by train from Milan via Lake Como, taking the Bernina and Glacier Express to St. Moritz and Zermatt before retur…