We spent a week at Lake Como in September, driving from the Netherlands with friends, and it was even dreamier than we expected. While the lake is known for its luxury villas and glamorous reputation, there’s also a much more relaxed side to it. We hired a boat, dived into the middle of the sparkling lake, found hidden little beaches, and hopped between beautiful villages. In this guide, we share our favorite hotels, restaurants, and things to do in Lake Como, Italy.
1. The Famous Shores of Bellagio Village
Bellagio, also known as the ‘Pearl of Lake Como’, is probably the most famous village in the area. We knew it was popular, so we expected big crowds, but we were surprised that we could still find a few quiet corners! It’s definitely worth a visit for some great local restaurants and cute shops.
Read more: top things to do in Bellagio, Italy
Tip: If you have a rental car, you can even bring it with you to Bellagio by boat! There is a car ferry to Bellagio from Tremezzo every 40 minutes. We came from the Netherlands in our own car, and used the ferry quite a few times.
We recommend to rent a car in Italy through Sunny Cars with free cancellation and insurance included. Book your rental car here.
Villa Melzi
Villa Melzi is a 19th-century mansion that overlooks Lake Como, within walking distance of Bellagio’s old town. Unfortunately, you can’t visit the interior of this palatial building, but there are:
- English-style botanical garden
- Small ponds
- Pretty bridges
- A chapel
- The original orangery (now a museum)
Open March-October 10 AM-7 PM. We paid 8 EUR per person for our entrance ticket (± 8.7 USD).
Restaurants in Bellagio
Some of our favorite places to eat in Bellagio are:
- Ristorante Billacus
- La Grotta (pizza)
- Trattoria San Giacomo
- Terrazza Barchetta
2. Rent a Boat in Lake Como
The best views of Lake Como and the surrounding foothills of the Alps are from the water! One of the biggest highlights for us was renting a boat for the afternoon with friends, and speeding past luxury villas and colorful villages.
We brought our own snacks and drinks, but you can also stop off for lunch at one of the many lakeside restaurants. There are also loads of little beaches where you can swim and sunbathe. We hired the boat for four hours, and did many dives off the boat in the middle of the lake — bliss!
What do you need to hire a boat in Lake Como?
We hired the boat to drive ourselves, which is much easier than it sounds! We only needed to show a form of identification (no boat license required!). Note: We found it a bit challenging to moor in some villages, so if you’re not very confident, we’d recommend paying a bit more for a captain.
Price of boat rental: We rented a boat from this location, and the price was 250 EUR (290 USD) for 4 hours. But you can pay up to 850 EUR (997 USD) with a captain.
3. Visit the Lakeside Village of Varenna
We found Varenna far more peaceful than busy Bellagio, and probably more scenic, too! We spent a few hours just admiring all the colorful buildings.
Tip: Don’t miss the Passeggiata Degli Innamorati (Walk of Lovers) at sunset for a dreamy romantic evening.
Orrido di Bellano
Orrido di Bellano is a natural ravine (over 15 million years old!) about 10 minutes from Varenna. Narrow footbridges and walkways hug the rocky gorge, so that you’re able to pass close to thundering waterfalls, over bright blue pools, and a mighty river.
Tip: Check out the House of the Devil museum at the entrance, which explains the site’s satanic history!
We found it so much cooler here than in the villages, so it’s a great refresher if you’re visiting in the summer.
Opening Times & Entry Fee: We paid 5 EUR (5.42 USD) entry. Open 8:45 AM – 8 PM every day. There is a train from Varenna, which only takes 15 minutes and costs 1 EUR (1.08 USD). Alternatively, drive there in under 10 minutes or take the boat from Bellagio.
Opening Hours & Entry Fee: 13 EUR entry (14.10 USD) to see the garden. If you’d like to see the house, it’s 15 EUR. Check the website for opening times, as they vary by season.
Riva Grande
Get a photo at the iconic waterfront in Varenna, one of the most beautiful spots in Lake Como! The tiny bay is sandwiched between authentic Italian houses on one side and an incredible view of the lake and mountains on the other. We took a seat at one of the cute lakeside cafes to really enjoy the gorgeous views.
Restaurants in Varenna
Enjoy delicious Italian dishes at these fantastic restaurants in Varenna
- Caffe Varenna (stunning location right next to the lake)
- Osteria Quatro Pass (pricey)
- La Vista
- Al Prato
4. Swim at Acquafraggia Waterfall
Acquafraggia Waterfall is located in the Bregaglia Valley, about an hour’s drive from Menaggio or Varenna. The towering waterfall is seriously impressive at over 1800 m high and is located in a stunningly beautiful nature reserve in the Alps. Spend the day hiking the many trails, cooling off in the clear pools, or just relaxing in this alpine haven.
5. Explore Como City
Como is a small city at the southern end of Lake Como and is worth exploring if you are passing by or have arrived from Milan by train. We found loads of good restaurants here!
A great way to explore Como is by bike. See availability and tickets for an electric bike tour here.
Our Favorite Spots in Como
- Piazza Duomo: Home to the Como Cathedral. Grab an espresso in the square or climb to the top of the pretty blue dome for amazing views.
- Tempio Voltiano: A small science museum dedicated to Allesandro Volta (inventor of the electrical battery!). It’s a 10-minute walk from Piazza Duomo along the lake. Tip: At night, the temple is lit and looks even more beautiful.
- Basilica di Sant’Abbondio: 11th-century Romanesque church just outside the city’s main walls. Has an incredible backdrop of the surrounding mountains.
Restaurants in Como
Some of our favorite restaurants in Como are:
- Figli Dei Fiori Restaurant
- Osteria del Gallo
- Caffe & Bollicine
We recommend walking to Voltiano lighthouse once you’re there, another beautiful monument dedicated to the scientist Allesandro Volta with great views.
The funicular runs every 30 minutes from 8 AM to midnight every day. We paid 6.10 EUR (6.61 USD) per person for a return ticket.
Make sure to check out:
- Ponte Della Civera: A Romanesque bridge at the bottom of the hill that is the entranceway to the village by boat. We stopped here for a while to watch the locals jump from the stone walls into the water!
- Orrido di Nesso (Nesso Gorge): A towering waterfall that falls from the top of the hill, surrounded by lush greenery. You can see it from the viewpoint at Ponte della Civera.
Tip: There is limited parking in town. We parked a bit further out and walked in, but we saw some people arriving by boat!
Restaurants in Nesso
Enjoy drinks and food in beautiful Nesso at these great eateries:
- Pizzeria Trattoria da Eugenio
- Bar Alimentari Verigaa (coffee/drinks)
8. Greenway del Lago di Como
The Greenway is a beautiful hike through tiny villages, colorful gardens, and shaded olive groves where you can fully appreciate the incredible natural surroundings of Lake Como.
- Distance: 10 km
- Characteristics: Roman roads, churches, the famous Villa Balbianello, viewpoints, pebbled coves, and pretty hamlets
- Route: The trail goes from Colonno to Griante along the lake’s western shore
- Tip: We veered off the trail quite a few times and found some gorgeous spots along the lake
To get there, we took a short boat ride from Bellagio to Griante and did the trail in reverse. Alternatively, you can travel to Tremezzo or Lenno for a shorter walk.
9. Go Shopping in Menaggio
Menaggio is a super laid-back village with pretty dusty-colored houses. It’s also one of the only flat towns we visited, so it’s a good spot if you are tired of trekking up and down steep hills! Visit:
- Piazza Garibaldi: perfect spot for a cappuccino and people watching!
- Menaggio promenade: It’s filled with flowers and incredible views of the lake.
- Shop at the market: The promenade is also home to a cute night market on Friday evenings, perfect for handcrafted and artisanal souvenirs.
Menaggio is also close to two of the most famous and beautiful villas in Lake Como:
- Villa Carlotta: Set on the shoreline of the Tremezzina Riviera, with blue-shuttered windows and huge botanical gardens. Visit the ground or go inside to learn more about the region’s silk industry (book your tickets). We got here by walking 1 hour from Menaggio along the lake, but you can take the bus.
- Villa Balbianello: The setting for movies like James Bond and Star Wars (book your tickets)! We particularly loved the iconic dome-shaped tree inside the gardens. Take a 30-minute bus to Lenno, then walk the 1 km to the villa. Otherwise, arrive in style by water taxi ;)
Restaurants in Menaggio
Some great places to eat in Menaggio are:
- Osteria Il Pozzo (traditional)
- Il Ristorante Di Paolo
Best Cafes & Restaurants in Lake Como
We found so many fantastic food spots in the area, whatever your budget, from 5-star restaurants (often frequented by celebs!) to small, family-run trattorias. We recommend that you always book ahead to get a good table on the terrace, especially in the summer. Here are some of our favorites:
- Figli Dei Fiori (also a flower shop!)
- La Fagurida
- Il Gatto Nero
- Azienda Agricola Sorsasso (a farm with fantastic food + wine tasting experience)
- Antica Trattoria del Risorgimento
- Ristorante Aurora Lezzeno
- Grand Hotel Tremezzo
We splashed out on a pricey Aperol Spritz at Grand Hotel Tremezzo. It’s definitely overpriced, but we thought it was worth it for the experience and iconic views.
Where to Stay in Lake Como
Lake Como is perfect for a few days or more, particularly if you are staying in Milan or Bergamo and fancy a break from the city.
All the villages are well connected by boat and bus, so it really depends on what you’re looking for.
- Bellagio is the most popular. It’s the most well-connected town, and probably the best for restaurants and bars.
- Brienno is where we based ourselves: a tranquil village on the western side of the lake. It’s super peaceful, with just two restaurants and no supermarket or bakery. We swam off the pier there so many times without any tourists around! These lakeside apartments look really similar to where we stayed, or check out other hotels in Brienno.
How to Visit Lake Como
Close to Switzerland and the Northern Italian cities of Bergamo and Milan, Lake Como is easily reachable. Milan is the best city for flights, with plenty of connections.
By Train
You can take the train from Milan airport to the Lake Como area in under an hour. Trains run from Milan Centrale to Como, Varenna, and Como Lago, and tickets are very reasonably priced.
By Car
We came in our own car from the Netherlands. Alternatively, rent a car yourself if you want more flexibility. Be aware that the roads can get very busy during the summer. Because of this, the train may be the better option in the high season.
We recommend to rent a car in Italy through Sunny Cars with free cancellation and insurance included. Book your rental car here.
By Tour
The easiest way to see all the things to do in Lake Como is to take a tour from nearby Milan or one of the main villages in the area.
Getting Around
You can connect to most of the main villages by ferry. The public ferry company Navigazione Laghi offers speedy, regular, or touristic services, connecting the villages of Bellagio, Varenna, and Menaggio. Getting a boat is a simple and cheap option that also offers you alternative views of the lake!
Alternatively, rent a car to explore the smaller villages, or use the well-connected public bus services that take you to the main destinations.
Within the villages, we found it best to walk, as narrow streets and cobbled steps make driving difficult, and parking was often limited in town centers.
How Much Does Lake Como Cost?
Despite being a popular spot for the rich and famous, it is still possible to enjoy Lake Como on a budget. We found public transport very cheap, and we were able to buy fantastic, fresh ingredients locally for beach picnics. Restaurants are pricey, especially those right on the lake, but the traditional trattorias were far more reasonable.
Best Time to Visit
We visited in early September for a week, which was the perfect length to enjoy the surroundings without the crowds (and the weather was still good!).
The most popular time to visit Lake Como is during the summer when the weather is hot, and the water is most refreshing. However, this does mean more crowds and higher prices.
Tip: May is a perfect time to visit when an abundance of gorgeous-smelling flowers take over the area, and the villa gardens are full of color.
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