Best Things To Do in Lake Como

Lake Como is a magical place. It is a lake in the shape of an inverted Y at the foot of the Alps, overlooked by villages of small colourful houses, narrow streets, charming gardens and promenades almost at the water's edge. The contrast: huge, luxurious mansions of rich and famous people attracted by the beauty of this place.

From land or from the water, touring the lake is a fascinating experience. There are countless activities to do on Lake Como and interesting places to visit. So that you don't miss out on anything, I'll give you a brief summary of everything that awaits you in a place that will make you fall in love at first sight.

The best way to appreciate all the beauty of Lake Como is from its waters. You will discover the colourful villages that overlook it and the uniqueness of the surrounding landscapes. You will understand why this peculiar lake has been the inspiration for artists throughout history.

Depending on the time you have available, you can choose between different boat tours. The most popular are those that depart from Como and arrive in Varenna, stopping at Bellagio. They will allow you to have a very complete view of the lake, but there are more possibilities.

If you are only going to spend one day on Lake Como, you can take one of the boats that connect its towns and villages and make a stop. Another possibility is to take one of the one-hour sightseeing tours from Como.

Are you travelling as a couple? Perfect, surprise them with a romantic dinner while you sail on the lake. Any date is perfect. In the warmer months, you will enjoy wonderful sunsets. Meanwhile, Lake Como in winter will offer you a beautiful picture postcard view of the snow-capped Alps.

Each of the villages that have been built on the shores of the lake has something special. But it is very difficult to visit them all. If your stay is short, these are the ones you should not miss.

Bellagio

Bellagio is at the point where the three branches of the lake meet. You'll love walking around it. You'll discover a town of narrow cobbled streets, colourful houses, stately mansions and reminders of its history in the form of the remains of old fortresses.

From Bellagio, you'll also have magnificent views of the lake. For this, I recommend a stroll along the Lungolago Europa promenade to reach the Spartivento point. There are also some artificial beaches in this area, so if you have to make plans on Lake Como in summer, you can always leave some time for a dip.

Varenna

This is one of the most charming villages on Lake Como. Colourful houses, flower-decorated alleys, steep staircases and walkways over the water shape Varenna. It also has some interesting buildings, such as the Palazzo Venini, the Hotel Villa Cipressi or the churches of San Giorgio and San Giovanni Battista.

Don't miss the romantic promenade of Amor, the gardens of Villa Monasterio or the castle of Vezio. From the latter, the views of the lake are spectacular.

Menaggio

Together with Bellagio and Varenna, it forms the most touristic triangle of Lake Como. Menaggio is a stately town where you can admire some of the most beautiful villas and mansions on the lake. It also has a nice and lively promenade from where you can enjoy beautiful views or have a drink on the terraces.

Menaggio also preserves its medieval structure and an old town where you can visit places such as the churches of Santo Stefano or Santa Marta and the remains of an ancient castle. And if you're a sporty type, there are beaches for diving and swimming in the lake, cycling and hiking trails and even a golf course.

Tremezzo

Tremezzo is famous for Villa Carlota, one of the most spectacular mansions on Lake Como. The Grand Hotel Tremezzo, with its floating pools, is its other great treasure. The picture postcard of this pretty village is completed by streets and squares full of joy and little gems such as the church of San Lorenzo.

Nesso

If you have time, I recommend a visit to this small but beautiful village. Here you will discover one of the most unique hidden corners of Lake Como: the Ponte della Civera. It is a small medieval bridge that serves to bridge the mouth of two streams.

If we add to this bridge the emerald green colour of the waters of the lake, the stone houses and facades covered by vegetation, Nesso becomes the most romantic place on Lake Como.

On Lake Como there are two towns: Como and Lecce. They are on opposite arms of the lake and either of them is a good starting point for day trips around Lake Como. They also have their own charms, which I recommend you to discover.

Como

A visit to the city that gives its name to the lake has to be one of your plans on Lake Como. It is the perfect starting point for exploring the lake. But it also has some treasures worth seeing.

Its greatest jewel is the Duomo, a beautiful and enormous 18th century temple. Another essential stop is the Porta Torre, a 40-metre-high tower that forms part of the city walls, a good part of which is still preserved.

Don't miss Piazza San Fedele either, surrounded by colourful Renaissance houses and presided over by a beautiful basilica. And one last tip: if you have time, take the Brunate funicular. The views are spectacular.

Lecco

Surrounded by mountains, Lecco has a splendid past. It was a strategic place in the Middle Ages and one of the most important industrial centres in Italy centuries later. And it still preserves interesting vestiges of its history, such as the city walls, the Basilica of San Nicola and the Palazzo Belgiojoso.

Another of its treasures is Villa Manzoni. It belonged to the family of one of the great writers of Italian Romanticism: Alessandro Manzoni. Today it houses a museum that commemorates him and throughout the town you will find nods to his great work, The Betrothed.

Lake Como is a spectacular setting for kayaking and canoeing. You can immerse yourself in the beauty of the surroundings and have a great time. In a small boat you can get close to the cliffs that surround the lake or those fabulous villas that overlook it.

You don't need to be in enviable physical shape. These walks usually last between one and a half and two hours and are very relaxed. After all, it's all about enjoying the beauty of the lake. And you can do them as a family without any problem, as long as the children are over 8 years old.

Most of the guided tours start from Bellagio, which is right in the centre of the lake. But they also start from Vasenna or Colico, which are located on two different arms of the lake. Any of the trips will give you a spectacular view of the lake.

Not only from the water, but also from land you can enjoy the beauty of the lake. If you like cycling, one of the most enjoyable tours of Lake Como will take you to discover some of its most beautiful landscapes by bike. And there are several possibilities to choose from.

If you just want to take a relaxing ride, in any of the more touristy towns, from Bellagio to Como, Lecce or Varenna you can easily rent a bike and do a short tour along part of the lake.

But if you fancy a much more interesting adventure, guided bike tours are a good alternative. In most cases they last between three and four hours and will allow you to discover spectacular corners and some outstanding villages.

If you are not in perfect physical shape, don't worry, there are bike tours around Lake Como on both conventional road bikes and electric bikes.

Lake Como has been, and still is, a place of rest and recreation for nobles, aristocrats and celebrities. As such, its shores are dotted with lavish mansions. And yes, some of them can be visited inside. The list is very long, here are just a few of the most impressive.

Villa Carlotta

Located in Tremezzo, Villa Carlotta is an imposing neoclassical building. But it is most famous for its spectacular gardens. If you like art, here you can also admire an interesting collection of ceramics, painting and sculpture.

Villa d'Este

A few years ago, Forbes magazine recognised it as the best hotel in the world. Villa d'Este hides within its walls 400 years of history and many secrets of illustrious personalities who have stayed here. You may not be planning to stay at the hotel, but if you happen to be in Cernobbio, be sure to check it out.

Villa Melzi and Villa Serbelloni

Both villas are in Bellagio. That's not the only thing they have in common. Both are surrounded by spectacular gardens. From Villa Serbelloni, you'll also have fantastic views of the lake.

Villa Monastero

Located in Varenna, the Villa Monastero is named after a former Cistercian monastery. Villa Monastero also offers several exhibition rooms and a beautiful botanical garden outside where you can take some amazing photos.

Villa del Balbianello

For many, this is one of the most impressive villas on the lake. It is in Lenno, overlooking the water from a small promontory and surrounded by spectacular gardens. But Villa del Balbianello is not only photogenic, it is also very cinematic. Scenes from Star Wars: Episode II and James Bond's Casino Royale have been filmed here.

Lake Como is not only villages and landscapes, but also the flavours of a spectacular traditional gastronomy. The fish of the lake, the cheeses of the mountains and other products such as rice and, of course, pasta are the protagonists. All this is always seasoned with local wines.

The list of typical dishes you can try is enormous, from onion soup to polenta, rice with fish fillet or lamb Valsassinese style. So my advice is to take part in a gastronomic experience at a local's home to taste authentic traditional recipes. You can even learn how to make them in fun cooking classes on Lake Como.

Taste the wines of Lake Como

The best accompaniment to a typical meal is a good local wine. Lombardy' s wines are famous for their quality. Some of them are produced in Lake Como, so a good idea is to visit one of its wineries to complete the tour of the flavours and aromas of the lake.

Lake Como has amazing viewpoints. If you want to admire the best panoramic view, my advice is to take the Brunate funicular. It departs from Como and reaches the village of Brunate in just 7 minutes.

On the ride you will enjoy a historic funicular that started operating in 1984 and climbs up a steep hillside. When you get to the top, the view of the lake and the Alps will take your breath away.

Another possibility to enjoy a privileged postcard view of Lake Como is to climb up to the castle of Vezio. It is a medieval castle located in Varenna that was built to control the surroundings of the lake, so you can imagine that the views from it are incredible.

However, keep in mind that it is open from March to November, so you will not be able to include it in your plans if you plan to visit Lake Como at Christmas or during the winter.

Lake Como is a perfect place for hiking. There are countless well-marked routes of varying lengths and levels.

From the town of Como you can climb the Faro Voltiano lighthouse for beautiful views. If you are looking for something more demanding, a good option is to climb to the top of Mount Bregagno. More ideas: circular walks around Varenna or Bellagio, a route along the Breggia river gorge or the ascent of Mount Bolettone.

In any case, even if they are easy routes, my advice is to wear suitable clothing and footwear. And, in winter, don't forget to bring warm clothes because temperatures can drop considerably. If you plan to visit Lake Como in December, for example, the average temperature is less than 3ºC.

Off the coast of Ossuccio is the only island of Lake Como. It is a small island with a fabulous view and a long and curious history. Inhabited since ancient times, legend has it that the Holy Grail was here.

The island of Comacina had a period of splendour that ended when Barbarossa himself ordered its destruction in 1170 for political reasons. Afterwards, Bishop Vidulfo issued a curse: no one would set foot on it or die a violent death.

The curse caused the island to fall into oblivion for centuries. Today you can visit it in peace and quiet. You will discover a beautiful corner where the ruins of a castle and the basilica of Santa Eufemia are still standing.

By the way, while you are in Ossuccio, I recommend you also visit the Sacro Monte della Beata Vergine del Soccorso. It is one of the nine Sacred Mounts of Piedmont and Lombardy included in the World Heritage List. Moreover, the views of the lake from it are marvellous.

All this and much more awaits you in the beautiful city of Lake Como. Remember that the nearest airport is Milan airport, so it is advisable to plan your transfers from Milan well. Now all you have to do is pack your suitcase and enjoy!