10 Things to Do in Lago di Como in Italy

Lago di Como is an absolutely magical place. Located in the north of the city bordering Switzerland, this large lake is favoured by the orography of the Alps, which make it a landscape like no other. It is shaped like an inverted "y" and is surrounded by mountains and forests that form a picture-postcard setting. So much so that the area has become a paradise for many artists and celebrities, whose luxurious villas are their resting place.

The first stop for a visit to the lake should always be Como, the town that gives its name to the lake and plays host to all those who visit it. It is worth spending a few hours to see the town before setting off to explore the lake further.

Highlights of Como include the following:

• Duomo, a three-nave basilica dating from 1740 and one of the largest churches in northern Italy.
• The Piazza del Duomo is also an attraction as it is surrounded by palaces and beautiful buildings.
• Stretches of an ancient medieval wall from the 12th century.
• Views of the lake.

Visiting Como is a perfect starting point, so much so that a trip to Lago di Como from Milan also includes a visit to the city.

Bellagio is situated right in the centre of the lake, on the point that divides it in three.

Its privileged location made it one of the strategic points of the area and one of the most important, which is reflected in the remains of the fortresses and fortifications that still remain. Its cobbled streets and colourful houses will enchant you.

To get to Bellagio there are several options: by boat from the port of Como, by car along the road along the lake or, my favourite option, by joining an excursion to Lago di Como and Bellagio from Milan.

All the villages on the shores of Lake Como are extraordinarily beautiful, but many point to this small village as the most beautiful on Lake Como. There is no shortage of arguments.

Varenna is a fishing village of less than 1000 inhabitants that has won over all visitors thanks to its surroundings, its colourful houses, its views and to elements such as its two churches whose bell towers greatly embellish the lakeside views. In addition, there are several restaurants and bars with terraces in the village, which, for the average Lago Di Como, can be considered inexpensive.

The most efficient way to get to Varenna is to take a trip to Lago di Como and vineyards from Milan, which includes, among others, this beautiful village.

The Castello di Vezio is located next to the village of Varenna, but it is worth mentioning it separately. This place has an absolutely privileged view of Lake Como.

The castle of medieval origin was built to defend and control some of the villages on the lake and for this purpose it has a high rectangular tower. Although architecturally it is not particularly striking, it has several qualities in addition to its views:

• In its tower there is a permanent exhibition dedicated to the Lariosaurus, a marine reptile that was discovered in the lake near the castle's location.
• There is also a birds of prey show.

To access the castle you have to walk up a small path from Varenna, it is only open to the public from March to October and the entrance fee is only 4 euros.

On the opposite shore to Varenna is the village of Menaggio, one of the busiest and most touristic towns in the area. There are plenty of hotels, hostels, campsites and tourist flats, making it the ideal place to spend a few days on Lake Como.

Menaggio is a very stately town with some of the most spectacular villas and buildings in the area. The best part is the lakeside promenade from which to enjoy the views: on clear days it is possible to see the village of Varenna on the other shore.

Cernobbio is a town of just over 7000 inhabitants with some of the most spectacular villas on the whole of Lago di Como:

• Villa Erba, a 19th century palace which today functions as a congress centre.
• Villa Pizzo, which has a magnificent display of 17th century frescoes.
• Villa D'Este, the most famous, as it is a 5-star hotel recognised as the best in the world, is as beautiful as it is forbidding.

These villas are the symbol of the region with their spectacular mansions and palaces with gardens worthy of a royal palace.

It is difficult to visit all the villages of Lago di Como because they are so many and so beautiful; therefore, one of the most often forgotten is the small village of Nesso.

Its main attraction is its small medieval bridge, the Ponte della Civera, which crosses the Orrido di Nesso, a very narrow canyon where two streams meet and flow into the lake with a beautiful waterfall. Apart from this point, it is worth strolling through the streets, admiring the façades of the houses and enjoying the views of the lake.

It is, in its own right, the hidden gem of Lake Como.

The only island in Lake Como is Comacina Island, off the coast of the village of Ossuccio. You can visit it starting from this village and get to know the mysteries and places related to this list.

In 1170, the famous pirate Barbarossa invaded the island and later the bishop of Como cursed it, saying that anyone who set foot on it would suffer a violent death. After this the island was abandoned in fear of this curse.

Today it can be visited without fear of any curse by taking a boat from Ossuccio. The ruins of the castle and the basilica of Santa Eufemia are preserved on the island, as well as other buildings that were part of a project to re-inhabit the island.

In the village of Ossuccio, at the tip of a small peninsula, you will find a movie villa, the Villa Balbianello, where scenes from films such as James Bond and Star Wars have been filmed.

The villa is a bit expensive to visit, costing about 20 euros, but it is really worth it:

• It consists of two buildings connected by secret passages.
• The first building is a loggia where the tomb of Guido Monzini, a famous explorer who was one of the last owners of the villa, is located.
• The second part is the house built on the cliff from an ancient monastery of which the façade and its two small bell towers have been preserved.

But what really captures the visitor is the beautiful and well-kept garden with a perfect view of the lake.

Last but not least on this list is the beautiful town of Tremezzo. It is situated at the foot of the Tremezzo mountain from which it takes its name, and is very well communicated with towns such as Varenna, Menaggio and Bellagio.

The Villa Carlotta is one of the most outstanding villas of Lago di Como because its gardens are made up of galleries full of flowers and very striking decorative elements.

As for the locality, the most striking feature is the Tremezzo hotel. This hotel is housed in the largest and most spectacular building in town and is famous for its floating pools on the lake itself. The town is full of colourful streets and green squares that can be explored on foot or by using the tourist trains that run through the streets.