Lake Como is one of the most beautiful places in the world. In this Lake Como travel guide, I cover everything you need to know to plan your trip, including the best time to visit, how to get there, restaurant recommendations and more!
When is the best time to visit Lake Como?
Mid-June through mid-September is Lake Como’s busy season, but don’t let that deter you! You’ll get the full Lake Como experience during this timeframe – all hotels, restaurants and activities will be open for business. If you prefer fewer crowds, consider the shoulder season: May through early June, or mid-to-late September. From October through April, you’ll have the lake almost to yourself, but some of the restaurants and activities will be closed. For example, I visited in late October and we were hoping to rent a boat to explore Lake Como on our own, but the boat rental companies were closed for the season.
Lake Como Travel Guide: How to Get There
Lake Como is an easy train trip from Milan. From Milan’s Milano Centrale Railway Station, most travelers take a direct train to Como or Varenna (more on both destinations below.) Once you arrive, you won’t need a car unless you plan to explore the region beyond the lake. Lake Como has a great ferry system, and each town or village is very walkable.
Where to Stay in Lake Como
Many travelers stay in Como, Bellagio or Varenna, all located directly on Lake Como. Como is a city, while Bellagio and Varenna are smaller and considered villages. We stayed in Varenna and loved the experience but let’s examine each option:
Como, Italy
Como is the largest city on Lake Como, with a population of 80,000. If you enjoy multiple hotel and dining options, and the convenience of a train station, Como might be the perfect fit for you.
Popular hotel options in Como city include Suites & Atelier Lake Como and DBH Lake Como. Another jewel is Villa D’Este, just outside of Como, a favorite of Elizabeth Taylor, Lady Gaga and Stanley Tucci – who called it his favorite hotel in the world. Say no more!
Bellagio, Italy
Bellagio is a small (pop. < 3,000) and incredibly elegant village on Lake Como.
Unlike Como and Varenna, Bellagio does not have a train station, but travelers can take the ferry, rent a car, or arrange a private transfer.
There are many wonderful hotel options in Bellagio. One of the most iconic and centrally located hotels is Hotel Du Lac which is absolutely worth looking into. Another fantastic and more palatial hotel is Hotel Belvedere Bellagio.
One property to keep in mind for the future is the former Hotel Grande Bretagne, pictured above. This hotel was one of the first luxury hotels on Lake Como, originally opening in 1850. This gorgeous property was recently acquired by Ritz Carlton and is undergoing restoration before re-opening in 2026.
Varenna, Italy
Varenna is a quiet, picturesque village on Lake Como. It’s very peaceful, with less than 800 residents, and offers a train station for easy access to and from Milan. Dining and nightlife options are more limited, but you can always take the ferry to other lakeside towns such as Bellagio or Como for a night out. This is what I did and it worked out perfectly.
Hotel Villa Cipressi, their terraces pictured above, is the most well-known hotel in Varenna. The building and grounds are breathtaking; guest rooms and suites are comfortable but more basic.
Another solid option is the Hotel du Lac Varenna!
Best Things to Do in Lake Como
Explore the Lake
Exploring the lake and its villages by ferry or hydrofoil (high-speed ferry) was my absolute favorite thing to do in Lake Como. If it’s your first trip to Lake Como, consider building in time to explore Como, Bellagio and Varenna; the ferry stops at all three destinations multiple times each day. Best of all, you can see some really beautiful scenery from the ferry, including incredible villas and picturesque villages, like Laglio, pictured above.
If you’re looking for a more private setting, you can rent a boat or hire a boat and driver to help you explore the lake at your own pace.
Visit a 14th Century Cathedral
The cathedral in Como, the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, is a really spectacular 14th century cathedral with Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque and Romanesque elements. The cathedral is open to visitors on weekdays beginning at 10:30 a.m.
Visit a Gorgeous Botanical Garden
Villa Cipressi in Varenna has a gorgeous terraced botanical garden that’s open to the public, with the purchase of a ticket. It wasn’t too expensive (about 10 €) and well worth the money. We only purchased admission to the botanical garden at Villa Cipressi, but you have the option of doing a combined ticket that includes the adjacent botanical garden at Villa Monastero – I’ll be doing that next time!
Where to Eat
Let’s start with dessert: There’s an amazing little spot for gelato in Como city called Rossetti. Here’s their website (in Italian) and their Instagram. (Upon examination it looks like they have several locations in Como!) They are fabulous; don’t miss them if you enjoy a good gelato – and really, who doesn’t?
Another popular restaurant with lake views is Il Gatto Nero. We did not make it there but it is a favorite of George and Amal Clooney so I guess it is probably fine! (In all seriousness, it is on my list for next time!)
If you’re looking for lake views but somewhere more casual, check out La Fattoria!
Lake Como Travel Guide: In conclusion
I hope you enjoyed this travel guide to Lake Como! If you’re traveling throughout Italy, you might enjoy my travel guides to Rome, Florence, Positano, Amalfi, Capri, Montepulciano, Pienza or Castelmuzio! You can find more of Lake Como and beyond on my Instagram as well.
