Here are the 6 best things to do in Lake Como, the most beautiful cities to visit for an amazing weekend in Italy.
Your trip to Italy would not be complete without a visit to the famous Lake Como region. Whether you’ve had this stunning place on your travel bucket list for a while or maybe just started looking into it, here is everything you need to know to make the most of your time there.
How to get to Como Lake?
The easiest way to reach the Lake Como region is from Milan.
You can take the train from Milan Central Station (Milano Centrale) to Como S. Giovanni. It’s a 40 minutes tip and you can book your tickets HERE.
Of course, you can also drive to Como from Milan. It’s an approximately one-hour drive to Como City. I would suggest renting a car, you’ll be more flexible and the drive by the shores of Como Lake is simply spectacular.
Yet, the cities are also pretty well connected by ferry or train so you don’t really need a car to enjoy the area.
6 Best Things To Do In Lake Como
A trip to Como Lake has long been on my travel bucket list, and last summer we finally made it happen. We decided to spend our 5 years anniversary here and it proved to be such a great choice and a lovely experience.
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Here is everything we did during our 3 day stay at Como Lake and the best things I’d recommend you to do if you are visiting the area for the first time.
We’ll be covering the 5 cities we visited and one that we realized later that we really should have seen as well. So I am adding it here for you, so you don’t make the same mistake as we did haha.
1. Como City
Como is a beautiful little city on the Southern side of the lake and a good place to start your visit to the area. While not necessarily the most picturesque (compared to the other Como Lake villages), this little city definitely deserves a visit.
Walk along the old, narrow streets in the old city center, admire the beautiful Gothic-style Como Cathedral and have a coffee in one of the cute little squares.
Then take a walk along the waterfront for gorgeous views (and selfies 😉 ) of the town from afar and the villas along the lake.
With regards to how much time you need here, I’d say half a day would be enough. Of course, there are plenty of other things to do so you can spend more time if you’d like.
Also, here are 10 super useful Italy travel tips that might come in handy, especially if you are a first-time visitor.
2. Bellagio – Lake Como
Probably the most famous destination on the lake, Bellagio will surely delight you!
This gorgeous little village, with winding cobbled streets and impressive villas is a must-see if you are traveling in the region.
Walk along the lake and the beautiful gardens then enjoy a gelato in the afternoon sun.
You can reach Bellagio by car, but I highly recommend taking a ferry. As our base for the holiday was Argegno (another village which we’ll cover in a bit), we visited all the villages in the area by boat. It’s the best way to explore the region!
HERE you can find all the information on boat tours, either public or private.
3. Menaggio
Menaggio is the little jewel of the Como Lake region and definitely should not be missed.
One of the most picturesque villages of the area, with long waterfront promenades and views of the mountains Menaggio will take your breath away.
You can easily combine it with a trip to Bellagio, as it’s right across from it. The ferry ride takes just a couple of minutes.
(for more Italian travel destinations, I’m sure you will also enjoy this post on How To Spend 2 Magical Days in Venice, including 2 and 3 days itineraries).
4. Villa del Balbianello (Tremezzina)
There are SO many spectacular villas along the Como shores, but if you only have time to visit one of them, make it this one.
Villa del Balbianello is probably the most famous villa of the region and is often featured in movies and, of course, engagements and wedding photos.
You can visit it from March to January (except on Mondays and Wednesdays). There is the option to see the inside of the villa or only its spectacular gardens. I suggest you at least see the gardens (which is what we did), the views from up here are simply stunning.
Plan your trip and get tickets HERE.
5. Argegno
Argegno is a cute little Italian village, right at the shore of Como Lake, around 15km north of Como city. It might not be as popular as Bellagio or Menaggio but it is the best base for a trip in this area.
Perfectly located around halfway between Como and Menaggio, Argegno has that authentic Italian vibe, with beautiful mountain views, great restaurants, and fewer crowds.
Oh, if you’re wondering how in the world do you pronounce Argegno (just as we did), it’s “ar-gee-nioh”. There goes my little Italian lesson for you guys. 😀
6. Varenna
And we have finally come to Varenna, a city we actually missed during our trip to Como lake last summer, but we won’t be making that mistake again. 😉
I wanted to include it in this list of the best things to do at Lake Como because of its beautiful villas, beaches, and views. HERE you can find everything you need to know about this gorgeous little village.
I hope you found this post useful and that maybe it has inspired your next trip to Italy! Happy travels! 🙂
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