Is there anything better than an Italian vacation? Trust me – there is not. Located in Northern Italy about an hour from Milan and just next to Switzerland sits the incredibly gorgeous and popular vacation destination of Lake Como. It’s stunning lake views and charming cobblestone streets are just a few picturesque details that make it the perfect spot for your next getaway. Peak season for visiting is May to September. But, since the lake never freezes you can visit year-round. Aside from its timeless appeal, there are lots of things to do in Lake Como, like touring the small lake towns, shopping in the city center and visiting the countless villas in the area. Today I’m sharing my full Lake Como travel guide and itinerary so you can make the most out of your trip.
Lake Como Travel Guide
Having been to several of the major cities in Italy before (remember our trip to Positano?), Lake Como was high on our list when planning our vacation. It’s a slower pace of life at the lake and it’s noticeable when you’re in town. You’re meant to linger at meals and slowly sip and enjoy your wine. Like our other trips before, we love to travel during shoulder season (between peak times) when there are less tourists and the weather is a bit cooler. Getting around is easy. The local ferry will take you to all the little towns and there’s a hydrofoil (high-speed ferry) that gets you to the popular towns of Varenna and Bellagio much faster. I’ll share some tips regarding ferry tickets below!
Shop the Post
Ultimate Guide to Lake Como
Is this place a dream or what!? With one quick glance around, it’s easy to see why A-listers like George Clooney and Richard Branson staked out Lake Como as their home away from home. The deep blue waters are mesmerizing and the laid back lake life is pretty inviting.
Lake Como is surrounded by many small, quaint towns. But, at the Southern tip of the lake is the town of Como. While I highly recommend you visit the town, I don’t recommend you stay there (more on that below).
In my opinion, you need 3 full days in Lake Como to if you don’t want to miss the best sites and activities. Two days would be okay, but three days is ideal.
Getting Around in Lake Como
If you’re like us, you’ll debate about renting a car to drive around the lake. Ultimately, we decided against it since the roads are narrow and traffic is unpredictable. The ferry boat ride is extremely convenient and it’s pretty easy to get a taxi at night when the ferry stops running. Ubers are rare here. So, taxi is the way to go.
Regarding ferry tickets:
- PRO TIP #1 – you can only buy tickets the day you’re traveling. But, you can buy them online. So, if you can, have the concierge at your hotel help you purchase them.
- PRO TIP #2 – it’s best to buy your return tickets early, especially if you want the high-speed ferry. The later times will sell out! We learned that the hard way coming back from Bellagio when we had to take the local ferry.
What To Do In Lake Como
Visit the towns of Bellagio and Varenna
At the very top of my list of things to do in Lake Como is to visit the towns of Bellagio and Varenna. You can do both in one day, but I’d recommend that you start your day early if you do (i.e. the 9 a.m. ferry). By the time we got going after breakfast, we caught the 11 a.m. ferry and we could have used those extra two hours.
Take the high-speed ferry to Varenna and walk 10-15 minutes to visit Hotel Villa Cipressi and Villa Monastero (they’re right next to each other). You can easily spend an hour at each. They both have incredible views of the lake. Villa Cipressi is known for its tall gates by the water that are frequently open and in the summer have gorgeous wisteria hanging from them (photo op!). Then, Villa Monastero will make your jaw drop. From the entryway with it’s columns and beautiful backdrop to the florals cascading every inch of the botanical gardens further down below – it’s unlike any place I’ve seen before. There’s also a museum of the villa you can visit, but it is an extra fee.
Then, grab lunch in Café Varenna if you can. The cocktails and fresh pasta were out of this world. They don’t have a website, but you can find them here.
After lunch, hop back on the ferry towards Bellagio. Bellagio is much smaller than Varenna. So, two (to three) hours is a good amount of time to walk the streets and shop! You’ll find beautiful pottery here and hand blown glass. We got Christmas ornaments to take home as souvenirs. Try to get a photo at the top of the Via Giuseppi Garibaldi street near the wine bar on Salita Serbelloni (see pic above). It’s one of the most photographed spots in Bellagio!
Finally, if you have enough time in Bellagio, visit Villa Melzi. Their botanical gardens are spectacular and the museum and chapel are open to the public. But, the villa is only open from the end of March to October! So, you’d need to visit during that time.
Take a private boat tour
The ferry is affordable and convenient, but by far the best way to see the lake is to take a private bout tour. Beware – it is very pricey! But, it is 100% worth the money and will be one of the most memorable moments of the trip.
Both Como Classic Boats and Lake Como Boats are well-known companies to book through. We booked a Venetian Limousine with Como Classic Boats and have only amazing things to say about them and our tour guide. Depending on the time of year you visit, be sure to bring a light jacket as it can be chilly if its windy!
Our boat tour was scheduled for the early afternoon (11 a.m – 3 p.m.) and it was absolutely perfect. But, I do think booking a bit later would have been nice too so that we could see the sunset.
There are various boat tour options. We picked “The Village”, a tour where you see all the popular villas and major towns. One of the most common requests is to see Villa Oleandra (George Clooney’s home!).
Most times the boat will stop in one location where you can get out and walk around. You don’t really have enough time to stop in Varenna or Bellagio. But, you could probably do Villa del Balbianello (see below). We stopped in Lenno for gelato and there isn’t much going on there. I’d recommend stopping in the colorful town of Menaggio instead.
Visit the Town of Como
Depending on where you stay, you may not be super close to the city center of Como. But, visiting the town and walking the streets is a must-do at least once. Since our hotel was about a 15 minute ferry or taxi ride away, we went into town nearly each day. Firstly, the gelato at Gelateria Lariana is the best! Evidence is below. It’s right across from the ferry ticket booth.
The town center is also a great place to grab gifts (like Italian spices or olive oils) and to shop. I got the most incredible blazer from Moresi Como, a local boutique. Another stop you need to make as you walk around is at Beretta Il Fornaio. Their pastries and fresh made bread will make your mouth drool! They’re known for their Nuvola brioche apricot. If you go near lunchtime, the line will be out the door. So, try to go during off hours.
Take a tour of Villa del Balbianello
If you’ve seen the Star Wars movies, you’ll notice Villa del Balbianello right away. It’s where they shot several scenes for Episode 2. The villa’s architecture is very romantic and the grounds have gorgeous landscaping. Unfortunately, we didn’t get a chance to visit here as they’re only open from November – January and closed on some Monday’s and Wednesday’s. Tickets range from Adults €22 – Children €12.
Where to Stay in Lake Como
To preface each recommendation below, I love to stay at luxe hotels. So, each of these are more upscale properties. If you’re traveling on a tighter budget, take a look at some of the hotels in Como proper. Part of the charm of Lake Como is staying further up the lake in a quieter area. But, being in the mix of things in the town is still nice! Below are three boutique hotels for where to stay in Lake Como:
Hotel Villa Flori
Our home away from home at Lake Como, Hotel Villa Flori has all the glitz and charm that boutique hotels offer, as well as exceptional service (which is why I love them so much). The hotel is located just north of the city of Como (about 15 minutes), so the views are simply stunning at sunrise and sunset. The nearest ferry stop is about a 10 minute walk (versus a 30 minute walk to Como), so it’s easy to get around as well.
The majority of their 53 rooms have spacious balconies that overlook the lake and they’re perfect for having a cocktail in the evening. There’s a sauna and fitness room on site as well. With all our other activities, we didn’t use either of those amenities.But, we did make sure to make it down for breakfast each morning which was delicious (think waffles, pancakes, eggs, bacon, fresh fruit, bread and croissants, and more).
I know I mentioned the service already, but so much of your travel experience is influenced by it. From booking our taxi’s to making dinner reservations and ordering us pizza to have while we grabbed drinks in their lounge – the Hotel Villa Flori team went above and beyond! I’d go back in a heartbeat.
Relais Villa Vittoria
The old world charm of this small, 12-room boutique hotel captivated me from the first photo I saw of the updated waterfront home. Located about 30-40 minutes from Como in Laglio, it’s elegant, intimate, and just steps from George Clooney’s villa. If your trip to Lake Como is romantic, this hotel is the perfect fit for your stay. You can swim in the infinity pool in the morning, (as long as your trip is in the summer months), take cooking lessons in the afternoon, and then dine in the evening at the restaurant on the terrace. The only challenge you may experience is getting the specific room you want since there are so few. But, this slice of paradise will deliver a once in a lifetime stay if you make the trip.
Il Sereno Lago di Como
Further up on the east side of the lake in the town of Torno is the modern Il Sereno Lago di Como hotel. One of the most luxe properties on the lake, the hotel opened in 2016 and was most recently voted World’s Best by Travel + Leisure. The entire hotel is comprised of 40 spacious suites that have floor to ceiling windows and lakefront views. There’s also a massive infinity pool, private beach and spa.
Where to Eat in Lake Como
There’s no arguing it – the food in Italy tastes better. I seem to eat more whenever I’m there, yet don’t come back a million pounds heavier. Perhaps it’s all the walking you do in Europe? Below are a few of our favorite places to eat at Lake Como, in addition to Café Varenna and Gelateria Lariana I mentioned earlier.
Trattoria Pizzeria in Borgovico – Get Directions
If you’re looking for authentic Italian pizza, this restaurant was hands down the best (pictured above)! Honestly, I still think about my pizza with artichokes and prosciutto! Italians tend to eat late, so it’s always best to make a reservation. This place is popular and filled up quickly, even though we went when they opened!
Mariett – Get Directions
Located right in the heart of the town of Como is the cute wine bar, Mariett. During our shopping day, we saw this place and it was just full of life and gorgeous cheese and charcuterie plates. We doubled back to stop for lunch and enjoyed a glass of wine with charcuterie while we people watched.
Lounge Bar at Hotel Villa Flori – Get Directions
One of the spots we frequented most during our stay was the Lounge Bar at our hotel. The interiors are charming and the wraparound balcony has some of the best views of Como (especially at night). They offer tables for 2 or 4 where they serve their famous cocktails, tasty beers and sophisticated wines. They open for lunch and the kitchen stays open through (and after) dinner. The menu is small, but seriously delicious. They maaay make a few things off-menu as well (hello pasta carbonara below… insert drool here). And, for dessert the tiramisu is a must have!
PRO tip – avoid the restaurants along the water by where the ferry drops you in Como. They’re tourist traps!
What to Wear to Lake Como
Italians are known for being stylish and dressing well. So, be sure to pack your best when you head to the lake!
Lake Como is one of those places where you always want to carry a light layer (my fav is a denim jacket) for the morning and evenings. Of course, if you go during the peak of summer when it’s warmest then linen dresses and shorts are perfect (I like this longer pair). If shorts feel too revealing, then pack some midi skirts instead! Even when we went in September the weather was idyllic.
Floral Midi Dress
Fill your suitcase with a handful of floral midi dresses like this one that took me from day to night. Italy, especially Lake Como, has the most romantic atmosphere. So, make sure you have at least one feminine piece with floral details packed. If flowers aren’t your thing, any midi dress will do. Amazon has an amazing selection (love this one). Midi length is comfortable and you can layer with your denim jacket at night.
Layering Tanks and Easy Denim
The Italian look is laid back. So, keep it simple when touring the town with a tank top and white denim. Throw a cardigan over your shoulders and wear your Chanel bag crossbody style – you’re set.
Luxe Accessories and Straw Bags
In Italy you’ll need the best of both worlds with your favorite designer handbag (I adore a Chanel mini) and an affordable day bag you can carry as you see the sights. For the summer I love a pretty straw bag.
When it comes to jewelry, pile on a few bangles bracelets or some costume jewelry to accessorize your looks.
Don’t forget a pair of aviator sunglasses either (they’re a classic).
Stylish sneakers and walking shoes
On any European trip you’ll want to pack a pair of flat sandals, comfy sneakers (Veja get my pick – read my review here), and high heels. Italians love their heels. So, I recommend bringing a pair of nude strappy sandals you’ll can dress up at night!
Pack your bags! I reviewed the best of the best of what to do, where to stay and where to eat in Lake Como for my full Lake Como travel guide. Your trip to the lake will certainly be as memorable as ours! Leave any questions or comments in the box below.
