Lake Como Travel Guide: Villas, Alpine Views & the Italian Lakes

Lake Como is the most dramatic of the Italian lakes — a narrow, Y-shaped glacier lake surrounded by Alps that rise sharply from the waterline. The combination of mountain scenery, ornate 18th and 19th-century villas with formal gardens, small stone villages on the lake’s edge, and the mild microclimate that allows Mediterranean vegetation at altitude makes it one of Italy’s most spectacular landscapes.

Key towns

Como — The city at the southern tip of the western arm. A pleasant historic centre with a Gothic-Renaissance cathedral (Duomo, free entry) and the funicular to Brunate (approximately €6 return, 7 minutes) for panoramic views over the lake and Alps. Primarily useful as the arrival point for trains from Milan (approximately 40–60 minutes, from approximately €5 by regional train).

Bellagio — On the promontory where the two arms of the lake meet. The most photographed town on the lake, with stepped lanes, villas, and gardens. Accessible only by ferry from Como (approximately 2 hours by slow ferry, approximately €12) or Varenna (approximately 15 minutes, approximately €5). In summer, genuinely crowded, but the evening light on the lake makes it worthwhile. The Villa Melzi Gardens (entry approximately €8, open late March–October) are the finest public gardens in Bellagio.

Varenna — On the eastern shore, accessible by train from Milan via Lecco (approximately 1 hour). Quieter than Bellagio, with the Villa Monastero gardens (entry approximately €10, open March–November) and the best views of the Bellagio promontory. Our preferred base — the ferry connections are good, the restaurants are less tourist-inflated, and the lakeside walk from the station to the village centre is one of the most pleasant short walks in the lakes region.

Menaggio — On the western shore opposite Varenna. A good mid-range base with reasonable accommodation prices and ferry connections to Bellagio and Varenna. The lido (public beach) is one of the best on the lake.

Lenno — Small village on the western shore, nearest to the Villa del Balbianello.

The villas

Villa del Balbianello (Lenno) — The lake’s most photographed villa — a 17th-century building on a wooded promontory with elaborate terraced gardens and views in every direction. Used as a filming location for Casino Royale and Star Wars: Episode II. Open Tuesday and Thursday–Sunday, mid-March to mid-November. Entry approximately €10 for garden only, approximately €20 including the house interior. Accessible by boat taxi from Lenno (approximately €7 return) or a signed footpath (approximately 20 minutes).

Villa Carlotta (Tremezzo) — Botanical gardens with rhododendrons, azaleas, and Italian topiary. Best in April–May when the flowering peaks. Entry approximately €12 as of 2026. Open daily mid-March to mid-November.

Villa Olmo (Como) — A neoclassical villa with free-access grounds on the lake shore. Hosts temporary exhibitions. The lakeside promenade from Como centre to Villa Olmo (approximately 30 minutes) is a pleasant walk.

Where to eat

Lake fish — particularly missoltini (dried agone fish), lavarello (whitefish), and persico (perch) — are the local specialities. Varenna Monodossi (Via XX Settembre 1, Varenna — mains approximately €14–20) serves lake fish on a terrace overlooking the water. Locanda dell’Isola Comacina (Isola Comacina, reached by boat from Sala Comacina) has served the same fixed menu since 1947 — fire ritual included (approximately €55 per person, book ahead).

Where to stay

Lakeside accommodation is expensive in summer. Como city: budget options from approximately €70/night; mid-range approximately €120–180/night. Varenna: doubles from approximately €90/night in B&Bs, approximately €150–250/night in lakeside hotels. Bellagio: approximately €130–250/night for mid-range options. The Grand Hotel Tremezzo (from approximately €400/night) is the lake’s most famous luxury property, with a floating pool on the lake.

Getting around

The ferry network (Navigazione Laghi — navigazionelaghi.it) connects all major towns. A central lake day pass allows unlimited travel between Bellagio, Varenna, Menaggio, Tremezzo, and Lenno (approximately €15 as of 2026). The slow ferries are cheaper and more pleasant than the hydrofoils. Car roads on both shores are narrow and extremely congested in summer — ferry and train are usually faster and less stressful.

Getting there

From Milan: Como is approximately 40 minutes by regional train from Milano Centrale to Como San Giovanni (from approximately €5 one way) or by commuter train from Milano Cadorna to Como Nord Lago (approximately €5, slightly slower). Varenna is reached via Milano Centrale to Varenna-Esino on the Lecco line — approximately 1 hour, from approximately €6. Varenna is the better arrival point for exploring the central lake by ferry. There is no direct rail connection between the two arms of the lake — ferries are the only cross-lake link.

By car from Milan, Como is 50km — straightforward outside peak hours, but summer weekend traffic on the lakeshore roads (SS340 and SS583) can add significant time.

When to visit

April–June: The best period. Villa gardens at their peak (Villa Carlotta’s rhododendrons peak in April), warm enough for outdoor dining, ferries running, crowds manageable. July–August: Hot, crowded, and accommodation at peak prices — Bellagio in particular is extremely busy on summer weekends. Book well ahead or visit mid-week. September–October: Warm, quieter, and good autumn colours on the hillsides — excellent value. November–March: Many hotels, restaurants, and villas close for the season. The lake is atmospheric but limited in options; the Villa del Balbianello closes mid-November.

If you are choosing between the two lakes, our Lake Como vs Lake Garda guide compares atmosphere, transport, and what each is best for.

For where to stay across Bellagio, Varenna, and Menaggio: Lake Como hotels. For boat trips, villa tours, and hiking routes: Lake Como things to do. Book a guided Lake Como tour to visit Villa del Balbianello and Bellagio by boat with a local guide. Lake Como sits 1 hour from Milan — see our northern Italy itinerary for a route combining both. For a broader look at accommodation across the Italian Lakes — including which towns offer better value for money: our Italian Lake District hotels guide covers Lake Como, Lake Garda, and Lake Maggiore together.