Lake Como has been on my list for years, and it lived up to every expectation. From the dramatic mountains to the villages filled with pastel coloured houses, it felt like stepping into a postcard. Here is what we experienced and what I would recommend for anyone planning their own trip.
We flew direct from Bristol to Milan, spent a few days in the city, and then hired a car to explore one of the most beautiful lakes in Europe. If you are planning to visit Lake Como by car, definitely make a stop at an Autogrill service station for a truly authentic Italian experience. Pick up some Pocket Coffee, Baci, and Estathé for the best road trip snacks.
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Affordable AirB&B in Lake Como
For our Lake Como getaway, we chose to base ourselves just outside Menaggio, in the quiet village of Acquaseria. Our home for the trip was a charming pink apartment perched above the lake, with sweeping views right from the bedroom. Each morning we threw open the balcony doors and stepped out onto a sunlit terrace, the perfect spot for coffee with a view. The apartment came with private parking, which made exploring by car easy.
Bellagio
Often nicknamed the Pearl of Lake Como, Bellagio sits right where the lake divides into two branches, offering breathtaking views whichever way you look. With its narrow cobbled lanes, pastel façades, and a lively waterfront full of cafés and restaurants, it’s no surprise this is one of the lake’s most popular stops.
We set out from Menaggio, hopping on the ferry across to Bellagio. A daily pass cost €15 per person, giving us the freedom to move between Bellagio and Varenna throughout the day. Even in what was considered the low season, the ferry system felt a bit chaotic. Cars and motorbikes board first, followed by foot passengers, and without Italian it can be a touch confusing, but part of the adventure! You don’t need long to enjoy Bellagio itself. A morning wandering its streets is plenty, leaving the afternoon free to continue on to Varenna or another lakeside town.
Since we were staying in Acquaseria, we drove about 20 minutes and parked along the Menaggio promenade. Street parking there cost €10 for the whole day, which made it convenient.
Hotel Florence
Hotel Florence has always been popular, but TikTok has amplified its fame, making it one of the most photographed dining spots on Lake Como. With its picture-perfect pink façade right on the waterfront in the heart of Bellagio, it is impossible to miss. The terrace restaurant opens for lunch and does not take reservations, so it is walk-in only, and arriving a little early gives you the best chance of a good table. Despite the attention it has gained online, it is still a charming place to pause for a relaxed lunch with views of the ferries crossing the lake, though you should expect to pay a premium for the setting.
Salita Serbelloni
The most photographed street in Bellagio is Salita Serbelloni. The best way to enjoy it is simply to wander and get a little lost, though there are some notable shops along the way.
One of the oldest is La Bottega del Legno di Mario Tacchi, a family workshop that has been operating since 1855. Still run by the Tacchi family, it specialises in handmade wooden products such as trays, model boats and other souvenirs. The shop name is not obvious from the outside, but you will spot it at the top of the steps by the wooden crafts displayed in the window.
Silk manufacturing is one of the industries that made Lake Como famous, and in Bellagio you can still find boutiques that celebrate this tradition. One of the best known is Azalea, a small but iconic shop with a reputation for offering authentic silk at accessible prices. I picked up a beautiful scarf for €30, and the friendly staff made the experience easy and enjoyable as they also accept card payments.
Other notable shops in Bellagio include Original Watercolour, which offers delicate paintings of the lake, and Il Capriccio, where I found a pair of sandals for €60 that I wore for the rest of the trip. Football fans can even pick up the official Lake Como jersey, with the 2024–25 edition featuring the club’s signature lake print, crafted with Adidas Aeroready technology and priced at around €110 for adults.
Varenna
After Bellagio, we ferried across to Varenna, one of the oldest settlements on Lake Como, founded by fishermen as far back as 769 AD. Today it is a charming village with pastel houses along the waterfront and narrow lanes that lead up the hillside.
We had planned to visit Villa Cipressi, known for its terraced gardens that step down toward the lake and for the beautiful Gates of Heaven archway, one of the most photographed spots in Varenna. Unfortunately, the villa was closed for a wedding that afternoon.
Instead, we explored Villa Monastero next door. Its botanical gardens run for almost two kilometers along the water, filled with flowers, cypress trees and views across the lake. It was an easy and peaceful place to wander, and a highlight of our visit.
Varenna felt calmer than Bellagio but just as enjoyable. It was the perfect place to spend a relaxed afternoon before heading back across the lake.
Menaggio
Menaggio is one of the most charming towns on Lake Como. It has pastel coloured villas, a scenic lakeside promenade and wide views across the water to Bellagio and Varenna. The town has plenty of cafés and restaurants, and it feels lively without being overwhelming.
It is also a practical base for exploring the lake. Ferries run regularly from the harbour, and there is even a train connection from Milan to nearby Colico with onward buses to Menaggio, making it one of the easier towns on the lake to reach without a car.
Victoria Beach Club, Menaggio
A newer addition to Lake Como, Victoria Beach is a beach club, restaurant, and cocktail bar located in the heart of Menaggio, managed by the Grand Hotel Victoria. We parked on the street along the promenade for €10 for the day, which was close enough to walk both to the town and to the beach club.
The infinity pool is the highlight, and it is worth a visit if you have a free afternoon and are looking for some rest and relaxation after a morning exploring. We paid €84.88 for two loungers in the Diamond area directly behind the piscina patio.
In my view, it is not worth paying extra to be in front of the lake, and there are cheaper sections closer to the second pool. However, the Diamond area was adults only, very close to the pool and amenities, and felt like good value overall. The price included towels, fruit and water, with access to both the lake for swimming and the infinity pool. Drinks can also be ordered directly to your lounger.
For dinner nearby, I would recommend I Gabbiano, a lakeside restaurant just a short walk away. Unfortunately it was closed during our visit, but it looked very charming with its outdoor seating right next to the water, the perfect setting for an evening meal by the lake.
Wine Tasting at Sorsasso Vineyard, Domaso
Not technically Menaggio, but a short accessible drive.
Sorsasso is a family-run vineyard and agriturismo on the hills of Domaso, overlooking the northern part of Lake Como. An agriturismo in Italy is a working farm that also welcomes guests, offering food made from what is grown on the land. At Sorsasso, this means seasonal dishes prepared with local ingredients, paired with wines produced from the vines just below the terrace and around the lake. With views across both the vineyards and the lake, it is an excellent place to enjoy authentic food and wine in a relaxed setting.
The vineyard is very much a family affair, run by Roberta and Daniele Travi with the help of relatives and local friends. For nearly thirty years the Travi family have been cultivating vines here, reclaiming abandoned terraces and helping Lake Como gain the Terre Lariane IGT designation. Their wines are now sold across Europe, their white has won an international gold medal, and their red was famously served at George Clooney’s wedding.
An evening visit centres on a four-course menu with wine pairings for €55 per person, complete with generous pours and a grappa. Dinner begins at 7pm and often stretches late into the night — all very much in keeping with the local idea of piano piano, taking things slowly. As tables are limited, it is best to book in advance, especially as the dinner menu is the only option available in the evening. Reservations can be made through the contact details on Sorsasso’s website.
Bottles are available to purchase from around €18 and make a thoughtful souvenir, allowing you to enjoy the flavours of Lake Como again once you return home.
IGT (Indicazione Geografica Tipica) is an Italian wine classification that recognises wines tied to a specific region. For Lake Como, gaining IGT status was an important milestone, putting the area back on the map as a wine-producing zone. Sorsasso played a key role in this achievement, and today their bottles carry the label “Terre Lariane IGT” as a mark of authenticity and quality.
What is an agriturismo? An agriturismo is a working farm in Italy that also welcomes guests, offering meals or accommodation based on what is grown or produced on site. The food is seasonal, local, and homemade, giving visitors a genuine taste of the region.
Nesso
Tucked away from the busier corners of Lake Como, Nesso is a small village known for its dramatic gorge and waterfall, the Orrido di Nesso. A stone bridge arches over the rushing water where it flows into the lake, making it one of the most photographed places in the area. The village itself is steep and quiet, with cobbled lanes and steps leading down to the shore. It is a lovely stop if you want a glimpse of authentic, less touristy Lake Como.
Tremezzo Icons
Grand Hotel Terazza
The Grand Hotel Tremezzo is one of the lake’s most iconic hotels. Even if you are not staying here, you can still enjoy part of the experience. The hotel’s restaurant, La Terrazza Gualtiero Marchesi, is open to outside guests and offers spectacular dining with views across the water to Bellagio. Reservations are essential, especially for dinner at sunset.
The T Bar terrace is another option for a drink with a view, perfect for an aperitivo as the evening light hits the lake. While the hotel’s floating pool, spa, and private beach are reserved for guests only, visiting for a meal or a drink is a wonderful way to get a taste of its Belle Époque glamour.
Villa Carlotta
Villa Carlotta is one of Lake Como’s best known villas. Built in the 17th century, it is celebrated for its art collection as well as for its expansive botanical gardens. In spring the gardens are filled with azaleas and rhododendrons in bloom, but the setting is beautiful year round.
The villa sits right on the lakefront in Tremezzo, with views across the water to Bellagio. Tickets can be purchased on site or online to tour both the villa and the gardens at your own pace.
Villa Carlotta is also just steps away from the Grand Hotel Tremezzo, making it simple to combine the two in a single outing, a visit to the villa followed by a drink or dinner with a view.
Villa del Balbianello
Built in the late 18th century by Cardinal Angelo Maria Durini, it is best known today for its stunning terraced gardens and dramatic setting overlooking the lake. The villa has gained worldwide fame as a filming location. It appeared in Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones as part of the Naboo storyline, and later in Casino Royale as James Bond’s lakeside retreat.
Visitors can tour both the villa and its gardens. The interiors hold collections of maps, books, and travel memorabilia, while the gardens feature manicured lawns, statues, and sweeping lake views at every turn.
Final Thoughts
Our time around Lake Como felt full yet fleeting. We didn’t manage to fit in a boat tour or a visit to Como town itself, both of which are still on our list. If we return, we would love to spend more time exploring the many lively towns, quiet villages, and historic villas.
Useful information
The origins of Lake Como are fascinating, as it was formed by glacial activity during the last Ice Age more than ten thousand years ago. As glaciers carved through the Alps, they left behind this deep basin that filled with water once the ice retreated. Today, it is one of the deepest lakes in Europe, reaching over 400 metres, which explains its striking dark colour and unique microclimate that allows olive groves and palm trees to thrive alongside alpine peaks.
Where is Lake Como?
You’ll find Lake Como is in the Lombardy region of Northern Italy, close to the Swiss border. It sits about an hour north of Milan and is framed by the foothills of the Alps. Its Y-shaped shoreline is dotted with colourful towns such as Bellagio, Varenna and Menaggio, each with their own character. The location makes it easy to combine a visit with city breaks to Milan or Bergamo, or even a hop over the border into Switzerland.
How Far is Lake Como from Milan?
Since we are flying from Bristol, I imagine we will land in Milan. From there it is just 40 minutes by train to the town of Como or about an hour by car. It is one of the reasons Lake Como is so popular for weekend getaways — you can leave the airport and be lakeside in less than two hours.
The distance from Milan to Lake Como is about 50 kilometres, which translates into an hour’s drive or a 40-minute train journey to the town of Como at the southern tip of the lake. From there ferries and buses connect to other villages along the water. This convenience is one of the reasons Lake Como is such a popular weekend escape for Italians as well as international visitors.
How Close Are Lake Como and Lake Garda?
Lake Como and Lake Garda are two of the most famous lakes in Italy, but they are not right next to each other. The journey between them takes around two and a half to three hours by car, depending on traffic and your chosen route.
Check out our Milan travel guide or explore more of Italy.
