If you’re visiting Lake Como, this guide covers the best towns, what to do and how to plan a 2–3 day itinerary based on our experience exploring the lake.
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.
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.
Having a car made it much easier to reach smaller towns and viewpoints around the lake, especially if you want to explore beyond the main ferry routes. You can compare hire options here.
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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Where to Stay in Lake Como (Menaggio & Acquaseria)
If you are visiting Lake Como, choosing where to stay can make a big difference depending on how you plan to explore the lake.
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.
Best Things to Do in Lake Como
Bellagio (What to Do & How to Visit)
As one of the most popular towns on Lake Como, Bellagio is typically included in any 2–3 day itinerary and is best visited as part of a day exploring the central lake.
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.
If you’re short on time or prefer a simpler option, it’s also possible to see multiple towns on a Lake Como boat tour, which is one of the best ways to experience the lake from the water.
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.
Where to Eat in Bellagio: 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 (Most Photographed Street in Bellagio)
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 (Things to Do & What to See)
Varenna is one of the most picturesque towns on Lake Como and is often paired with Bellagio as part of a day exploring the central lake.
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.
One of the main things to do in Varenna is 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, which is another of the main attractions in Varenna. 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.
If you are based in Milan, there are day tours that include visits to both Bellagio and Varenna, with transport and ferry crossings organised for you.
Menaggio (Where to Stay & Things to Do)
Menaggio is one of the best places to base yourself on Lake Como, with good ferry connections and easy access to both Bellagio and Varenna.
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 (Relaxation Spot in 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 (Best Local Experience Near Menaggio)
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.
If you’re not driving, visiting places like this can be more difficult, but there are still guided food and wine experiences in towns like Como that offer a similar introduction to the region’s local produce.
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 (Hidden Gem on Lake Como)
If you are looking for somewhere quieter and less touristy, Nesso is one of the most unique stops on Lake Como.
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 (Villas & Iconic Lake Como Views)
Grand Hotel Tremezzo (Luxury Experience on Lake Como)
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 (One of the Best Villas on Lake Como)
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 (Famous Filming Location)
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.
Villa del Balbianello is one of the most popular attractions on Lake Como, and tickets can sell out in peak season, so it is worth booking in advance if you plan to visit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Lake Como?
Lake Como is located in the Lombardy region of northern Italy, close to the Swiss border. It sits around an hour north of Milan and is surrounded by the foothills of the Alps. The lake has a distinctive Y-shape, with popular towns including Bellagio, Varenna and Menaggio.
How far is Lake Como from Milan?
Lake Como is around 50 kilometres from Milan. The journey takes approximately 40 minutes by train to the town of Como or about an hour by car, making it an easy day trip or weekend getaway.
How do you get to Lake Como from Milan?
The easiest way to reach Lake Como is by train from Milan to Como or Varenna, depending on where you plan to stay. From there, ferries and buses connect the main towns around the lake.
How far is Lake Como from Lake Garda?
Lake Como and Lake Garda are around 150 kilometres apart, with a drive time of approximately 2.5 to 3 hours depending on traffic.
If you are planning a wider trip, you can also check out my Milan travel guide or explore more destinations in Italy.
