If you’re traveling in northern Italy, you must visit Lake Como, Italy’s third-largest lake. The lake is surrounded by mountains and bordered by sumptuous villas with lush gardens and picturesque villages. It is located in Lombardy, a province in northern Italy. Less than an hour from Milan, it’s easy to reach. He is also famous for his appearances in films such as Star Wars and Casino Royale (007).
It’s the perfect lake for a family getaway or romantic weekend, and easily accessible from France.
We were enchanted by the beauty of the place and ate very well, as always in Italy! Below, we give you all the information you need to prepare your future stay, what to see and do in Lake Como, as well as our valuable advice and our itinerary on a map.
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Travel to Lake Como, what to do and visit during your stay?
We explored the lake bydriving along its incredible coastal road , visitingits picturesque villages and taking a ferry to enjoy the exceptional view. An original idea is to sail on the lake by renting a boat without a license.
We also took advantage of our stay to try out all the local specialities, gnocchi di zucca (pumpkin), bresaola and especially the lake fish dishes, accompanied by Spritz or a good glass of local wine.
What’s the most beautiful part of Lake Como?
In our opinion, the most beautiful part of the lake is to the south. If you can’t visit the whole of Lake Como, we recommend you visit the towns of Como, Varenna and Bellagio. The wilder northern shores of the lake are also worth exploring!
Our itinerary for a long weekend on our map (3 to 4 days)
Day 1 – Milan -> Menaggio heights
After picking up our rental car at Milan airport, we set off in the direction of Lake Como. An hour’s drive later, we start to see the beautiful mountains surrounding Lake Como. We’re immediately under the spell of this enchanting place. We drive slowly in order to admire the beauty of the landscape, the small perched villages and the green nature.
At Cernobbio, we continue our journey along the coastal road. The road is narrow and winding, but offers magnificent views of the lake.
Our first stop is in the village of Laglio for our lunch break, in a typical cheese and sausage factory located on the lake shore. We enjoy the view of the lake. A moment out of time, just the way we like it!
Then we leave in the direction of Villa Carlotta. This old house of 3 floors, offers a beautiful view on the lake. The gardens, with their majestic trees and beautiful flowerbeds, are well worth a visit.
On the way back to Menaggio, make a final stop at Villa Balbianello, filming location for Star Wars Episode 2 and James Bond film Casino Royale.
Hébergement à Menaggio: Suite Menaggio localisation idéale, en plein centre de Menaggio avec une belle vue sur le lac, appartement décoré avec goût, avec un grand lit confortable et avec une cuisine tout équipé, pratique pour se concocter un bon petit plat ou se préparer un apéro, bref foncez-y
Activité: Villa Carlota, de mars à septembre de 7h30 à 18h30, entrée 10€, possibilité d’acheter ses tickets en ligne.
Restaurant à Laglio: Da Lucciano Bottega e Caffé, c’est une fromagerie/charcuterie où vous trouverez d’excellents produits locaux et des spritz que vous pourrez déguster en profitant d’une vue exceptionnelle sur le lac !
Restaurant Menaggio: Osteria Il Pozzo, excellente brasserie avec des pâtes maison délicieuses !
Day 2 – Menaggio -> the must-see villages of Varenna and Bellagio
After about an hour and a half of driving, counting the many photo stops, you will arrive in Varenna. This is our favorite village around the lake. We strolled through the pretty streets of the old town and along the pebble beaches.
Don’t miss the port with its many colorful houses and bars and restaurants overlooking Lake Como. If you have time, you can visit the Villa Monastero, which was once a monastery, we saw the beautiful garden on the heights of the city.
After a delicious and hearty (not to be outdone by Italy) lunch, we’re back on the road towards Bellagio. Allow 1h30 for the drive, so you’ll have plenty of time to stop off at the many beaches along this stretch of road.
Once there, take the time to enjoy a pleasant stroll along around 500 meters of Lake Como, where the shoreline has been landscaped with gardens and numerous benches. The stroll through the old town is equally pleasant, but you won’t be alone!
If you don’t have a car, you can also take a boat to Varenna and then Bellagio (approx. €15 for a day trip).
Hébergement à Bellagio : Hotel Bellagio en plein centre de Bellagio, hôtel confortable, très propre, vous pourrez profiter d’une jolie vue sur le lac depuis la terrasse de l’hôtel et le petit-déjeuner est copieux. Un dernier point important pour profiter pleinement de votre séjour, l’emplacement est idéal, en plein centre et à deux pas de l’embarcadère.
Le personnel vous donnera de bons conseils. Bref, nous avons adoré ! Petit parking sur place ce qui est rare à Bellagio.
Restaurant à Varenna : Varenna Caffè Bistrot, une petite trattoria qui propose des plats délicieux, c’est un bon rapport qualité/prix avec une belle vue sur le lac. Idéal pour le déjeuner.
Bateaux : Retrouvez toutes les informations nécessaires sur les horaires et prix des bateaux sur le site de la Navigazion Lago Como.
Day 3 – Bellagio -> a trip to Como
The city of Como is located about an hour away from Bellagio. The center of Como is very pleasant because it is almost exclusively pedestrian with lots of Italian stores. During your walk, don’t miss the imposing gothic church the Duomo, it is a must. You can also enjoy a pleasant walk along the port.
We also went up to the Faro de Voltiano (Volta lighthouse), entrance €2. The panoramic view over the lake is splendid, but you’ll get there via a narrow, winding road. We recommend you take the funicular up to Brunate, after which it’s a 30-minute drive to the lighthouse.
While you’re in Como, why not try some of Italy’s famous ice creams? This is not the time to start a diet!
Hébergement à Côme : Albergo Frirenze la chambre était très agréable et propre, idéalement située près du port, tout est accessible à pied, avec un petit-déjeuner incroyable. Parking 10€ par jour. Bref une bonne adresse avec un excellent rapport qualité prix à Côme
Glacier à Côme : Nous avons adoré les glaces artisanales du glacier Guidi. Les goûts sont originaux, citrons basilic… et les saveurs au rendez-vous.
Pronobis : une adresse située dans le centre historique qui ne paye pas de mine, une fois à l’intérieur la magie opère, excellents produits, excellents vins, le tout dans un cadre chaleureux !
Day 4 – Como -> back to Milan
Our Italian stay is coming to an end, after a last stroll along the lake and a last ice cream. We left for Milan airport to return our rental car and catch our flight.
The best activities
To visit the various points of interest on Lake Como, you can book your activity in advance via the Internet. We recommend that you take a look at the GetYourGuide website, which offers a range of activities at attractive prices, to get ideas for what you can do on site.
Nous vous avons sélectionné 3 activités, les plus intéressantes selon nous, ci-dessous. C’est parti pour une visite du lac et de ses plus belles villes depuis Milan, une journée inoubliable à bord d’un voilier pour profiter d’incroyables points de vue, ou une exploration à vélo électrique de la ville de Côme pour les plus sportifs !
N’oubliez pas de bien lire le descriptif afin de savoir ce qui est vraiment inclus afin de profiter pleinement de votre excursion.
Hotels in Lake Como: Where to stay?
★ Top 3 accommodations on Lake Como ★
We advise you to book your accommodation as far in advance as possible, to ensure you have the widest choice and the best hotels, as Lake Como is a very popular region in high season.
1. Coup de coeur : Suite Menaggio, localisation idéale, en plein centre de Menaggio avec une belle vue sur le lac. Appartement charmants avec une cuisine tout équipé, bref foncez-y.
2. Petit prix : Albergo Frirenze, à coté de à côté du port de Côme, idéal pour prendre un bateau qui fait le tour du lac, en plein centre-ville, avec parking à proximité. Un excellent rapport qualité / prix pour la ville de Côme.
3. Avec vue : Hotel Bellagio, en plein centre de Bellagio, hôtel confortable avec un excellent petit-déjeuner généreux, servit sous une charmante tonnelle avec au loin la vue sur la rive en face avec la Villa Carlotta.
★Top 3 hotels to treat yourself ★
Lorsque nous visitons nous adorons repérer les beaux hôtels pour ensuite les garder en favoris sur Google pour un prochain séjour ou pour avoir des idées d’hébergements lors d’occasions spéciales ! Nous vous partageons nos 3 plus belles trouvailles lors de notre séjour au lac de Côme.
1. Avec Jacuzzi : Bello!Lake Como Suites à Côme, les chambres sont superbes et décorées avec beaucoup de goûts. L’hôtel est situé en plein centre. La terrasse avec le jacuzzi est sublime. Bref un très bel hôtel que nous avons hâte de tester !
2. Avec piscine : Hotel Asnigo à Cernobbio, le gros avantage de cet hôtel est sa magnifique piscine avec vue sur le lac, l’une des plus belles de la région. Les chambres sont belles, propres et calmes. Un hôtel idéal pour se détendre.
3. Plage privée : Le grand hôtel Villa Serbelloni à Bellagio, une belle adresse très chic, avec piscine intérieure et extérieure ainsi qu’un accès direct au lac pour la baignade avec ponton et plongeoir.
Hotel Asnigo in Cernobbio
Practical information (flight + travel)
How to get to Lake Como (by plane)?
Airplane
The nearest airport is in Milan, about 1 hour from Lake Como. From France, you can find flights from €40.
We recommend the Skyscanner website, which we usually use, to compare prices of different airlines and find your flight at the best price.
To get to M
Train
For travelers who have the time or are looking for an alternative to air travel, here’s some information on how to get to Milan by train. The journey from Paris to Milan takes around 7 hours by TGV INOUI, departing from Gare de Lyon and arriving in the heart of Milan, at the Milan-Porta Garibaldi station.
The journey passes quickly, Matthieu has taken this option to do a bike race in Milan. This was the most cost-effective option for transporting the bikes. From Lyon, allow around 5 hours. Here you can watch the scenery go by, or work with WIFI.
How do I get to Lake Como from Milan?
➡️Vous or rent a car at Milan airport.
Location de voiture: Pour comparer les prix des locations nous vous conseillons le site RentalCars qui compare le prix de centaines d’entreprises de location de voiture pour trouver le meilleur prix. Pour vous donner une idée de tarif, nous avons trouvé une voiture pour 50€ pour 4 jours en passant par Hertz.
Nous avons coché l’option “carte de débit“, car nous avions lu que certains loueurs n’acceptent pas les cartes de crédit. En France, la carte bancaire est usuellement appelée carte de crédit, cependant si vous regardez sur votre carte, vous verrez mentionné “carte de débit” sur celle-ci.
➡️Si If you don’t want to rent a car, you can book 1 day at Lake Como and its most beautiful villages, organized from Milan. Your driver will drop you off in Como, Bellagio and Varenna and then you will explore the lake by boat, for 1 hour, to enjoy beautiful panoramas from the lake.
Can you drive around Lake Como?
Yes, that’s right, a beautiful and sometimes narrow coastal road runs alongside the lake. For our road trip, we rented a car in order to be able to stop whenever we wanted. The national road that goes around the lake is in very good condition. The coastal road offers lovely views of the lake, but is narrower.
We were away during the April vacations, and the sun was out for most of our stay, so we enjoyed our outdoor walks even though temperatures were fluctuating between 15 and 20 degrees.
Getting around Lake Como
Renting a boat
Explore the Lake Como by boat is an experience not to be missed. Aboard your boat, with or without a license, you can rediscover the lake and even take a dip.
To rent your boat, we recommend that you use the Samboat platform. It’s very simple, they have the most complete offer of boat rental and their website is very easy to use!
You enter your location“Lake Como“,“Como“,“Lecco“, then your dates, then you can filter by boat type (motorboats, houseboats, small boats…), with or without a license, with or without a skipper: in short, you’re spoilt for choice.
By ferry
We recommend taking the ferry between Varenna and Bellagio.
From the city of Como, ferries depart daily from the pier. You can buy a daily ticket to get on and off whenever you want and stop to discover the incredible villages that surround Lake Como.
You can find all the information you need about the schedules and prices of the boats on the website of the Navigazion Lago Como.
We loved this little stay around Lake Como, we were enchanted by the beauty of this place. We loved wandering around the picturesque villages and enjoyed the Italian food.
You can also take full advantage of your stay in the region to enjoy the beautiful beaches of Lake Como and visit the city of Milan, including the Duomo, Milan Cathedral and its incredible museums.
We wish you an excellent trip! Don’t hesitate to leave us a quick note or 5 stars below, to tell us if you’re planning this trip, to ask any questions you may have, here or on Instagram, we’ll get back to you with great pleasure.
