What to do on Lake Como Our 10 must-sees
We explored the lake by driving along its incredible coastal road, visiting its picturesque villages and taking the ferry to enjoy exceptional views.
As you can see, there are many things to do and see on Lake Como, and they vary with the seasons, so we’ve put a lot of thought into this top 10 list!
Top 10 things to do in Lake Como
- Visit the villages of Varenna and Bellagio: although very touristy, these two villages are, in our opinion, must-sees on your itinerary.
- The Villa Balbianello in Lenno (south of the lake): the setting for numerous films, it’s the villa you won’t want to miss during your stay.
- Boat cruises: an excellent option for beautiful views of the lake and great photos.
- Visit the town of Como: the most beautiful town around Lake Como, it’s also the departure point for many boats.
- Beaches: although the water can be cool most of the year, it’s great for swimming in summer and strolling along the water’s edge out of season.
- Como-Bruno funicular: a historic means of transport offering spectacular views from the village of Brunate.
- Villa Monestero: this villa in Varenna is surrounded by a beautiful garden.
- Chateau Vezio in Varenna: a 20-minute walk, on the hills above Varenna. Enjoy breathtaking 360° views from the top of the castle tower.
- Try one of Italy’s delicious culinary specialties: a few mouth-watering ideas include gnocchi di zucca (pumpkin), bresaola and especially lake fish dishes, accompanied by Spritz or a glass of good local wine…)
- Rent a boat: an original idea is to sail on the lake by renting a boat, with or without a license. You’ll be able to explore the lake at your own pace and swim in peace.
Now that you know what to visit in Lake Como, let’s see how to organize your stay. As we said at the beginning of this article, there’s a lot to see and do on Lake Como, but if you want to concentrate on the main points of interest, we think a 3-day stay is ideal.
Here’s how we organized our tour of the lake and what we recommend you do. You can adapt this itinerary or even do it the other way around.
Visit Lake Como in 3 days: Our recommended itinerary
To help you find your way around Lake Como, we’ve prepared a summary map of all our stages and best addresses. Handy to consult during your visit, it can also be saved for offline access.
Day 1 – Como to Menaggio: authentic Lake Como
What to see in Cernobbio and Laglio?
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, admiring the beauty of the landscape, the little villages perched high above the sea, the green countryside with the mountains as a backdrop.
👀 At Cernobbio, we continue our journey along the coastal road. Although narrow and winding, it offers magnificent views of the lake.
Our first stop is in the charming lakeside village of Laglio, for our lunch break in a typical lakeside cheese and sausage factory. We enjoy the view of the lake. A moment out of time, just the way we like it!
🍽️ Delicatessen / cheese shop: Da Lucciano Bottega e Caffé, where you’ll find excellent local products and spritzes that you can enjoy with an exceptional view of the lake!
Villa Balbianello in Lenno
🎬 On the way back up to Menaggio, you can make a second stop at the very famous Villa Balbianello, which is sure to ring a bell, as it was the filming location for “Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones” and “James Bond: Casino Royale”. Matthieu is a big fan of this series!
It’s also the most visited villa on Lake Como (with over 135,000 visitors in 2025), and it’s easy to see why!
The tour of the villa is offered only with a guide, who taught us a lot about the house and Lake Como.
Villa del Balbianello is also renowned for its privileged location at the tip of the Lavedo peninsula. The villa is made up of two buildings overlooking the lake, surrounded by a magnificent garden that extends onto large terraces directly on the lake, offering incredible views of Lake Como and the mountains in the background. The villa’s location overlooks the lake. The complex also includes a church and a portico, known as the Loggia Durini.
The villa has a rich history, having been converted from a 13th-century Franciscan monastery by Cardinal Angelo Maria Durini in 1785. Over the years, it has played host to many important figures from politics, art and literature. The last private owner, Guido Monzino, explorer and first Italian to climb Everest, decorated the villa’s interior with antique furniture and numerous rare artifacts obtained during his expeditions. After his death in 1988, he bequeathed the villa to the Italian Environmental Fund (FAI).
Admission is €23 per person for the villa and gardens, or €15 for the gardens only. During peak season, we recommend arriving early so you can easily find a spot in the small parking lot.
Villa Carlotta in Tremezzio
Today’s theme is villas, and we’re off to Villa Carlotta. This old house of 3 floors, offers a beautiful view on the lake. The gardens with majestic trees and beautiful flower beds are worth a visit. It’s one of the biggest and most beautiful around Lake Como. An important point to note is that this villa is less touristy than the previous one, and also offers beautiful views of the lake. We also recommend a quick stop, allowing 1h – 1h30 for the visit.
It’s a 17th-century villa, built in the late 1600s by Marquis Giorgio Clerici. The villa’s magnificent Italian garden, dating back to the time of its construction, features staircases, fountains and sculptures. The romantic garden, meanwhile, is rich in hydrangeas, English roses, azaleas and much more.
The villa is also famous for its collection of works of art, notably the group of statues Venus and Mars by Luigi Acquisti, created in 1805, which occupies a central place in the Marble Room. Other statues are displayed in various rooms throughout the villa.
In 1801, the villa was sold to Giovanni Battista Sommariva, a wealthy politician from the Cisalpine Republic and a passionate art collector. Sommariva acquired iconic works of art, such as Francesco Hayez’s “The Last Kiss of Romeo and Juliet”, inspired by Shakespeare’s tragedy.
In 1843, the villa was purchased by Princess Marianne de Nassau as a wedding present for her daughter Carlotta, hence its present name. The private apartments, furniture and objects belonging to Princess Charlotte are located on the second floor, which is open to the public.
Admission to the villa is €15 per person.
Menaggio: What to see and do
We arrive at our drop-off point to round off a busy first day. In our opinion, Menaggio is an ideal base from which to explore Lake Como.
The heart of Menaggio gathers around Piazza Garibaldi, lined with cafés and restaurants. We took the opportunity to take a short stroll along the lakeshore, which offers a lovely view of the lake.
🍽️ Restaurant Menaggio: Osteria Il Pozzo, an excellent brasserie with delicious homemade pasta!
If you don’t have a car, you can take a boat to the beautiful villages of Varenna and Bellagio (approx. €15 for a day).
If you have a car, and in high season, we also advise you to leave your car in Menaggio and explore the lake by ferry. We’ve read that the traffic can be complicated in summer. That’s why we think this village, with its harbour, is an excellent base.
Boats : Find all the information you need about boat times and prices on the Navigazion Lago Como website.
Day 2 – The villages of northern Lake Como and the must-see Varenna
Visit Gravedona and its churches
We took the coastal road to reach the less touristy villages to the north of the lake. If you don’t have a car, we don’t think it’s a must. We advise you to concentrate on the southern part of the lake.
Gravedona is famous for its many churches, including Santa Maria delle Grazie, a former Augustinian convent housing impressive paintings from the Lombard Renaissance school. On your way out, you can also admire the Palazzo Gallio, an imposing structure overlooking the lake. Built in 1586 by Bishop Tolomeo Gallio, it now houses exhibitions and cultural events.
Admission to the church is free. Free parking is available nearby.
Weather permitting, you can enjoy a refreshing dip in the clear waters of Lake Como on Gravedone’s pebble beach (Spiaggia di Gravedona).
What to see in Domaso
It’s 1km from Gravedonna, one of the last villages before the black spot on the lake. We recommend stopping off for some good Italian food at the DOMA bistrot, for example. Then take advantage of the immense pebble beach (one of the largest on the lake) for a digestive stroll before continuing on your way.
We love this village for its authenticity and its tranquility.
This village, of Roman origin, was once centered on fishing before becoming a popular destination for water sports thanks to the lake’s constant breezes, known as the “Breva.” These conditions are ideal for surfers and other water sports enthusiasts.
If you’re looking for a campsite, this is the area we recommend you look at.
Varenna: the must-see village on Lake Como
After about 1 hour, including numerous photo stops, you’ll 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.
Read our article on the most beautiful beaches around Lake Como.
Villa Monastero
If you have time, you can visit Villa Monastero. You can already see the magnificent garden high above the town.
Once a Cistercian convent, it has been transformed over the centuries to become an impressive estate.
One of Villa Monastero’s major attractions is its extensive botanical garden, laid out in terraces and home to many rare plant species. Thanks to the lake’s mild climate, a wide variety of flowers and plants from all over the world thrive here.
Villa Monastero also houses a museum, the Casa Museo, which brings together four centuries of history. Casa Museo’s 14 rooms are fully furnished with precious materials and luxurious decorations.
Le Chateau Vezio
This castle is located a 20-minute walk away, on the hills above Varenna. Yes, it’s a bit of a climb, but you’ll be rewarded once you reach the top. You can tour the castle and, best of all, enjoy a breathtaking 360° view of the lake and the surrounding villages. (Also accessible by bus)
Tour of the Bellano Gorge (Orrido)
Just a few minutes north of Varenna, the Orrido di Bellano Gorge offers a surprisingly beautiful natural retreat on the shores of Lake Como.
The trail follows footbridges built over the torrent, winding through rocky cliffs, waterfalls, and narrow passages. The tour is fairly short—allow about 30 to 45 minutes—making it easy to fit into a day spent in Varenna. It’s also a particularly pleasant stop in the summer, when you’re looking for a bit of cool relief away from the villages that are heavily exposed to the sun.
Admission is €8, and there’s free parking nearby. Find all the practical information in our article dedicated to the Orrido di Bellano Gorges.
After this long day, we stopped for the night in Varenna.
Restaurant in Varenna: Varenna Caffè Bistrot, a small trattoria offering delicious dishes, good value for money and a beautiful view of the lake. Ideal for lunch.
Day 3 – Visit Bellagio and Como
We’re taking you on board for another busy final day!
Bellagio
After a delicious and hearty (not to be outdone by Italy) breakfast, we’re back on the road in the direction of 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! It’s one of the most beautiful villages around Lake Como.
Read our detailed article with all our tips for visiting the village of Bellagio.
Discover Villa Melzi
One last villa for the road, which we chose not to visit, as it is only possible to visit the gardens. We walked to the villa from the center of Bellagio.
Here’s some information to help you make your choice. Villa Melzi is a magnificent example of early 19th-century neo-classical architecture. Designed by architect Giocondo Albertolli for Francesco Melzi d’Eril, a nobleman and Vice-President of the Italian Republic under Napoleon, this villa is surrounded by a botanical garden renowned for its diversity.
Before leaving Bellagio, we recommend you buy a few Italian products to pack yourself a little picnic and why not enjoy it by the water.
Admission to the gardens is €8 per person.
Fare Voltiano Brunate
On the way, we stopped off at the faro de Voltiano (Volta lighthouse), entrance €2. The panoramic view over the lake is splendid, but you’ll reach it via a narrow, winding road.
If you don’t have a car, you can take the funicular to Brunate and then walk for about 30 minutes to reach the lighthouse.
Timetables and prices are available on the official Funicolarecomo website.
Como: discover the Duomo and the old town
We’ve reached the last town on our journey. The town of Como is just over an hour 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.
While you’re in Como, why not try some of Italy’s famous ice creams? This is not the time to start a diet!
Lake cruise from Como
We rounded off our escapade on Lake Como with a beautiful boat cruise to get different views of the lake.
Read our detailed article with all our tips for visiting Como.
Last night in Como, before hitting the road early the next day to return our rental car and catch our flight.
Where to eat in Como
- Ice Cream Shop in Como: We loved the artisanal ice cream at Guidi. The flavors are unique—like lemon-basil—and they really pack a punch.
- Pronobis: an address in the historic center that doesn’t look like much, but once inside, the magic happens: excellent products, excellent wines, all in a warm setting!
Where to stay in Como?
Practical information for your stay in Lake Como
Hotels in Lake Como: Where to stay?
Looking for a place to stay on Lake Como? To make your visit easier, we’ve included an article detailing the most interesting villages to stay in on Lake Como, along with our best hotel addresses.
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. Here’s a summary of our best accommodations.
★ Our top accommodations on Lake Como ★
★ Our Top 3 hotels to treat yourself ★
How do I get to Milan from Lake Como?
By Plane
The nearest airport is in Milan, about 1 hour from Lake Como. From France, you can find flights from €40.
We advise you to use a flight aggregator to compare the prices of different airlines and find your flight at the best price.
By 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?
Car
➡️ You can either rent a car at Milan airport.
❗We advise you to be vigilant in the town centers of villages (such as Como, Bellagion, Varenna…), as everywhere in Italy, some areas are located in ZLT (zona traffico limitato).
This limited traffic zone is reserved for local residents (controlled by a camera). If you enter it without authorization, you’ll be fined. Overall, we recommend that you park outside the historic centers to avoid finding yourself in a ZTL and having to maneuver in the tight little streets.
We traveled for several months in Italy without ever having to pay a fine. We find that they are always well indicated. Don’t hesitate to ask your accommodation for advice.
Bus + Cruise
➡️ If you don’t want to rent a car, you can reserve 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.
By Train
Trains depart from Milan Central Station with Trenitalia. You can reach Como’s S. Giovanni station in around 40 minutes. Tickets cost around 20 euros. Once you’ve arrived, the center of Como is just ten minutes away.
Getting around Lake Como
By ferry
We recommend taking the ferry between Varenna and Bellagio.
From the town of Como, ferries depart daily from the pier. You can buy a day ticket to hop on and off whenever you like, and stop off to discover the incredible villages surrounding Lake Como (day tickets cost €25.90). In high season, once again, Lake Como is very crowded, so we recommend queuing early in the morning or coming early! Some villas, including Villa Carlotta, are accessible by boat.
Find all the information you need about boat times and prices on the Navigazion Lago Como website.
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!
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.
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.
A final note: Obviously, we didn’t visit all the villages on Lake Como, and this selection has been made from those we did. Feel free to leave us a comment at the end of the article with your favorite villages to share with other readers.
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.
To continue discovering northern Italy from another angle, we also recommend Lake Garda and the magnificent city of Verona.
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.
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