15 Best Things to Do at Lake Como, Italy

Last Updated on July 28, 2026 by Daniel Globe

Lake Como rewards travelers who combine its famous villas and waterfront towns with slower experiences such as ferry rides, garden walks, local food, and hilltop views. The lake covers a wide area, so the best trip is not about seeing everything in one day. Choose a convenient base, group nearby attractions together, and leave room for changing ferry schedules and weather.

Plan Your Lake Como Visit

Best Time to Visit

Late spring and early fall usually offer the best balance of pleasant weather, operating attractions, and manageable crowds. July and August bring the busiest ferry queues, hotter afternoons, and higher accommodation demand. Winter is quieter, but some villas, gardens, hotels, restaurants, and boat routes operate reduced schedules or close.

Flower lovers may prefer spring, when camellias, azaleas, and rhododendrons brighten the villa gardens. Summer is better for swimming and water activities, while fall suits walking and relaxed town visits.

Choose the Right Base

• Como: Best for rail access from Milan, museums, shopping, the old town, and the Brunate funicular.
• Bellagio: Best for a romantic central-lake atmosphere, Villa Melzi, restaurants, and ferry connections.
• Varenna: Best for travelers arriving by train who want a smaller town with easy boat access to Bellagio and Menaggio.
• Menaggio: Best for a relaxed promenade, western-shore bus connections, and access to central-lake ferries.
• Tremezzina or Lenno: Best for Villa Carlotta, Villa del Balbianello, and sections of the Lake Como Greenway.

Getting Around Lake Como

Ferries are often the most enjoyable way to travel between lakeside towns. Ordinary passenger boats, fast services, and vehicle ferries follow different routes and timetables. Vehicle transport is available only on designated ferry crossings.

Trains serve Como and parts of the eastern shore, including Varenna-Esino. Buses serve the western shore and towns without rail stations. A car can help with remote accommodation, but narrow roads, limited parking, and summer congestion make it unnecessary for many first-time visitors.

Take a Scenic Ferry Ride to Bellagio

A ferry ride to Bellagio is one of the easiest ways to understand Lake Como’s geography. From the water, you can see villages climbing the slopes, historic villas near the shoreline, wooded promontories, and the mountains surrounding the lake.

Journey time is not fixed. Fast services can shorten the trip, while ordinary boats make more stops and may take considerably longer. Review the dated schedule and buy eligible tickets through the official Navigazione Laghi ticket and timetable page.

Main-town ticket offices are normally near the docks. The operator recommends arriving about 20 minutes before departure, and summer or holiday queues may require more time. At a port without an operating land ticket office, passengers can usually buy aboard without an added charge.

After arriving in Bellagio, explore the stone stairways of the old town, walk to the waterfront, visit Villa Melzi, and allow time for lunch or dinner rather than treating the village as a brief photo stop.

Explore the Historic Basilica di San Fedele

Basilica di San Fedele stands in one of Como’s most atmospheric old-town squares. It is not the city’s cathedral, but it remains an important historic church with Romanesque roots and later architectural changes.

Architectural Details

The church is generally associated with the early 12th century, although its exact date is debated. Como’s official visitor information notes that 1120 is a possible rather than certain date. Later alterations changed parts of the interior, dome, chapels, and decoration.

Look for the sculpted exterior details, the apses, interior artworks, and the contrast between the medieval structure and later additions. Visit quietly because San Fedele remains an active place of worship.

Historical Significance

The basilica occupies a site linked to an earlier religious building and reflects centuries of development in Como’s center. Its changing architecture makes it more interesting than a church preserved in a single style.

Learn more through the city’s official Basilica di San Fedele information page. Access may pause during services, ceremonies, or private religious events.

Central Location

Piazza San Fedele is within easy walking distance of Como Cathedral, Piazza Cavour, the lakefront, shops, cafés, and the pedestrian streets of the historic center. The square is especially pleasant in the evening, when day-trip crowds begin to thin.

Stroll Through the Charming Alleys of Como

Como’s historic center is compact enough to explore on foot. Walk beyond the direct route between the train station and waterfront to find medieval lanes, small courtyards, local shops, cafés, and quieter squares.

A practical route links Piazza Cavour, Como Cathedral, the Broletto, Piazza San Fedele, Via Vittorio Emanuele II, and the old city walls. Add Tempio Voltiano and the lakefront promenade when time allows.

Enjoy an Aperitivo and Spritz by the Lake

A spritz is not unique to Lake Como, but enjoying one during aperitivo is an easy way to slow down after sightseeing. The drink commonly combines sparkling wine, a bitter aperitif such as Aperol or Campari, and soda water.

Good Locations for Aperitivo

Waterfront terraces in Como, Bellagio, Varenna, Menaggio, and Tremezzo provide the obvious views, but places one or two streets back may be quieter and less expensive. Compare the menu and any cover charge before choosing a table.

Variations to Try

Bars may offer Aperol Spritz, Campari Spritz, Hugo-style drinks with elderflower and mint, alcohol-free spritzes, or house versions using different bitters. These are bar-specific variations rather than established Lake Como recipes.

Pairing With Italian Food

Aperitivo may arrive with olives, chips, nuts, bread, cheese, cured meat, or small prepared bites. For a more substantial meal, follow it with risotto, polenta, pasta, or a properly sourced lake-fish dish.

Discover Villa del Balbianello’s Beauty

Villa del Balbianello occupies a wooded promontory near Lenno and combines formal gardens, terraces, lake views, and interiors connected with explorer Guido Monzino. It is also known as a filming location, but its architecture and setting deserve more attention than its screen appearances.

Advance booking is required through the official FAI Villa del Balbianello page. Published 2026 adult prices are €15 for the park-only ticket and €25 for the villa-and-park ticket. Interior access is provided through a guided visit of about 50 minutes.

From Lenno, the shorter pedestrian route is about one kilometer, partly uphill and partly gravel, and normally takes roughly 25 minutes. A longer trekking route is also available. The walking approach is not well suited to strollers or visitors with mobility limitations. Private taxi boats can reach the property from Lido di Lenno, subject to reservation and availability.

Visit the Gardens and Museum of Villa Carlotta

Villa Carlotta in Tremezzo combines a botanical garden with a museum inside the historic villa. Its spring displays of camellias, azaleas, and rhododendrons are especially popular, while roses, hydrangeas, citrus plants, monumental trees, and shaded paths provide interest later in the season.

The official 2026 standard adult ticket is €17.50 and includes the garden and museum. From March 20 through October 18, 2026, the published daily hours are 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., with the last ticket at 6:00 p.m. Hours are reduced later in the year. Verify the date through the official Villa Carlotta visitor page.

Enjoy Local Cuisine at Trattoria San Giacomo

Trattoria San Giacomo sits among Bellagio’s steep old-town lanes and focuses on traditional Italian and Lake Como flavors. Its official material highlights lake-fish specialties and an extensive wine cellar.

Classic Italian and Lake Dishes

Rather than relying on a fixed list from an older article, review the restaurant’s current menu. Depending on the season, choices may include pasta, risotto, meat, cheese, preserved or fresh lake fish, and desserts.

• Ask which fish is local and how it was prepared.
• Look for regional dishes such as risotto with perch or preparations using missoltino.
• Check daily specials before ordering from memory or an old online review.
• Ask for a local or Lombardy wine that suits the dish.

Old-Town Atmosphere

The appeal comes from its location within Bellagio’s historic center as much as from the meal. The lanes are steep and busy at peak dining times, so allow extra time to reach the restaurant and do not assume a taxi can stop directly outside.

Lake Views Before or After Dinner

Do not assume every table has a direct lake view. Enjoy Bellagio’s waterfront before or after the meal, then walk through the stone stairways to the restaurant. Sunset is especially busy, so leave enough time for photographs without arriving late.

Experience Panoramic Views From the Funicular

The Como–Brunate funicular links the lakeside city with the hill town of Brunate in about seven minutes. The official service normally operates from early morning until late evening, but travelers should check the current schedule for maintenance or service notices.

The currently published standard fare is €3.60 one way or €7.20 return. Confirm the latest price through the official Como–Brunate funicular page.

Brunate offers viewpoints, villas, cafés, and uphill walks. Faro Voltiano is not directly beside the upper station. Reaching it requires additional travel or a substantial uphill walk, followed by a long entrance staircase. Wear proper shoes and allow more time than the funicular ride alone suggests.

The funicular is accessible to wheelchair users, but individual paths and attractions in Brunate may be much less accessible.

Wander Through Varenna’s Picturesque Streets

Varenna is one of the easiest central-lake towns to reach without a car because it has a railway station and ferry connections. Its lanes rise steeply from the waterfront, so light luggage and supportive shoes make a noticeable difference.

Highlights include:

• Walking the lakeside section often called the Passeggiata degli Innamorati.
• Following part of the Greenway dei Patriarchi through and around the village.
• Visiting the gardens and museum at Villa Monastero.
• Exploring the small harbor and steep lanes behind it.
• Taking a ferry to Bellagio or Menaggio.

Varenna can be combined with Bellagio in one day, but leave a generous connection window for the final ferry back to the train station.

Relax at Menaggio’s Waterfront Promenade

Menaggio has a broad lakeside promenade, open views toward Bellagio and Varenna, cafés, shops, and useful ferry and bus connections. It feels less compressed than Bellagio’s old center and works well for travelers who want a calmer central-lake base.

Scenic Views and Relaxation

Walk the promenade, sit in the gardens, stop for gelato, or continue toward a public beach or lido. Swimming facilities and admission rules are seasonal, so check signs and local information before entering the water.

• Photograph the central lake in the softer morning or evening light.
• Buy picnic food from a local shop rather than carrying it all day.
• Watch the ferry traffic from the promenade.
• Use Menaggio as a transfer point for western-shore buses.

Dining and Shopping Options

Restaurants around the center serve pizza, pasta, fish, meat, and regional dishes. Shops sell food, clothing, and souvenirs, while temporary markets and events vary by date. Check the municipal calendar rather than assuming a market will operate every day.

Unwind at the Gardens of Villa Melzi

The Gardens of Villa Melzi extend along the Bellagio lakeshore and combine botanical paths, sculptures, a Japanese-style pond, a chapel, and a small museum. The neoclassical complex was developed in the early 19th century for Francesco Melzi d’Eril.

• Look for seasonal azaleas, camellias, and mature trees.
• Follow the lakeside paths for views across the water.
• Visit the chapel and museum included with admission.
• Respect signs protecting lawns, planting beds, and private areas.

The official Villa Melzi Gardens site currently lists a €10 single ticket, with free admission for children up to age 11. No reservation is normally required. The private villa is not open to the public.

Visit the Tempio Voltiano Museum

Tempio Voltiano is dedicated to Como-born scientist Alessandro Volta. Displays include scientific instruments, documents, and objects connected with his experiments and the development of the electric battery.

The museum occupies a neoclassical building near the western waterfront. It is a useful indoor stop during rain or when you want a break from gardens and steep lanes.

Admission is not generally free. The published standard ticket is €6, with reduced and free categories for eligible visitors. The listed schedule is Tuesday through Sunday, 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., with Monday closing. Check the Comune di Como museum-ticket page before visiting.

Try Water Sports on Lake Como

Kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding suit calm mornings and protected areas, while sailing and windsurfing can take advantage of stronger lake breezes. Motorized activities, wakeboarding, and parasailing depend on local operators, weather, licensing, and designated operating areas.

Choose the activity for the day’s conditions, not only for the photograph you hope to take.

• Book through an established operator with suitable safety equipment.
• Wear a correctly fitted personal flotation device.
• Ask about wind, boat traffic, boundaries, and emergency procedures.
• Keep a safe distance from ferry routes, docks, and private property.
• Return before weather or visibility worsens.

Take a Cooking Class to Learn Italian Cuisine

A cooking class adds a hands-on experience to a trip dominated by sightseeing. Classes around Lake Como may focus on fresh pasta, risotto, sauces, seasonal vegetables, desserts, or regional dishes.

Some experiences take place in private homes, professional kitchens, restaurants, or villas. Others include a market visit, wine tasting, or shared meal. These features vary, so read the full description before booking.

Check the class language, group size, total duration, transportation requirements, accessibility, allergy policy, cancellation terms, and whether alcohol is included. Inform the host about dietary restrictions before arrival rather than expecting every recipe to be changed during the lesson.

Explore Lenno and Its Attractions

Lenno sits in a sheltered bay within Tremezzina and works well as a base for Villa del Balbianello and the Lake Como Greenway. Its waterfront is more relaxed than Bellagio’s center and has cafés, restaurants, ferry access, and views toward the central lake.

• Walk the waterfront before or after a Balbianello visit.
• Join a section of the Lake Como Greenway, which passes through Lenno and neighboring villages.
• Visit local churches and historic lanes away from the shore.
• Use Lido di Lenno when it is open and conditions suit swimming.
• Explore nearby Ossuccio, Isola Comacina, Mezzegra, and Tremezzo.

The major Sagra di San Giovanni celebrations are associated with Ossuccio and Isola Comacina in the wider Tremezzina area rather than Lenno alone. Dates, access rules, boat restrictions, road closures, and fireworks arrangements change each year, so check the Comune di Tremezzina calendar before planning around the event.

A Simple Three-Day Lake Como Itinerary

Day 1: Como and Brunate

Explore Como Cathedral, Piazza San Fedele, the old town, Tempio Voltiano, and the lakefront. Ride the funicular to Brunate in the afternoon, allowing extra time if you plan to continue toward Faro Voltiano.

Day 2: Bellagio and Varenna

Take an early ferry to Bellagio, visit Villa Melzi, explore the old town, and eat lunch. Continue to Varenna for the waterfront, steep lanes, and Villa Monastero if time permits. Check the final return connection before beginning the second half of the day.

Day 3: Tremezzina and Lenno

Reserve Villa del Balbianello for the morning or early afternoon. Combine it with Lenno’s waterfront, a short section of the Lake Como Greenway, or Villa Carlotta in Tremezzo. Visiting both major villas in one day is possible, but only with well-matched bookings and transport.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should you not miss at Lake Como?

Do not miss at least one scenic ferry journey, one historic villa or garden, and one town away from your accommodation base. A strong first visit combines Como or Brunate with Bellagio, Varenna, and either Villa del Balbianello or Villa Carlotta.

How many days in Lake Como are enough?

Three days are enough for a useful introduction, while four or five days allow slower meals, garden visits, swimming, walking, and easier recovery from weather or transport changes. A one-day trip is possible but should focus on one area rather than the entire lake.

What is Lake Como best known for?

Lake Como is best known for its mountain scenery, historic villas, botanical gardens, ferry-connected villages, elegant hotels, waterfront promenades, and towns such as Como, Bellagio, Varenna, Menaggio, and Tremezzina.

Can you wear jeans in Lake Como?

Yes. Jeans are suitable for casual sightseeing in cooler weather. Lightweight trousers, dresses, shorts, or breathable clothing are more comfortable in summer. Choose supportive shoes for hills and stone lanes, and use smart-casual clothing for upscale restaurants or hotels.

Do you need a car at Lake Como?

Most first-time visitors do not need a car if they stay near a train station, ferry dock, or useful bus route. A car helps with remote lodging and mountain areas, but summer traffic, narrow roads, and limited parking can make it inconvenient in the main lakeside towns.

Can Lake Como ferry tickets be bought online?

Eligible journeys can be searched and purchased through Navigazione Laghi’s official website. Tickets are also sold at operating ticket offices. At a stop without a land ticket office, passengers can generally buy aboard without an extra charge, subject to the operator’s current rules.

Conclusion

Lake Como is most rewarding when you resist the urge to collect towns as quickly as possible. Ride the ferry for the scenery, reserve one or two major villas, explore a historic center on foot, and leave unplanned time for a waterfront meal or quiet promenade. With three to five days and a sensible shoreline-based itinerary, you can experience the lake’s landscapes, architecture, gardens, food, and villages without spending the entire trip in transit.

Sources

1. Navigazione Laghi — Lake Como tickets and timetables — ferry schedules, ticket purchasing, arrival guidance, and service notices
2. FAI — Villa del Balbianello — 2026 tickets, booking rules, access routes, guided visits, and accessibility
3. Villa Carlotta official visitor information — 2026 admission, opening hours, transportation, and services
4. ATM — Como–Brunate Funicular — journey time, service details, accessibility, fares, and schedules
5. Comune di Como — Civic museum ticketing — Tempio Voltiano admission and official ticket access
6. Lake Como Greenway official website — route, villages, distance, walking time, and transport access