Lake Como is a beautiful lake surrounded by cutesy cities towards a backdrop of the Lombardy Alps. As the deepest lake in Italy, Lake Como is fashionable for watersports and is filled with marine life. Its substantial dimension because the third largest lake in Italy additionally signifies that there are many issues to do in Lake Como alongside its shores. There are luxurious villas transformed into museums and unimaginable hikes for those who enterprise away from the waterfront promenade. If visiting northern Italy, go to Lake Como for an unique lakeside environment. Lake Como has gorgeous views of the encompassing mountains and delightful old-town surroundings.
Top Things to Do in Lake Como, Italy
We’ll check out the 16 finest Lake Como sights. From botanical gardens at Villa Carlotta to wine tasting and water sports activities, these are the perfect issues to do in Lake Como. Let’s dive straight in.
1. Villa Carlotta’s Botanical Gardens
Villa Carlotta is a surprising villa-turned-museum devoted to the humanities. The luxurious villa sits on the shores of Lake Como on 14 acres of lush gardens and strikes one of the iconic landmark views in the area. The elaborate stairways to the entrance of the villa spill out right into a well-known botanical backyard with uncommon bushes and bursts of flowers.
Visitors are welcome to stroll the gardens and chill out outdoors. While those who need to go inside can head to exhibition rooms unfold throughout two flooring. You can seize your ticket right here in advance together with the ferry or you’ll be able to go for a personal speedboat tour of the lakeside Villas right here.
The first flooring incorporates a marble and plaster room with gorgeous sculptures of historic figures. There’s additionally a portray room, a Napoleonic room, and the Magdalene room. Plus a tapestry room and parlors on the second flooring. Lake Como is known for lovely gardens and delightful villas, and Villa Carlotta ticks each bins.
Villa Carlotta’s intimate art work show additionally makes it price visiting Lake Como. Art fanatic or not, you’ll be able to readily admire the attractive setting and cautious collections.
2. Take A Boat Tour
Boat excursions are one of the fashionable issues to do in Lake Como. And understandably so, contemplating the entire space is located round a scenic lake. Most excursions final round 2 hours, though some final 4 hours or perhaps a complete day if you need. Rather than the native ferry choices, these chartered boat excursions are devoted to tourism. You can discover dinner cruises, luxurious Venetian boat excursions, and particular itineraries like villa sightseeing boat journeys. Establish your splendid timeframe and what you’d like to see on Lake Como, then take a look at totally different boat tour itineraries to see what piques your curiosity.
This sightseeing tour is a basic choice – together with a little bit little bit of the whole lot with villas, lake historical past, and gorgeous views. Or a sundown dinner cruise if you need a night exercise. You can ebook boat excursions on arrival in most ports alongside Lake Como. But it’s finest to ebook in advance to assure a spot, particularly in the hectic excessive season.
3. Villa Del Balbianello
Villa Del Balbianello is Hollywood heaven and simply probably the greatest issues to do in Lake Como, Italy. It’s simple to be raptured by the elegant great thing about the villa. However, film followers must also pay this Lake Como attraction a go to. Villa Balbianello has been used in a number of Hollywood motion pictures, together with Star Wars Attack of the Clones. Italy isn’t any stranger to getting used as a Hollywood filming location, however Villa Balbianello is one thing else. It’s simple to see why it caught Hollywood’s eye.
Guests can wander the 18th-century villa in and out – admiring the surroundings and structure and reveling as they tread in the identical footsteps as film stars.
4. Sentiero Del Viandante
Sentiero Del Viandante was as soon as an outdated mule monitor in the Roman period. Sentiero Del Viandante is hailed as one of many biggest climbing trails in Lake Como – if not Italy as a complete. The 45km path runs alongside the jap shores of Lake Como and may be accomplished in little sections for those who don’t have time for a multi-day hike. The shorter sections are largely 5 hours lengthy, so they’re excellent to full as a half-day hike earlier than stopping for a meal in a scenic village. You can simply hike between cities and catch the prepare on the east facet.
Sentiero Del Viandante passes castles, lovely views of Lake Como and its mountains, and plenty of little villages with scrumptious locations to eat. You can plan at the very least 2-3 stops at historic sights no matter which part you hike.
5. Villa Melzi
Villa Melzi is one other considered one of Lake Como’s luxurious villas with botanical gardens. The villa is owned by Prince Fulco Gallarati Scotti, however its gardens are open to the general public. If you might be simply in botanical gardens, it’s a wonderful different to Villa Carlotta, which tends to be busier and extra touristy than this privately-owned attraction. Villa Melzi was constructed between 1808 and 1810 in a neo-classical fashion impressed by Napoleonic France. However, the backyard is far more of a treasure trove.
Villa Melzi Garden is filled with Egyptian and Roman statuesEnvision a complete image of romance and also you may come shut to a picture of Villa Melzi. The backyard is one thing David Attenborough or essentially the most avid botanist would adore. Yet it’s lovely sufficient to ensnare the untrained eye as effectively. It’s filled with cedar bushes, azaleas, rhododendrons, and water lilies. The backyard opens between March and October from 10 am till 7 pm. During this time, you’ll be able to stroll the advanced community of paths and revel in all the eye to tremendous particulars. The finest means to discover the entire Villas on Lake Como is with this tour which incorporates all of the entries to the most well-liked stops.
6. Sagra Di San Giovanni
Sagra Di San Giovanni is among the finest issues to do in Lake Como when visiting in June. Celebrating a neighborhood pageant offers you a a lot stronger perception into a spot and its folks and historical past. If you’ve but to finalize your dates to go to Lake Como, contemplate touring to the lake for its famed pageant Sagra Di San Giovanni. The pageant is well known by tons of of fireworks in a dramatic reenactment of the battles between Isola Comacina and Barbarossa in 1169. While the story itself is fairly darkish, the festivities are flamboyant and completely infectious.
Fireworks over Lake Como are usually not a sight you’ll overlook shortly. The show begins at round 10:30 pm in the night and lasts just below an hour. You can watch from one of many promenades (and even your resort window for those who select lodging correctly). Or alternatively, splash out on reserving a ship so you’ll be able to watch the fireworks from the water.
7. Villa Monastero
You’ve guessed it – one other of Lake Como’s lovely luxurious villas with a spectacular botanical backyard. However, Villa Monastero’s gardens have a unique vibe from the opposite two featured. Instead of a backyard filled with paths and towering vegetation, Villa Monastero has beautiful terraced gardens neatly organized in stone overlooking Lake Como. Villa Monastero has a way more formal backyard association. Dating again to the 1800s, you’ll be able to see the interval’s opulence in its present aesthetic.
Apart from the terrace side, Villa Monastero focuses extra on the view than the opposite villas. There are gorgeous viewpoints all through and ornate seating areas to sit and relish your environment. Unlike Villa Melzi, you can even enterprise inside to see the rooms and examples of interval structure, which is a pleasant contact. It is ideal for anybody in inside structure and a wonderful backyard.
8. Enjoy Water Sports
You don’t keep subsequent to the deepest lake in Italy and never get pleasure from some watersports. Lake Como isn’t the type of place you go on occasion cruises or scream throughout the bay clinging to a banana boat. It gives extra sedate watersports centered round tranquility and sightseeing. For occasion, this kayak tour is a peaceful means to expertise Lake Como from the water. Water sports activities are good for getting a unique perception into Lake Como and a extra lively different to boat journeys. Fitness fanatics observe this down as one of the lively issues to do in Lake Como.
Rowing, crusing, diving, and fishing can be found on Lake Como. While if you need to push the boat out a little bit with extra exhilarating actions, wakeboarding and kitesurfing may be discovered with sure tour operators.
9. Castello Di Vezio
Castello Di Vezio is a beautiful walled fortress overlooking Varenna, considered one of Lake Como’s hottest cities. Situated on a hill that takes round half-hour to attain on foot from the city heart in a reasonably troublesome climb. Castello Di Vezio is a surprising vantage level and a captivating piece of native historical past.
The Twelfth-century fortress is full of displays, uniting the historical past obsessed and the extra critical vacationers in a quest to fill a thirst for information. The views of Lake Como and its mountains are much more lovely from its tower. And for the courageous amongst guests, excursions of Castello Di Vezio dungeons are one of the spooky issues to do in Lake Como.
10. Go Wine Tasting in Lake Como
When in Rome, proper? Italy is hailed worldwide as an absolute goddess when it comes to wine manufacturing. The nation has been producing wine for over 4,000 years, and its local weather is right for viticulture. Italy has 20 areas with over 545 totally different vine varieties, so there are many decisions for the fussy (or enthusiastic) palette. Wine lovers will notably love Lake Como. Lake Como is a part of the Lombardy wine area. It has grape varieties, together with white Verdes, Rosseia, merlot, and Sangiovese.
Visit Lake Como in autumn to get essentially the most out of wine tasting, as you’ll arrive simply in time for the grape harvest. Wine tasting is among the finest issues to do in Lake Como. You get to expertise scrumptious produce and get an perception into the tradition and historical past of the area. Wine-tasting excursions may be booked on boat journeys or land excursions to wineries and scenic vineyards.
11. Day Trip To Menaggio
Assuming you keep in Como, you’ll need to plan a day journey or two to different cities round Lake Como. Menaggio is a basic alternative for Lake Como city hopping, excellent for a day of swimming. Menaggio has a 25-meter-long lido and quite a few public seashores. July, August, and September are the highest swimming months in Menaggio – purpose for a summer time journey if you need an pleasant swim. Spiaggia Lerai is the most well-liked swimming seaside in Menaggio.
Menaggio is definitely reached by bus or ferry. Traveling from Como takes round an hour on public transport. It can be a scenic route, hugging the whole western shores of Lake Como and reducing via numerous awe-inspiring villages and cities. Jumping on a e-bike is an effective way to get there.
12. Hike The Greenway Del Lago Di Como
Should you want climbing, the Greenway Del Lago Di Como is among the prime issues to do in Lake Como. It is extra of a sightseeing path than a normal climbing path – there’s simply a lot to see alongside the best way. Little hamlets cling to the waterfront alongside the lake, and the path sometimes veers off up some dramatic hills to a lookout or detour via shaded woodland. The Greenway Del Lago Di Como is a rewarding hike, and it takes round 4 hours to full the ten km stretch.
While there are some inclines right here and there, the Greenway Del Lago Di Como is a straightforward hike general. With sufficient relaxation stops, close to sufficient, anybody can hike this path. It has a straightforward path with stone flags in most sections and is right for a leisurely stroll with loads of views.
13. Orrido Di Bellano
Orrido Di Bellano is a 15 million-year-old pure gorge. Visitors step into the gorge itself, strolling alongside a slim walkway hooked up to the facet of the rock face. It is considered one of Lake Como’s most unimaginable hikes and an exquisite day journey. Orrido Di Bellano was lower by the glacial retreat of an outdated river Adda, and now an aqua-blue river runs via the bottom of the gorge. It’s a captivating little bit of geography, and the thunder of the river beneath is de facto atmospheric. The walkway railings are embellished with fairy lights in darker sections, shaded from daylight by the rocks above.
Orrido Di Bellano is definitely one of many prime issues to do in Lake Como. It takes round 1.5 hours to full the climbing route – a splendid use of your time in Lake Como. This ticket even consists of entry and an aperitif afterward.
14. Punta Spartivento
Punta Spartivento is a wonderful commentary deck above Lake Como, Italy. As far as scenic issues to do in Lake Como go, Punta Spartivento charges very extremely. The deck truly stretches out over a small grassy space with railings spaced out and seating areas and picnic tables. If you might be planning a romantic picnic, Punta Spartivento is a extremely good shout. With the Swiss Alps on the horizon and the shimmer of the water instantly in entrance of you, Punta Spartivento has an virtually magical serenity.
Punta Spartivento is situated a 10-minute stroll away from Bellagio’s ferry terminal. It is straightforward to entry and probably the greatest viewpoints round Lake Como.
15. Tempio Voltiano
Tempio Voltiano is a vital museum in the world of science. The attraction is devoted to the reminiscence and lifework of Alessandro Volta, who invented {the electrical} battery. Como born and bred, Alessandro did wonders for technological development in the 18th century. And it’s solely becoming that Lake Como has a museum for him, contemplating that he retired and died in Como in 1827. The museum opened in 1928 and has been a thriving attraction in Lake Como ever since.
Inside, guests can admire the gathering of Volta’s scientific devices. Fascinatingly, there’s additionally a number of his innovations (Volta was a prolific inventor outdoors of his creation of {the electrical} battery). Tempio Voltiano is a wonderful exhibit that captures the essence of the scientist behind closed doorways. It is a slice of science historical past and a preserved archive of an unimaginable human life. The blur of science and human historical past makes it excellent for anyone wanting an indoor exercise.
16. Enjoy The Old Town In Como Town
You should go to Como’s Old Town. It ticks off the whole lot you’d hope to see in a historic Italian city heart – from cobbled streets to al fresco eating places. The neatest thing about each outdated city is its wonderful eating places, and grabbing one thing to eat in the Como’s Old Town is among the finest issues to do in Lake Como. You can dine whereas taking in the ambiance and historic environment. The combination of bright-colored buildings and timeless stonework is a surprising culinary backdrop.
After you’ve eaten, wander alongside to Como’s cathedral, Cattedrale di Santa Maria Assunta, and the Basilica di San Fedele. Porta Torre is one other placing conventional landmark price seeing and a metropolis gate courting again to 1192. Nothing beats a little bit of sightseeing on a happy abdomen. This guided tour consists of all of it and is wonderful.
Visiting Lake Como: FAQs
Now that we’ve lined the perfect issues to do in Lake Como, let’s have a look at some important FAQs. These essential snippets of knowledge will enable you to finalize your journey to Lake Como.
How to Get to Lake Como
The easiest method to get to Lake Como is by flying into Milan. Milan has an enormous worldwide airport, with direct flights from departure locations worldwide. If you journey from outdoors Europe, that is probably the route you’ll use. You fly instantly into Milan’s Malpensa Airport after which catch a few trains for two hours to Lake Como. Giovanni and Como Nord Largo are the 2 essential stations in Lake Como, and it solely prices a couple of {dollars} per ticket. Alternatively, you’ll be able to lease a automobile at Malpensa Airport after which drive to Lake Como in about an hour.
If you solely have a short while we propose hopping on today journey from Milan, which features a cruise, the village of Bellagio, and visiting Varenna, Menaggio, or different areas. An ideal deal for the cash.
Another choice is to journey overland – particularly in case you are already in Europe. Europe is extremely well-connected, and it is not uncommon observe to interrail across the area, with offers and reductions on worldwide rail cross to hop between international locations. You can journey by prepare from Switzerland to Lake Como in lower than 3 hours. Or even Amsterdam in 12 hours for those who wished. We counsel stopping in Germany and Switzerland alongside the best way. Traveling to Lake Como by prepare is among the most adventurous but simply organized methods of transport.
You may additionally drive to Lake Como. This technique permits extra freedom however is far more tiring, with many slim roads. The delicate borders in Europe make for simple border crossings, although. If you will have loads of time, driving to Lake Como is among the finest methods to slowly expertise the area at your individual tempo.
Getting Around Lake Como
Hands down, one of the simplest ways to get round Lake Como is by boat or ferry. Forget boat journeys; being shuttled round by water on one of the lovely lakes in Italy is definitely the perfect type of public transport you’ll ever expertise. The western facet of Lake Como is exceptionally effectively related by boat, and you’ll hop between the cities on ferries and little shuttle boats.
Of course, disregard our recommendation fully on the jap facet of Lake Como – you’ll want to scrap the boat thought and run for the prepare. There are barely any ferry companies in the east, providing many prepare companies as an alternative. The finest means to get round on the east shores is by catching the prepare, with a station in most cities and villages.
A rental automobile is barely a good suggestion in case you are venturing out on many day journeys. Even then, a lot of Lake Como’s surrounding areas are related by prepare. For occasion, by rail, you’ll be able to attain Switzerland, many mountain villages, and close by main Italian cities. Rent a automobile solely if you need extra freedom and street trip-style day journeys. Or when you’ve got members of your journey occasion with mobility points since catching the prepare can contain numerous strolling and steps.
Another choice with automobiles is to rent taxis and shuttle companies. Aim to ebook taxis in advance if that is the mode of transport you go for, as they’re highly regarded, particularly in the excessive season.
Of course, you might simply spend your complete keep strolling alongside lakeside promenades – the wonderful views assist. If you keep in a city heart, obtain Google Maps and discover on foot. Getting round on foot means stumbling throughout tiny backstreet eating places with wonderful conventional meals and unmapped viewpoints.
Best Time to Visit Lake Como
The finest time to go to Lake Como is May. May has common temperatures of 70 levels Fahrenheit but additionally avoids the inevitable crowds from June to September. May is a shoulder season, simply on the cusp of the excessive season. The off-season runs from November to mid-March. While the less crowds may sound interesting, it has chilly climate and fewer sights and accommodations open. By selecting May, you get a little bit of a compromise – fewer vacationers however good climate.
In spring, Lake Como’s cities and charming villages are filled with wildflowers, and the botanical gardens are in full explosion. It is a fascinating time of 12 months to discover Lake Como. It is far more ethereal than visiting in the chaotic summer time months in stifling warmth and crowds.
Why Should You Visit Lake Como?
Visiting Lake Como is fabulous. In reality, it may very well be one of many finest issues to do in Italy. The complete area is filled with pure magnificence – from beautiful gardens to mountain trails and personal seashores alongside the lakeside. Despite its unique vibe and white-collar crowd, the realm gives vacationer sights for all price range ranges. There are many free issues to do in Lake Como. Make the a lot of the pure sights, museums, and arranged experiences.
Looking for extra inspiration about visiting northern Italy? Check out our guides on the finest cities in Tuscany, prime luxurious accommodations in Milan, and issues to do in Lugano for those who cross the Swiss border. Otherwise, have an exquisite time exploring Lake Como, Italy.