Lake Como is the most beautiful lake in the world! At least if you believe a claim made by the Huffington Post in 2014, and it’s true that it’s hard to contradict. Fascinating, cosmopolitan, with an old-fashioned charm, it is without doubt one of Italy’s most popular destinations for foreigners and Italians alike.
How to get to Lake Como
Just 50 km from Milan and less than two hours’ drive from Turin, the Lario, or more commonly known as Lake Como, lies at the foot of the imposing Swiss Alps. Its shores are dotted with enchanting villas and small villages, the legacy of an aristocratic past that chose the shores of the lake as a holiday resort. From Milan station, the train takes around 40 minutes to arrive. It takes you either to Varenna-Esino or Como San Giovanni. It’s also easy to reach via the “autostradaé”, the Italian freeway.
How do I get around Lake Como?
First of all, to get around easily, we strongly suggest you take a pass for the boat at a price of €15 per adult per day, with the Happy family offer, children aged 4 to 12 can travel free of charge. According to Navigazione laghi, this pass “allows you to make an unlimited number of trips between the stops for which it was issued, with the possibility of intermediate stops, within the validity of the pass”.
You can get around Lake Como by car, but quite honestly, if you’re in Lombardy to relax and enjoy the scenery, boating is THE ultimate solution. From the lake, you’ll see far more than from the road. And the locals have a very, very sporty way of driving, with narrow roads, hairpin bends… So, a road trip in Lombardy, why not, but if you’re staying mainly around the lake, definitely, the must is to get around by boat.
A little tip: when you’re in the town of Como, one of the best things you can do is take the Como-Brunate Funicular to admire the lake from above. In just 7 minutes, the Como-Brunate takes you from the shores of Lake Como to the small village of Brunate, at a very reasonable price (€5.70 per person per round trip).
But now let’s take a look at the various destinations you absolutely must include in your itinerary to discover the beauties the lake has to offer, after visiting the city of Como itself of course!
Bellagio
Located about 20 minutes by water from Como, it is also known as “the pearl of Lake Como”. It sits on a promontory in the middle of the lake, in the strip of land that separates its two branches, that of Como (Lario) and that of Lecco. The location is fabulous.
The village is a little gem, with an elegant lakeside promenade and the narrow streets of the historic center reached by charming staircases. It’s not unusual to spot a few elegant boutiques displaying their wares on the steps.
Two splendid villas are a must-see:
- Villa Melzi, built in the early 19th century and currently owned by Count Gallarati Scotti. Visits are possible from March to November, from 9.30 a.m. to 6.30 p.m. The magnificent gardens offer sublime views of the lake.
- Villa Serbelloni, now the Grand Hotel. Its gardens overlook both arms of the lake. Tours are available by appointment for groups of at least 6 people. The tour lasts about 1 h 30, with the first tour at 11 a.m. and the last at 3.30 p.m. Meeting point is on the square in front of Saint-Jacques church, under the medieval tower. The villa is closed on Mondays and in case of bad weather.
Varenna
It’s the second most important spot on this part of the lake. Smaller and more picturesque than Bellaggio, it offers an extremely romantic walk along the water’s edge.
Here too, narrow staircases lead to the upper part of the village, where it’s pleasant to keep an eye on the lake while admiring a hidden corner with a pretty garden. Villa Monastero is well worth a visit, mainly for its botanical garden and its ideal location, overlooking the lake.
Menaggio
Menaggio is situated more or less opposite Bellaggio. It’s a pretty little village, with a pleasant central square and a few narrow streets where you’ll find shopping opportunities in elegant boutiques.
If you get the chance, make a stop in Tremezzo, as Villa Carlotta is well worth a visit. The gardens are breathtaking! Azaleas, rhododendrons, camellias, and then the panoramic terraces, the central fountain, the rock gardens, the bamboo garden. In short, you’ll lose yourself in the harmonious beauty of this skilfully organized natural setting! For a complete visit, allow at least three hours.
Lenno
Apart from the lakeside promenade and the beautiful wisteria still in bloom, there’s not much to see in Lenno, but it’s worth noting that this is where the path to the wonderful Villa del Balbianello begins. Its location, gardens and the villa itself are sure to be the most picturesque and romantic part of your stay.
The beauty of this historic site is objectively indisputable. It’s no coincidence that it has been chosen on several occasions as the setting for Italian and foreign films (see Star Wars Episode II and Casino Royale, starring Daniel Craig).
For the more lazy, it’s possible to reach the villa by boat from Lenno, at a cost of €7 per person return. The cost is reduced to €5 for children. The age limit is not specified. It goes without saying that you can travel between all these beautiful little towns and villages on Lake Como without taking the car, just by hopping on a boat!
