Gardens and forests, coves and valleys, a blue lake and lush vegetation, beautiful villas and medieval villages: Lake Como is one of the wonders of northern Italy, right up there with Lake Garda. What’s more, it’s one of the wonders of the world, and has been a leading destination for international tourism for many years, with staggering visitor numbers.

Over the years, many celebrities from the world of entertainment, including actors (George Clooney, among others) and sportsmen and women, have bought a house around the lake or come here on vacation.

Below, we present some of the region’s finest attractions, starting, of course, with those in the capital of the same name. Enjoy your reading.

What to see and do in Como: Il Duomo or Como Cathedral

The first thing you notice when you set foot in the lakeside town of Como is the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta. The building bears witness not only to the central role played by religion in the daily lives of Como’s inhabitants, but also to the strategic importance of the city, which for centuries was a commercial crossroads between northern Italy, central Europe and northern Europe. Not just trade, but also cultural exchange, as evidenced by the diversity of styles that characterizes the architecture of the Duomo.

A singular fusion of Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque allows us to reconstruct the various construction phases of the building, which lasted from the end of the 14th century to almost the middle of the 18th century. Four centuries of successive architects and master stonemasons, until the dome was completed in 1744 (to a design by the famous architect Filippo Juvarra).

The statues by brothers Tommaso, Giacomo and Donato Rodari, from neighboring Switzerland, more precisely from the town of Maroggia in the canton of Ticino, are worthy of note. They are responsible for almost all the sculptures adorning the sides and portals of the church (with special mention for the statues of Pliny the Elder and Pliny the Younger).

For more information on the history, art, opening hours and how to visit, please visit: cattedrale.diocesidicomo.it.

Palazzo Broletto, a stone’s throw from the shores of Lake Como

Right next to the Duomo is another building of great historical and cultural interest. This is the Broletto, also known as the Palazzo della Ragione. Built in 1215 at the request of the podestate of the time, Bernardo da Codazo, this palace was the seat of Como’s civil power for centuries.

It was here that municipal assemblies were held, notably those of the Société des marchands, and it was here that justice was dispensed. The adjacent bell tower was used precisely to convene the various assemblies, while its proximity to the cathedral symbolized the contiguity between civil and religious power.

Architecturally, it’s the tricolored (white, gray and red) Lombard marble facade that’s most striking. It’s a very charming detail, and one that rightly appeals to tourists visiting the city. Today, after serving as a theater for a time, the Broletto di Como hosts congresses, exhibitions and municipal ceremonies. A must-see!

Villa Olmo

Just over 2 kilometers from Tempio Voltiano, Villa Olmo is another must-see on any vacation on Lake Como. From an aesthetic point of view, this 18th-century residence follows in the footsteps of other villas in Como, Cernobbio, Bellaggio and elsewhere.

There are two basic ingredients here:

• the Italian-style garden, meticulously maintained down to the smallest detail,
• and neoclassical taste, both inside and out.

The name, as you might guess, refers to the presence of two old elm trees, later felled. Over the years, many personalities have stayed here for varying lengths of time. Among them, the hero of the two worlds Giuseppe Garibaldi and the Visconti di Modrone family (the same family as the great film director Luchino Visconti).

For some time now, Villa Olmo has been hosting exhibitions, events and conferences. To find out more, visit www.villaolmocomo.it.

Cernobbio, home of the jet set, is the starting point for excursions around Lake Como.

In our introduction, we mentioned just how popular Lake Como is with the international jet set. In this respect, Cernobbio is not only one of Italy’s most exclusive destinations. This is due in no small part to the resort’s enchanting setting at the foot of Mount Bisbino, on the western shore of the lake.

Here you’ll find a number of beautiful villas, most of them built in the Art Nouveau style that was so popular in Italy in the early 20th century. Two in particular: Villa Erba and Villa d’Este. Today, both are used for ceremonies, banquets and conference tourism (at Villa d’Este, for example, the annual Ambrosetti Forum is held, attended by ministers, heads of state and the cream of the academic world, particularly in the field of economics).

But that’s not all, as Cernobbio has also long been a magnet for trekking enthusiasts. Indeed, one of Italy’s most popular hiking trails begins here: “La Via dei Monti Lariani”, which stretches for over 100 km at an altitude of between 600 and 1,200 meters. The route has been divided into stages. It is very popular, as it does not present any great difficulties. It offers countless breathtakingly beautiful views. Not to be missed!

Visit Lake Como and discover the charm of Comacina Island

A water cab leaving from Ossuccio, a hamlet in the municipality of Tremezzina, takes just a few minutes to reach Comacina, a small island on the western shore of Lake Como.

The island is best known for the remains of the church of Sant’Eufemia, an 11th-century basilica considered one of the most representative monuments of Romanesque architecture in Como. The remains of this church, discovered along with others, gradually came to light following successive excavation campaigns that lasted over fifty years, from the early 20th century until the 1960s.

But that’s not all, as Ossuccio and the island of Comacina offer even more to see. From the sanctuary of the Madonna del Soccorso (Ossuccio), a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2003, to the Case per Artisti (Isola di Comacina), built in 1940 in the rationalist style by architect Pietro Lingeri.

The idea was to build three different artists’ refuges on this small uninhabited island in the middle of Lake Como, to meet the needs of painters, sculptors and writers in search of inspiration.

For further information: www.isola-comacina.it.