First Time in Lake Como: The Essential Lake Como Travel Guide
Are you planning your first time in Lake Como? This travel guide will lead you in the right direction!
Planning a trip to a new place already feels overwhelming, and then when you add Lake Como into the mix, it gets more overwhelming! It is a lot bigger than it looks on the map. It can get confusing when there are several recommended places along the lake and complex boat schedules with multiple types of ferries.
Don’t worry, I’m not here to scare you! I’m here to help you!
I hope I can shed some light on where to stay, how to get around Lake Como without a car, how long to stay, what pretty towns to see, and so much more!
First Time in Lake Como Travel Guide
I LOVE Lake Como, I swear there is something magical in that lake air! It’s such a dreamy, romantic destination that consistently tops everyone’s Italy Must-Visit list.
Lake Como is a magnet for the rich and famous, with Taylor Swift visiting regularly and celebrities like George Clooney and Madonna owning villas along the lake, but Lake Como doesn’t have to come with a celebrity price tag! Although, I highly recommend splurging on some experiences if you can!
How Long Should I Stay in Lake Como?
You need at least 7 days to experience everything Lake Como has to offer (especially for your first trip), but I understand that some people can’t take that time off. Maybe you only have time for a weekend break from the UK or you are visiting from the US and want to fit in as many places in Italy as possible… don’t worry I’ve been there!
If you can’t do a full week, try to do at least two full days for your first time in Lake Como. A weekend break is possible, but I recommend three days so you can take in the lake’s atmosphere and not cram everything into a short period.
If you are visiting from Milan, I have a Day Trip to Lake Como Guide!
How to Get to Lake Como
I’m going to be completely honest with you. It’s unnecessary to rent a car to drive to Lake Como. The lake is so well connected with public transportation, and you definitely don’t want to be driving around the lake, with winding, narrow roads and the need to rely on car ferries only. Save yourself the headache and take public transportation!
Accessing Lake Como by train will be a seamless and easy experience. There are several train stations around the lake with direct trains from Milano Centrale and only one change for trains from Milan Malpensa Airport. Trains leave Milan at least once an hour, so you’ll be able to find one that works for your flight or schedule.
If you are flying into Malpensa and taking the train, you will have a change at Milano Centrale or Saronno depending on where your destination is. The average journey from the airport to Lake Como takes under 2 hours.
Como has a couple of train stations, but the main one is “Como San Giovanni” and if you are going up to the center of the lake, then using the “Varenna” is the best choice.
Another thing to note is the train line runs on the east side of the lake, so if you are staying on the west side of the lake, then you’ll have to figure out which is the best train station to arrive at and either take a bus or ferry to your destination.
If you are staying in Lake Como’s hot spot, Bellagio, then you can take the train to Varenna and the car ferry to Bellagio. If you are staying in Varenna or Bellano then you can take the train directly to those towns. If you are staying in Cernobbio, take the train to Como and the passenger ferry to your destination.
When to Visit Lake Como
There isn’t really a wrong or right time to visit Lake Como, the lake will look beautiful in all seasons.
Spring/Autumn: You’ll experience fewer crowds, although it will still be quite busy. The weather is up and down, so you have to pack for warm and cooler weather, plus expect some rain on your trip.
Summer: It gets busy during the summer months, but that’s to be expected with school out and amazing weather. Everything is open, but you’ll also pay the highest accommodation price.
Winter: You won’t get the tourist crowds, but there will be fewer restaurants and shops open. The villas and gardens are also closed for the winter, so if you have your heart set on touring Lake Como’s botanical gardens, you’ll want to plan for a different time. The weather gets chilly and the ferries run on a limited schedule, but you will be paying a lot less for accommodation!
How to Get Around Lake Como without a Car
Lake Como by Ferry
*Ferry Guide COMING SOON* My detailed Lake Como ferry guide will be coming March 2025!
First things first, bookmark the official ferry website, Navigazione Laghi, you will be using it more than you know!
The ferry schedule will run your schedule on Lake Como, and if you know how to read it, you can go anywhere! At first glance, it might look horrible and confusing, so you might want to give up, but don’t!
I found it easier to print out and physically highlight the places I wanted to go rather than mindlessly scrolling back and forth on my phone.
Most people will say to purchase your tickets online, but that only works for the slow ferry which is the “regular passenger ferry”.
If you want to take the Hydrofoil (express service or fast ferry) or the car ferry, then you will need to purchase your ticket in person at a ticket booth.
Types of Ferries Around Lake Como
Ferry: The regular ferry consistently runs up and down and back and forth on the lake. Not every ferry goes to the same towns on the lake, some are limited services. The best way to plan your route is to write a list of towns you want to visit and see what times the ferries arrive and if any of those depart from your location.
Hyrdofoil: The fast ferry or express service has fewer stops and will get you to your destination faster than the slow boat. You can’t stand outside on the deck, so you will be looking through a window that gets splashed with a lot of water. This is not the most scenic journey.
Car Ferry: Did you know, you don’t have to drive a car to take the car ferry? You can buy a ticket as a foot passenger and hitch a ride with the cars… there’s plenty of room! The car ferries are labeled “ferryboat” on the official timetable and “traghetto” in the search form. The car ferry runs between Bellagio, Varenna, and Cadenabbia.
Helpful Ferry Tips
- If you purchase your tickets in person, make sure you are in line well before the ferry time.
- The ticket booths usually open 20 minutes before the ferry departure, so if you don’t see anyone there, don’t panic. I had one ticket attendant show up 5 minutes before the ferry was supposed to arrive.
- People start queuing for the ferry about 30-45 minutes before departure in the busier towns because ferries reach capacity and it doesn’t matter if you have a ticket, you will not be boarding.
- Try to take the car ferry wherever possible, the service is more frequent and less crowded.
Lake Como by Bus
Sometimes the ferry schedule doesn’t work with your schedule and the bus will be the easier option. Don’t be afraid of the buses! The system is easy to use and a lot less intimidating than the ferry schedule.
The easiest way to plan your schedule is to download the Arriva MyPay app from the Arriva website. And you will also be able to purchase tickets for popular routes. You can also purchase your ticket on board with cash.
Taking the bus is a great way to see Lake Como differently. Riding high above the villages and winding down to the bottom, it’s nice to sit back and enjoy a different perspective.
Lake Como by Taxi
I could tell you to download one of the many taxi apps you can find around Lake Como, however, none of them work… trust me, I’ve tried them all in a moment of desperation when I was trapped in a town with no more ferries or buses for the night! The taxis are VERY rare, they are like gold dust!
The bigger towns like Bellagio have taxi ranks, but it’s also rare that a taxi will park up, especially in the evening. And if you are going a long distance, then you NEED to pre-book.
You can either google taxi companies and contact them directly, or ask the staff at a restaurant if they have a number for you, a lot of the time they will have several business cards behind the bar that you can take a photo of or write down the number and keep it handy.
I cannot count how many times I was saved by the bartender because their friend was a taxi driver!
So my advice is to not rely on taxis; if you need to, you should ALWAYS pre-book. I would hop in a taxi and when they dropped me off, grab their card and book a taxi for the next evening. Sometimes it worked, sometimes it didn’t.
Where to Stay in Lake Como
Where you should stay in Lake Como for your first time depends on what type of traveler you are.
If you want to see a lot of towns, villas, and attractions, then you will want to stay somewhere that is well-connected. Bellagio and Varenna are two of the most connected towns in Lake Como. The ferries and buses are frequent and you have multiple options for the type of ferry you take.
If you want a little more peace then stay in Bellano or Tremezzo.
And yes, I’ve only included four places to stay. I feel that when you visit Lake Como for the first time, you want to be in the middle of the lake so you can easily access the top and bottom of the lake, plus whatever is around you. So staying Nesso, Dongo, or even Como wouldn’t be the right fit.
Bellagio
I like to call it the “Classic Lake Como Stay.” Everyone wants to stay in Bellagio for their first time in Lake Como, right?! However, some might want to avoid the tourist hotspot, as overcrowding has become an issue during the summer months. But Bellagio is busy for a reason. It’s a gorgeous location in the middle of Lake Como, where the three branches meet, with picturesque streets, boutique shopping, and fine dining.
It’s one of the more expensive places on the lake and you will be paying more for accommodation, but you are also paying for ease of access and countless ferries to choose from.
If you still want to be close to Bellagio, consider staying in one of the smaller hamlets nearby. I stayed in San Giovanni and it was an easy bus ride or mild walk into the center of Bellagio. Taxi drivers were also more willing to drive a few minutes down the road, instead of further away.
I stayed in Villa Gard and it was a gorgeous villa with a lake view in a quiet area.
If you want to stay in an apartment on the Bellagio waterfront, then opt for somewhere like Terrazza Mazzini, or if you prefer a hotel, then the Grand Hotel Villa Serbelloni is perfect.
Varenna
I love Varenna, I think it’s a gorgeous town with so much to do and so many great restaurants and cafes. I’ve seen so many people call Varenna a “hidden gem” but it’s quite the opposite. It does get busy here and can feel overcrowded, but like Bellagio, there is plenty to do here and you won’t get bored!
The major upside to staying in Varenna is the train station. You don’t have to worry about getting up early, standing in line for ferry tickets, hoping you can get on the ferry because it’s not full, and then walking to the train station. So you can feel stress-free on your travel day when you arrive and when you leave!
If you want a full Lake Como experience, then stay at Hotel Villa Cipressi, not only is it a classic villa turned hotel, but it’s one of the top botanical gardens to visit in Lake Como, with the “Gates to Heaven” on the lakeside.
If you want a more budget-friendly option, get cozy in this one-bedroom apartment down one of Varenna’s narrow streets!
Bellano
I think Bellano is the perfect place to stay on Lake Como. There are plenty of restaurants and things to do, and it’s just enough off the tourist track that you feel secluded, but still accessible. Bellano is the next stop on the train from Varenna, so you are never too far from anything.
It will be a little busy in the summer, but not nearly as busy as Bellagio or Varenna! What I think is great about Bellano is the mix of accommodation… you can splurge on a luxury villa or go budget-friendly with gorgeous apartments with a lake view as low as €120 a night!
Check out Casa Luisa, a great location that is budget-friendly with a lake view!
The Beach is a cozy apartment with a peaceful lake view.
Tremezzo
Live out your Taylor Swift dreams and splurge (A LOT) to vacation like a star. Taylor Swift stayed at The Grand Hotel in Tremezzo and chose the same hotel for her latest visit during a break from her Eras Tour, except opting for their private villa this time. You can stay at Villa Sola Cabiati for a minimum of 3 nights, starting at €10,000 a night.
If you’re not ready to dish out that much for a villa, why not stay in a villa hotel?! Hotel Villa Marie is just a short distance from the “Taylor Swift Villa”, but more budget-friendly.
If you want a view of Villa Sola Cabiati, stay at Gioia del Lago, a gorgeous 3-bedroom apartment with an amazing lake view!
Things to Do in Lake Como for Your First Visit
Explore Pretty Towns
One of the main reasons for visiting Lake Como is to wander its narrow, picture-perfect streets. There are plenty of towns dotted along the lake to feed your wanderlust.
I could list off every town and village around the lake because, honestly, you can’t go wrong, but if you need a little help, start with the center of Lake Como, or the “Golden Triangle”. That’s Varenna, Bellagio, and Menaggio. All three towns are well connected, making them easy to visit all at once.
To feed your waterfall wanderlust, head to Nesso. The waterfall cascades straight through the middle of the village into the lake. Or head to Bellano (one of my favorite towns on the lake) and walk through the gorge, Orrido di Bellano, and surround yourself with waterfalls!
Other pretty towns and villages on the lake include Dongo, Lenno, Cernobbio, Lecco, and Mandello del Lario.
Take a Boat Tour of the Lake
Why wouldn’t you take a boat tour of Lake Como when surrounded by so much water?! This is one of my favorite things to do in Lake Como, whether you rent a boat, take a private tour, or join a group, you will love this experience!
I will admit that taking a private boat tour is quite expensive, but it’s so worth it! You can work with the tour operator to create your itinerary so you won’t miss anything you want to see. I recommend spending at least two hours on the lake because it’s large, and you won’t be able to see everything.
This is a great way to see all the villas you wouldn’t normally be able to see from the road or visit on a day trip because they are private like George Clooney’s villa or Richard Branson’s, Villa la Cassinella.
Check out the James Bond filming location, Villa Gaeta, which can only be seen from the lake unless you stay in one of the apartments, or Villa Erba which was used in Ocean’s 12 and Netflix’s Murder Mystery.
Visit Historic Villas
Lake Como is smothered in gorgeous villas and botanical gardens. You’ll want to visit at least one villa during your first time in Lake Como!
- Villa Monastero: Perfectly manicured gardens with amazing views of the lake, located in Varenna
- Villa Cipressi: Also located in Varenna, you’ll find the Instagram-famous “Gates to Heaven” at the bottom of the gardens
- Villa Carlotta: The house museum is included in your ticket with this villa. Pretty gardens and the view from the top of the balcony is WOW!
- Villa Balbianello: This is my favorite villa to visit in Lake Como, also a James Bond filming location. The villa is more secluded than the others and offers a panoramic view of the lake. It’s also a great experience to arrive at the villa by boat.
- Villa Melzi: Located in Bellagio, it’s just a short walk from the center of town. Gardens are spread out along the lakeside with some pretty photo points
Hike Scenic Trails
There are plenty of hiking and walking trails throughout Lake Como! If you want a mild, but longer hike, walk The Lake Como Greenway and wind through pretty towns and gardens with picturesque views of the lake.
If you are up for more of a challenge, then hike to the San Martino Church. The trail starts in Griante and takes about 30-40 minutes to climb. It is quite steep, so bear that in mind before you take on this hike.
If you don’t have time to travel somewhere else and want to stay local within Varenna, climb to Castello di Vezio, the castle that overlooks Varenna. You’ll get a very ghostly surprise when you reach the top, as you also share the view with several ghost statues.
Viewpoints in Lake Como
I don’t think a bad view of Lake Como exists, the entire lake is picture-perfect and I know you want to get the best view possible!
While you can’t compare the views you get from actually being on the lake, these are my favorites from land.
- Parchetto della Punta or “Park at the Tip”, is the park at the tip of Bellagio where the three branches of Lake Como meet. You really get a feel for the size and openness of the lake being at the center of everything
- Villa Carlotta’s balcony gives me all the feels. Walking through the villa and reaching the tall glass doors opening up to the garden below and the lake in the distance, I felt like a queen!
- San Martino Church might be a climb, but getting the bird’s eye view of Lake Como is worth it!
- The Brunate Funicular runs from Como to the town of Brunate at the top of the mountain. The view from the funicular climbing up the hillside is amazing, but if you want a bigger reward, head to the Volta Lighthouse!
- The Funivia di Pigra is a cable car that runs from the quaint village of Argegno up to Pigra. Once again, it’s another amazing view of the lake
Explore Iconic Filming Locations
Lake Como is no stranger to Hollywood. Various locations around the lake have appeared in movies, TV, and music videos.
Daniel Craig’s first appearance as James Bond in Casino Royale is captured in Lake Como. Villa Balbianello is the hospital where Bond is seen recovering and Vesper comes to visit, the villa is also a filming location for Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones.
Villa Erba appears in Ocean’s 12 as Danny Ocean’s house. It’s also the house where the Netflix movie Murder Mystery comes to the climax, and Gwen Stefani filmed her music video for “Cool” here. Villa Balbiano plays the part of Aldo Gucci’s house in House of Gucci.
Murder Mystery is filmed in the streets of Como and Menaggio is used for Liam Neeson’s drama, The Other Man.
Budget-Friendly Options for Your First Time in Lake Como
Lake Como doesn’t exactly scream “budget-friendly”, but there are plenty of ways to enjoy Lake Como without breaking the bank.
If your schedule allows it, travel during the shoulder season, because the highest prices for accommodation will be during the summer months. Instead of Bellagio, stay in Bellano. The town is still well-connected with a train and ferries, and you still get the experience of staying in a pretty lakeside town.
Another small way to save money is to find accommodation that includes breakfast so you only have to worry about lunch and dinner. You can also opt for a small apartment instead of a lush hotel, which will be cheaper. Then you can cook your own meals or make a picnic lunch to eat by the lake.
Order the house wine! It’s a lot cheaper than the other wines on the menu AND usually just as good.
Instead of trying to visit all the villas, pick one or two that you really want to visit. You can also get a joint ticket for Villa Monastero and Villa Cipressi, which will save you a few euros.
Or skip the villas altogether and opt for more budget-friendly attractions like the Argegno-Pigra Cable Car or Orrido di Bellano.
Instead of taking an expensive boat tour, buy the ferry day pass and watch the day go by while cruising from town to town on the lake.
Add some free activities to the list like taking a walk on a hiking trail or swimming in front of the waterfall in Nesso.
Are you heading to Lake Como for the first time this year? What town are you looking forward to visiting the most? If you have any more questions, let me know in the comments below!
If you are planning a trip to Italy, check out some of my other posts
- How to Spend One Day in Lake Como
- Complete Guide to Catania, Sicily
- How to Spend the Perfect Day in Potofino
- How to Get to Rapallo from Genoa
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