One Day in Lake Como: How to Day Trip to Lake Como From Milan

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If you ever visit Milan, you should consider taking a day trip to Lake Como. Spending one day in Lake Como is the perfect big-city getaway.

This is just one itinerary and there are plenty of other places to visit around Lake Como, however, you won’t be able to do it in a day. Plus, this itinerary will give you an amazing mix of villas, waterfalls, and cute lakeside towns! So you will feel like you have really gotten a feel for Lake Como’s vibe.

Don’t forget to check out my Complete First-Timers Guide to Lake Como when you are finished with this post!

One Day in Lake Como: The Perfect Day Trip to Lake Como From Milan

How to Get to Lake Como from Milan

It might seem like a long way to go all the way into the Pre-Alps region to spend one day in Lake Como, but it’s not that far from Milan. It’s only an hour on the train and the trains are VERY frequent… at least once an hour.

A mistake people make when traveling to Lake Como from Milan is where they get off the train and which train they take. Most people will go to Como, since you’re going to Lake Como, it only makes sense to go to a place called “Como”… big mistake!

Como might be a nice place to visit when you are staying around the lake, but since you only have one day in Lake Como, I think this place can be skipped.

Another mistake people make is thinking Lake Como is a small lake, it’s A LOT bigger than it looks on a map. Ferries around the lake take a while and the best way to get around Lake Como is by boat, so you are trapped by the ferry schedule.

However, these three places are well-connected, and should have no issues finding a ferry that suits your schedule.

I recommend getting an early train to Lake Como from Milan and arriving in Bellano between 7:30 am and 8:30 am. The train station you will search for is Bellano Tartavalle Terme.

I use Trainline.com for all my train needs throughout Italy, it just makes my life easier when I’m constantly booking last-minute tickets or the ticket machines at the station are overcrowded.

One Day in Lake Como Itinerary: Day Trip from Milan

Bellano

I love Bellano, it’s very much “off the tourist trail” and quieter than the bigger players like Bellagio and Varenna. It’s also cheaper and a great place for breakfast! The train station is a short 7-minute walk into the main area.

Just a couple of breakfast suggestions:

• Pasticceria Lorla: A quick grab-and-go bakery with coffee. If you’re in a hurry to get in and out and start your day in Lake Como, then this is the way to go.
• Bar Arrigoni: Eggs, bacon, ham, cheese and toast? Yes, please! AND breakfast with a view!
• Wonder Cafe Hamburgeria: Don’t worry this isn’t a burger for breakfast! Eggs, pancakes, and more! Plus, it’s next to the train station.

When you are finished with breakfast, you will have time to walk around and wander the streets. The lakeside promenade will grant you amazing views of Lake Como and the narrow, winding streets are perfect for exploring.

Orrido di Bellano

This is one of my favorite places to visit in Lake Como. Orrido di Bellano is a natural gorge that was created 15 million years ago, lined with several waterfalls, you can walk through the narrow gorge on the winding wooden walkways and admire the beauty up close.

The gorge opens at 10am, so I suggest that you arrive for the opening to maximize your one day in Lake Como.

If you are afraid of heights I don’t recommend this activity, unless you can avoid looking down. Since the walkway through the gorge is narrow, it might make some people uneasy, but I cannot recommend this place enough! It’s such a unique location in Lake Como and should not be missed!

Allow at least 30 minutes to walk around the gorge, but you will probably spend more time there admiring the waterfalls and taking lots of photos!

Leaving Bellano

Unfortunately, you can’t hang around Bellano because there are two other amazing towns in Lake Como to visit!

You will need to head back to the train station and take the train to Varenna. Sorry, we aren’t hopping on a ferry yet. Since you are trying to maximize your time in Lake Como, the train from Bellano to Varenna takes 4 minutes and runs every 30 minutes. Don’t forget to check Trainline to easily book the next train!

Varenna

I’ve heard people call Varenna the “hidden gem of Lake Como”, but it’s quite the opposite, so don’t be fooled! But you cannot miss this gorgeous Lake Como town on your day trip from Milan!

The train station is about a 10-minute walk into the main part of Varenna.

At this point, it’s lunchtime, and you’ll have plenty of options:

• Bar il Molo: I’m not going to lie, the food isn’t fantastic here… but the view is AMAZING! If you don’t want to take a chance on the food here, at least stop by for a cocktail and try to grab a table lakeside, the view is next level!
• 27 Metri Quadri: Small restaurant with good food and good drinks.
• ALMA: Italian restaurant with a good menu and outdoor patio with lake views.
• Victoria Grill: Nice restaurant and a good vibe. Good choice if you want pizza for lunch.

Piazza San Giorgio

The main square in Varenna is the perfect place to sit and take in the atmosphere and admire the Chiesa di San Giorgio (Church of St George). Most people just pass through in a hurry without taking in the vibe, and I think that’s a mistake because it’s such a pretty area of Varenna.

Villa Monastero and Villa Cipressi

Villa Monastero is a historic villa turned museum near the end of Varenna. The famous botanical gardens stretch along the lakeside and boast amazing views of Lake Como.

There is a museum inside the villa, but I opted just for the garden ticket. It will take you a while to walk around the whole thing, especially if you stop every 10 steps to take another photo! *Guilty*

Let’s knock out another villa while we are here, Villa Cipressi is a villa-turned-luxury hotel, but the gardens are open to the public.

There is a fee to enter the gardens, but you can buy the combined ticket for here and Villa Monastero to save yourself some money and avoid waiting in another line to purchase tickets.

If you are looking for the Lake Como Insta-famous “Gates to Heaven”, you will find them here at the bottom of the gardens. And, no you cannot open and close them, but they are always open so you get the amazing view across the lake.

Allow yourself 1.5-2 hours to fully explore the gardens.

Passeggiata degli Innamorati

When you are ready to leave, instead of going to the train station, head down to the ferry terminal. You’ll pass through Passeggiata degli Innamorati or “Lover’s Walk” along the lakeside with amazing panoramic views of Lake Como and the surrounding mountains.

I will ALWAYS recommend taking the car ferry over the passenger ferry. A lot of people don’t realize you can travel as a foot passenger on the car ferry, so it’s never as overcrowded as the regular ferries. They also run more frequently because they only have a few stops in the area, whereas the passenger service has multiple stops up and down the lake.

Bellagio

Your last stop on your amazingly exhausting and rewarding day trip to Lake Como from Milan is Bellagio!

I’m going to issue you a warning right now, it’s crowded… VERY CROWDED! But I feel like Bellagio should be on every Lake Como day trip itinerary. Bellagio has such a vibe with colorful buildings, steep streets, and a plethora of outdoor cafes and restaurants.

If you want to amble down the waterfront, then you can check out Villa Melzi, but since you’re day is coming to a close, I recommend you just take it easy and explore the narrow streets.

Enjoy a coffee or a cocktail in one of the many lakeside restaurants or explore deeper into Bellagio and find a quiet spot in one of the many alleyways.

Walk down to Punta Spartivento, a park on the tip of the Bellagio peninsula and the meeting point of the three branches of Lake Como, or stick to the streets and climb up Salita Serbelloni, the Insta-Famous street with the “Wine Bar” sign.

When it is time for dinner, there is only one place you need to go and that’s La Grotta. I have dreams about La Grotta. It’s a classic Italian pizza place with a great staff, amazing service, and delicious food. It’s the first place all the locals would recommend! If you’re not a pizza fan, then there are other options including some local fish dishes.

You also need to make reservations for La Grotta because there will be a line. They only have two seating times, so you need to make sure you get the first seating time at 7pm. I know you don’t want to feel rushed, so if your train from Varenna is before 9:30pm, you might not be able to eat here.

Other dinner options in Bellagio are:

• La Fontana Bellagio: Pizza, pasta, and salads… plus a budget-friendly option for Bellagio!
• Hotel du Lac: Outside patio with lake views, right next to the ferry terminal so you can easily purchase tickets or see the line growing before you have to jump in! Also has a rooftop bar!
• Florence Restaurant: Not far from Hotel du Lac, this TikTok-famous restaurant has a pretty patio on the lake but also a nice indoor bar.
• Ristoro Forma e Gusto: Pizzeria with a nice vibe, and patio seating in the attached alleyway.
• Trattoria San Giacomo: Cozy restaurant at the top of Salita Serbelloni. Great food and vibe.

Ending Your One Day in Lake Como from Milan

You will want to keep an eye on the ferry schedule as it’s ever-changing with the season. Don’t forget to check out the car ferry times because they are more frequent and in my experience, have been more accurate with sticking to the schedule.

As your day comes to an end and you are getting ready to leave Bellagio, make sure you are in line early if you are taking the regular passenger ferry and you have already purchased your ticket.

Make sure you allow yourself enough time to get from the ferry terminal in Varenna to the train station. I would give yourself 15-20 minutes just to be safe. ALWAYS check the train times from Varenna to Milan because they can change.

Best Time to Take a Day Trip to Lake Como from Milan

Summer is the best time of year to take a day trip to Lake Como, however, it will be very busy. But you will get extended daylight hours and the weather will be nice. All the shops and restaurants will be open too.

Spring and Autumn give you the advantage of being in the “shoulder season”, so you will see fewer people around, although it will still be busy in the popular places. The weather will be a little more unpredictable with occasional gray skies or rainy days. If you arrive early spring or late fall then you have the possibility of some restaurants or shops being closed for the off-season, but if you choose to spend the night, then accommodation will be a bit cheaper.

Winter will be chilly, but you will see fewer people and get a more peaceful visit. The weather can be cold and damp and a lot of restaurants will be closed, but accommodation will be cheaper if you spend more than one day in Lake Como. Unfortunately, most of the attractions and villas will be closed and the ferry schedule is less frequent.

Extend Your One Day in Lake Como

Why not spend the night in Lake Como instead of taking a day trip? Even if you just spend the night, you will be able to have a more relaxed experience.

If you want a peaceful retreat, then stay in Bellano, or if you want to be close to the tourist hot spots, find a villa in Bellagio. Just be careful where you stay, if you choose to stay outside of the towns, you might find it difficult to get a taxi or book a taxi… the number of people I saw stranded in Bellagio was a lot.

• Villa Gard: I stayed here and it was gorgeous! It’s in San Giovanni which is right next to Bellagio, but gives you a little peace and quiet from the hustle and bustle.
• Apartment Antonio: Lovely apartment close to the train station in Bellano
• Apartment Laghee: Spacious apartment with amazing lake views and it’s right next to the Bellano ferry terminal
• Casa Carlo: This villa is the perfect Lake Como splurge and right in the center of Bellagio!

Tips for a Smooth Lake Como Day Trip

• If you plan your day out to the exact minute then you can pre-purchase your ferry tickets on the Navigazione Lago di Como Website, however, car ferry tickets are only purchasable in person. If you purchase passenger ferry tickets in person, make sure you get to the ticket booths early because there will be a line.
• Start early and finish late to maximize your day trip to Lake Como
• Wear comfortable shoes… you will be walking around a lot! Now is not the time to try a new pair of shoes or wear those stylish high heels!
• Dress for the weather! You are in the mountains so the air is a little more chilly. If you go during the summer then you shouldn’t have an issue, but the weather can be up and down during the spring and autumn.
• Pack a light snack and a water bottle. The restaurants can get busy and you’ll be walking around most of the time, so take some water with you just in case you can’t find a place for lunch.
• Bring some cash with you. While you might not need it, you probably won’t find an ATM where you will be going, so bring some Euros just in case.

One Day in Lake Como from Milan Schedule

This is just a quick overview of what your schedule should look like on your day trip to Lake Como. Don’t try to rush things and enjoy wandering around each town.

You can always book the hydrofoil (fast ferry) from Bellagio to Como if you want to see more of the lake and then take the last train out of Como to Milan.

The ferry schedule changes seasonally and it’s always good to keep a copy handy, whether you’ve printed it off or saved it on your phone. Also, look through the ferry schedule and make sure you understand how to read it before you leave for your trip because it can look a little overwhelming at first glance.

• 7:30-8:30am: Arrive in Bellano
• 10:00-11:00am: Orrido di Bellano
• 11:30am-3:30pm: Varenna
• 4:00-8:00pm: Bellagio
• 9:00pm: Arrive back in Varenna
• 9:30pm: Train to Milan

You can switch up the order you visit the towns but think about the opening and closing times of attractions. The Orrido di Bellano closes later on the weekend, so you could end your day trip in Bellano.

More posts from Lake Como and Italy:

• First Timers Guide to Lake Como
• How to Get to Rapallo
• One Day Itinerary for Portofino
• Complete Guide to Catania, Sicily

Are you spending the day in Lake Como from Milan? What are your favorite towns to visit in Lake Como? Let me know in the comments below!

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