Lake Como is a beautiful lake surrounded by cutesy cities towards a backdrop of the Lombardy Alps. Because the deepest lake in Italy, Lake Como is widespread for watersports and is filled with marine life. Its substantial measurement 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 unbelievable 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.
High Issues to Do in Lake Como, Italy
We’ll check out the 16 greatest 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 within the area. The frilly stairways to the entrance of the villa spill out right into a well-known botanical backyard with uncommon timber and bursts of flowers.
Guests are welcome to stroll the gardens and chill out outdoors. Whereas people who need to go inside can head to exhibition rooms unfold throughout two flooring. You possibly can seize your ticket right here prematurely together with the ferry or you possibly can go for a personal speedboat tour of the lakeside Villas right here.
The primary ground accommodates 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 ground. Lake Como is legendary for stunning gardens and delightful villas, and Villa Carlotta ticks each containers.
Villa Carlotta’s intimate art work show additionally makes it value visiting Lake Como. Artwork fanatic or not, you possibly can readily admire the attractive setting and cautious collections.
2. Take A Boat Tour
Boat excursions are one of the widespread 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. Reasonably than the native ferry choices, these chartered boat excursions are devoted to tourism. You will discover dinner cruises, luxurious Venetian boat excursions, and particular itineraries like villa sightseeing boat journeys. Set up your ultimate time-frame and what you’d wish to see on Lake Como, then take a look at completely different boat tour itineraries to see what piques your curiosity.
This sightseeing tour is a traditional possibility – together with a bit little bit of every little thing with villas, lake historical past, and gorgeous views. Or a sundown dinner cruise if you need a night exercise. You possibly can guide boat excursions on arrival in most ports alongside Lake Como. Nevertheless it’s greatest to guide prematurely to ensure a spot, particularly within 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 straightforward to be raptured by the elegant fantastic thing about the villa. Nonetheless, film followers also needs to pay this Lake Como attraction a go to. Villa Balbianello has been utilized in a number of Hollywood motion pictures, together with Star Wars Assault of the Clones. Italy is not any stranger to getting used as a Hollywood filming location, however Villa Balbianello is one thing else. It’s straightforward to see why it caught Hollywood’s eye.
Visitors 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 previous mule observe within the Roman period. Sentiero Del Viandante is hailed as one of many best climbing trails in Lake Como – if not Italy as a complete. The 45km path runs alongside the japanese shores of Lake Como and could be accomplished in little sections for those who don’t have time for a multi-day hike. The shorter sections are principally 5 hours lengthy, so they’re good to finish as a half-day hike earlier than stopping for a meal in a scenic village. You possibly can simply hike between cities and catch the prepare on the east aspect.
Sentiero Del Viandante passes castles, stunning views of Lake Como and its mountains, and plenty of little villages with scrumptious locations to eat. You possibly can plan not less than 2-3 stops at historic sights no matter which part you hike.
5. Villa Melzi
Villa Melzi is one other certainly 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’re simply curious about botanical gardens, it’s a wonderful various 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 model impressed by Napoleonic France. Nonetheless, the backyard is way more of a treasure trove.
Villa Melzi Backyard is filled with Egyptian and Roman statuesEnvision a complete image of romance and also you may come near a picture of Villa Melzi. The backyard is one thing David Attenborough or probably the most avid botanist would adore. But it’s stunning sufficient to ensnare the untrained eye as properly. It’s stuffed with cedar timber, azaleas, rhododendrons, and water lilies. The backyard opens between March and October from 10 am till 7 pm. Throughout this time, you possibly can stroll the advanced community of paths and revel in all the eye to advantageous particulars. The easiest way 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 without doubt one of the greatest issues to do in Lake Como when visiting in June. Celebrating a neighborhood competition offers you a a lot stronger perception into a spot and its individuals and historical past. In the event you’ve but to finalize your dates to go to Lake Como, take into account touring to the lake for its famed competition Sagra Di San Giovanni. The competition is widely known by a whole lot of fireworks in a dramatic reenactment of the battles between Isola Comacina and Barbarossa in 1169. Whereas the story itself is fairly darkish, the festivities are flamboyant and completely infectious.
Fireworks over Lake Como should not a sight you’ll neglect shortly. The show begins at round 10:30 pm within the night and lasts slightly below an hour. You possibly can watch from one of many promenades (and even your lodge window for those who select lodging correctly). Or alternatively, splash out on reserving a ship so you possibly can watch the fireworks from the water.
7. Villa Monastero
You’ve guessed it – one other of Lake Como’s stunning luxurious villas with a spectacular botanical backyard. Nonetheless, Villa Monastero’s gardens have a unique vibe from the opposite two featured. As a substitute of a backyard stuffed with paths and towering flora, Villa Monastero has attractive terraced gardens neatly organized in stone overlooking Lake Como. Villa Monastero has a way more formal backyard association. Relationship again to the 1800s, you possibly can see the interval’s opulence in its present aesthetic.
Other than the terrace facet, Villa Monastero focuses extra on the view than the opposite villas. There are gorgeous viewpoints all through and ornate seating areas to take a seat and relish your environment. Not like Villa Melzi, you may also enterprise inside to see the rooms and examples of interval structure, which is a pleasant contact. It’s good for anybody curious about inner structure and an exquisite backyard.
8. Take pleasure in Water Sports activities
You don’t keep subsequent to the deepest lake in Italy and never take pleasure in some watersports. Lake Como isn’t the form of place you go on occasion cruises or scream throughout the bay clinging to a banana boat. It affords extra sedate watersports centered round tranquility and sightseeing. For example, this kayak tour is a relaxed approach to expertise Lake Como from the water. Water sports activities are good for getting a unique perception into Lake Como and a extra lively various to boat journeys. Health fans word this down as one of the lively issues to do in Lake Como.
Rowing, crusing, diving, and fishing can be found on Lake Como. Whereas if you wish to push the boat out a bit with extra exhilarating actions, wakeboarding and kitesurfing could be discovered with sure tour operators.
9. Castello Di Vezio
Castello Di Vezio is a beautiful walled fortress overlooking Varenna, certainly one of Lake Como’s hottest cities. Located on a hill that takes round half-hour to succeed in on foot from the city middle 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 filled with reveals, uniting the historical past obsessed and the extra critical vacationers in a quest to fill a thirst for data. The views of Lake Como and its mountains are much more stunning 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 in relation 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 completely different vine varieties, so there are many selections for the fussy (or enthusiastic) palette. Wine lovers will significantly 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.
Go to Lake Como in autumn to get probably the most out of wine tasting, as you’ll arrive simply in time for the grape harvest. Wine tasting is without doubt one of the greatest 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 could be booked on boat journeys or land excursions to wineries and scenic vineyards.
11. Day Journey 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 traditional selection for Lake Como city hopping, good 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 satisfying swim. Spiaggia Lerai is the most well-liked swimming seaside in Menaggio.
Menaggio is definitely reached by bus or ferry. Touring from Como takes round an hour on public transport. It is usually a scenic route, hugging the whole western shores of Lake Como and chopping by numerous awe-inspiring villages and cities. Leaping on a e-bike is an effective way to get there.
12. Hike The Greenway Del Lago Di Como
Must you like climbing, the Greenway Del Lago Di Como is without doubt one of the prime issues to do in Lake Como. It’s extra of a sightseeing path than a normal climbing path – there’s simply a lot to see alongside the way in which. Little hamlets cling to the waterfront alongside the lake, and the path sometimes veers off up some dramatic hills to a lookout or detour by shaded woodland. The Greenway Del Lago Di Como is a rewarding hike, and it takes round 4 hours to finish the ten km stretch.
Whereas there are some inclines right here and there, the Greenway Del Lago Di Como is a straightforward hike total. 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. Guests step into the gorge itself, strolling alongside a slender walkway connected to the aspect of the rock face. It’s certainly one of Lake Como’s most unbelievable hikes and a beautiful day journey. Orrido Di Bellano was reduce by the glacial retreat of an previous river Adda, and now an aqua-blue river runs by the bottom of the gorge. It’s a captivating little bit of geography, and the thunder of the river beneath is absolutely 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 finish 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 an exquisite commentary deck above Lake Como, Italy. So far as scenic issues to do in Lake Como go, Punta Spartivento charges very extremely. The deck really stretches out over a small grassy space with railings spaced out and seating areas and picnic tables. If you’re planning a romantic picnic, Punta Spartivento is a extremely good shout. With the Swiss Alps on the horizon and the shimmer of the water immediately in entrance of you, Punta Spartivento has an nearly magical serenity.
Punta Spartivento is situated a 10-minute stroll away from Bellagio’s ferry terminal. It’s straightforward to entry and probably the greatest viewpoints round Lake Como.
15. Tempio Voltiano
Tempio Voltiano is a vital museum on the planet 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 within 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 collection of his innovations (Volta was a prolific inventor outdoors of his creation of {the electrical} battery). Tempio Voltiano is an exquisite exhibit that captures the essence of the scientist behind closed doorways. It’s a slice of science historical past and a preserved archive of an unbelievable human life. The blur of science and human historical past makes it good for anyone wanting an indoor exercise.
16. Take pleasure in The Outdated City In Como City
You should go to Como’s Outdated City. It ticks off every little thing you’d hope to see in a historic Italian city middle – from cobbled streets to al fresco eating places. The most effective factor about each previous city is its wonderful eating places, and grabbing one thing to eat within the Como’s Outdated City is without doubt one of the greatest issues to do in Lake Como. You possibly can dine whereas taking within 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 value seeing and a metropolis gate relationship again to 1192. Nothing beats a little bit of sightseeing on a glad 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 take a look at some important FAQs. These essential snippets of data will allow you to finalize your journey to Lake Como.
The right way to Get to Lake Como
The best approach to get to Lake Como is by flying into Milan. Milan has an enormous worldwide airport, with direct flights from departure locations worldwide. In the event you journey from outdoors Europe, that is seemingly the route you’ll use. You fly immediately 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 predominant stations in Lake Como, and it solely prices a couple of {dollars} per ticket. Alternatively, you possibly can lease a automobile at Malpensa Airport after which drive to Lake Como in about an hour.
In the event you solely have a short while we recommend hopping on this present day journey from Milan, which features a cruise, the village of Bellagio, and visiting Varenna, Menaggio, or different areas. An incredible deal for the cash.
Another choice is to journey overland – particularly if you’re already in Europe. Europe is extremely well-connected, and it is not uncommon follow to interrail across the area, with offers and reductions on worldwide rail cross to hop between international locations. You possibly can journey by prepare from Switzerland to Lake Como in lower than 3 hours. And even Amsterdam in 12 hours for those who needed. We recommend stopping in Germany and Switzerland alongside the way in which. Touring to Lake Como by prepare is without doubt one of the most adventurous but simply organized methods of transport.
You might additionally drive to Lake Como. This technique permits extra freedom however is way more tiring, with many slender roads. The tender borders in Europe make for straightforward border crossings, although. When you have loads of time, driving to Lake Como is without doubt one of the greatest methods to slowly expertise the area at your personal tempo.
Getting Round Lake Como
Fingers down, one of the simplest ways to get round Lake Como is by boat or ferry. Neglect boat journeys; being shuttled round by water on one of the stunning lakes in Italy is definitely the perfect type of public transport you’ll ever expertise. The western aspect of Lake Como is exceptionally properly related by boat, and you may hop between the cities on ferries and little shuttle boats.
In fact, disregard our recommendation solely on the japanese aspect of Lake Como – you’ll have to scrap the boat thought and run for the prepare. There are barely any ferry companies within the east, providing many prepare companies as a substitute. The easiest way to get round on the east shores is by catching the prepare, with a station in most cities and villages.
A rental automobile is just a good suggestion if you’re venturing out on many day journeys. Even then, a lot of Lake Como’s surrounding areas are related by prepare. For example, by rail, you possibly can attain Switzerland, many mountain villages, and close by main Italian cities. Lease a automobile solely if you need extra freedom and street trip-style day journeys. Or when you have members of your journey occasion with mobility points since catching the prepare can contain plenty of strolling and steps.
Another choice with automobiles is to rent taxis and shuttle companies. Intention to guide taxis prematurely if that is the mode of transport you go for, as they’re very talked-about, particularly within the excessive season.
In fact, you could possibly simply spend your complete keep strolling alongside lakeside promenades – the wonderful views assist. In the event you keep in a city middle, 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.
Greatest Time to Go to Lake Como
The most effective time to go to Lake Como is Could. Could has common temperatures of 70 levels Fahrenheit but in addition avoids the inevitable crowds from June to September. Could is a shoulder season, simply on the cusp of the excessive season. The off-season runs from November to mid-March. Whereas the less crowds may sound interesting, it has chilly climate and fewer sights and motels open. By selecting Could, you get a little bit of a compromise – fewer vacationers however good climate.
In spring, Lake Como’s cities and charming villages are stuffed with wildflowers, and the botanical gardens are in full explosion. It’s a charming time of 12 months to discover Lake Como. It’s way more ethereal than visiting within the chaotic summer time months in stifling warmth and crowds.
Why Ought to You Go to Lake Como?
Visiting Lake Como is fabulous. Actually, it might be one of many greatest issues to do in Italy. All the area is filled with pure magnificence – from attractive gardens to mountain trails and personal seashores alongside the lakeside. Regardless of its unique vibe and white-collar crowd, the world affords vacationer sights for all finances ranges. There are numerous free issues to do in Lake Como. Take advantage of the pure sights, museums, and arranged experiences.
Searching for extra inspiration about visiting northern Italy? Take a look at our guides on the greatest cities in Tuscany, prime luxurious motels in Milan, and issues to do in Lugano for those who cross the Swiss border. In any other case, have a beautiful time exploring Lake Como, Italy.
