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 well-liked for watersports and is stuffed 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 if you happen to enterprise away from the waterfront promenade. If visiting northern Italy, go to Lake Como for an unique lakeside environment. Lake Como has beautiful views of the encircling mountains and exquisite old-town surroundings.
High Issues to Do in Lake Como, Italy
We’ll check out the 16 finest Lake Como points of interest. 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 posh villa sits on the shores of Lake Como on 14 acres of lush gardens and strikes probably the most 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 bushes and bursts of flowers.
Guests are welcome to stroll the gardens and chill out exterior. Whereas people who wish to go inside can head to exhibition rooms unfold throughout two flooring. You may seize your ticket right here upfront together with the ferry or you may go for a personal speedboat tour of the lakeside Villas right here.
The primary ground comprises a marble and plaster room with beautiful 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 known for stunning gardens and exquisite villas, and Villa Carlotta ticks each containers.
Villa Carlotta’s intimate art work show additionally makes it price visiting Lake Como. Artwork fanatic or not, you may readily admire the gorgeous setting and cautious collections.
2. Take A Boat Tour
Boat excursions are probably the most well-liked 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. Slightly than the native ferry choices, these chartered boat excursions are devoted to tourism. You could find dinner cruises, luxurious Venetian boat excursions, and particular itineraries like villa sightseeing boat journeys. Set up your best timeframe and what you’d prefer to see on Lake Como, then try totally different boat tour itineraries to see what piques your curiosity.
This sightseeing tour is a basic possibility – together with a bit of little bit of all the things with villas, lake historical past, and beautiful views. Or a sundown dinner cruise if you need a night exercise. You may e-book boat excursions on arrival in most ports alongside Lake Como. Nevertheless it’s finest to e-book upfront to ensure a spot, particularly within the hectic excessive season.
3. Villa Del Balbianello
Villa Del Balbianello is Hollywood heaven and simply the most effective issues to do in Lake Como, Italy. It’s simple to be raptured by the elegant fantastic thing about the villa. Nevertheless, film followers also needs to pay this Lake Como attraction a go to. Villa Balbianello has been utilized in a number of Hollywood films, 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 simple to see why it caught Hollywood’s eye.
Friends can wander the 18th-century villa inside and outside – 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 monitor within the Roman period. Sentiero Del Viandante is hailed as one of many best mountain climbing trails in Lake Como – if not Italy as a complete. The 45km path runs alongside the jap shores of Lake Como and may be accomplished in little sections if you happen to don’t have time for a multi-day hike. The shorter sections are largely 5 hours lengthy, so they’re excellent to finish as a half-day hike earlier than stopping for a meal in a scenic village. You may simply hike between cities and catch the practice on the east facet.
Sentiero Del Viandante passes castles, stunning views of Lake Como and its mountains, and plenty of little villages with scrumptious locations to eat. You may plan not less than 2-3 stops at historic points of interest 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 concerned with botanical gardens, it’s a superb 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 type impressed by Napoleonic France. Nevertheless, the backyard is far more of a treasure trove.
Villa Melzi Backyard is stuffed 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 essentially the most avid botanist would adore. But it’s stunning sufficient to ensnare the untrained eye as properly. It’s stuffed with cedar bushes, azaleas, rhododendrons, and water lilies. The backyard opens between March and October from 10 am till 7 pm. Throughout this time, you may stroll the advanced community of paths and luxuriate in all the eye to nice particulars. The easiest way to discover all the Villas on Lake Como is with this tour which incorporates all of the entries to the preferred stops.
6. Sagra Di San Giovanni
Sagra Di San Giovanni is likely one of the finest issues to do in Lake Como when visiting in June. Celebrating a neighborhood pageant provides you a a lot stronger perception into a spot and its folks and historical past. If you happen to’ve but to finalize your dates to go to Lake Como, contemplate touring to the lake for its famed pageant Sagra Di San Giovanni. The pageant is well known by a whole bunch 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 aren’t a sight you’ll overlook shortly. The show begins at round 10:30 pm within the night and lasts just below an hour. You may watch from one of many promenades (and even your resort window if you happen to select lodging correctly). Or alternatively, splash out on reserving a ship so you may 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. Nevertheless, Villa Monastero’s gardens have a distinct vibe from the opposite two featured. As an alternative of a backyard stuffed with paths and towering flora, Villa Monastero has beautiful terraced gardens neatly organized in stone overlooking Lake Como. Villa Monastero has a way more formal backyard association. Relationship again to the 1800s, you may see the interval’s opulence in its present aesthetic.
Aside from the terrace facet, Villa Monastero focuses extra on the view than the opposite villas. There are beautiful viewpoints all through and ornate seating areas to take a seat and relish your environment. Not like Villa Melzi, you can even enterprise inside to see the rooms and examples of interval structure, which is a pleasant contact. It’s excellent for anybody concerned with 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 type of place you go on get together 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 distinct perception into Lake Como and a extra energetic various to boat journeys. Health fanatics notice this down as probably the most energetic 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 of with extra exhilarating actions, wakeboarding and kitesurfing may be discovered with sure tour operators.
9. Castello Di Vezio
Castello Di Vezio is a beautiful walled fort 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 an interesting piece of native historical past.
The Twelfth-century fort is filled with displays, uniting the historical past obsessed and the extra severe 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 probably the most 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 relating to wine manufacturing. The nation has been producing wine for over 4,000 years, and its local weather is good for viticulture. Italy has 20 areas with over 545 totally 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 essentially the most out of wine tasting, as you’ll arrive simply in time for the grape harvest. Wine tasting is likely one of the finest 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 may 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 wish to plan a day journey or two to different cities round Lake Como. Menaggio is a basic selection for Lake Como city hopping, excellent 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 – goal for a summer time journey if you need an gratifying swim. Spiaggia Lerai is the preferred swimming seashore in Menaggio.
Menaggio is definitely reached by bus or ferry. Touring from Como takes round an hour on public transport. It’s also a scenic route, hugging the complete western shores of Lake Como and slicing 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 mountain climbing, the Greenway Del Lago Di Como is likely one of the prime issues to do in Lake Como. It’s extra of a sightseeing path than a normal mountain 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 good 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 hooked up to the facet of the rock face. It’s certainly one of Lake Como’s most unbelievable hikes and a beautiful day journey. Orrido Di Bellano was minimize by the glacial retreat of an previous river Adda, and now an aqua-blue river runs by the bottom of the gorge. It’s an interesting little bit of geography, and the thunder of the river under is actually atmospheric. The walkway railings are adorned 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 mountain 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 truly 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 simple to entry and the most effective viewpoints round Lake Como.
15. Tempio Voltiano
Tempio Voltiano is a crucial museum on this 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 choice of his innovations (Volta was a prolific inventor exterior 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 excellent for anyone wanting an indoor exercise.
16. Take pleasure in The Previous City In Como City
You have to go to Como’s Previous City. It ticks off all the things you’d hope to see in a historic Italian city middle – from cobbled streets to al fresco eating places. The perfect factor about each previous city is its glorious eating places, and grabbing one thing to eat within the Como’s Previous City is likely one of the finest issues to do in Lake Como. You may 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 hanging conventional landmark price seeing and a metropolis gate courting again to 1192. Nothing beats a little bit of sightseeing on a glad abdomen. This guided tour consists of all of it and is superb.
Visiting Lake Como: FAQs
Now that we’ve lined the perfect issues to do in Lake Como, let’s have a look at some important FAQs. These essential snippets of data will provide help 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 a large worldwide airport, with direct flights from departure locations worldwide. If you happen to journey from exterior Europe, that is doubtless 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 important stations in Lake Como, and it solely prices a number of {dollars} per ticket. Alternatively, you may lease a automotive at Malpensa Airport after which drive to Lake Como in about an hour.
If you happen to solely have a short while we recommend hopping on at the present time journey from Milan, which features a cruise, the village of Bellagio, and visiting Varenna, Menaggio, or different areas. A terrific deal for the cash.
An alternative choice is to journey overland – particularly if you’re already in Europe. Europe is extremely well-connected, and it is not uncommon apply to interrail across the area, with offers and reductions on worldwide rail go to hop between international locations. You may journey by practice from Switzerland to Lake Como in lower than 3 hours. And even Amsterdam in 12 hours if you happen to needed. We recommend stopping in Germany and Switzerland alongside the way in which. Touring to Lake Como by practice is likely one of the most adventurous but simply organized methods of transport.
You may additionally drive to Lake Como. This methodology permits extra freedom however is far more tiring, with many slender roads. The tender borders in Europe make for simple border crossings, although. When you’ve got loads of time, driving to Lake Como is likely one of the finest methods to slowly expertise the area at your personal tempo.
Getting Round Lake Como
Arms 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 probably the most stunning lakes in Italy is definitely the perfect type of public transport you’ll ever expertise. The western facet of Lake Como is exceptionally properly linked by boat, and you’ll hop between the cities on ferries and little shuttle boats.
After all, disregard our recommendation solely on the jap facet of Lake Como – you’ll must scrap the boat thought and run for the practice. There are barely any ferry providers within the east, providing many practice providers as a substitute. The easiest way to get round on the east shores is by catching the practice, with a station in most cities and villages.
A rental automotive is barely a good suggestion if you’re venturing out on many day journeys. Even then, a lot of Lake Como’s surrounding areas are linked by practice. For example, by rail, you may attain Switzerland, many mountain villages, and close by main Italian cities. Lease a automotive solely if you need extra freedom and highway trip-style day journeys. Or you probably have members of your journey get together with mobility points since catching the practice can contain plenty of strolling and steps.
An alternative choice with vehicles is to rent taxis and shuttle providers. Intention to e-book taxis upfront if that is the mode of transport you go for, as they’re highly regarded, particularly within the excessive season.
After all, you can simply spend your complete keep strolling alongside lakeside promenades – the superb views assist. If you happen to keep in a city middle, obtain Google Maps and discover on foot. Getting round on foot means stumbling throughout tiny backstreet eating places with glorious conventional meals and unmapped viewpoints.
Finest Time to Go to Lake Como
The perfect time to go to Lake Como is Could. Could has common temperatures of 70 levels Fahrenheit but additionally 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 might sound interesting, it has chilly climate and fewer points of interest and lodges 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 fascinating time of yr to discover Lake Como. It’s far 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. In reality, it may very well be one of many finest issues to do in Italy. The complete area is stuffed with pure magnificence – from beautiful gardens to mountain trails and personal seashores alongside the lakeside. Regardless of its unique vibe and white-collar crowd, the realm affords vacationer points of interest for all funds ranges. There are numerous free issues to do in Lake Como. Profit from the pure points of interest, museums, and arranged experiences.
On the lookout for extra inspiration about visiting northern Italy? Try our guides on the finest cities in Tuscany, prime luxurious lodges in Milan, and issues to do in Lugano if you happen to cross the Swiss border. In any other case, have a beautiful time exploring Lake Como, Italy.
