Surrounded by dramatic mountains, sparkling blue water and elegant lakeside villages, Como is a wonderful destination for a picturesque and peaceful getaway. Filled with scenic boat rides, historic villas, beautiful gardens and delicious Italian food, the lake and mountains in Como reminded me a lot of Queenstown and Lake Whakatipu. However, each definitely have their own unique charm.
Where to stay in Como
Search Como on Booking.com below for accommodation options.
Visiting towns around Lake Como
The areas around the lake are split into zones, with transit across popular areas being slightly more expensive to move around. However, ferries and buses are fairly cheap. I found buses were less reliable than the ferries, but the ferries run on a longer schedule.
If you’re travelling in a larger group, it may be easier to book a guided tour visiting multiple towns. Take a look at these tours from Get Your Guide below:
Cernobbio
- Il Giardino Della Valle – This was a wonderful thing to stumble across. It’s a small botanical garden around a stream running toward the lake has playful decorations and sculptures throughout. There’s even birdhouses and a small book swap box.
- Sentee di Sort, starting from Rovenna/Cernobbio, this trail sits on the side of mountains, and allows you to wander past waterfalls and an old quarry with panoramic views of the lake throughout.
Moltrasio
At the other end of Sentee di Sort, Moltrasio is a another lakeside town that you can catch the ferry to and from.
Bellagio
Here I visited a bunch of bars and enjoyed a different glass of wine with aperitifs at each one
Sights & Activities around Como
Villas around Como
Lake Como is dotted with elegant historic villas and gardens, each offering a different glimpse into the beauty and heritage of the region. Starting in Como, Villa Olmo consists of grand neoclassical architecture along the peaceful lakeside. Further along the western shore, Villa Carlotta in Tremezzina is celebrated for its spectacular botanical gardens and impressive art collection. Meanwhile nearby Villa d’Este in Cernobbio brings a touch of timeless luxury with its magnificent lakefront setting. Across the water, Villa del Balbianello stands dramatically on a wooded peninsula, renowned for its terraced gardens, panoramic views and appearances in films such as Star Wars and Casino Royale. Finally, in the picturesque village of Varenna, the gardens of Villa Monastero stretch along the shoreline, offering a peaceful walk among colourful plants, sculptures and unforgettable views across the lake.
Tempio Voltiano
A small memorial museum on the lakeside, dedicated to Volta – the famous inventor who was born in Como. It has a small entry fee of €6 to see inside.
Alessandro Volta invented the first electric battery. Inside, the museum displays instruments, documents and scientific discoveries connected to Volta, offering a fascinating glimpse into the work of the man whose name lives on in the unit of electrical potential, the volt.
Panocoteca Civico
The Pinacoteca Civica is Como’s main art gallery and a great place to discover the city’s artistic heritage. Housed in the historic Palazzo Volpi, the gallery features an impressive collection of paintings and artworks spanning centuries, with a particular focus on artists and works connected to the Como region. From medieval and Renaissance pieces to more modern works, the museum offers a fascinating glimpse into the history and culture of Como away from the crowds of the lakefront. Entry is €6.
Como Markets
The largest market in Como is held from Tuesday to Thursday morning, and all day Saturday, along the walls from viale Battisti to viale Varese. You can find all sorts of clothing, shoes, and bags for sale. Visit this site for a list of markets in the smaller towns and when they’re held.
Funicular / Cable Car
While the best view is after dark to see all the city lights, restaurants at the top are only open till 9pm, with the last cable car heading down at 9.45pm. It’s one of the steepest cable cars in Europe.
Food & Drink in Como
Wine/drinks served with aperitivos (usually potato chips) everywhere. I’m not a fan of aperol spritzes but here is where I discovered the Hugo Spritz (made with elderflower liqueur instead of aperol), a sweeter alternative.
Here are some restaurants I enjoyed:
Imbarcadero was a great place to stop between sightseeing as it was close to the lakeside and ferry plus its in the heart of the city.
The customer service here was impeccable. Here I ordered an authentic carbonara pasta and it was divine!
Aperitivo et al., Bellaggio
This is a small bar & wine store in a concrete wine cellar. They sell over 500 different wines by the glass.
Thanks for joining me on my journey!
This was a short break away from my time spent at Oktoberfest, and exploring Munich, check out those blog posts for more of my travels around Europe!
I hope to return for a longer trip around Italy someday, in the meantime check out my Italy Pinterest Board
