6 Things to Do at Lake Como — Bellagio, Varenna, Luxury Villas, and Como Town

Lake Como is one of Europe's most recognizable postcards — and in person it outpaces every photo. Deep-blue water framed by the Alps, orange and yellow houses plastered onto steep cliffs, and centuries-old villa gardens dense with Mediterranean flowers and trees. First-time travelers routinely ask themselves why they waited so long to come.

#1

📍 Peninsula at the center of Lake Como, dividing the lake's two branches

Bellagio

The town nicknamed 'the Pearl of Lake Como' sits at the tip of the peninsula that splits the lake into two branches. Cobblestone lanes climb and dip through the hillside, lined with silk shops and truffle-coffee cafés. Villa Serbelloni's garden at the top opens for guided tours and offers the most spectacular 360-degree panorama of the lake. Bellagio is undeniably popular, but arrive before 9 a.m. and you'll find a stillness no photograph manages to capture.

Best time Early morning 7–9 a.m. before tour boats arrive, or late afternoon from 5 p.m. once the groups have left.

How to get there Ferry from Como town (about 2 hours) or the faster Hydrofoil (45 minutes) departing from Piazza Cavour pier.

Travel tips

• Ferries from Como and Varenna call at Bellagio frequently — buy a Navigazione Laghi day pass for unlimited hops across the lake.
• Climb the stone staircase Salita Serbelloni to Piazza della Chiesa for the best view in the village without paying for a villa tour.
• Waterfront restaurants at Piazzetta del Porto charge a significant premium — walk two or three lanes back into the alleys for solid food at local prices.

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#2

📍 Eastern shore of Lake Como, Province of Lecco

Varenna

Many visitors consider Varenna the most beautiful village on the lake. Brick-red and orange houses stack sharply down from the hillside until they nearly reach the water. The Passeggiata degli Innamorati — the Lovers' Walkway — juts out over the lake on an iron-railed path where couples attach padlocks. Villa Monastero's garden and Castello di Vezio on the heights above are both open to visitors. Varenna is harder to reach than Bellagio, but most people who make the trip say it's the standout of the whole visit.

Best time 8–10 a.m. or from 4 p.m. after most visitors have left. Afternoon light falls beautifully on the east shore.

How to get there Train from Milano Centrale to Varenna-Esino, approximately 55–65 minutes. Or take the cross-lake ferry from Bellagio — 15 minutes.

Travel tips

• Direct trains from Milano Centrale reach Varenna-Esino in about 1 hour — no transfers needed and considerably cheaper than the ferry.
• Villa Monastero opens at 9:30 a.m. — its terraced garden descending to the lake is exceptional. Entry is €7.
• The Lovers' Walkway is very narrow; passing in both directions during peak season is a squeeze. Go early morning or late afternoon for a comfortable walk.

🎟️ Book tickets & tours for Varenna on Klook →

#3

📍 Dosso d'Avedo headland, Lenno, western shore

Villa del Balbianello

The most beautiful villa on Lake Como and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, perched on a rocky headland with water on three sides. The meticulously kept terraced gardens are planted with lemon trees, cypress, and Italian roses. The villa was once the home of explorer Guido Monzino and is now managed by FAI. It served as a filming location for <em>Star Wars: Episode II</em> and <em>James Bond: Casino Royale</em>.

Best time April–May when the gardens are in full bloom, or September when leaves begin to turn but temperatures are still comfortable.

How to get there Train to Lenno, then a boat taxi from Lenno Lido pier (5 minutes, €10). Or walk the lakeside path from Lenno.

Travel tips

• Open Tuesday–Sunday, closed Mondays. Garden entry €12, villa tour €20. Book ahead in summer — it sells out.
• Access is either by boat taxi from Lenno Lido or on foot via a 20-minute walk through Lenno (some sections are steep).
• Arrive at opening time (10:00 a.m.) to see the villa before tour groups arrive. Morning light on the water is especially good.

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#4

📍 Southern tip of Lake Como, the main gateway from Milan

Como

The gateway to Lake Como has far more going for it than a transit stop. Como Cathedral is a stunning Gothic-Renaissance structure in white marble. The old quarter around the piazza retains sections of ancient Roman walls. Como has been Italy's silk capital since the 16th century — the Silk Museum near the train station offers free entry. The Funicolare Brunate cable car climbs to a hillside village with excellent views of the town and lake.

Best time Any day, 8–11 a.m. or 5–7 p.m. when the shopping streets and piazzas are at their least crowded.

How to get there Train from Milano Centrale to Como San Giovanni in 40 minutes. Or Trenord from Milano Cadorna to Como Nord Lago in 1 hour.

Travel tips

• The Funicolare Brunate costs €3.60 return. The 7-minute ride rewards you with a fine view of Como and the lake. Runs daily.
• The old town centre is entirely walkable — leave luggage at the train station and explore on foot.
• The cathedral is free but requires modest dress (no shorts or bare shoulders). Shawls are available to borrow at the entrance.

🎟️ Book tickets & tours for Como on Klook →

#5

📍 Tremezzo, western shore, directly across from Bellagio

Villa Carlotta

A museum and botanical garden celebrated above all for its spring display. Each April and May, more than 500 varieties of azalea and rhododendron bloom simultaneously along the garden paths. The 18th-century white villa inside holds over 200 pieces of neoclassical art and Romantic-era paintings. Stone steps descend directly to the lakeshore jetty, making Villa Carlotta the most picturesque ferry stop on the whole lake.

Best time April–May for peak bloom. June–July for lush greenery and lemons on the trees.

How to get there Cross-lake ferry from Bellagio in 10–15 minutes. Or Trenord to Cadenabbia station, then a 10-minute walk.

Travel tips

• Open daily April–October, €13 entry. Closed in winter — check villacarlotta.it before your visit.
• Late April to early May is peak bloom — expect more visitors than usual, but it is worth it.
• Take the train to Cadenabbia station and walk 10 minutes, or take the cross-lake ferry from Bellagio in 10 minutes.

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#6

📍 City centre, Piazza Duomo, Como

Como Cathedral

The finest building in Como and one of the best examples of Gothic-Renaissance architecture in northern Italy. Construction began in 1396 and took over 400 years to complete, finishing in 1770. The marble facade carries detailed carvings of saints and biblical scenes. Inside, the painted dome ceiling and 15th-century stained-glass windows filter sunlight into warm copper tones. The atmosphere is genuinely quiet — a good place to sit and absorb more than 600 years of the city's history.

Best time 8–11 a.m. for soft light on the marble facade and fewer visitors inside.

How to get there 10–15-minute walk from Como San Giovanni train station. Or 5 minutes on foot from Piazza Cavour ferry pier.

Travel tips

• Entry is free but modest dress is required. Shawls available at the door. Open 7:30 a.m.–7:00 p.m. daily, except during mass.
• The 15th- and 16th-century stained-glass windows are best appreciated mid-morning when direct sunlight passes through them.
• Several cafés and gelato shops face the piazza — a coffee on the terrace with the cathedral in view makes a fine break.

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🏨 That's all 6 spots! Next step — book a top-rated stay in Lake Como →