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 standard for watersports and is stuffed with marine life. Its substantial dimension because the third largest lake in Italy additionally implies that there are many issues to do in Lake Como alongside its shores. There are luxurious villas transformed into museums and unbelievable hikes should you 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 encircling mountains and delightful old-town surroundings.
Prime 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 most effective issues to do in Lake Como. Let’s dive straight in.
1. Villa Carlotta’s Botanical Gardens
Villa Carlotta is a shocking 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 one of the iconic landmark views within the area. The flowery 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 loosen up exterior. Whereas people who wish to go inside can head to exhibition rooms unfold throughout two flooring. You’ll be able to 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 flooring comprises 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 flooring. Lake Como is legendary for stunning gardens and delightful villas, and Villa Carlotta ticks each bins.
Villa Carlotta’s intimate art work show additionally makes it value visiting Lake Como. Artwork fanatic or not, you may readily admire the attractive setting and cautious collections.
2. Take A Boat Tour
Boat excursions are one of the standard 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 entire day if you would like. Quite 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 preferrred time-frame and what you’d prefer to see on Lake Como, then try completely different boat tour itineraries to see what piques your curiosity.
This sightseeing tour is a basic choice – 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 would like a night exercise. You’ll be able to e book boat excursions on arrival in most ports alongside Lake Como. However 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 probably the greatest issues to do in Lake Como, Italy. It’s straightforward to be raptured by the elegant great thing about the villa. Nonetheless, film followers must also 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 isn’t 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 outdated mule observe 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 could be accomplished in little sections should you don’t have time for a multi-day hike. The shorter sections are principally 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’ll be able to simply hike between cities and catch the practice 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’ll be able to plan no less than 2-3 stops at historic points of interest no matter which part you hike.
5. Villa Melzi
Villa Melzi is one other one among 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 excited about botanical gardens, it’s a superb different 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 fashion impressed by Napoleonic France. Nonetheless, 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 probably the most avid botanist would adore. But it’s stunning sufficient to ensnare the untrained eye as nicely. 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 revel in all the eye to high-quality particulars. One of the best ways to discover the entire 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 without doubt 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 individuals and historical past. Should you’ve but to finalize your dates to go to Lake Como, take into account touring to the lake for its famed pageant Sagra Di San Giovanni. The pageant is well known by lots of 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 will not be a sight you’ll overlook shortly. The show begins at round 10:30 pm within the night and lasts slightly below an hour. You’ll be able to watch from one of many promenades (and even your resort window should you select lodging properly). 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. Nonetheless, Villa Monastero’s gardens have a special 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.
Other than the terrace side, Villa Monastero focuses extra on the view than the opposite villas. There are gorgeous viewpoints all through and ornate seating areas to sit down and relish your environment. In contrast to Villa Melzi, you can too enterprise inside to see the rooms and examples of interval structure, which is a pleasant contact. It’s excellent for anybody excited about inside structure and a fantastic backyard.
8. Get pleasure from 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 occasion cruises or scream throughout the bay clinging to a banana boat. It presents extra sedate watersports centered round tranquility and sightseeing. As an illustration, this kayak tour is a relaxed approach to expertise Lake Como from the water. Water sports activities are good for getting a special perception into Lake Como and a extra lively different to boat journeys. Health fanatics observe 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, one among 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 tough climb. Castello Di Vezio is a shocking vantage level and an interesting piece of native historical past.
The Twelfth-century fortress is full of displays, uniting the historical past obsessed and the extra severe vacationers in a quest to fill a thirst for information. 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 good for viticulture. Italy has 20 areas with over 545 completely different vine varieties, so there are many decisions for the fussy (or enthusiastic) palette. Wine lovers will notably 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 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 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 wish to plan a day journey or two to different cities round Lake Como. Menaggio is a basic alternative 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 – intention for a summer time journey if you would like 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 is usually a scenic route, hugging the complete western shores of Lake Como and chopping via 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 without doubt one of the prime issues to do in Lake Como. It’s extra of a sightseeing path than an ordinary 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 via 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 simple hike general. With sufficient relaxation stops, close to sufficient, anybody can hike this path. It has a simple 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 connected to the aspect of the rock face. It’s one among Lake Como’s most unbelievable hikes and an exquisite day journey. Orrido Di Bellano was lower by the glacial retreat of an outdated river Adda, and now an aqua-blue river runs via the bottom of the gorge. It’s an interesting little bit of geography, and the thunder of the river under is de facto 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 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 a fantastic statement 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 very good shout. With the Swiss Alps on the horizon and the shimmer of the water straight in entrance of you, Punta Spartivento has an virtually magical serenity.
Punta Spartivento is positioned 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 exterior of his creation of {the electrical} battery). Tempio Voltiano is a fantastic 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. Get pleasure from The Outdated City In Como City
You could 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. One of the best factor about each outdated city is its wonderful eating places, and grabbing one thing to eat within the Como’s Outdated City is without doubt one of the finest issues to do in Lake Como. You’ll be able to dine whereas taking within the ambiance and historic environment. The combination of bright-colored buildings and timeless stonework is a shocking 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 value 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 wonderful.
Visiting Lake Como: FAQs
Now that we’ve lined the most effective issues to do in Lake Como, let’s have a look at some important FAQs. These essential snippets of data will aid you finalize your journey to Lake Como.
How one can Get to Lake Como
The simplest approach to get to Lake Como is by flying into Milan. Milan has a large worldwide airport, with direct flights from departure locations worldwide. Should you journey from exterior Europe, that is possible the route you’ll use. You fly straight 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 fundamental stations in Lake Como, and it solely prices a couple of {dollars} per ticket. Alternatively, you may lease a automotive at Malpensa Airport after which drive to Lake Como in about an hour.
Should you solely have a short while we propose hopping on this present day journey from Milan, which features a cruise, the village of Bellagio, and visiting Varenna, Menaggio, or different areas. An awesome deal for the cash.
Another choice is to journey overland – particularly in case you are already in Europe. Europe is extremely well-connected, and it’s common follow to interrail across the area, with offers and reductions on worldwide rail cross to hop between international locations. You’ll be able to journey by practice from Switzerland to Lake Como in lower than 3 hours. And even Amsterdam in 12 hours should you wished. We recommend stopping in Germany and Switzerland alongside the way in which. Touring to Lake Como by practice is without doubt one of the most adventurous but simply organized methods of transport.
You would additionally drive to Lake Como. This technique permits extra freedom however is far more tiring, with many slender roads. The smooth borders in Europe make for simple border crossings, although. When you’ve got loads of time, driving to Lake Como is without doubt one of the finest methods to slowly expertise the area at your personal tempo.
Getting Round Lake Como
Palms 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 most effective type of public transport you’ll ever expertise. The western aspect of Lake Como is exceptionally nicely related by boat, and you’ll hop between the cities on ferries and little shuttle boats.
In fact, disregard our recommendation solely on the jap aspect of Lake Como – you’ll have to 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. One of the best ways to get round on the east shores is by catching the practice, with a station in most cities and villages.
A rental automotive is simply a good suggestion in case you are venturing out on many day journeys. Even then, a lot of Lake Como’s surrounding areas are related by practice. As an illustration, by rail, you may attain Switzerland, many mountain villages, and close by main Italian cities. Lease a automotive solely if you would like extra freedom and highway trip-style day journeys. Or if in case you have members of your journey occasion with mobility points since catching the practice can contain numerous strolling and steps.
Another choice with vehicles is to rent taxis and shuttle providers. Purpose to e book taxis upfront if that is the mode of transport you go for, as they’re extremely popular, particularly within the excessive season.
In fact, you could possibly simply spend your entire keep strolling alongside lakeside promenades – the wonderful views assist. Should 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
One of the best time to go to Lake Como is Might. Might has common temperatures of 70 levels Fahrenheit but in addition avoids the inevitable crowds from June to September. Might 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 points of interest and inns open. By selecting Might, 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 12 months 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. The truth is, it could possibly be one of many finest issues to do in Italy. The whole 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 presents vacationer points of interest for all funds ranges. There are various free issues to do in Lake Como. Profit from the pure points of interest, museums, and arranged experiences.
Searching for extra inspiration about visiting northern Italy? Try our guides on the finest cities in Tuscany, prime luxurious inns in Milan, and issues to do in Lugano should you cross the Swiss border. In any other case, have an exquisite time exploring Lake Como, Italy.
