Lake Como Introduction: Lake Como, Lago di Como in Italian, is Italy's most popular lake and also its deepest. Lake Como is shaped like an inverted Y giving it a long perimeter. The lake is surrounded by beautiful villas and resort villages as well as hiking paths. the lake is popular for boat trips and water activities.
Lake Como, a popular destination since Roman times, is a top romantic travel destination and a great spot for photography.
Lake Como Location: Lake Como is in the northern Italian Lakes District. Lake Como lies between Milan and the border of Switzerland. It's southern tip is about 40km north of Milan. It is surrounded by mountains and hills.
Transportation to and from Lake Como: Lake Como lies on the Milan to Switzerland train line. The train stops in the town of Como, the main town on the lake, where there is a tourist office in Piazza Cavour. The Ferrovia Nord Milano, a small train line that leaves Como from via Manzoni, runs only between Como and Milan. Milan's Malpensa Airport is 40 miles away and has bus service to the town of Como.
Lake Como Transportation - Getting Around the Lake: Ferries link the major villages and towns of Lake Como, providing both a good form of public transportation and a good way to do some sightseeing from the lake. There is also a bus system to villages around the lake. There are several funiculars to take you into the hills.
Lake Como - When to Go: Lake Como is a popular weekend destination for people from Milan so the weekdays may be less crowded. July and August are the most crowded months. Spring and Fall are the best times to visit as it is less crowded and the weather is usually pleasant. During the winter, some services may be closed, but you can ski in the mountains nearby.
Lake Como Festivals: The Sagra di San Giovanni is celebrated the last weekend of June in the town of Como with folk arts and fireworks and in Ossuccio with a festival, boat procession, and boat race. The Palio del Baradello, a historical re-enactment, is the first week of September. Also in September is a traditional rowing race, Palio Remiero del Lario. There are music festivals around the lake in spring and fall, gastronomic festivals in fall, and drama from January - April.
Lake Como Shopping: The town of Como has many silk factories so if you want to buy silk Como is a good place to go. Prices are low on designer fashion fabrics. Como also has a Silk Museum dating from 1900 where you can see the entire silk-making process.
Lake Como - Where to Stay: Lake Como has a variety of lodging options, from campgrounds to elegant villas. Venere.com (book direct) has listings for 2 to 5-star hotel around the lake, with user ratings, including the elegant Grand Hotel Tremezzo Palace. Here are the Top User Rated Lake Como Hotels on Venere, 2-4 stars around the lake. For a real splurge, there's the luxurious Villa d'Este, a 16th-century villa in a dramatic setting.
Lake Como Attractions:
- Bellagio, known as the pearl of the lake, is in a beautiful setting and has many nice villas. It is easy to get to by ferry from other cities on the lake.
- The walled town of Como has a good historic center and lively squares with nice cafes. There are several walking paths near town. Como makes a good base if you're traveling by train. From Como you can take the funicular to the village of Brunate, 720m above Como, for hiking trails and beautiful views of the lake and the Alps.
- Villa d'Este, in the village of Cernobbio on the west coast, is the most famous of Lake Como's villas. The villa is now a luxury hotel on a wooded peninsula. Each of its 161 rooms is unique.
- Menaggio, against the mountains, is a lively resort with a lakeside promenade. Menaggio is popular with outdoor enthusiasts for walking or hiking, swimming, windsurfing, and rock climbing.
- Villa Carlotta, south of Menaggio, has beautiful gardens. You can tour the inside with its original 18th century furniture and art works.
- Villa del Balbianello, in the village of Lenno, is also worth a visit and has some unusual treasures. The villa was used as a set for one of the Star Wars movies.
- The fishing village of Varenna has picturesque narrow alleyways and streets below a castle and a lakeside walking path.
- Outdoor Activities - Biking, mountain biking, hiking, boating, paragliding and windsurfing. In the winter, you can ski in the nearby mountains.
- Cruises - there are some interesting cruises around the lake on commercial boats, mainly on weekends in the summer season.
- Camping - there are a number of campsites around the lake.
