Photo: Jean-Christophe BENOIST · CC BY 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
Lake Como
Lakeside villages, ferries and slow days.
A long blue lake between steep green mountains, lined with villas, gardens and small ferry-stop villages. Base yourself in Como or a lake village and hop between them by boat.
Places to see
Funicular to BrunateViewpoint · A steep funicular up to the village of Brunate, with views down the lake and on clear…≈ A$11- BellagioWalk · The 'pearl of the lake': stepped lanes of shops and cafés on a point where the lake's…≈ A$26
VarennaWalk · A small village of colourful houses on the eastern shore, with a lakeside walkway above…≈ A$9
Villa del BalbianelloPark · A villa and terraced garden on the tip of a wooded point, often called the most beautiful…
When to go
- Jan7° / 0°Some rainQuiet
- Feb10° / 1°Some rainQuiet
- Mar14° / 4°Some rainQuiet
- Apr18° / 8°Often wetBusy
- May22° / 12°Often wetVery busy
- Jun26° / 15°Some rainVery busy
- Jul29° / 18°Some rainVery busy
- Aug28° / 17°Some rainVery busy
- Sep
Staying and getting around
Good areas to stay
Como town. A walled old town with the cathedral and the funicular, at the south end of the lake; the hostel's here.
Bellagio. The famous point where the lake's three arms meet; lovely and dear.
Varenna. A small village on the east shore with a train station, good for a cheaper base.
Menaggio. On the west shore, with a hostel and ferries across to Bellagio and Varenna.
Flying in
Milan Malpensa (MXP): Train via Saronno to Como Lago, about 1 h 15 min, ≈ A$18.
Milan Bergamo (BGY): Bus to Milano Centrale, then a train to Como, about 2 h, ≈ A$30.
Flewaway's estimate for the usual budget way into Como; check times and fares before you fly.
Getting around
You'll need buses or trains. A single ticket is ≈ A$9. Ferries link the lake towns; the central triangle (Bellagio, Varenna, Menaggio) runs most often, and fast boats cost extra. Winter timetables are thin (check).
(≈ A$30, 1 day): If you'll hop between Bellagio, Varenna and Menaggio in a day.
