Lake Como
How to get from Bergamo to Milan? Lake Como is one of the most beautiful places in northern Italy – and although it gained fame thanks to celebrity villas, you can still travel here without a luxury budget. It's an ideal destination for a day trip from Milan or Bergamo, but also a place that could easily fill a week. Mountain peaks, colorful towns, crystal water and Italian ease – all this makes Como so enchanting. We visited Como in April, when there was still snow on the high peaks, which made an even greater impression. An important piece of information is that if you're going outside the summer period, always pay attention to the weather, especially if you combine it with other places to visit such as Milan. Because the lake is located between Alpine peaks, temperatures there may be lower than in other regions.
Small port in Varenna
Lovers' promenade - Passeggiata degli Innamorati
Main square in Varenna - Piazza San Giorgio
How to get around the lake?
To move between towns, the most convenient and pleasant means of transport is the ferry. The cruise lasts about 15 minutes and provides beautiful views of the surrounding mountains and charming towns. Ferries between Varenna, Bellagio, Menaggio and Lenno run regularly throughout the day, especially in season. The price of such a cruise on one section is 4.60€, but if you plan to visit several towns more extensively, it might be more cost-effective to buy a day ticket with unlimited ferry rides (but only on selected sections: Varenna, Bellagio, Menaggio and Lenno) for 15€. Current prices and schedules should be checked in advance on the www.navigazionelaghi.it website. From Bellagio, you can also get by boat to other more distant towns around the lake such as Como, Lecco or Colico. Prices for such cruises are higher and take longer.
Varenna
We started our sightseeing from Varenna, because it's easy to get there by train from Lecco and there's a port from which you can get to other towns. Besides, Varenna was one of the points to visit on our travel map. It's one of the most beautiful and atmospheric towns on Lake Como. Varenna, located on the eastern shore, captivates with its tranquility, narrow streets and views that are hard to forget, especially off-season or early in the morning. However, it's worth remembering that at these times many cafés, restaurants and souvenir shops are still closed or just starting to open. A disadvantage may also be that the morning light doesn't yet fully illuminate the town. Nevertheless, if you dream of a moment of silence and peace in authentic Italian streets, it's worth coming here. You also need to take into account that towns around Como are geared towards tourists, so prices here will be significantly higher than, for example, in Bergamo.
Arriving in Varenna by train, we start our journey in the newer part of the city. Here there are also parking lots for those traveling by car and from here ferries to other towns depart. Walking along the shore, we can take a short walk along the Lovers' Promenade (Passeggiata degli Innamorati) to the older and more attractive part of Varenna. There we reach the small port from which taxi boats and sailboats depart. Going up the stairs, we reach the main square Piazza San Giorgio, where there's a stone church from the 12th century Chiesa di San Giorgio. Its simplicity and medieval character well reflect the atmosphere of the town. While in Varenna, we can also visit two popular villas: Villa Monastero and Villa Cipressi. You can buy a ticket only for the gardens or for gardens and villas. If you have more time to explore Como, it's worth going to both (a combined ticket is best value). However, if you have less time, one is quite enough. We decided on Villa Monastero and were not disappointed. On Mondays the Villa is not available to visitors, so we only visited the gardens. However, it's worth checking current information on the official website. To skip queues you can also buy If you're looking for beautiful views, go to Castello di Vezio, castle ruins located above the town. In summer, falconry shows take place there, and the view from the walls to the lake is among the most beautiful in all of Como. You can walk to the castle (about 1.5 km uphill) or drive. Details regarding opening hours and ticket prices can be found on the website: www.castellodivezio.it
Finally, it's worth sitting on a bench by the shore of the old port or sitting in one of the restaurants and drinking good coffee, aperol or eating a portion of ice cream, preferably pistachio. You'll find some of the better ones at the ice cream shop La Passerella, at Contrada del Porto 14. It's easy to miss, so watch for the sign carefully!
Villa Monastero
Villa Monastero
Villa Monastero
Villa Monastero
Bellagio
It's best to get to Bellagio by ferry, it's the fastest and most convenient means of transport, and an attraction in itself. A cruise on the lake with a view of the mountains and towns is the perfect introduction to the atmosphere of the region. Bellagio is one of the most elegant and recognizable towns on Como. Located on a promontory dividing the lake into two branches, it offers spectacular views in every direction. In our opinion, it's a bit more crowded and less intimate than Varenna, but it also has its charm with an atmospheric port, narrow streets, elegant tenements and a picturesque old town. It's worth getting lost for a moment in the steep, colorful streets of Bellagio. Just 10 minutes' walk from the center there's a viewpoint from which a panorama of the lake and mountains unfolds. It's a great place for a moment of rest, there are benches but many people also sit on the grass. You can see exactly how the two branches of the lake meet here and continue north.
While in Bellagio, it's also worth visiting Villa Melzi with gardens stretching along the lake shore. This is one of the most beautiful places in Bellagio, alleys among cypresses, sculptures and a view of the lake surface create a calm, elegant atmosphere. The villa is not open to visitors, but the gardens alone are enough to feel the atmosphere of former aristocratic recreation.
If, like us, you only have one day for Lake Como, it's best to visit Varenna and Bellagio. However, if you have more time, it's also worth considering lesser-known towns located around the lake, each of them has its unique character.
Viewpoint in Bellagio
Also worth visiting
Lecco
In Lecco we had the opportunity to walk around for a while while waiting for the train. Lecco is a convenient accommodation base for people coming to Lombardy mainly to explore Lake Como, but if you have limited time, it's not worth choosing it as the main travel destination. The city is well situated and excellently connected both by water - ferries connecting it with other towns around the lake and by land, thanks to railway connections. Lecco also has interesting attractions to offer, a wide restaurant offer, shopping centers and bustling streets.
Lenno
Lenno is a small, charming town located on the western shore of the lake, ideal for those who want to take a break from crowds and feel a more local atmosphere. The town is famous primarily for one of the most beautiful Villas on Como, Villa del Balbianello, known from the movies Casino Royale and Star Wars. The villa, located on a picturesque promontory, is surrounded by perfectly maintained gardens and offers spectacular views of the lake. You need to take a short walk to reach it. Although Lenno is not as famous as Bellagio or Varenna, it's worth visiting.
Menaggio
Menaggio is one of the larger towns on Lake Como, located on its western shore, opposite Varenna and close to Bellagio. Easily accessible by ferry, it offers a great base for exploring the entire region. Unlike intimate Lenno or romantic Varenna, Menaggio has a more recreational, resort character. The waterfront promenade with palms and flowers encourages walks, and the main square Piazza Garibaldi is bustling with life, you'll find restaurants, cafés and shops there. In Menaggio it's also worth walking to the upper part of the town, where views of the lake and surrounding mountains unfold. From here hiking and cycling trails also begin, ideal for those who want to combine relaxation with active recreation.
Nesso
Nesso is a charming town located on the eastern shore of Lake Como. Although it doesn't figure among the most frequently visited places around the lake, it's gaining increasing popularity thanks to its authenticity and picturesque landscapes. Nesso is known for impressive waterfalls that cut through the town, and the characteristic stone bridge Ponte della Civera. These waterfalls create a picturesque scenery, and the bridge is a popular place for taking photos and admiring the views.
Orrido di Bellano
If you have more time to explore Lake Como, it's worth considering the Orrido di Bellano gorge - carved into the rocks by the current of the Pioverna stream. Orrido di Bellano is a place for nature lovers and adrenaline - walking on walkways over the rushing waters of Pioverna provides unforgettable experiences. Although the place can be crowded in season, it's definitely worth visiting, planning a trip in the Bellano area or as a stop on the route around Lake Como.
