Let’s talk about Lake Como, a gem of a place located just a 45-minute drive from Milan (or a train ride from Milan to the city of Como). Recently, I had the long-awaited opportunity to visit Lake Como during an Italian adventure where we ended our journey before heading back to Texas via Milan! I hope these insights help you plan for your an Italian adventure of your own.
Getting There and Navigating Around
First things first, logistics as we know, can make or break a vacation (unless you're the go with the flow type, in which case, I'm envious!). Transportation in Como is unique. The area has limited taxi and ride-sharing services, as a special license is required for passenger transport. If you’re not renting a car, arranging transportation with your hotel or a transport company is essential. We booked our transfers from Milan's train station to Como and then to the Milan airport with Milano by Car and had a great experience! Additionally, for a day tour, we made arrangements through our hotel to take us around to towns we didn’t get to squeeze into our boat tour!
Speaking of boats, we learned Como also requires special charter licenses and has a cut off time for boats on the lake in the evening/night. And last, but certainly not least, the ferry seems like the most convenient way to go. We didn’t get a chance to experience it first hand, but those who navigate public transportation well, should have no problems with the timetable! Only consideration is that during the open season expect lines as tickets were in high demand in early March, despite some rainy weather.
Where to Eat
Do not miss these restaurants when in Como and be sure to make reservations in advance! [If you are staying in a hotel, please have your hotel's concierge make the reservations when possible, as they sometimes have more pull]!
Kitchen: (Como) Michelin restaurant with unique dishes that were so interesting and delicious!
La Colombetta: (Como) More traditional option in a renovated church ran by the sweetest sisters!
Navedano: (Como) Off the beaten path but an ABSOLUTE must
CavaTuracciolo: (Bellagio) the quaintest wine bar we loved stopping in to try unique wines and even ordered some to shop back home!
Where to Stay
Lake Como is a HUGE lake surrounded by quaint towns, including notable ones like Varenna, Bellagio, Como, Menaggio, and Lecco (recommended to bypass). Como definitely has more city vibes than the other towns, and served as a fantastic home base for us. From there, exploring places like Varenna and Bellagio were great with arranged transportation. There are definitely some other places on my travel dreams list to come back and stay during the season but our stay at Lago di Vista in Como was nothing short of amazing, with seriously some of the best service we’ve ever had!
What to Do
Embrace relaxation and enjoy the views of the beautiful lake! Seriously, Lake Como is a vibe!
We had so much fun exploring and shopping around Como; and like many of the smaller towns, there is no shortage of amazing places to eat, drink and shop!
Visit the charming towns scattered around the lake, especially Bellagio and Varenna! If you have time or want to explore more places, visit Mennagio by taking the ferry from Varenna; and when in or near Como, stop by Cernobbio, which is accessible by car!
A boat ride is a MUST on Lake Como!!! We had the best time with Il Medeghino on a 4 hour tour around the lake with a stop in Bellagio and of course a yummy bottle of prosecco provided by our boat captain as we enjoyed the lake!
Additional Tips
One thing we learned is that the peak season in Como runs from late March to September. Visiting during the off-season can still be enjoyable, but it’s worth noting that many shops, restaurants, and hotels may be closed and the weather can be a bit rainy! I personally enjoyed this time because it was not very crowded and heard it gets crazy in the summer!
So there you have it, a little guide to help you navigate and enjoy the beautiful Lake Como!