Lake Como Travelers Recommend

Often considered the most beautiful lake in Italy, Lake Como sits just 50 miles (83 kilometers) north of Milan, and boasts fjord-like scenery, pastel-colored towns, Belle Epoque-era villas, lush gardens, and a host of outdoor adventures. If you’re here for just a day, here’s how to experience its highlights.

Morning: Exploring the Lake

Most visitors travel around Lake Como by ferry: boats flit regularly between the key towns, including Como, Bellagio, Lenno, Varenna, and Tremezzo. If you prefer touring with a guide without the hassle of arranging ferry tickets, choose a tour of the lake’s highpoints in one stress-free day: visiting places such as Varenna and Bellagio, riding a boat on the lake, and exploring the 18th-century Villa Balbianello—a shoot location on the James Bond movie, Casino Royale. Other options—ideal for discovering Como’s charms if you’re staying outside region—include convenient day trips to the lake from places such as Milan, Stresa, and Switzerland.

Afternoon: Add a Twist

If you didn’t join a full-day trip this morning, use this afternoon to add a twist or extra focus to your explorations—tours and activities depart from, and operate in, many towns. Join a walking or Segway tour around the sights of the lakeside Como; sample locally produced wines on a wine-tasting tour, or catch a different view of the lake by renting a kayak. If you’re a foodie, choose one of the many local culinary tours, perhaps sampling north-Italian specialities such as proscuitto and olive oils, or learning to make staples such as fresh pasta during a cooking class.

Evening: Sunset Sights and Supper

As afternoon turns to evening, the setting sun bathes Lake Como in gold, making for an atmospheric finish to the day. Watch the sunset on a cruise before savoring dinner at a lakeside restaurant as darkness cloaks the lapping waters. Or, end on a high note: on an early-evening helicopter tour. Rise into the sky and soar over the lake: gazing down on its celebrity villas, islands, and gardens, and admiring the snow-capped Italian Alps on the horizon—all in the light of sunset.

With three days in Lake Como, there’s ample time to take in the historical, cultural, and scenic highlights of Italy’s 3rd-largest lake. Marvel at the steep cliffsides from a boat, sample local wines and culinary staples, and explore elegant lakeside towns and mountainsides. Here are our tips for getting the best from three days in Lake Como.

Day 1: Cruises and Sightseeing

While ferries are the chosen way to sightsee for many travelers, a full-day tour of Lake Como’s most scenic spots is a great way to get an overview of the area. Maximize your time with bus-and-boat tours that typically visit Bellagio, Como, or Varenna and include boat trips to the exquisite Villa d’Este or Villa Balbianello. Tours depart from Como or Varenna, and some incorporate lunch at a lakeside restaurant. Travelers interested in history and architecture might choose a walking, electric-bike, or Segway tour of Como—the lake’s main hub—to see sights including its cathedral and medieval walls, or explore cobbled Bellagio with a guide. In the evening, splurge on a sunset helicopter tour.

Day 2: Food and Wines

Lake Como is a food- and wine lovers’ paradise thanks to its freshwater fish, northern Italian specialities, and the wine-growing areas of its northern sections, so dedicate today to sampling it wares. Opt for a tour that immerses you in the local food culture—perhaps venturing to the southeastern lake to sample the artisanal prosciutto and cheeses of the area. Alternatively, book a cooking class with a local chef to master fresh pasta and other Lombard staples or a tour around Como town, stopping to sample cold cuts, olive oils, and other delicacies while viewing the sights. If you’re eager to try local wines, a small-group wine tour lets you visit a winery on the lake’s northern banks, so you taste a selection of varieties without having to worry about driving. 

Day 3: The Great Outdoors

From mountain roads to footpaths, Lake Como has plenty to offer outdoor types. Bike along the lake’s east and west shores; explore hidden sights and beaches on a kayaking tour; go hiking above the lake; or zoom into the mountains on the back of a motorbike, pausing at vantage points to absorb the panoramas. Tours leave from Como and Varenna and center on everything from the meandering paths through Spina Verde Park—offering bird’s-eye lake views en route—to former mule tracks that wind through mountainside olive groves and chestnut woods. End your stay with a romantic sunset cruise with dinner.

If you’re planning two days in Lake Como, you have enough time to experience the best of Italy’s deepest—and some say, most photogenic—lake. Explore by boat, enjoy food tastings, and discover mountain trails and other adventures. Here are our tips for a 2-day stay in Lake Como.

Day 1: Discover the Lake

**Morning:**Ferries are the favorite mode of transport for getting around Lake Como; they chug along the west and east coasts to all the key towns and sights. Avoid figuring out timetables and tickets by choosing a tour that covers the lake’s star attractions, with a guide for background and observations. Most stop at towns such as Varenna and Bellagio and include cruises to showcase the scenery and call at the must-see Villa Balbianello or Villa d’Este.

**Afternoon:**If you didn’t join a day trip earlier, focus on the lake’s culture or particular highlights this afternoon. Explore Como and Bellagio on walking or Segway tours, or discover the secrets of pasta and other regional specialities during a cooking class. Alternatively, swap the kitchen for eating, sampling Como’s favorite snacks and delicacies on a food tour.

**Evening:**Tonight is perfect for easing back. Join the locals’ daily ritual of a passeggiata, admiring the lake before dinner next to the water or a bustling piazza. Or, discover another side to Como town on an evening walk that reveals some of the strange events in its 1,000-year history.

Day 2: Exploring Further

**Morning:**Experience Lake Como from a fresh angle, riding a bike or riding pillion on a motorcycle tour along waterfront roads. Other options include hiking mountain trails above the lake or peaceful kayaking expeditions along its shores.

**Afternoon:**Change your perspective again with a helicopter tour, hovering above the blue-green lake as your pilot points out sights and the snow-tipped Alps beyond. Travelers interested in viticulture might prefer a wine tour, sampling top-notch varietals produced by local wineries.

**Evening:**If you missed out on an earlier helicopter flight, book one for sunset for unforgettable aerial views of the lake. Otherwise, take a sunset cruise past villas and gardens to a lakeside restaurant for dinner—a quintessential Lake Como experience.