When I think of Italy, I think of beautiful villas, Aperol spritzes, and (of course) epic pasta. I visited Lake Como for the first time a few weeks ago, and absolutely fell in love. I gathered together all of my tips & recommendations – including what town to stay in, how to get around, and where to find the best pasta. So if you’re thinking of planning a trip there, read on for the essential first time travel guide to Lake Como.
Mercedes
When to visit
I visited in September, which is the perfect time in Lake Como. The weather is still nice (but not excruciatingly hot) and you have less chance of rain. Plus the tourist season is coming to a close, so it will be less crowded.
You can also try for early October when the leaves start to change, or earlier in the summer around May or June. Just be prepared for a few rainy days! Anything earlier or later the year, and you may risk restaurants being closed for the season and ferries not running, much like visiting Greece out of season.
How long to visit
It’s just a quick flight from Amsterdam, so I stayed for a long weekend. I recommend at least 3-4 nights to really experience everything Lake Como has to offer, particularly if you’re flying in from the States or might be a little jet-lagged.
How to get there
The easiest airport to fly into is Milan. From there, you can schedule a private car. I recommend Como Driver Services. They were prompt & professional with good communication via WhatsApp (and it’s surprisingly more affordable than a taxi). All of the main towns on Lake Como (including Bellagio and Como) are between an hour and an hour & a half from the Milan airport.
Where to stay
This is the toughest question for Lake Como. There are tons of gorgeous towns and the lake is massive (it’s very long, and also the deepest lake in Europe), so it takes a while to get between the towns. For that reason, I recommend staying somewhere that is easily accessible if this is your first visit to Lake Como.
Como
For first timers in a group, I recommend staying in Como. The town is still quaint and charming with goodshopping, but there is more nightlife. You’ll also find more affordable AirBnBs and hotel options.
We found a very affordable AirBnB that was perfectly located in the center of town. However, another good option is the Villa Flori hotel. It has a classic Italian vibe and is right on the water with a private dock. It’s about a 30 minute walk into the town of Como, but taxis are easy to get there and they also offer free bike rentals.
Bellagio
If it’s your first time and you’re a couple, I recommend Bellagio. It’s harder to get to initially, but the ferry is very accessible – and it’s incredibly romantic! Just keep in mind that Bellagio is smaller, and pretty sleepy in the evenings.
If your budget allows, I recommend staying at the Grand Hotel Villa Serbelloni. They have a pool right on the lake, and the service & staff were excellent. It’s also right on the edge of the main town, and near the ferry stop.
How to get around
If you are staying at a more remote villa with a group, your best bet is to rent a car. This will give you the most flexibility and allow you to explore all of the quaint villages along the lake. If you’re staying in the center of Como or Bellagio however, you’ll be fine with either the ferry or a taxi / private car.
The ferry runs frequently, and the high speed option is between an hour to an hour & a half between most towns. Unfortunately you can’t always buy tickets for the high speed ferry online, and will likely need to buy them in person. Since the lines to buy tickets can take over an hour, I recommend getting to the ferry stand as early in the morning as possible. I also suggest getting your return tickets at the same time (or as soon as you arrive at your dsstination) as they often sell out.
Alternatively, you can always get a taxi or private car to travel between locations. I recommend this option if you have a bigger group, since the price of ferry tickets and the price (per person) for a private car can end up being the same. However, unless you schedule your pick ups ahead of time, it’s likely you’ll get stuck waiting for a while. Your best bet is to pop into a nicer hotel and ask the desk to call a car for you – and make sure you have plenty of time to wait!
What to do on the lake
Charter a boat
This activity is a must – regardless of whether you stay in Como or Bellagio! Anytime I visit somewhere near a body of water, I try to rent a boat for the day. Seeing a new city from the water gives you a unique perspective, and allows you to access and explore more places. And it’s always the most memorable day of the trip!
Our group arranged a classic Italian wooden “Riva” boat through Taxi Boat Cernobbio. We had the sweetest driver Claudia, who planned the itinerary for us and shared the history of some of the stunning historic villas and towns on the water. And yes, we did cruise by George Clooney’s house! 🙂
See the Orrido di Nesso waterfall
The most beautiful place our boat captain took us to was this bridge & waterfall in the small village of Nesso. It’s just a quick stop, but it’s absolutely gorgeous. You can also access the small town by car, but approaching it by boat and going under the bridge will give you a great view.
Have dinner at Crotto dei Platani
One of the best meals of our trip was at Ristorante Crotto dei Platani. It’s such a memorable experience from start to finish. Its located in a very small town, so the best way to access it is by boat via their private dock. The food is delicious and the service is impeccable. Plus the restaurant is right on the water, so it has an excellent view during sunset.
Visit Varenna
We also had time to stop in another town, and our captain suggested Varenna. It’s a small village so there isn’t much to do, but it’s absolutely beautiful. There is a very romantic walkway up the hill, and a few cute cafes and gelato spots.
What to do in Como
Take the Funicolare
One of the top activities in Como is the funicolare, a tram that will take you from Como up the mountain to the town of Brunate. The funicolare will give you a fantastic view of the city. You can find more information about purchasing tickets here.
Get your pasta fix
You can’t visit Italy without indulging in pasta! I had some of the best pasta I’ve ever had in Italy at Trattoria Tira Mola e Meseda. The restaurant is a little bit outside of the city (a 10 minute drive or 30 min walk), but it’s worth it for the phenomenal food. Truly, everything we had was incredible (pretty sure we ordered the entire menu), but I highly recommend the casoncelli bergamaschi pasta.
enjoy the nightlife
As I mentioned, there is a lot more nightlife in Como than the other towns along the lake. We really enjoyed Hemingway Bar in the center of town, but our favorite spot for a drink was Bar Delle Terme at the Albergo Terminus Hotel. They have a lovely romantic garden terrace and the service is great.
What to do in Bellagio
Grab some gelato to go
It also wouldn’t be a trip to Italy without some gelato. We grabbed one at Gelateria del Borgo along the water, and enjoyed it while window shopping.
Shop for local Italian products
The shopping in Bellagio is still touristy, but there is more variety and a lot more local products. It’s easy to find boutiques & stall since the town is small, but this guide is helpful if you’re looking for something specific. We picked up some classic wooden ornaments and kitchen items made of olive wood at a stall near Gelateria del Borgo.
Have lunch in a wine cave
One of the most fun meals of our trip was at Enoteca CavaTuracciolo. It’s located down a charming alley, and the owners & staff are very sweet. They only have a couple of pasta options, but they were both good. And the outstanding part of the meal was definitely the charcuterie boards! The staff can recommend a great spread for you. They have outdoor seating, but if you’re in a group call ahead to reserve the wine cave. It’s an incredible experience!
Grab a spritz at Villa Serbolloni
The bar above the pool at the luxury Villa Serbelloni has a stunning view over the lake. Even if you’re not staying there, you can pop in for a drink by the pool. And my drink of choice when I’m in Italy is always a classic Aperol spritz!
What to pack
Like many cities in Europe, the streets can be uneven. I recommend flat sandals or block heels. For a September trip, summer dresses are perfect – but be sure to pack a cardigan as evening on the lake get very chilly. I also recommend a travel umbrella like this one, on the off chance it rains.
Also given that you’re near a body of water, you’ll want to pack mosquito protection. I love to travel with these individually wrapped wipes, since they don’t need to go your liquids bag & they’re easy to throw in a purse.
Lastly, although the Amalfi coast is known as the lemon capital of Italy, I still find that items with cheerful lemon prints like this dress are the perfect pieces to wear in Lake Como.
Be sure to tag me on Instagram on your trip – and if you enjoyed this travel guide, please share it!
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