Dreaming of crystal-clear waters, charming villages, and a touch of Italian elegance? Welcome to a true gem in the North of Italy – the Lago di Como. Located in between a beautiful mountain scenery in the area of Lombardy, the Lake Como is a popular destination for travellers from all around the world. Its proximity to Switzerland, Austria and Germany makes it easily accessible by car or from the closest international airport in Milano. Lake Como is one of the beautiful lakes in Italy’s North and mainly known for the picturesque villages, the mountains in the background and the relaxing atmosphere. Whether you’re a nature lover, a foodie, a history buff, or just someone in search of la dolce vita, this northern Italian gem has something for everyone. From scenic boat rides to glamorous villas and secret hiking trails, Lake Como offers a perfect mix of adventure and relaxation. While visiting, these are the best things to do at Lake Como, Italy.
Stroll through the romantic village of Varenna
The probably most beautiful place all around the Lake Como is the cute little village of Varenna. It is one of the main spots for visitors and known for its medieval style and history. Whenever locals or travellers talk about Varenna, they refer to it as the most romantic place of Lake Como. And for good reason. Varenna truly looks like out of a fairy tale. The colorful houses gather directly above the water and during summer time, you can enjoy the beautiful blossom of the flowers along the promenade.
While it is quite expensive to stay in Varenna itself, you should definitely go on a day trip. Make sure to arrive early in the morning to be able to enjoy the streets and the views without the crowds. Varenna can easily be reached by the ferry leaving from every main tourist spot, such as Menaggio or Bellagio.
As well, Varenna has some cute local shops and restaurants which you can check out. You can enjoy your breakfast directly at the lake or stroll through the pretty streets and find a cute place for some bruschetta and a glass of wine!
Rent a boat and drive over Lake Como by yourself
This is the most fun thing to do when visiting Lake Como. Renting yourself a boat and driving over the lake is the “la dolce vita” at its very best. You can basically rent a boat at every harbor. Depending on your experience and whether you have a driving license, you can choose between different boats.
1 hour: between 130 and 150 Euros
2 hours: between 180 and 220 Euros
The prices are quite high, but the experience is absolutely worth it. You can drive over the whole lake (depending on the time you rent the boat) and jump into the water. The boat allows you to enjoy the views of the lake from the water and to explore some hidden places which you would normally miss. There are rental places in all the major tourist places around the lake. I rented boats in Varenna and Menaggio and they both had similar prices.
A great time to rent a boat is during the late afternoon. During these hours, the lake is fairly quiet as most tourists prefer to go on a boat trip during midday or in the early afternoon. Plus, the late afternoon light on the water is absolutely stunning and it’s perfect for some photos.
Visit one of the incredible villas around the lake
Lake Como is known for incredible luxury real estates. Around the lake you will find many beautiful villas directly at the water or overlooking the area. Some of them are not only in possession of well-known celebrities, but played quite an important role in movies.
Take Cernobbio as an example, where you will find the Villa Erba from Ocean’s Twelve. And did you know that shortly after, George Clooney bought his own villa at Lake Como? Well, who could blame him? How can you not fall in love with the area immediately?
An absolute must-do when visiting Lake Como is to go on a villa tour. You can either book a tour and visit some of the most beautiful houses by boat or you can select one villa to go on a guided tour to the inside. Some of them can be really impressive, especially if they are located directly at the water. Not all are open to public access of course, but some can be entered. If you want to see some of the private estates, booking a boat tour where they show you the villas from the water, can be the best idea.
Visiting one of the incredible villas at Lake Como can show you a totally new side of the area. And, of course, it makes you dream about owning one of these yourself. You can always dream, can’t you?
If you can’t find the time for a villa tour but decide to rent a boat, you can spot the fancy estates from the water. Drive around the lake and check out the dreamy places. There are even a few wedding locations which have become quite famous and are visible from the water.
Taste Italy and try pizza, ice cream, pasta and much more
It would not be a trip to Italy, if you don’t spend all your time on eating. The amazing Italian cuisine is known world-wide. And yet, eating a pizza in Italy is a completely new feeling. Around the Lake Como, you can find numerous high-quality restaurants or places where the pizza is outstanding. But not only the pizza needs to be tasted.
Get yourself an Italian ice cream after lunch, have an espresso and a bruschetta as a starter. Eat some delicious pasta and enjoy some red wine from the area.
There is no doubt that visiting different restaurants is one of the top things to do in Lake Como, Italy. Make sure to try out a new place and a new meal every day during your stay at the lake.
Stroll through the streets of Bellagio
Bellagio is probably the most popular spot at the lake. Most tourists choose to stay in one of the hotels near Bellagio and therefore, it is a great place to spend some time.
But even if you stay somewhere else during your travels, make sure to visit Bellagio on a day trip. Again, you should arrive early to avoid the crowds. Bellagio is a beautiful little town with narrow streets, little shops and a stunning promenade along the shore of Lake Como. There is even a little market selling Italian products, such as handbags and jewelry.
When strolling through Bellagio, you can almost always enjoy a beautiful view over the clear blue water and the green mountains on the other side of the lake. Bellagio is great if you want to do some shopping and walk around the area for the day. Especially the promenade offers some stunning views on Bellagio itself.
On a hot summer day, there are some spots where you can go for a swim in the lake and enjoy the Italian sun afterwards. And of course, do not forget to try the ice cream and the Italian Coffee in one of the restaurants at the harbor!
Have your exklusive Lake Como breakfast by the water in Varenna
This place is highly recommended. If you stay in Varenna or you come to visit for a day, make sure to get your breakfast in the village. There are a few cafés and restaurants located directly by the water in the center of Varenna.
“Nilus Bar” has a beautiful view and is a great place to sit and enjoy your breakfast. Next door is the “Bar II Molo” where you can as well enjoy a delicious breakfast.
Both places have a great location and you can watch the Lake wake up and the other tourists arrive with the ferries.
Visit the town of Cernobbio
Another town at the Lake which you cannot miss. Cernobbio is located in the West, close to the city of Como. It is known from the movie Ocean’s 12.
The beautiful scenery with the mountains in the background is not only picturesque but it invites you to stay for a while. You can combine it with a visit to Como and take the chance to explore the other side of the lake. There are multiple cute restaurants around the main square and you can take your time to wander around and enjoy the view over the water.
Stroll through Menaggio
And (almost) last on the list of places to visit while staying at Lake Como is Menaggio. Menaggio is smaller than Varenna or Bellagio, but still worth the visit. It has a nice beach where you can spend a day in the sun and go for a swim. Some beautiful restaurants invite you to dinner or lunch and the local shops offer great deals on souvenirs or unique clothing.
Menaggio has a stunning lake side where you can go on a little walk and enjoy the view over the Lago di Como, Varenna and Bellagio on the other shore.
Get the mountain view over Lake Como in Brunate
To finish the list of the most exciting things to do at Lake Como, you travel South to the city of Como itself. While the city is not really worth the visit, you should make your way up into the mountains. The destination is a very small but incredibly cute village called Brunate.
When you are travelling to Lake Como, make sure to spend one night in Brunate. There are some incredibly beautiful hotels located on the mountain. Each is offering a breathtaking view over the lake and the surrounding area. Depending on your budget, you can book into a hotel with a beautiful pool from which you can get the best view.
Brunate is the best proof on how diverse and varied Lake Como actually is. While places such as Menaggio and Veranna show you one side of the Lake, Brunate gives you a totally new perspective. Being up in the mountains and enjoying the view from above can be amazing and it completes any journey to Lake Como.
On a clear day, you can even see Milan on the horizon.
Be aware, that the drive up to Brunate can be quite challenging. Especially if you are driving a bigger car, the streets can be narrow. An alternative is the funicular which takes you to the best viewpoint. There are also hikes you can start from Brunate.
