The North of Italy is home to some of the most beautiful lakes in Europe. The combination of the Mediterranean flair, the mountain views and the water is just out of the books. Two of the lakes are the Lago Maggiore and the Lago di Como. Both are popular among travellers and tourists and even the Italians themselves love a getaway to the lakes. But who “wins” the battel Lago Maggiore vs. Lago di Como? Which lake is better for a short trip and where can you get the best experience? And most importantly: can you even compare them? Let´s find it out together.
Introducing: Lago Maggiore
Let´s start with the basics. Lago Maggiore is located in between both Switzerland and Italy. It is the second largest Italian lake and known as a fabulous vacation destination. It is over 60 kilometers long and invites to a road trip along the water with stunning views.
Introducing: Lago di Como
Lago di Como is located in the Italian region Lombardy and as well close to the Switzerland boarder. The lake is known for the stunning villas along the waterfront and the overall more luxurious lifestyle. The lake is 46 kilometers long and a perfect mixture of picturesque villages, mountain views and beautiful real estate.
Lago Maggiore vs. Lago di Como – which lake has the better places to visit?
If you are comparing the two destinations in the better places to visit, it is definitely Lago di Como who wins. The lake is home to some picturesque villages which you can easily visit by boat. Each of the villages offer a totally different view on the lake and invites you to live the Mediterranean vibe to the fullest. With places like Bellagio and Varenna, Lago di Como is clearly the better lake to visit cute villages and small towns.
On Lago Maggiore, you can visit Stresa, Canobbio or Canero Rivera. And yet, they are not as pretty as the places around the neighbor lake. Therefore, if you cannot get enough of the pretty villages and strolling through old towns, you should definitely book your trip to Lago di Como.
Where can you find the better beaches?
Lago Maggiore vs. Lago di Como – where can you find the best beaches? This is an important point, because it has to be stated that both lakes are not primarily for lying on the beach. While Lago di Como has a few spots around the lake, which can be reached by boat or car, the Lago Maggiore offers definitely more. You can basically find small bays or small beaches next to the road leading all the way around the lake.
In Stresa, there are a few smaller bays which invite you to a relaxing afternoon by the lake. And if you rent a boat for a day, you can discover even more places to go for a swim. If you are looking for some days at the lake relaxing, you should choose Lago Maggiore because it definitely has the better options.
Which lake is better for budget travellers?
Comparing Lago Maggiore vs. Lago di Como on how they can be travelled on a budget, you cannot really see any difference. Of course, if you decide to visit the Switzerland side of Lago Maggiore, this will definitely not fit into your budget. But if you are staying in Italy, both are pretty equally.
You can find budget hotels and accommodation at both of the lakes and at the same time you can find pretty expensive stays as well. If you stick to a certain budget, you are definitely going to find a suitable place at both of the stunning lakes.
Please note that the places will get a lot more expensive from July on. Italy is one of the countries which almost doubles the prices during the high season. You might therefore consider travelling in May or June to avoid the higher prices and get a cheap deal at both Lago Maggiore and Lago di Como.
Where can you find better things to do? – Lago Maggiore or Lago di Como?
This totally depends on what you want to do during your time at the lakes. If you are looking for activities directly at the lake, such as renting a boat and visiting villages, you should choose Lago di Como.
But if you are more into the adventures and would love to go for a hike and see a bit of the area around, Lago Maggiore is the better options. With a mountain like the Mount Mottarone in Stresa, you have quite a few beautiful treks and hikes to do. You can enjoy the view from above and see the lake from a totally new perspective. In general, Lago Maggiore has more things to do in the area around and you can spend days exploring the different places. This is perfect if you want to spend more time at the lake and stay for a week or even longer.
Another great thing to do at the Lago Maggiore is visiting the Borromean Islands in Stresa. You can go on a day trip to visit all three of them and explore the stunning places in the water.
Is Lago Maggiore or Lago di Como a better base for exploring the rest of Italy?
Again, this depends on where you want to go. Lago di Como is closer to places like Milan, Lago di Garda or other cities in Italy. Lago Maggiore is not far from Milan as well and you can perfectly combine both stays with an exciting city trip.
Check out the best day trips from Lago Maggiore.
Which lake has the better views?
This might be the hardest question. You are really comparing two stunning places here. But if there has to be a decision, it would be Lago di Como (please note: this is a personal opinion and it is totally fine if you have a different one). Lago di Como the more picturesque place. With villages like Varenna and the beautiful villas all around the lake, there are hundreds of views for the books.
Especially, if you are exploring the lake with a boat, this will be a huge win for Lago Maggiore vs. Lago di Como. As Lago di Como is narrower, you can easily see both sides of the lake with the boat and get the best views. If you are staying somewhere near Bellagio and the towns South of the lake, renting a boat is the best way to get all the stunning views. Seeing the places from the water with the mountains in the background is one of the best things to do at Lago di Como.
Which one of the lakes is better for families?
Lago Maggiore is the favorite lake for families. As it offers more beaches, more camp grounds and activities to do with children, it is the better choice if you are travelling with your fam.
Lago di Como is rather for independent travellers, couples and female travellers. It is more aesthetic and offer a more romantic experience. Just see what fits better for you.
Why not explore both lakes?
And last but not least: why not visit both of the lakes? If you are having a hard time deciding between both of them, you can easily combine a visit. They are located quite near to each other and it takes about an hour drive to reach the other lake. If you focus on visiting only a certain area of both the Lago Maggiore and the Lago di Como, you can as well combine them on a 4-day trip. And if you got some more time left, just split it as well. This allows you to get your own impression of the two gems in North Italy. And then, decide for yourself: Lago Maggiore vs. Lago di Como – which is your favorite?
For a full guide to Lago di Como, click here.
For a full guide to Lago Maggiore, click here.
