Lake Como, Italy

Many people have a vision of Lake Como based on its Hollywood portrayal (think luxury villas and postcard-worthy scenery). After visiting a few of the small towns surrounding this lake last Spring, I can tell you that the Hollywood version is pretty accurate…minus the crowds.

I’ll start with saying that towns along the lake such as Bellagio are not for folks who dislike crowds. Bellagio is probably the most famous of the towns, so be prepared to elbow some tourists on the street during high season, which generally runs from June to late August.

Lake Como is a great destination for a long weekend. Many people traveling to Switzerland or northern Italy add a few days in Lake Como to their itinerary. Someone can easily spend a week just visiting many of the towns along the lake. In my opinion, target only 3-4 of the towns during your initial trip to get a feel for each of the locations, and then this trip can be done in just a few days. The ferry system along the lake is very convenient, so my recommendation is to stay at a hotel in a central area of the lake that has direct ferry connections to the towns you wish to visit. This will enable you to unpack once and visit a different town each day. Target the towns of Bellagio, Varenna and Menaggio for your home base.

Here’s a snapshot of my trip and recommendations:

One of the closest international airports to Lake Como is Milan. I flew into Milan from the New York City area and was treated to a great view of the Italian Alps. I recommend staying in Milan for at least one night since there is plenty to see in this cultural and fashionable city.

Private taxis are available from the airport to some towns along Lake Como. With traffic, the ride is approximately 1.5 hours, and very convenient. Many people choose to take the train or taxi to the city of Como, and then hop on a ferry to their ultimate destination along the lake. Beware that many of the towns are hilly, especially Bellagio, so handling your luggage can be a nightmare once exiting the ferry. Since I was staying in a villa in Pescallo, a hamlet located next to Bellagio, hiring a private taxi was the best way to go.

Pescallo is extremely quaint and the perfect compromise for being close to the Bellagio scene, but away from the crazy crowds. I was traveling with a friend, so we rented Villa Olivee. It was beautiful. The walk from the hamlet to Bellagio was approximately 10 minutes (lots of stairs and hills for the return walk to Pescallo, so you’ll get your exercise on this mini-vacation). Many of the hotels in Bellagio are located along the promenade by the lake. Great views, but know that it could also be noisy. It all depends on the type of getaway you are seeking.

I did not waste any time after arriving in Pescallo. The temperature was perfect (I traveled in early June), the sun was shining, and I was ready to walk after a long overnight flight from the United States. After unpacking in the villa, I headed to Bellagio to stroll around the town. It’s a picturesque area with its lakeside promenade. Salita Serbelloni is the infamous street that leads you to the promenade and is pictured throughout travel magazines (notice the crowds!).

Villa Melzi is a gorgeous villa with spectacular gardens that is located very close to the center of Bellagio. It was a short walk and great way to start my introduction to Lake Como’s magnificent villas. If visiting Bellagio, be sure to visit this villa. The interior is not open to the public, but the grounds, chapel and museum are open to tourists. I just toured the grounds, and they were a highlight of my weekend. You don’t need to purchase tickets ahead of time, unlike some of the other villas around the lake.

You can spend the rest of the afternoon just strolling along the promenade and enjoying a gelato.

My activities for Day 2 included a tour of central Lake Como via wooden boat, which included a drop-off and admittance ticket to Villa del Balbianello in Tremezzina. If you only have time to visit one villa in Lake Como, this is the one to see. It sits on its own peninsula and is spectacular. This is the villa that has been featured in many movies. The grounds are stunning, and don’t be surprised if you see many influencers dressed in formal attire as their photographers capture their best shots. Buying tickets ahead of time are highly recommended since this villa is so popular with tourists. I suggest the combination of boat tour and entrance ticket, which also included a private tour guide inside the villa. The boat tour provides a great option for seeing the best views of the most famous villas from the lake.

After leaving this villa, I walked to the historic Grand Hotel Tremezzo for lunch. The final stop for the day was Villa Carlotta, also located in the hamlet of Tremezzina.

On day 3, I chose to take the ferry to Varenna, which is another picturesque village along the eastern shore of the lake with many colorful houses. The town center is quaint with several restaurants and shoppes, although crowded. Villa Monastero is in Varenna, and I recommend a visit when walking around Varenna. This villa is known for its botanical gardens.

With respect to restaurants, you have to seek out local places away from the touristy spots. I’ve traveled to many regions of Italy and the food has always been delicious. However, I was a bit disappointed during my visit to Lake Como. I didn’t spend sufficient time researching the local spots for food, so I ended up eating at restaurants that were in the heart of the tourist areas. Translation = food was not that great. It’s something to keep in mind when traveling during the high season.

Overall, a visit to Lake Como should be added to your list, and you only need a few days to experience the vibe. It’s a great add-on destination for an already-planned trip to northern Italy. One thing to note is that many hotels and restaurants shut down during the off-season, so traveling during the shoulder seasons of late May and early September may be the best time to visit to avoid the crowds.