LAKE COMO 2-DAY ITINERARY FOR THE BEST COMO EXPERIENCE

Looking for the perfect lake Como 2-day itinerary?

Lake Como is one of the most beautiful places on earth and hordes of tourists find their way there each year. As one of Italy’s most gorgeous locations, lake Como is a destination you cannot skip, and I am bringing you a complete lake Como 2-day itinerary for an incredible stay at Italy’s most famous lake. Wondering where to stay, what to eat and what to do? The answers are right here, keep reading!

WHERE IS LAKE COMO

Lake Como is situated in north Italy, an hour-long drive from Milan. You can reach Como by flying to Milan and then driving or taking a train to your preferred town on the lake. If you’re on a budget, the cheapest option is taking a Flixbus to the town Como for around 6 euros. From Como you can continue to any other town by ferry.

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WHERE TO STAY AT LAKE COMO

There are over 30 towns and small villages on lake Como, so you need to choose carefully where you want to stay. The town you pick is going to affect how easily you can reach other locations on the coast. While the town of Como is the easiest one to reach, we would not recommend staying there if you want to see Como’s most popular attractions like Bellagio, Villa del Balbianello, or Villa Monastero. The town of Como is pretty far away from any of them and the ferry rides are long and not as frequent from Como.

We’ve chosen to stay in Bellagio, which is said to be Como’s most magical place. The reason why Bellagio is an incredible base is because it’s right at the center of the lake, so many towns and villas are only a 20-minute ferry ride away. Because it’s situated so well, Bellagio is also one of the more expensive locations when it comes to accommodation, so make sure you book well in advance or come during off or shoulder season.

Our incredible choice of accommodation was Hotel Fioroni. This family hotel is only a 15-minute walk away from the old town of Bellagio. Rooms are newly renovated and the breakfast is great with fresh fruits and produce, so I cannot recommend it enough.

WHEN TO VISIT LAKE COMO

Como is a very popular destination so keep in mind that the crowds are huge in the summer. I would recommend visiting in spring or autumn – in the shoulder season you will avoid the biggest crowds and the prices will be lower. That means that the food and accommodation will be more affordable. We wouldn’t recommend visiting in winter though. Most of the restaurants are closed, the weather is cold and rainy, and ferries are not as frequent so your experience won’t be as lovely as it usually would.

LAKE COMO 2-DAY ITINERARY:

There is so much to do and see at lake Como that you can easily stay 5 or more days there. That’s not the case for most people, and it wasn’t for us, so this is our two-day itinerary in which we managed to completely explore Bellagio, Varenna, and Lenno. If you have more time on your hands, check out some other beautiful towns like Menaggio, Tremezzo, and Lecco to your itinerary.

DAY ONE:

BELLAGIO

Bellagio, often called the Pearl of Como, is a fairytale town that will totally capture your heart. Its unique geography offers stunning views of the surrounding landscape – gorgeous mountains and crystal-clear lake. It’s a must-see when visiting Como.

STROLL THROUGH THE OLD TOWN

Bellagio has one of the most charming old towns in Italy. It’s fairly small so within the hour you will see every street in town, but they are definitely worthy of exploring. Keep in mind that Bellagio has a lot of stairs so wear comfy shoes!

WALK ALONG THE PROMENADE

One of the most charming activities you can do is to take a stroll along the promenade during sunset. Bellagio has a wonderful promenade full of flowers stretching from the old town of Bellagio all the way to Villa Melzi. Incredible views of the lake and the old town surely are a memory you won’t forget.

VISIT VILLA MELZI

Villa Melzi in Bellagio is a neoclassical villa dating back to the 19th century. The villa is surrounded by meticulously maintained gardens that blend Italian and English landscaping styles. The villa offers truly breathtaking views of the picturesque lake Como and if you have time pay it a visit.

EAT SOME ICE CREAM

Bellagio has a few very nice gelaterias perfect for relaxing and enjoying some dessert after a day of exploring. Surprisingly, they are not expensive and the ice cream is really good!

EXPLORE BELLAGIO’S SHOPS

Although it’s small, Bellagio still offers a nice range of shops where you can buy whatever your heart desires. From designer stores to handmade Italian shops, you will find something for everyone there.

GO FOR DINNER AT LA GROTTA

A restaurant we went back to both nights is La Grotta. This amazing family restaurant is absolutely worth the visit. The make authentic Italian food and the lasagna there was some of the best we’ve ever had. Keep in mind that the restaurant opens at 7 p.m. for dinner so that’s the earliest you can dine there. Also, both times we went there was a queue in the front before it even opened so maybe make a reservation before coming.

DAY TWO:

LENNO

Lenno is a beautiful and fairly quiet little town on the coast of lake Como. Although we haven’t heard much about it before, we decided to visit it for the Villas there and we didn’t regret our decision at all!

EXPLORE THE STREETS OF LENNO

Lenno has wonderful little streets in which you can literally get lost in. Roam around the see and experience Lenno in the best way possible. You can also walk all the way to Ossuccio, a tiny village right next to Lenno!

SIT AT THE BEACH

Lenno has a few beaches where you can come and relax, catch some sun or even take a swim if you’re there in the summer. The closest one is right next to the ferry station, in front of the Hotel San Giorgio. There is also another one at the end of the promenade where you’ll often see people swimming if the time is right. If you’re not up for swimming get some take out and have lunch at the beach!

VISIT VILLA BALBIANO

Villa Balbiano is a small but beautiful villa located in Ossuccio, a tiny village right next to Lenno. It’s beautiful gardens and views are very unique, and although it’s not as big as some other villas it’s still worth a visit. The villa is one of the oldest buildings on lake Como and in 2021 it was used for filming the House of Gucci.

VISIT VILLA DEL BALBIANELLO

The absolute jewel that brings all the tourists to Lenno is Villa del Balbianello. The magnificent villa has one of the most beautiful and well-maintained gardens we’ve ever seen. Built in 1787, the villa is one of the prettiest places at lake Como. It’s fabulously known for its gardens which look straight out of a fairytale.

The gardens of this villa are truly magnificent. Every single sliver of grass is in the right place and if you come in spring you will see thousands of wisteria flowers which will definitely sweep you off your feet. We’ve spent hours in the gardens of the villa enjoying the greenery and the views. You can also enter the villa and see the interior but most of the people say it’s unnecessary. You can buy the tickets for this villa online on their official website or GetYourGuide as we always do.

EAT AT IL GOLFO

Il Golfo was one of our pitstops while waiting for our ferry and it was a cheap option when you think about the fact that you’re at lake Como. The pizzas were around 8 euros. Were they the best pizzas we’ve ever eaten? No, but for the price the food was okay. You can also just sit for a drink there and enjoy the beautiful views of the lake from their terrace.

VARENNA

Varenna is a hidden gem that captivates visitors with its timeless beauty and charming atmosphere. This enchanting village, with its colorful waterfront houses, was the town we were most excited to see, and it’s lovely!

EXPLORE VARENNA

One of the highlights of Varenna is its captivating lakeside promenade. Stroll along the waterfront and take in the gorgeous ambiance of the small town. Make sure to explore the center of Varenna which is not visible from the coast. Interesting churches, cafes and gelaterias made our walk very memorable.

VISIT VILLA MONASTERO

The reason we came to Varenna was Villa Monastero. Along with Villa del Balbianello, Monastero is the most popular villa on Lake Como. Although equally popular, there two villas are two different worlds. Villa Monastero is more natural, and the blend of medieval and Renaissance styles paints a much different picture than Villa del Balbianello. Villa Monastero also prides itself for its gorgeous gardens, but you can enter the villa and see the interior as well. The entrance ticket is around 10 euros and you can buy them on their website or on the spot once you’re there.

Read more >>> Villa Monastero vs Villa del Balbianello – Which is better?

HAVE LUNCH OR A DRINK AT BAR IL MOLO

This bar has the absolute best view of Varenna’s colourful waterfront houses. If you want to enjoy a drink or a meal with a view, choose Il Molo. There are no reservations so you might have to wait a bit to get a seat but it’s worth it. If you don’t want to sit down, you can just access their terrace for free and take some pictures.