LAKE COMO TOWNS: THE MOST CHARMING LAKE TOWNS YOU MUST VISIT!

Lake Como towns might be the most charming places in Italy, so if that’s where you’re planning on going, keep reading!

Como is Italy’s most popular lake, and with reason. The stunning lake, gorgeous mountains, and colourful towns make a picture-perfect holiday, and one everyone wants to experience. There are around 30 towns on Lake Como, and while you won’t visit most of them, there are some that are just bucket-list destinations. This blog post will go through Lake Como towns that are worth every minute of your time!

WHERE IS LAKE COMO

Lake Como is located in northern Italy, quite close to the Swiss border. It sits at the foot of the Alps, surrounded by lovely towns, scenic hills, and mountains. The lake is about 50 kilometers north of Milan.

Due to its proximity to Milan, it is one of the most famous lakes in Italy. Also, because of their great connection, Como can be a lovely day trip from Milan, but I would recommend at least a 3-day stay for a full experience.

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HOW TO REACH DIFFERENT LAKE COMO TOWNS

Reaching Lake Como is quite easy, especially if you’re coming from Milan.

TRAIN

The most common way and frankly the easiest is to take a train from Milano Centrale or Milano Porta Garibaldi stations to the town of Como (Como S. Giovanni). The trip takes about 40 minutes and the ticket costs just over 5 euros.

You can also take trains to other towns like Lecco (40 min/5 euros) or Varenna (1h/7 euros). If you’re going for a day trip, I would recommend going straight to Varenna. If not, choose according to your itinerary. You can read our 2-day itinerary of Lake Como right here!

The trains in Italy are definitely the superior public transportation option. They’re quick, frequent, comfortable, and not overly expensive. You can get tickets at the station or online. I love buying tickets on the website called Trainline!

CAR

If you have a car, this can also be a pleasant way of travelling. We chose to go by car all the way from Croatia, but if you’re somewhere in northern Italy it really isn’t much of a fuss. From Milan, Lake Como is only 1 to 1.5 hours away, depending on the traffic and where you want to go. If you have a car, I would recommend going straight to Bellagio, Lake Como’s most beautiful and most popular town.

 If you want to explore other lakeside towns, a car gives you flexibility. Keep in mind that the roads around the lake are narrow and winding, and not for bad drivers. Additionally, parking is very limited in the towns. I would recommend going by car only if you’re there for multiple days and your hotel/apartment has private parking for you.

BUS

If you’re looking for another budget-friendly option, there are buses which run from Milan to Como. You can take a Flixbus for just over 6 euros, and it will take around 1.5 hours to reach it. The train is still a better option though! There are buses connecting towns along the lake, though there are ferries that do that better. In the end, the bus is an option, but the train should be your priority.

FERRY

Once you’re on Lake Como, use the ferries. Ferries are a great way to travel between the most popular towns because they are frequent and inexpensive. This means that you can easily explore different towns without needing a car and paying for parking. The tickets are usually around 5 euros from town to town.

WHERE TO STAY AT LAKE COMO

The towns on Lake Como are quaint, so there aren’t many different types of accommodation to choose from. There are some small hotels and a few apartments. Depending on the popularity, the towns can be booked quite far in advance, so plan your stay on time. I would recommend staying in Bellagio if you’re spending more than 1 day on the lake. Bellagio is the most popular town, so there are the best accommodation options, as well as the widest network of ferries.

We stayed at Hotel Fioroni, around 15-minute walk from the Old Town of Bellagio. The hotel was excellent, with gorgeous views and delicious breakfast. It also has a parking lot if you’re coming by car. It was moderately priced, with a price more than fair for the location, at around 150 euros per night. You can check out the hotel here!

ARE LAKE COMO TOWNS WORTH VISITING?

Lake Como is one of the most magical places in Europe, so yes, the towns around Lake Como are definitely worth visiting! Each town has its own unique charm, historical landmarks, and beautiful landscapes. The key is to choose what are the most important things for you when visiting a place, so you can choose the best towns for your visit.

BEST LAKE COMO TOWNS

COMO

The town of Como is one of the more popular towns on the lake because of its proximity to Milan. This town has the best train and bus connection to the big city and you can reach Como from Milan in around 40 minutes. Because of that, it’s the perfect place to visit on a day trip if you just want to get a taste of Lake Como.

Como is the largest town on the lake, and it has a rich history and stunning architecture. There are several great landmarks you need to visit, including the Como Cathedral (Duomo di Como). In addition to landmarks, you can enjoy restaurants at lively streets and squares, incredible shopping streets, and a gorgeous waterfront promenade.

If you enjoy great panoramic views, you can take the funicular to Brunate, a small village at the top of a hill. The funicular ride takes around 7 minutes one way and a return ticket is 6.60 euros. From the top, you’ll get stunning views of the lake and the town!

BELLAGIO

Bellagio is the most famous and most beautiful town on the lake. It’s the furthest one to reach, and you can either reach it by car or by ferry from some other lakeside town. The town is known for its charming atmosphere, narrow cobblestone streets, and stunning villas. In Bellagio, Villa Melzi and its beautiful gardens are a must-see, because they not only offer gorgeous views of the villa but also a unique look on the lake.

Make sure you explore every detail of Bellagio’s lovely Old Town, as well as walk through the shopping streets. You should also walk along the stunning waterfront promenade and enjoy the breathtaking views of the lake.

LENNO

Lenno is quite an underrated town on Lake Como. Most people visit it because it’s home to the beautiful Villa del Balbianello, a stunning estate where several films were made, including Star Wars and James Bond. This villa is maybe the most popular attraction on Lake Como, and it’s absolutely worth the hype. The villa’s gardens and lake views are simply spectacular. The entrance to the gardens is 13 euros per person, and you can only buy them online.

After exploring the villa for an hour or two, make sure you enjoy the rest of the town as well. Lenno is a cute town with a peaceful lakeside promenade and quite a few beaches perfect for swimming in the summer. You can easily reach Lenno by ferry from Bellagio/Como/Varenna.

VARENNA

Varenna is, after Bellagio, my favourite town on the lakeside, with stunning views, colourful buildings and a gorgeous villa. It’s less touristy than Bellagio, but not by much, so still prepare for some crowds. The must see landmarks in this town are the Castello di Vezio, a hilltop castle with sweeping views of the lake, and the beautiful Villa Monastero, known for its long, scenic gardens along the shore.

Villa Monastero and Villa del Balbianello in Lenno are often compared, and you can read our guide on both those villas if you’re wondering which one is more worth your time!

After exploring the landmarks, take a walk through the town, walk down the waterfront promenade, and stop at the Il Molo café/restaurant for the best views of the scenic Varenna waterfront!

You can reach Varenna by ferry from other towns on the lake, or by train from Milan!

MENAGGIO

Menaggio is less popular than the previously mentioned towns, so it has a laid-back vibe. The town has a lovely lakeside promenade and it’s a popular spot for outdoor activities such as hiking, biking, and swimming. There are several lovely beaches, but if you’re not for swimming, you can rent a boat to explore the lake, and the town’s surroundings.

In Menaggio, you must visit Piazza Garibaldi, the main square and the heart of the town. It’s surrounded by many different restaurants and bars, so there’s plenty to do around town. You can reach Menaggio by a ferry from Lenno or Bellagio.

LECCO

Located at the southeastern tip of the lake, Lecco is a lively town with a charming historic center and a beautiful backdrop of mountains. Tourists don’t really visit it that much, so it’s the perfect base for those who prefer avoiding the larger crowds.

Lecco is perfect for those who want to enjoy nature above all. It’s surrounded with stunning mountain peaks and has fairytale views of Lake Como.

If you’re not hiking in the mountains somewhere, you should walk along the lakeside promenade and visit the Basilica of San Nicolò. It’s the biggest church in Lecco with a stunning tower overlooking the town and the lake.

You can reach Lecco by car (that’s what we’ve done, on our way back from Bellagio) or you can grab a ferry from one of the towns. You can also grab a train to Lecco from Milan.