Last Updated on May 23, 2025
By Jim Ferri
Exploring the beautiful lakes of northern Italy–Lake Como, Lake Garda, and Lake Maggiore–is like stepping into a world where nature’s grandeur meets timeless elegance. Although all of the northern lakes are beautiful, many travelers consider Lake Como, in the Lombardy region, the Queen of the Lakes. And for good reason.
Although it’s the smallest of the lakes–only a mile wide (2km) and about 30 miles (50 km) long–there’s a lot packed along this sliver of water between the mountains. That’s why it’s been attracting travelers for centuries. And for today’s traveler, it’s only a 40–minute train ride from Milan.
One of the focal points of Lake Como is the city of Como on the lake’s southwest end. It’s not just beauty in this lakeside city, but also a fascinating history from Roman times to the present.
Gauls originally inhabited it, becoming a Roman colony under Julius Caesar. In the following centuries, it transitioned through various periods under the control of Spain, France, and Austria. It was finally liberated in 1859 by Giuseppe Garibaldi when it became part of the Kingdom of Italy.
A Walk About Como
I’ve visited Como several times and still find it a “soothing” place, much more so than many other European cities.
And every time I return, I look forward to meandering aimlessly on a walk from the harbor up through the historic center. It’s an excellent way to spend a morning or afternoon, in a cafe for coffee or an afternoon aperitif.
To reach the historic center from either side of the harbor, walk along the shoreline until you see the blue dome of the Cathedral nearby. Walk towards it and you’ll be in the center in a few minutes, only a few blocks from the harbor. You’ll also likely walk through the Piazza Guido Grimoldi, renowned for its beauty and historic buildings.
You’ll find the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta about four blocks from the piazza. It is one of the most important religious buildings in Northern Italy. Although its construction began in 1396, its beautiful blue dome was added in 1770. Visit it, if for nothing else, to admire its carved wooden, painted 1492 altarpiece and its 16th-century tapestries woven in Brussels, Ferrara, and Florence.
This city area is a shopper’s heaven, and you’ll pass innumerable clothing shops along the way. Como has been the silk capital of Italy since the early 16th century, but even today, when most silk is imported from China, Como’s silk remains the most sought-after cloth of Milan’s top designers.
If you stay overnight, you’ll also find many hotels and villas for rent in and around Como and the Lake. During my most recent visit, I stayed at the Hilton Lake Como. In addition to excellent service, dining, and comfort, it also provided great views of the lake from its rooftop restaurant. It was top rate, as expected.
When planning a visit to Lake Como, there are several notable and popular places you may want to visit. A boat tour allows easier access to some estates and villas than the ferry allows. And a guide is indispensable for a truly enjoyable trip.
When visiting Lake Como, you can leave the stress behind by enjoying a tour. And, as many of my readers have found, with a respected company like VIATOR, the options are near limitless. And, importantly, there are no cancellation fees or, in fact, additional fees of any kind. I’ve been on Viator tours and can vouch for them. Consider these popular Viator tours:
Small Group Tour from Milan with Boat Cruise / Private Tour by Classic Wooden Boat for 6 / Villa Balbianello & Bellagio Full-Day Tour / Small Group Pasta-Making Class in Como / Full-Day Luxury Touch Lake Como Private Guided Tour
See Lake Como From the Water
The best way to experience Lake Como is with a private boat and guide. Another option, other than a rental car, which I recommend you avoid, is by ferry. Both private boats and ferries are excellent ways to immerse yourself in the dramatic scenery, lakeside villages, and attractions. The ferry service is excellent and connects the main towns along the shore. It is reliable and relatively inexpensive (see below).
5 Places to Enjoy on Lake Como
– Brunate –
If you don’t spend the entire day visiting Como’s many wonderful shops, leave time to visit Brunate, a village looking down on the city from its hilltop perch 1,600 ft (500m) above the city. You can easily reach it via the funicular ( € 6 per person, round trip) on the harbor’s east side. Brunate has enamored my wife and me since we first visited years ago. It remains charming, providing an incredible view of the city and the lake.
– Villa del Balbianello –
Sitting majestically on a promontory on the north side of Lake Como, Villa del Balbianello is much more than just an 18th-century villa. It’s a repository of lavishly decorated rooms, with artworks and relics from diverse eras surrounding you. It’s an excellent museum, a fusion of art, history, and astonishing natural beauty with a centuries-old charm. There is so much beauty that it was used as a backdrop for famous films, including Star Wars: Episode II and James Bond’s Casino Royale.
– Bellagio –
Atmospheric Bellagio is often considered the most beautiful town on all the lakes. It’s a gem about which you can meander for hours.
Step ashore and you’ll find steep-stepped Medieval alleyways filled with countless cafes, ristorantes, and shops. But don’t stop there. Visit the Romanesque Church of San Giacomo with its 12th-century pulpit (and ancient church bells you’ll hear throughout the town). A short walk further along the shore, on the other side of the city, will bring you to the famous Neo-Classical Villa Melzi. It is private, but you can visit its beautiful gardens.
– Laglio –
Laglio is a small Lake Como village known for its vineyards, olive groves, and pastel-colored villas. However, its primary claim to fame is the lakeside 25-room Villa Oleandra (to the left in this photo) owned by its most famous resident: American actor George Clooney. Scenes of the film Ocean’s Twelve were also filmed here.
– Tremezzo –
The village of Tremezzo is one of the I Borghi più belli d’Italia (“The most beautiful villages of Italy”). It’s a tourist resort that is said to have been a favorite of former German Chancellor Konrad Adenauer. It’s best known among travelers for the lakeside 5-star Grand Hotel Tremezzo, renowned for its architecture and opulence. The Tremezzo was immortalized in the 1932 film Grand Hotel, when Greta Garbo called it “that happy, sunny place.”
The Lake Como Ferries
The cost of Lake Como ferry tickets depends on the distance and the type of ticket purchased. A one-way ticket from Como to Bellagio is approximately €10.40. One-way tickets between towns in the central area, like Bellagio to Varenna, typically cost around €4-5. Day passes (Free Circulation Tickets): Centro Lago (mid-lake): €15. Expanded Zone (Bellano to Argegno): €20. Full Lake (Como Town to Argegno): €25. Travelers can purchase all tickets at the ticket offices near the docks. On ferry websites, day passes are often marked as “sold out.” Free-circulation ticket Como-Bellagio (valid 1 day): €23.30.
The ferry ride from Como to Bellagio usually takes about 2 hours with the regular service and about 45 minutes with the express service.
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