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Italy · Lombardy

Lake Como travel guide

Grand villas, mountain views and ferries between lakeside towns

Bellagio on Lake Como. Photo: Luca Casartelli, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

1h 45mflight from London
MXPnearest main airport
19° in Julwarmest month
-2° in Jancoolest month

Lake Como is a deep, Y-shaped lake below the Alps, lined with villas, gardens and pretty towns such as Bellagio, Varenna and Menaggio. It has been a retreat for the rich and famous for centuries.

Ferries criss-cross the lake, so it's easy to hop between towns. It's an hour from Milan, which makes it a good add-on to a city break.

Good forRomanceSceneryGardensBoating

What Lake Como is known for

  • Lakeside villas

    Villa del Balbianello and Villa Carlotta with their gardens.

  • Alpine views

    Mountains rising straight from the water.

  • Ferries

    Boats link the towns all day.

  • Celebrities

    A favourite of film stars and wedding parties.

Top things to do in Lake Como

  1. 1

    Bellagio

    The "pearl of the lake", with steep lanes and gardens.

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  2. 2

    Villa del Balbianello

    A villa and terraced garden on a wooded point, a film location.

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  3. 3

    Villa Carlotta

    Botanical gardens and art collection in Tremezzo.

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  4. 4

    Varenna

    A small, colourful village and the lakeside Walk of Lovers.

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  5. 5

    A boat trip

    Hire a boat or take a private tour around the central lake.

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See all tours and tickets in Lake Como

Where to stay in Lake Como

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Best time to visit Lake Como

Best value: Mar–May, Sep–Oct. May, June and September: warm and green, with the villas and ferries in full swing.

  • Best valueGood weather, smaller crowds
  • PeakBusiest, highest prices
  • QuietCheapest, cooler or wetter
-2 C-2°J-0.5 C-0°F3.8 C4°M8.2 C8°A12.5 C12°M17 C17°J19 C19°J18.5 C18°A14.2 C14°S9.6 C10°O4.3 C4°N-0.6 C-1°D
Bar height is the average temperature in Lake Como, °C, 2001–2025 (NASA POWER).

Getting there and around

About 1h 45m from London to MXP, and flights from most UK airports.

Ferries are the best way around. Trains run from Milan to Como (40 minutes) and to Varenna (about an hour).

Find flights to Lake Como (MXP)

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Good to know

  • Ferry timetables shrink sharply from November to March.
  • Many villas and gardens close in winter.
  • Parking is hard in summer: use the train and ferries.
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Lake Como FAQ

Where is the best base on Lake Como?

The central lake (Bellagio, Varenna or Menaggio) for ferries to everywhere.

Can I visit Lake Como from Milan?

Yes, as a day trip by train, though a night or two is more relaxing.

More places in Italy

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