Lake Como is one of Italy’s most picturesque and famous destinations, known worldwide as one of the best places to visit in Italy for a stylish vacation. Discover top 8 things to do in Lake Como for a seamless mix of relaxation, taste of local culture and adventure. With its breathtaking landscapes, Lake Como is a destination that will make every traveler fall in love.
Discover Top 8 Things To Do in Lake Como
Nestled in the foothills of the Alps with stunning emerald waters, charming colorful villages, and marvelous villas, Lake Como offers a perfect blend of relaxation and adventure. With a close distance to Milan (1h by car or by train), Milan to Lake Como day trip is an ideal option for all travelers to enjoy one the best places to go in Italy.
If you’re planning to visit this enchanting lake of the Alps, here are the top 8 things to do in Lake Como, as suggested by our top rated local tour guides.
1. Explore Bellagio, the Pearl of Lake Como
Often referred to as the “Pearl of the Lake,” the colorful town of Bellagio Lake Como is a must-visit for anyone traveling to Lake Como. Strolling through its narrow cobblestone streets, you’ll discover beautiful villas, boutique shops, and vibrant gardens. Don’t miss the stunning Villa Melzi and its lovely botanical gardens that overlook the lake.
2. Visit Varenna, the Colourful Sibling of Bellagio
A short boat ride from Bellagio, Varenna is another charming village that should be on your itinerary. Known for its romantic ambiance and less crowded atmosphere, Varenna features picturesque waterfront bridges along the lakes and colorful houses. Villa Monastero in the center of Varenna is a highlight of the town with exquisite gardens and a museum offering a glimpse into the history of the region.
3. Relax On a Private Lake Como Boat Tour, One of Top Things to Do in Lake Como
If you are planning Lake Como day trip from Milan, then one of the best ways to experience the beauty the lake is taking a panoramic Lake Como boat tour along beautiful villas and colorful villages. The typical boat in Lake Como is the romantic Venetian wooden boat limousine that makes you feel like stepping into a fairytale, surrounded by sunlight reflected on water, endless mountain ranges and magnificent villas.
Your private Lake Como boat tour can start from multiple locations in Lake Como, for example from Bellagio, Como City or Varenna.
If you would love to explore Lake Como on a private boat, book our private Como tour so you don’t have to worry about anything. It may include a professional driver with a private car service, top rated local guide, historical villa visit, a private boat ride and more.
4. Discover the Famous Villas of Lake Como (Villa Balbianello, Villa Carlotta and More…)
A visit to Como can not miss a stop at Villa del Balbianello, the famous Lake Como Star Wars & JAmes Bond filming location. The villa is surrounded by beautiful gardens and sculptures that cascade down its reflection into the water’s edge. To enjoy the most of this beautiful villa, follow a local tour guide to learn the insight of the villa’s history, architecture and enjoy a quiet moment on the terrace with panoramic views of the lake.
Another famous villa in Como that is open to the public is Villa Carlotta in the town of Tremezzo with a lovely garden facing the beautiful town of Bellagio.
Villa d’Este is another luxuriously curated villa in Lake Como, also a 5-star luxury hotel. The villa is not open to the public but if you book our private tour of Lake Como, we can reserve a lake-front fantastic lunch for you, which will ensure your visit to this gorgeous villa of Lake Como.
To help you learn more about the interesting history of all famous villa in Como, in another blog articole about top 7 villas to visit in Lake Como we have explained in detail how each villa was initiated, together their previous famous owners of artists, politicians and royal members.
5. Enjoy the Panoramic View of Lake Como on a Funicular Cableway Ride to Brunate Hill
Strolling along the right side of Como City, you will arrive to Brunate funicular cableway. In case you plan a trip to Lake Como from Milan in spring, don’t skip it as the views can be amazing. With a short ride of 10-15 minutes, you will arrive at the small town of Brunate, around 1000 metres higher than Como City.
From here, you can have a rare unbeatable panoramic view of Lake Como spanning from Como City to Monte Rosa hill. Como-Brunate funicular is the only observation point in Lake Como that is easily accessible for travelers of all ages.
6. Learn about the history of Como City On A Guided Tour
The City of Como has always been an important city in the Northern area of Italy, belonging to the Roman Empire since 196 BCE. Under the ruling of the family Visconti and Sforza of Milan, Como became the most famous European city for the silk industry and wool trade. Nowadays, many important silk manufacturers in Como still produce for important fashion houses such as Gucci, Bottega Veneta…
Visiting the Como City historical center, you can better understand its importance through the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, better known as Duomo di Como. The cathedral was built between the 14th and the 18th centuries and it is one of the most important religious buildings of northern Italy.
7. For Adventure Lovers – Enjoy Hiking With the View of Lake Como
If you’re looking for a bit of adventure, Como offers multiple hiking routes on both sides of the lake.
The most famous route is Greenway of Lake Como, stretching approximately 10 kilometers along the western shore of Lake Como, connecting several towns and offering breathtaking panoramic view of the lake and surrounding hills. The hike is suitable for various fitness levels, and along the way you’ll encounter quaint villages, olive groves, and historic sites.
For shorter and more simply route, you can simply enjoy the walking path along the lake from Villa Olmo to Cernobbio with multiple benches to stop for a break and take photos.
For more challenging route, you can check Wayfare’s Path (13 km) above the beautiful town of Varenna and Vezio Castle.
You can check here the full lists of hiking routes in Lake Como to chose the best option for you, depending on your time and physical capacities.
8. Discover the Local Cuisine & Try a Local Cooking Class
No trip to Italy is completed without tasting the local cuisine. Thanks to its abundant biodiversity, Lake Como has a wide variety of fish but the most special one is agone, the ingredient of Como’s signature dish: Missultìn (dried twaite agone). Besides Missultìn, another typical offer of the restaurants’ menu is often the catch of the day, which varies from perch, char, whitefish, twaite shad, zander and trout.
You may also find Pizzoccheri, a delicious and flavorful traditional pasta with buckwheat from the Valtellina valley, an Alp mountainous area in the north of Lake Como. It is possible to book a cooking class in Como City or in the central part of the lake near Bellagio. Many restaurants stay open in Como City in the winter, so if you are searching about the best ideas what to do in Lake Como in the winter don’t miss your chance for a culinary adventure.
We hope that our selection of top 8 things to do in Lake Como will help you to prepare the best for your next fantastic trip to Italy. Please do not hesitate to reach out to us by email or WhatsApp for any suggestions or support to plan your next tailor-made and stress-free Italian vacation.
Check here our tailor-made city tours of Italy & exclusive day trips from Milan, Lake Como, Florence, Rome, Venice and many other destinations. From must-see cities to hidden treasures, lets find out together the best places to visit in Italy.
