Just 30 miles north of Italy’s commercial capital, Como’s green shores and cobbled streets seem a world away. You can see its Roman origins in the orderly grid of streets of its historic center and the remains of the Roman gate, Porta Pretoria . It is more visible in walled medieval Como, a rare example of Romanesque fortifications, with the imposing Porta Torre (Tower Gate) in Piazza Vittoria. If your taste is a little more modern, Como was a hotbed of Rationalist architects, who laid the foundations for modernism.
Como is easy to walk around, and the tourist attractions are within walking distance from the train station and boat dock. Como revolves around its lakeside promenade and adjacent Piazza Cavour , from which you can follow the short Via Plinio to Piazza del Duomo . As you stroll past shops, you can’t help noticing the abundance of silk; Como has a long history as a center of Italian silk production, so it’s a good place to shop. Booking the harbor are the beautiful gardens of Villa Olmo to the west and the funicular to Brunate to the east, two of the most popular things to do in Como.
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1 Duomo (cathedral)
The 14th-century facade of Como Cathedral almost filling one side of Piazza Duomois purely Gothic, a marble face marked by detailed stone carvings and statues surrounding a rose window, lined with delicately carved pinnacles. (Oddly enough, instead of the expected saints, the statues on either side of the front door are of Pliny the Elder and Younger, Roman residents of the lake who were far from friendly to early Christians.) Only when you enter do you have to see why this church is voted Italy’s best example of the 14th-century transition from Gothic to Renaissance styles. Polychrome painting and gilding on the side altars “update” the older look of the rose window and deeply carved main altar, but the mix is harmonious. If you’re feeling energetic, climb to the 18th-century dome.
Address: Piazza Duomo 6, Como
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2 Archaeological Museum
Near the cathedral are the adjoining museums of archeology and history, the former filled with an exceptional collection of artifacts unearthed in local excavations that offer a glimpse into the life of the earliest human settlements. The modern and well-lit displays make this museum particularly attractive.
Address: Piazza Medaglie d’Oro 1, Como
3 Giuseppe Garibaldi Historical Museum
This historical museum is housed in a former palazzo with furnished period rooms and exhibits that bear witness to local traditions and history. Especially beautiful and well displayed is the handmade lace collection.
Address: Piazza Medaglie d’Oro 1, Como
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4 Basilica of Sant’Abbondio
It is worth seeing from the center this exceptional example of an early 11th century basilica built in the Lombard Romanesque style. The tall, narrow interior is more like the earliest Christian basilicas and is decorated in Gothic fresco cycles from the 13th century, in quite good condition.
Address: Via Regina 35, Como
5 Brunate
A funicular on the eastern side of the lake spares the steep climb to Brunate’s terrace, almost directly above Como. The views encompass the city and the south of the lake, backed by mountains. Climb higher to reach a terrace (with a conveniently located café) looking north over another panorama of the lake and mountains. A two hour climb from Brunate takes you to the top of Monte Boletto .
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Explore the towns and villas of Lake Como
Lake Como
Narrow and fjord-like, Lake Como (Lago di Como in Italian) is 50 kilometers long and shaped like an inverted Y. But there’s little interest in the southeast arm, and a ferry transfers cars from the east coast to Bellagio, the prettiest town of the lake, sitting on the tip of the peninsula where the arms meet. Como is no stranger to tourists, having been a favorite of high-crust Romans, whose villas predate those of royalty, and Hollywood stars who have favored it more recently. The lake between the craggy wooded shores is nice enough, but mountains rise on either side, and to the north, the Alps, making the view even better.
You can explore the lake on a day trip into the countryside, with a stop or two in towns. Or if you have a little more time, see the main attractions around the lake by hopping on the frequent boats and ferries. To get around at your leisure and on your own schedule, take two or three days and ride the 155-mile (249-kilometer) circumference on the ferry between Varenna and Bellagio.
Boat trips
Regular boat services connect most towns from early spring to fall, but not all routes stop in the smaller towns. The frequent ferry (car and passenger) across the lake makes getting from Menaggio or Tremezzo , on the west coast, to Bellagio and Varenna easy. These are some of the best places to visit on Lake Como. Before sailing, check the times of the day carefully so you know when the last one will return and from which city. The summer hydrofoil service is fast, but don’t expect to see anything along the way.
Cernobbio
Palatial Villa d’Este , built for an English queen and now a luxury hotel, sets a high standard for lake villas, with terraced gardens climbing the steep hill behind. The rest of the town isn’t quite as grand, but it has a nice holiday air and is the starting point for a narrow winding road of 1,310 meters Monte Bisbino to a pilgrimage church and a panoramic view.
Villa Balbianello
On the lakeshore below craggy Monte Crocione, Lenno is best known for the villa and gardens that cover Punta di Balbianello , a long peninsula that runs into the lake. The baroque villa, built for an 18th-century cardinal, is surrounded by terraced gardens where the view of the lake is framed by columns and balustrades. The best way to get there is by boat from Lenno, or on certain days you can walk the path to the villa. You can see the interior, but only on hour-long tours, which fill up quickly in busy tourist seasons. The highlight is the garden, so don’t be too disappointed if you miss a tour of the house.
Address: Via Comoedia 5, Lenno
Villa Carlotta
On Lake Como’s gentlest spot, the Tremezzina Riviera, the foliage is green all winter, so it’s no wonder one of Italy’s most famous gardens is here. Although the 18th-century palace of Villa Carlotta is filled with sculptures and paintings, most tourists visit the gardens’ beautiful hillsides. At their best in May, when the camellias and 12-foot banks of massive rhododendrons are in bloom, the gardens are filled with colorful blooms all season long.
Address: Via Regina 2, Tremezzo, Como
Official site: www.villacarlotta.it
Abbazia di Piona (abdij van Piona)
Het 13e-eeuwse Cluniac klooster van Piona omringt de 11e-eeuwse kerk van San Nicola en haar prachtige romaanse klooster. Deze kleine omheining is omgeven door delicate, sierlijke zuilen, elk met een ander stenen hoofddeel, gehouwen in motieven met planten en dieren. De muren van het klooster zijn bedekt met fresco’s uit de 14e en 15e eeuw. In een winkel bij de poort verkopen de cisterciënzerbroeders kruidenlotions, honing en snoep gemaakt met producten uit de abdijtuinen.
Adres: Via Abbazia di Piona 57, Colico
Villa Monastero
Een lange stenen trap leidt naar de terrastuinen van Villa Monastero. De formele bedden van inheemse en exotische planten die zich uitstrekken langs de kust hebben hun aandeel in standbeelden, colonnades en miniatuurtempels, maar met een ontspannen en no-nonsense uitstraling. De villa is nu een conferentiecentrum, open voor rondleidingen wanneer het niet in gebruik is. De tuinen liggen op korte loopafstand ten zuiden van de stad (waar je moet parkeren, als je rijdt), een charmant cluster van pastelkleurige huizen langs steile straatjes. Zoek naar de parochiekerk, met een gigantisch fresco van St. Christopher op de voorgevel.
Adres: Viale Giovanni Polvani, Varenna
Officiële site: www.villamonastero.eu
Bellagio
There is no doubt that Bellagio knows it is the most beautiful town on the lake, with its location on the long point where the three arms of the lake meet. Regardless of what you look like, the views are fantastic and are usually framed by gardens or carefully maintained buildings. Price shops line the few streets, one of which is a long stone staircase that connects the upper town to the boat dock. Two gardens, one extending along the lake and the other high above the city, are the main tourist attractions – apart from the picture-perfect city itself.
Villa Serbelloni
High above the town, terraced gardens are dotted around the historic Villa Serbelloni, which was clearly built to maximize views of Lake Como and the Alps beyond. The highlight of the gardens, which have been carefully landscaped in the 19th-century Italian style, are the rose gardens in boxwood hedges. The villa is not open to the public, but the park is open for 90-minute guided tours (except during inclement weather), which you must book at the Promo Bellagio office in Piazza San Giacomo.
Address: Church Square 14, Bellagio
Villa Melzi
The immaculately landscaped terraces and gardens surrounding Villa Melzi d’Eril are all original to their early 1800’s design to frame the lake view with cypresses and statues. Highlights include the water garden; a neo-Moorish pavilion; and the orangery, where there are changing art exhibitions. The neoclassical villa is not open.
Adres: Lungo Lario Manzoni, Bellagio
Official site: https://www.giardinidivillamelzi.it/GIARDINI_DI_VILLA_MELZI/HOME_PAGE.html
Where to Stay in Como for Sightseeing
With most of its attractions close to shore where boats depart for lake tours, Como is compact and easy to visit. Hotels in all price ranges are within a few minutes’ walk of the lake, train stations and tourist attractions. Here are some highly-rated hotels in Como:
- Luxury Hotels : Barchetta Excelsior overlooks the lake at Piazza Cavour and is surrounded by eateries and shops. It has spacious rooms with a view of the lake and includes breakfast. The recently renovated rooms of the Palace Hotel overlook the lake at the landing stage and the train station of Milan; breakfast is included. Albergo Terminus Hotel is next to Milan Station and the steamer landing stage. It has old-world elegance in its public areas and modern contemporary rooms, some with balconies overlooking the lake and mountains.
- Mid-Range Hotels: The Borgo Antico Hotel is a 2-minute walk from the main train station and close to the lake. It offers a free continental breakfast and modern rooms with thoughtful details. The balconies in the beautiful, modern rooms at Posta Design Hotel overlook a busy square in the heart of the city, near the lake and the cathedral, but rooms on lower floors can be noisy. Hotel Plinius, in the center of the city, halfway between the central station and the Duomo, has small rooms but includes breakfast.
- Budget Hotels: The family-run Hotel Engadina is about 10 minutes from the boat landing, but a five-minute walk from the main train station. It has simple rooms with free parking and a continental breakfast included. Hotel Quarcino is located near the lake, near the Brunate funicular. It offers free parking, is close to restaurants and a short walk from the Duomo. Some rooms have a balcony with mountain views. Best Western Continental has small and somewhat dated but comfortable rooms close to the main train station and a 10-minute walk from the lake and the Duomo.
Tips and Tours: How to make the most of your visit to Lake Como
The city of Como, on the south side of Lake Como, is an hour’s drive from Milan. You can get there by train and then board one of the regular boats that stop at towns around the lake. A convenient way to see both the city and the lake from Milan is to take a tour with a professional guide who can point out the highlights.
- Full-Day Tour to Lake Como from Milan: A day trip to Lake Como from Milan includes transport to Como by air-conditioned coach, a boat trip on Lake Como, free time for shopping in Como and visits to the city’s highlights. From April to October there are excursions to explore picturesque Bellagio, and on the tours from November to March there is a cable car up to the village of Brunate for views of the lake and surrounding mountains.
- Visiting Lake Como on your own: Two different train connections leave Milan for Como and arrive at different stations, both within walking distance of the lake ferries landing stage. These boats have a variety of routes, some stopping in more towns than others, but all offering unparalleled views of the lake, lakeside towns and villas and mountains. You can ride the entire circuit or hop off to explore or stay overnight in the lakeside towns.
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