Lake Como, Italy is a gorgeous, iconic destination that’s been featured in movies, is loved by celebrities (hello George Clooney!), and enchants tourists year after year.
I visited for the first time last summer and fell in love with this destination; seriously, I want to go back again and again! I did a lot of research to put together the ideal Lake Como itinerary for one week (five days).
If you’re thinking about visiting, this Lake Como guide has everything you need to know, including when to go, where to stay, where to eat, and what to do in Lake Como.
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All You Need to Know About Lake Como, Italy
Before I get into my actual Lake Como itinerary, there are a few things you need to know about when to visit and how to get there. There’s so much to do and see in Lake Como, and when you go matters.
It’s beautiful there any time of year, but there are times when it’s almost too crowded to go anywhere and times when it’s so slow that some businesses and restaurants are closed.
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The Best Time to Visit Lake Como
Many people visit Lake Como in the summer as it’s the best time for beautiful weather and the perfect summer vacation. In fact, I went in mid-June myself. However, I talked to some locals about what they recommend as the best time to visit Lake Como, and they said April to early May.
The weather isn’t as hot then, although there is more rain, averaging from 10-12 days. It’s less crowded than in summer, so you can wander the streets and walk through the gorgeous villas without fighting the crowds. The ferries are also less packed, and you won’t have to wait in line as long to catch one. Just bring your best raincoat and umbrella for those rainy days!
The peak season in Lake Como is from June to early September, and the low season is from around October to March. While you will find crowds most days in summer, it’s significantly busier from Thursday to Sunday. So, plan to explore the most popular towns and villas from Monday to Wednesday.
Lake Como Weather
The weather on Lake Como varies seasonally but is fairly mild most of the year. Spring (March-May) is mild, with temperatures between 50-62.6°F (10-17°C). Summers (June-August) are warm, around 77-86°F (25-30°C). Autumn (September-November) cools gradually, while winters (December-February) average around 39°F to 46°F (4°C to 8°C).
The Lake Como area is at its sunniest during summer, with more rainfall in spring and autumn. However, it’s still beautiful even when it rains, and the showers tend to come and go throughout the day.
By the way, if it’s too chilly to swim in the lake while you’re there, I recommend staying in a hotel with a pool or paying for a day pass at one, like the Grand Hotel Tremezzo. They even have a heated pool!
How to Get There & Get Around
The best way to get there is to take a train from Milan to Lake Como, arriving through either Como or Varenna. Unless you’re staying in or plan on exploring the town of Como, I recommend arriving in Varenna as it’s much closer to the other major towns on the lake, like Bellagio and Menaggio. Search both Trenitalia and Italo Treno to find the best route, times, and prices for you.
There are a lot of options for navigating around the lake and from town to town:
- Ferries: The most popular and scenic way to get around is with the Lake Como ferries. Regular services connect towns up and down the lake, offering slow and fast options at an affordable price.
- Water Taxis: For more flexibility and privacy, water taxis and private boat hires offer direct routes between destinations, but they are much pricier. It’s much better to find boat tours of Lake Como that allow you to get off at certain towns.
- Buses: A bus network serves the lake area and can be an affordable option for shorter trips.
- Car Rentals: You can rent a car if you prefer to drive, but the lakeside roads can be narrow, and parking is limited in some towns. You’re also limited to the “traghetto” ferries that allow cars.
- Bicycles: You can also find places for bike rentals, and some areas have dedicated cycling paths for a leisurely way to explore.
It can be confusing at first to understand the ferry timetables and figure out which one stops at the town you need, but once you get the hang of it, it isn’t that bad (I’ll talk more about this later). I highly recommend you make the Lake Como ferries your primary mode of transport.
The Best Areas to Stay in Lake Como
The most popular towns to stay in Lake Como are Bellagio, Varenna, and Menaggio. Knowing that I was visiting during the busiest time, I wanted to stay somewhere quieter, where I could easily access the ferries and go to restaurants without a reservation.
For that reason, I think the best area to stay in Lake Como is Cadenabbia (or Tremezzo, which is “next door”). It is so peaceful, and you get amazing views of Bellagio and Varenna across the lake. I stayed at Albergo Villa la Mirabella and had a gorgeous room with a private patio with lake views and breakfast included. They also have a rooftop pool overlooking the lake and their gardens – it was spectacular!
Lake Como hotels can book up quickly in more popular months, so if you’re set on staying in a specific place, try to book your accommodations at least 3-4 months in advance (sometimes up to 6 months).
Alternatively, you can sometimes find last-minute homestays for a fraction of the price of a hotel with TrustedHousesitters (use my discount code, ABUNDANT25).
Private Patio of Albergo Villa la Mirabella
A 1-Week Lake Como Itinerary
Now, let’s get into the good stuff—my one-week itinerary, full of everything I saw, did, and ate! I was there for about five days and spent time in Cadenabbia, Varenna, Bellagio, Bellano, and Tremezzo. I wandered along side streets, walked through villas and gardens, shopped, ate delicious food, and enjoyed classic Italian cocktails by the water.
Here’s my Lake Como guide based on the week I spent exploring different towns!
A First-Class Experience Flying to Italy
I first flew into Florence, Italy via a layover in Paris and stayed there for a few days before taking the train from Florence to Milan to Varenna. And y’all, I flew business class for this trip and it was amazing!
I had my own little private cocoon with a big tv screen, pillow, blanket, slippers, storage shelf, and a compartment to the side with comfortable headphones. We were served a tray of appetizers plus three full meals on the flight. It really felt like a first-class experience rather than business.
Sometimes, I use accumulated points and miles from one of my favorite travel credit cards, but this time, I started searching for flight deals months in advance to try and get the best price possible. I recommend using Daily Drop Pro because you can save up to 80% on international flights!
Because I was in business class, I had access to the airport lounge in Paris during my four-hour layover, and it was huge. It has everything you could need after a long flight: free food and snacks, nap rooms, showers, etc. If you don’t have access included with your ticket, sign up for a Priority Pass membership to gain access to this and other lounges all over the world.
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Day 1: Arriving in Lake Como
The train from Florence to Milan to Lake Como was affordable and easy enough to figure out. I booked a combination of tickets through Trenitalia and Italo Treno. I chose to arrive at Varenna-Esino station as it was easier to get to Cadenabbia, where I stayed.
To get to the ferry stop, it’s a downhill walk on cobblestone streets with some stairs (make sure your luggage is easy to handle). The line for ferry tickets was so long! It took at least 45 minutes to get my ticket, and then I had to wait in another line to board the ferry. It’s sometimes possible to get tickets in advance online, but I don’t think that’s available during peak season.
I bought a ticket to the Villa Carlotta stop as there weren’t any direct to Cadenabbia at that time, but when I got on the ferry, I was told they would only stop at Tremezzo. This meant about a 15-minute walk to my hotel, dragging my suitcase over rocks at one point. So, again, make sure you can easily handle your luggage! I didn’t see any taxis on my walk, but there was some gorgeous scenery on the way, so I didn’t mind.
After starting my travels that day at 8:30 am, I finally made it to my hotel around 4:30 pm. I checked into the Albergo Villa la Mirabella, explored my gorgeous room and private patio, and headed out to find an aperetivo (happy hour drinks and snacks).
I ended up next door at Vittoria 1894 for a peach Bellini, bruschetta with buffalo mozzarella, tomato, and pesto, and bruschetta with burrata and truffle. It was all SO good!
Then, I walked down the lakeside path for dinner at Ristorante Belle Ille. I enjoyed some lovely wine and a risotto with lime and prawns, which was absolutely incredible! I finished with chocolate gelato for dessert and got some great sunset pics of the lake on my walk back to the hotel.
All in all, a wonderful first day in Lake Como, despite the ferry debacle.
Day 2: Exploring Varenna, Lake Como
The next day, I enjoyed a classic Italian breakfast at my hotel: meat and cheese, bread, sweet tarts, and coffee. Then, I was off to catch the ferry to Varenna. As I mentioned before, getting on the ferry on the Cadenabbia side of the lake is much easier and less crowded. I just bought a one-way ticket at the Villa Carlotta ferry stop, a few minutes walk from the hotel.
From the Varenna ferry stop, I walked along the “lovers’ passage,” a beautiful, iconic path along the lake to the main area of Varenna. I went up and around the back of Villa Monastero for a free view of the lake rather than paying to go inside.
I ate lunch at Osteria Quattro Pass, which was SO good!! I had delicious red wine, vegetarian ravioli with green, red, and white sauce, and limoncello sponge cake with lemon crema for dessert. It’s located halfway up (Varenna is on the hillside), so you can see beautiful lake views when you look down the side streets in this area.
Then I walked back down to the center of town and did some shopping. Varenna is a great place to get Italian-made wool, cashmere, and lavender skincare products.
For the afternoon, I booked a taxi boat from Varenna to tour the lake, plus a guided tour of Villa del Balbianello, one of the most iconic villas in Lake Como. The villa is incredible; it’s so beautiful, from the architecture to the enormous collection of antiques and artifacts inside.
Balbianello is also the site of some major movies like Casino Royale and Star Wars. If you’re a fan, make sure to get a photo on the balcony, just like Anakin and Queen Amidala. Here’s a similar tour to the one I did that leaves from Bellagio instead of Varenna.
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Day 2: Bellagio, Lake Como
After the Balbianello tour, I decided to explore Bellagio. This is typically very crowded as it’s considered the best town in Lake Como, but it was pouring rain so many tourists were taking shelter inside. I went to see the iconic Via Serbolina, an uphill street with stairs that’s lined with shops. I found it underwhelming after seeing the side streets in Varenna with better views of the lake.
I window shopped for a bit, enjoyed some gelato, and then caught the ferry back to Cadenabbia (a direct route this time on the traghetto ferry that allows cars and passengers). There are other villas and things to explore in Bellagio, but I’d had a full day so I decided to head back.
For dinner, I went back to Vittoria 1894 since their happy hour was so good. This time, I had a couple glasses of Chianti Superiore (an incredible red wine), the risotto with tartufo (truffle), and affogato (ice cream with espresso) for dessert. Again, absolutely delicious!
Day 3: Bellano, Lake Como
On day three, it was back to the Villa Carlotta ferry stop to catch the morning ferry to Bellano. This one is not as popular as the main three, but I think it is the best town in Lake Como; it’s so underrated!
First, I walked uphill to the Orrido de Bellano, the top attraction here. It’s a beautiful gorge with a suspended walkway over rushing water, surrounded by jagged cliffs and lush greenery. It feels like another world! There is also a museum you can tour called Cà del Diavol, which means “house of the devil,” but don’t let that scare you. It’s only called that because of the frescoes painted on the building.
I had some time before the museum tour, so I walked back downhill and stopped in a cute knickknack shop to buy some locally made souvenirs. I wandered in and out of other shops and then stopped at Bar Centrale on the lakefront for a sweet pastry and cappuccino. Then, it was time to walk back up to Orrido de Bellano for the museum tour (the walk isn’t that bad; it’s a slow incline with long, wide steps).
Now, if you come here, you cannot miss out on the Cà del Diavol tour (purchase tickets at the entrance to the gorge). There are three floors with video projections telling the history of the area, and it ends with a really neat 3D VR experience. You get to “fly” across the Orrido gorge, Bellano, and Lake Como, with moving seats and air flow to make it feel more real. Wow, just WOW!
Bellano is such a quiet and peaceful town. I loved it so much! Lunch was at a local, family-run restaurant, Taverna Malanotte, with homemade lasagna bolognese and apple pie. The food and drinks here were so affordable; I think a glass of wine was around 6 euros. I asked the waiter about visiting the town of Menaggio next, and he recommended I skip it in favor of going to Villa Carlotta instead.
Day 3: Villa Carlotta
Villa Carlotta is on the Cadenabbia side of the lake, about a 12-minute walk from my hotel. It’s one of the top villas in Lake Como and has over three centuries’ worth of collections and gardens that would take you hours to explore.
The villa and gardens are absolutely gorgeous! They have citrus tunnels, a bamboo forest, rose gardens, hydrangea, tropical plants, and so much more. The museum inside the villa is full of marble, precious art and statues, centuries-old furniture, and amazing views of Lake Como. It’s definitely worth a visit!
For dinner that night, I walked down to La Locanda, recommended by my hotel’s manager. I ordered a bottle of Chianti Classico (one of my favorite Italian wines), prosciutto with melon, and tagliatelle carbonara. You’re allowed to take the wine bottle home with you if you don’t finish it!
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Day 4: Tremezzo & Cadenabbia, Lake Como
Day four was my spa day! In the morning, I lounged at my hotel’s rooftop pool, which had incredible views of the lake. It was so peaceful, surrounded by their extensive gardens, and I wouldn’t have left if I hadn’t already booked a luxury spa experience at the Grand Hotel Tremezzo.
Before my appointment, I had lunch at Cantina Follie, a cute little restaurant hidden down an alley and above the lakefront shops. I sat at a corner table with a gorgeous view of the lake between the buildings. I ordered a red wine flight with a meat and cheese board that was SO good! If I’d had more time in Lake Como, I would have come back here for lunch again.
The Grand Hotel Tremezzo is a luxury hotel frequented by celebrities and the uber-wealthy, so their spa services are 5-star! I started in the sauna and Mediterranean steam and shower rooms, which I had all to myself during my appointment. The sauna had a window with a nice view of the lake.
My massage started with a dry brush followed by a mud mask, which I washed off in the shower before coming back for my massage. It was so relaxing; thank you, Frederica! I then got to hang out at their infinity pool for as long as I wanted. It’s an indoor/outdoor heated pool with gorgeous views of Lake Como!
Then, it was back to my hotel to sit on my patio and finish my wine bottle from last night’s dinner. The Albergo Villa la Mirabella cooks dinner for the hotel guests most nights; just reserve your spot the day before. Tonight’s dinner was a mozzarella and tomato appetizer, a breaded chicken entree, and chocolate pudding for dessert. Delicious!
I then got a second dessert from a gelato shop down the street. I enjoyed it while sitting on the lakefront, watching my last sunset in Lake Como.
Day 5: Time to Leave
My final day was an early morning wakeup to catch the 5:50 am ferry from Cadenabbia to Varenna. Unfortunately, the ferry ride took longer than the timetable said it would, so I had to run uphill with my bags to catch the train at Varenna-Esino. I barely made it in time! Keep reading below for my tips on navigating the Lake Como ferries and the timetables.
The train from Varenna-Esino stopped at Milano Centrale station instead of Milano Forlanini, which is closer to the Milano Linate airport. I’m not sure why, but thankfully, I heard the announcement (in Italian) and hopped off the train. I took a short cab ride to the airport from there as it was faster than getting a different train between stations.
I had to leave Lake Como early to meet up with some friends in Dublin, Ireland. Otherwise, I would have stayed longer to explore Menaggio and some of the smaller towns between Cadenabbia and the town of Como on the south end of the lake. You could probably spend a week and a half and not see all there is to see in Lake Como.
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Other Things to Know Before You Visit Lake Como, Italy
Now that you’ve seen the full Lake Como itinerary, there are a few things you should know about how to make the most of your time there. As I said, you could spend almost two weeks here and not see everything, from the more popular towns to the smaller ones up and down the lake.
How to Navigate the Lake Como Ferries
The Lake Como ferries and timetables can be tricky to understand at first. If you don’t plan properly, they could throw off your entire day, and you might not have time for some of the things on your itinerary. But once you figure it out, you’ll be riding them like a local!
Be Flexible
If you don’t see the exact ferry stop you want coming soon, check if there’s another ferry stopping close to it. Odds are, you can catch a different ferry and just walk about ten minutes to get where you want to be. That’s way better than waiting an extra hour for a direct ferry route.
Always Check the Timetables
I spent more time in Bellano, Lake Como than I planned because the ferries don’t run as frequently there. I didn’t realize until too late that the ferry wouldn’t come back for several hours. Lesson learned: always check the local timetable signs next to the ferry stop when you get off in one of the towns!
Buy the Right Ferry Ticket
Make sure you tell the ticket attendant the furthest location you want to visit when you buy your ticket. The ferry services are split between the lower lake, mid-lake, and upper lake areas. If you want to go from mid-lake to the upper lake, you’ll need a ticket that costs a little more than if you were staying in the mid-lake area. If you don’t have the right ticket, don’t worry; you can pay the difference on board.
Plan for the Unexpected
As I mentioned, my early morning ferry on the final day took longer than expected. The ferry timetable tells you when each ferry departs and arrives at its next destination. However, that morning’s ferry took an extra 20 minutes because it made additional stops I didn’t know about. Always add some buffer time in your schedule in case this happens.
Learn Some Italian Phrases Before You Go
Before your trip, try to learn some Italian to help you order food, ask for directions, and buy things in the shops run by locals who don’t speak a lot of English. In general, it’s considered good etiquette to make an effort at the local language, no matter where you travel.
Babbel and Rosetta Stone are great resources for this; you can start as a beginner or take more advanced lessons if you already speak some Italian.
Are you ready to plan your Lake Como itinerary?
As you can see from my Lake Como guide, a week here isn’t nearly enough time to see everything. It can be tempting to cram as much as possible into each day, but you won’t be able to enjoy it as much if you do. I tried to focus on just two major activities a day and left time to enjoy each meal the Italian way – slow and indulgent!
What do you want to see most in Lake Como? Let me know in the comments below!
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