Many travellers to the region report that the town of Bellagio is the most beautiful of all the towns. Certainly the most famous town, Bellagio is located at the junction of the lake’s triangle and offers some of the most beautiful views in the entire area. The town itself is undeniably charming, with its pastel-coloured hotels, narrow cobbled streets and gorgeous promenade lined with oleanders and lime trees. Shopping in Bellagio is a treat as the town offers tourists cute boutiques and colourful markets.

Another central town, Menaggio, is the western shore’s main town. Just as beautiful as its neighbour Bellagio but not as heavily populated by tourists, Menaggio provides a suitable in-between. Menaggio is perfect for exploring, boasting a quaint pedestrian area designed for walking and, in the northern part of the town, the remains of a medieval castle’s walls which are open for viewing.

The last of the most popular central towns, on the eastern shore, Varenna has a great deal to offer tourists without the crowds of other towns. The town’s small beach is lined with even smaller boats and makes for an excellent photo opportunity. Varenna is also one of the only towns which has a public garden through which visitors can enjoy a quiet afternoon stroll. The Varenna Castle, which sits atop a steep hill, is the best place from which to experience views of the entire area.  

The town of Como will probably be the first experience of Lake Como that most tourists have. The largest town on the lake, Como is not the most beautiful or the most charming but it is steeped in history and makes for an interesting and informative stop. Visit the Como Cathedral and take in the authentic Gothic architecture or stroll along the promenade, which is most beautiful at sunset.

The Como Cathedral, the largest church on the lake, displays a combination of Renaissance and Gothic architectural styles and is one of the highlights for many visitors to the town. While the exterior is reminiscent of a fairy-tale, boasting gargoyles and elaborate pinnacles, the inside is decorated with ornate tapestries depicting stunning Renaissance scenes.

Just outside of the town of Colico is the Abbazia di Piona, an abbey built during the Cistercian period. Many travellers enjoy coming to the abbey because of the peaceful environment in which it is set. The abbey doesn’t receive many visitors, which makes for a nice break from the sometimes overcrowded nature of popular towns like Bellagio. Sitting atop a small peninsula and surrounded by the most breathtaking beauty, the Abbazia di Piona is the perfect place for contemplation and even meditation.

Set at the foot of a hill on which the luxurious Grand Hotel Villa Serbelloni is located, the Villa Serbelloni Gardens are the most spectacular formal gardens in the region. While the hotel is rather exclusive, the gardens are open to everyone and are well worth a visit on a warm afternoon. The gardens provide a great view of the town and glimpses of the lake.

It is not so much the funicular railway but rather the view from its final stop, Brunate, which simply cannot be missed. The Lake Como Mountain Railway takes passengers from the Piazza de Gasperi all the way to the top of the hill, from where undoubtedly the most gorgeous views of the entire lake can be seen. There are also several walking trails for those wanting to get active. The trails lead to great finds like the old Faro Valtiano Lighthouse.

Travellers looking for raucous nightlife in Lake Como will be a bit disappointed as most of the after-dark establishments are of a high-end nature. There aren’t many nightclubs and the ones that are present are quite small. The best options for late-night music on the lake are the beach-front bars in Lenno.

Most of the bars in Lake Como are either high-end wine tastings or local hangouts where Italians play a round of cards and knock back a few drinks before heading home. The best wine and cheese tasting can be found in the town of Tremezzo, while those looking for a no-frills establishment should head to Mezzegra.

For those who are interested in soaking up the local culture, the annual festivals which take place throughout the year provide the perfect opportunity. The Lake Como Festival, which takes place in August, features musical performances by some of the best local artists. This festival is the perfect event for travellers who are fans of live music. There are also several gastronomic festivals which happen during autumn that should not be missed.

There is a wide range of theatres around the lake which offer not only performances, but workshops as well. The main theatres in the town of Como put on several shows throughout the year and host a few musical recitals as well.

Italian cuisine is famous the world over for being hearty and delicious. The same can be said about the fare in Lake Como. While there are a large number of restaurants serving international food, especially of the British, American and German varieties, there is also a good selection of establishments serving authentic Italian dishes at reasonable prices.

Breakfasts are a little different from traditional western options, often including something light and sweet. A popular breakfast option is a cornetto - a pastry filled with chocolate or jam which is washed down with a strong cup of coffee.

Travellers should expect most establishments to be closed for at least two hours in the middle of the day. Italians believe lunch to be the most important meal of the day. A hearty, traditional meal of ribollita (vegetable soup using ingredients left over from an earlier meal) or even a delicious risotto (creamy rice cooked with vegetables, seafood or meat) make for a great lunch.

Dinners are often lighter than lunches and Italians generally eat something like pici (hand-rolled pasta served with a vegetable and meat sauce). An absolute must try is authentic Italian gelato (home-made ice-cream), which is the best post-dinner treat. So popular with Italians, gelato is often served in up to 50 different flavours.

There are also a few local drinks which are worth a try. Italian beers like Peroni and Moretti are popular, more so among tourists than Italians. Limoncello liquor, made from lemon peels and Grappa, is a local favourite. Coffee is popular country-wide and is probably consumed more than water. Many bistros and cafés in the Lake District have a range of delicious coffee brews available.