Lake Como Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Lake Como
Como showing a house, a coastal town and a bay or harbour
Como-Brunate Funicular which includes a city, a bay or harbour and a coastal town
Lake Como
Como featuring a ferry and a lake or waterhole as well as a large group of people
A holiday on Lake Como is an unmissable experience, even only for a weekend and regardless of the towns you decide to visit.

The choice is truly vast: starting from Como and including Menaggio, Blevio, Nesso, Tremezzo and Cernobbio, to mention but a few of the most popular tourist destinations. Thanks to the mild climate in any season or time of year and the plentiful accommodation for all tastes and budgets, organising your holidays on Lake Como will be a breeze!

Our journey starts in Como, the beating heart of the lake. Surrounded by medieval walls, the centre is compact and filled with boutiques and historic buildings erected in different eras. The city has much to offer from an architectural point of view, and how much you manage to see will, of course, depend on the time you have available, although some of the city’s attractions are unmissable. A typical route will start from Porta Torre, the entrance to the old town. Cafés, tobacconists and century-old shops line the streets on your way to Piazza San Fedele, with the eponymous Basilica on the right, in Lombard Romanesque style, and the oldest building in Como, now a book shop, on the left. The route continues along the picturesque narrow streets to the Cathedral of Como, aligned with the Broletto and the Civic Tower. Walking under the arcades you reach Piazza Cavour, where the city opens up to afford a stunning view of the lake and mountains surrounding it. From here you can choose whether to board a ferry and take a romantic boat trip on the lake, stroll along the lakeside to Villa Olmo, or take the funicular up to Brunate.

A small town located on top of the hill overlooking Como, Brunate is impressive by day and even more fascinating at dusk, when the lights come on and the sky takes on the colours of the sunset. On the opposite bank, the other must-see town opposite Brunate is nearby Cernobbio, home to charming villas and a square overlooking the lake, very pretty and easily reached in 10 minutes by car or about forty minutes on foot.

Visitors to Lake Como who have little time available are always faced with a dilemma: west coast or east coast, which is better? Even the experts will say that both are breathtaking and the choice is difficult. If you prefer a walk with an unparalleled panoramic view, our advice is to choose the eastern side from Como to Bellagio, another place famous for its old town and bathing establishments.

The western side is no less attractive but busier, lined with palaces, restaurants and luxury hotels. Past Cernobbio, you’ll come to Moltrasio and, further north, Laglio, a charming and peaceful village which has made the headlines as the residence of George Clooney. Moving on you’ll find Argegno, with its medieval centre, Tremezzo and Menaggio, with the splendid Villa Vigoni, a house-museum surrounded by a beautiful English garden. Don’t waste time: check out our holiday packages to Lake Como and get ready for a brand new, unforgettable adventure!

Where to stay in Lake Como

Piazza Vittoria which includes heritage architecture and a square or plaza

Como City Centre

4.5/5(63 area reviews)

Como City Centre is popular for its panoramic lake views. Explore top sights like Piazza Vittoria and Como Cathedral, and you can get around town on the metro at Como Nord Lago Station.

Como City Centre
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Historic Center

If you're spending some time in Historic Center, Villa Serbelloni and Enoteca Principessa are top sights worth seeing.

Historic Center
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Aureggio

While Aureggio isn't home to many top sights, Villa Melzi Gardens and Villa Melzi are some notable places to visit nearby.

Aureggio
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Pescallo

While Pescallo isn't home to many top sights, Villa Melzi and Bellagio Port are some notable places to visit nearby.

Pescallo
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Visgnola

While Visgnola may not have many sights to explore, venturing just a little farther will lead you to top things to see and do like Villa Melzi Gardens and Villa Melzi.

Visgnola
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Casate

While there might not be top attractions in Casate, you can explore the larger area and discover places like Villa Melzi Gardens and Villa Melzi.

Casate
B&B Hotel Como City Center

B&B Hotel Como City Center

3 out of 5
Viale Innocenzo XI, 15, Como, CO
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is £102 per night from 31 Jul to 1 Aug
£102
31 Jul - 1 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Como. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and daily housekeeping. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (856 reviews)
"The rooms were small and a bit neglected, however the bed was comfortable and it was good enough for our trip. The price per night for the room."

Reviewed on 25 Jul 2025

B&B Hotel Como City Center
Palace Hotel

Palace Hotel

4 out of 5
Lungo Lario Trieste, 16, Como, CO
The price is £259 per night from 21 Aug to 22 Aug
£259
21 Aug - 22 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Como. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and room service. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in their reviews. ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,013 reviews)
"Amazing location , stunning property and a very welcoming staff. Enjoyed everything about it!!"

Reviewed on 28 Jul 2025

Palace Hotel
Grand Hotel Villa Serbelloni

Grand Hotel Villa Serbelloni

5 out of 5
Via Teresio Olivelli 1, Bellagio, CO
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Bellagio. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the property condition ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (515 reviews)
"Beautiful dining ballroom and common room. Great location right on the lake and in the center of town."

Reviewed on 27 Jul 2025

Grand Hotel Villa Serbelloni
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Residence Diaz

Residence Diaz

Via Diaz, 86, Como, CO
Stay at this family-friendly aparthotel in Como. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, an airport shuttle (surcharge) and daily housekeeping. Popular attractions Como-Brunate Funicular ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (240 reviews)
"Excellent room, great air conditioning. Please follow Juliet’s instructions regarding driving and parking. The hotel is in a pedestrian quarter and you need to have your vehicle license registered before entering. The host does that for you but you have to contact her in advance."

Reviewed on 10 Jul 2025

Residence Diaz
Italianway - Torno

Italianway - Torno

Via De Benzi 17, Torno, CO
Stay at this apartment in Torno. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, parking (surcharge) and rainfall showerheads. Popular attractions Como-Brunate Funicular and Villa d'Este ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (24 reviews)
"Clean and authentic old world italy No beach access to lake unless u take a ferry and then if you do take a ferry you have to walk very long way or pay a hundred Euros for 4 people to sit down at the beach...Como is way to crowded...way to expensive to really enjoy...Torno is cute but micro sized ..."

Reviewed on 25 Jun 2025

Italianway - Torno
Bellagio Luxury Suites Apartments

Bellagio Luxury Suites Apartments

Salita Camillo Benso Conte di Cavour, 6, Bellagio, CO
Stay at this apartment in Bellagio. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, premium bedding and rainfall showerheads. Popular attractions Bellagio Port and Villa Monastero are located ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (31 reviews)
Must stay condo/apt in Bellagio
"Beautiful condo/apartment, right off the water near pier 2 for the ferry. Slept 4 people comfortably and was within walking distance to everything we wanted to do, as well as the ferry which was a short trip to Varenna, Tremezzo, San Giovanni, etc. I choose this specifically because I was traveling ..."

Reviewed on 22 Jul 2025

Bellagio Luxury Suites Apartments
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Cities near Lake Como