HV10774
Torno
Lake Como
Our pick in Lake Como
The Hidden Voyage guide
Lake Como
Belle Époque villas, gardens and boats on the most elegant lake in Italy.
Best months
May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep
Ideal stay
7 nights
Fly into
MXP · LIN · BGY · LUG
Getting around
Car with driver recommended; lakeside roads are narrow
Our villas here
47 private villas
Why go
Why choose Lake Como
Lake Como has drawn aristocrats, poets and composers for centuries, and it is easy to see why. Steep green mountains drop straight into deep water, terraced gardens spill down to private jetties, and every bend of the shoreline reveals another villa framed by cypress and camellia. A villa here means waking to the sound of boats, lunching on a terrace above the water and travelling between villages the old way, by lake.
The lake forms an inverted Y, with Como at the foot of the western arm, Lecco on the eastern arm and Bellagio at the meeting point. The central lake is the most elegant, the north quieter and sportier. It suits couples, families and multigenerational groups who value gardens, fine dining and slow days on the water over a packed itinerary.
Ideal for: Couples, Weddings, Combining with Milan · Relaxed, by boat and on foot
Our villas of the month · October 2026
Chosen this month by our team
Getting there
Airports and arrivals
MXP
Milan Malpensa
about 50 minutes by car to Como, about 1h30 to Tremezzina
main long haul and international gateway
LIN
Milan Linate
about 1h by car to Como, about 1h15 to Varenna
city airport with many European and domestic flights
BGY
Milan Bergamo (Orio al Serio)
about 1h15 by car to Como, about 1h to Lecco
wide low cost network, handy for the eastern shore
LUG
Lugano
about 40 minutes by car to Como
Swiss airfield used mainly by private and business aviation
- Regional trains link Milano Centrale with Varenna Esino on the eastern shore in about 1h, and Milan with Como San Giovanni in about 40 minutes to 1h; Como is also on the Milan to Zurich line.
- Navigazione Laghi operates ferries, fast hydrofoils and car ferries all year, with fuller timetables in summer; the car ferry triangle links Bellagio, Varenna, Menaggio and Cadenabbia.
- Private water taxis and chauffeured boats can meet guests at Como or Lecco piers, and helicopter transfers from Milan airports take roughly 20 to 30 minutes to licensed landing points.
We arrange private transfers, drivers, boats and helicopters for every villa.
Where to stay
Choosing your base
Tremezzina
Couples, garden lovers, first visits
The sunny western shore around Tremezzo, Lenno and Ossuccio, with Villa Carlotta, Villa del Balbianello and grand lakefront hotels close by.
Bellagio
Couples, island hopping by boat
The promontory village at the heart of the lake, all stepped lanes, silk boutiques and ferry connections in every direction.
Varenna
Car free stays, walkers
A compact fishing village on the eastern shore with a lovely lakeside walkway and a direct train to Milan.
Cernobbio and Moltrasio
Short stays, families, events
Close to Como town and Malpensa, lined with historic estates and with easy access to Milan for shopping or business.
Menaggio
Families, active travellers
A lively lakeside town with a broad promenade, a lido and the road to Lugano at its back.
Gravedona and the upper lake
Sporty families, longer stays
Wilder and windier, with long pebble shores and the best sailing and kitesurfing conditions on the lake.
Positions are approximate: the exact address is shared once your stay is confirmed.
What to see
The highlights
01
Villa del Balbianello, Lenno
Set on the wooded Lavedo headland, this villa is cared for by FAI and known for its loggia and sculpted terraced gardens. Arriving by boat is the most memorable approach; visits are by timed ticket in season.
02
Villa Carlotta, Tremezzo
An eighteenth century residence with neoclassical sculpture inside and a botanical garden of some 8 hectares outside. Late April and May bring a celebrated display of azaleas and rhododendrons.
03
Gardens of Villa Melzi, Bellagio
A romantic English style park running along the water south of Bellagio, with Japanese maples and a small chapel. Opening is seasonal, usually spring to autumn.
04
Villa Monastero, Varenna
A former convent turned villa whose long, narrow garden follows the shoreline. Citrus, agaves and palms thrive in its sheltered microclimate.
05
Como Cathedral and old town
The Duomo blends Gothic and Renaissance styles under a later dome, at the heart of a walled grid of streets. Silk shops recall the city's long textile tradition.
06
Brunate funicular
The funicular has climbed from Como to the hilltop village of Brunate since 1894 in only a few minutes. At the top, footpaths lead to the Volta lighthouse for sweeping views.
07
Isola Comacina
Lake Como's only island lies off Ossuccio and holds the ruins of early medieval churches. Small boats shuttle across from Sala Comacina in season.
08
Abbey of Piona
A Cistercian community on a peninsula near Colico with a fine Romanesque cloister. The monks sell their own liqueurs and herbal products.
What to do
Experiences worth planning for
Private boat day
Charter a classic wooden motorboat with skipper to see the great villas from the water and stop for lunch at a waterside trattoria.
Greenway del Lago di Como
An easy walking path of about 10 km from Colonno to Griante threading through villages, gardens and Roman roads above the shore.
Sentiero del Viandante
A historic mule track along the eastern shore between Abbadia Lariana and Colico, ideal in sections for a morning hike.
Silk tour in Como
Visit the Silk Museum and the remaining ateliers to learn how the city became a world capital of luxury silk.
Seaplane flight
Aero Club Como flies seaplanes from its base on Como's waterfront, offering a bird's eye view of the lake's shape.
Cooking class in a villa kitchen
Learn to prepare fresh pasta and lake fish with a local chef, then eat on the terrace at sunset.
Outdoors
Nature and walks
Lido di Lenno
A smart lido with loungers on the Tremezzina shore, overlooking the Balbianello headland.
Lido di Bellagio
A small, stylish platform for swimming and drinks at the tip of the promontory.
Gravedona and Domaso shores
Long, natural pebble beaches on the upper lake, popular for sailing and windsurfing.
Orrido di Bellano
A dramatic gorge carved by the Pioverna river, reached by walkways suspended above the water.
Monte San Primo
The highest peak of the Larian Triangle, with meadow walks and panoramic views over both arms of the lake.
Where to stay
Private villas in Lake Como
At the table
Food and wine
What to eat
Risotto con pesce persico
Creamy risotto topped with golden fillets of perch fried in butter and sage, the signature dish of the lake.
Missoltini
Shad that is salted and sun dried in the traditional way, then grilled and served with polenta.
Polenta uncia
A rich mountain polenta layered with cheese and melted butter, typical of the hills above the lake.
Bresaola della Valtellina IGP
Air dried beef from the valley to the north, sliced thin with lemon, oil and rocket.
Pizzoccheri
Buckwheat pasta baked with potatoes, cabbage, Casera cheese and butter, a Valtellina comfort dish.
Miascia
A rustic cake of stale bread, milk, fruit and rosemary, born in the kitchens of the Tremezzina villages.
What to drink
Valtellina Superiore DOCG
Elegant Nebbiolo, known locally as Chiavennasca, grown on steep terraced slopes just north of the lake.
Sforzato di Valtellina DOCG
A powerful red made from Nebbiolo grapes dried after harvest, ideal with game and aged cheeses.
Terre Lariane IGT
Small production whites and reds from vineyards around the lake, worth seeking out in local restaurants.
Beyond the villa
Day trips
Milan
about 1h by car or train
The Last Supper, the Duomo and the fashion quarter make an easy and rewarding day out.
Lugano
about 40 minutes by car from Como
A Swiss lakeside city with Italian character, gardens and a fine contemporary arts centre.
Bergamo Città Alta
about 1h15 by car
A walled hilltop town with Venetian ramparts, now part of a UNESCO site, reached by funicular.
St Moritz
about 2h30 by car from Como
Cross the Maloja pass into the Engadine for glamorous Swiss mountain scenery.
Bernina Express from Tirano
about 1h30 by car to Tirano
Ride the UNESCO listed Rhaetian Railway across the Alps towards St Moritz.
When to go
The year, season by season
April to October. May, June and September are ideal; many hotels and restaurants close from November to March.
Spring
Gardens reach their peak from April to May, with camellias, azaleas and wisteria in bloom. Days are mild and ideal for walking, though the water is still cool.
Summer
June to August bring warm water, long evenings and the fullest ferry timetables. July and August are busy, so private boats and early starts are worth arranging.
Autumn
September and October are golden and calmer, with soft light and harvest food on the menus. Several villas and gardens close from early November.
Winter
The lake turns quiet and atmospheric, with snow on the peaks and clear views. Many hotels, restaurants and gardens close until March, so a villa stay is best planned with a car and driver.
Weather month by month
Bars: hours of sunshine a day. Above: average daytime high. Shaded: the best months.
Full weather table
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Daytime high, °C | 6 | 8 | 13 | 17 | 23 | 27 | 30 | 29 | 23 | 19 | 12 | 9 |
| Night low, °C | -2 | -1 | 4 | 7 | 12 | 16 | 19 | 19 | 13 | 9 | 4 | 2 |
| Sunshine, hours a day | 1.9 | 3.5 | 4.9 | 5.9 | 6.7 | 8.1 | 9.2 | 8.2 | 6.2 | 4.2 | 2.2 | 1.9 |
| Rainy days | 9 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 13 | 11 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 10 | 11 | 9 |
| Dry days | 22 | 20 | 21 | 18 | 18 | 19 | 23 | 22 | 22 | 21 | 19 | 22 |
Air: averages long term averages, Como weather station. Dry days have less than 1 mm of rain.
Events through the year
Late May
Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este
A prestigious classic car concours held on the lawns of Cernobbio's historic grand hotel and nearby Villa Erba.
Weekend around 24 June
Sagra di San Giovanni, Isola Comacina
Fireworks over the island and a procession of boats celebrate the feast of St John.
15 August
Ferragosto
The midsummer holiday brings fireworks, boat parades and festive dinners to many lakeside villages.
Autumn
Chestnut and harvest festivals
Village sagre in the hills celebrate chestnuts, polenta and new wine.
Planning Lake Como?
Tell us your dates and the group: we reply with availability and the full price, usually within one working day, and arrange transfers, chefs and boats.
Good to know
Practical tips
- Roads along both shores are narrow and congested in summer; parking in Bellagio, Varenna and Tremezzina is very limited, so use boats and a driver where possible.
- Ferry, hydrofoil and car ferry timetables change with the season; check the Navigazione Laghi timetable, as summer schedules run from spring to early autumn and the winter service is much reduced.
- Villa del Balbianello and other popular gardens use timed tickets in high season; book ahead and note that many villas close from November to March.
- Most lakeside towns levy a nightly tourist tax per person, paid locally; amounts vary by municipality and season.
- Como's historic centre is a limited traffic zone (ZTL) monitored by cameras; do not drive in unless your accommodation has registered your plate.
- Restaurant terraces with a lake view fill quickly on summer weekends; reserve in advance, especially for sunset tables.
Questions
Lake Como: frequently asked
Which is the best part of Lake Como to stay in?
For first visits the central lake, between Tremezzina, Bellagio, Varenna and Menaggio, is the most convenient because ferries connect these towns frequently. Cernobbio suits shorter stays near Milan, while the upper lake is quieter and sportier.
Do I need a car at Lake Como?
Not necessarily. Ferries link the main villages and trains reach Varenna and Como, but a car with driver gives flexibility for villas set above the shore and for day trips.
How do I get from Milan to Lake Como?
By car Como is about 1h from central Milan. Regional trains reach Como in about 40 minutes to 1h and Varenna in about 1h from Milano Centrale.
Can you swim in Lake Como?
Yes, at lidos and designated beaches around the lake, with the water at its warmest from July to early September. Avoid swimming near ferry piers and busy harbours.
When is the best time to visit Lake Como?
May, June and September offer the best balance of warm weather, open gardens and fewer crowds. July and August are hottest and busiest.
Travel advisors, wedding and event planners
Share this guide with your clients
Register as a trade partner for your private area, villas of the month and quotes in one place.
More guides in The Lakes