Your Guide to Lake Como: Is It Worth Visiting?
I’ve been to my fair share of places around Italy, but after years of hearing about Lake Como and even passing through it one time on my way between Lucerne and Milan, I finally decided to answer the question myself – is Lake Como worth visiting?
View from port in Mennagio in Lake Como in Italy; September 2026
Lake Como is an infamous Lake situated in Nothern Italy known for its luxury, beauty, and attracting celebrities. With an almost 1,400 foot deep lake surrounded by endless mountain scenery, it’s no wonder that this place has earned a reputation for its historic villas and glamorous aura.
Personally, I was pleasantly surprised to discover that Lake Como truly was pretty – including its little towns like Bellagio, Varenna, and Menaggio.
While I don’t think Lake Como is overhyped, I do think there are certain aspects of it that can feel extremely touristic – but despite this, I still somehow found Lake Como worth visiting.
If you’re someone who loves gelato, water, mountains, and colorful little European villages – you’ll definitely be a sucker for Lake Como. The best part is, it’s very easy to see Lake Como without a car – whether you’re coming from another city in Europe or flying into the country from overseas.
I’m going to break down if Lake Como is worth visiting, how to get around Lake Como, where to stay, and all of the best things to do on your trip to this well-known European lake.
Is Lake Como Worth Visiting?
Yes, I think Lake Como is well worth visiting – especially if you love scenic, lakeside mountainous escapes and Italian colored houses and culture.
There are endless lakeside towns to explore in Lake Como, all of which offer impeccable scenery and calming vibes – perfect for a solo, couple, or family vacation. There’s a little bit of something for everyone in Lake Como: whether it be wine tasting, exploring villas, enjoying a gelato by the water, or photographing the old towns – making it great for a group trip.
Plus, all of the ferries make it easy to explore the entire lake – alongside it being very easy to get to Lake Como from Milan and cities in Switzerland like Lugano.
However, there are a few downsides worth mentioning about Lake Como – such as the high crowds during off season and how expensive it is for Italy. That being said, I still think Lake Como is one of the prettiest places I’ve seen in all of Italy, and would happily go again.
💜🇮🇹 Lake Como at a Glance 🏔️✨
How Many Days Do You Need in Lake Como?
I think the perfect amount of time in Lake Como is 3 nights and 2 full days. This allows you to slowly explore all of the different villages and take in the stunning scenery before getting burnt out with the crowds and constant ferry rides.
Here’s a breakdown of what I think of each amount of time to be spent in Lake Como:
One Day
It’s completely possible to see Lake Como in a day, but note that it will be rushed – and is better for speedy travelers who like to be in and out and not linger for long.
I was personally able to explore Bellagio, Varenna, and Menaggio in a single day – but it required an early start to the day (hopping on the bus from Como to Bellagio before 8am) and getting back to my hotel room around 7pm.
However, as long as you plan your bus and ferry rides between cities accordingly – you can definitely explore Lake Como in a day.
Two Days
I find two full days to be the sweet spot for enjoying Lake Como. This gives you enough time to wander around the city of Como and also several famous lake towns.
This is what I did on my trip to Lake Como, and it felt like the perfect amount of time to get to know the area without feeling rushed.
Three Days
If you want to fully soak in the atmosphere that Lake Como has to offer, I recommend a full 3 days in Como – as this allows for a more relaxed trip with additional time to explore villas, leisurely meals alongside the lake, and calmer boat rides on the lake itself.
View of boats in Como, Italy; September 2026
🏡🇮🇹 Where Should You Stay in Lake Como? 🏔️✨
Why I Stayed in Como
I opted to stay in Como, which funnily enough, out of all the couples I met while on my trip to Lake Como – not a single one opted to stay in.
I can see why couples, like one of which I met that was celebrating their 25th wedding anniversary, would prefer to stay in more postcard-places like Bellagio or Varenna – as it allows for waterside, romantic dinners and a true “we’re in paradise” feeling.
However, as a solo female traveler, I personally found it much more effective to stay in Como – as it was more convenient after a long train ride from Paris, it was easier to get on a train to my next stop in Lugano, and made for an excellent base to explore the rest of the lakeside villages.
Best Things to Do in Lake Como
Lake Como can be overwhelming, especially for a first-time visit – but no worries, I’ve got you covered.
After spending a couple of days in Lake Como exploring from sunrise to sunset, I’m going to share what I think are the best things to do in Lake Como.
1. Explore Como
💸 Price: €€
⏱ Time Needed: Half a day
✨ Best For: Getting a local vibe for day-to-day life in this region of Italy
This is probably one of the more underrated things to do in Lake Como. Most people will hop over directly to Varenna or Bellagio from Milan without ever stopping in Como in the first place, but I think that’s a colossal mistake!
Not commercial, low-key because it wants to be, nice calm lakeside town that gives you a real local feel with people commuting on busses to work and chiller restaurants, etc.
🇮🇹 BEST THINGS TO DO IN COMO 🇮🇹
⛪ COMO CATHEDRAL
The cathedral in Como is surprisingly stunning, with intricate detail and lots of restaurants where you can sit with the view.
🏘️ OLD TOWN
It’s very quiet, especially during the off-season, without skipping out on classic colored buildings and cobblestone streets.
🌊 WATERFRONT
A very chill, non-commercial place perfect for relaxing with a picnic or just watching the world go by.
☕ RESTAURANTS & CAFÉS
Much cheaper than in Varenna and Bellagio, and just as good!
Pro-tip: Explore the waterfront before heading deeper into town to find a spot to eat. Avoid places just off of the water, because they’re complete tourist traps!
Want to see what I’m talking about in action? Watch me explore Como in my travel vlog below!
2. Visit Bellagio
💸 Price: €€€
⏱ Time Needed: 1–3 hours
✨ Best For: Colorful town pictures and exclusive glamour vibes
Bellagio is the best of the three main villages alongside Lake Como in terms of cute, cobblestone cities.
With deep orange colored buildings, iconic stairways nifty wine bars, and exclusive feeling restaurants – I could immediately see why Bellagio is so popular amongst celebrities.
Quiet street in Bellagio in Lake Como in Italy; September 2026
There’s also a manicured walkway and garden that follows a straight shot along the waterfront and lots of little shops to peruse.
However, be warned – there isn’t a single supermarket, local bakery, or fresh produce stand in the main tourist part of the city! Unless you plan on sitting in a restaurant, be sure to bring snacks for your day trip to Bellagio.
Overall, be sure to visit Bellagio if you want classic Instagrammable shops and that infamous "exclusive" Lake Como feeling you’ve been lusting after.
Pro-Tip: Personally, I was able to get the gist of Bellagio within an hour – but I was also there at 9 in the morning before there were any crowds. If you want to see it at its calmest, I highly recommend getting an early start to the day.
3. Explore Varenna
💸 Price: €€
⏱ Time Needed: 2–4 hours
✨ Best For: Mountain views, villas, and romance
Out of the three villages I visited in Lake Como, Varenna was the clear winner.
Between its sweeping mountain views, charming lakeside walkways, and gelato stand after the other – the vibe was spot on for sweet summer memories.
View of main port in Varenna in Lake Como in Italy; September 2026
I recommend spending the bulk of your day here, as there’s a local bakery steps away from Villa Monastero and lots of gelato shops to ensure you eat well and enjoy breath-taking views without breaking the bank.
Pro-Tip: If you’re traveling to Lake Como on a budget and can’t bear to pay the €15 ticket price for Villa Monastero – there’s a sign that says, “200 steps to a romantic view” just up ahead, and serves as the perfect spot for a free pictures of the same lakeside view.
4. Visit Menaggio
💸 Price: €€
⏱ Time Needed: 1–2 hours
✨ Best For: Cute church square
Most people who visit Lake Como will cover their basis with Bellagio and Varenna and call it a day, but while you’re at it – you might as well also visit Menaggio.
Less than a 15 minute ferry-ride away from Varenna, Menaggio is a much quieter spot that lets you enjoy the sparkling lake and surrounding mountains without the tourist craze.
View of church in Menaggio in Lake Como in Italy; September 2026
I quite enjoyed getting lost in the town walking by local butcher and barber shops, both of which were conspicuously missing from both Bellagio and Varenna – which are clearly catered to tourists.
Pro-Tip: I would put this either at the end of your day, or sandwiched in between Bellagio and Varenna so you can have a proper break in between navigating the heavy crowds.
5. Ride the Ferries Around Lake Como
💸 Price: €
⏱ Time Needed: Anywhere from 15 minutes to an hour or two
✨ Best For: Boat lovers
One of the most alluring parts of Lake Como in general is, well, being on the actual Lake – which is more than easy given Como’s well developed ferry system.
While staying in Lake Como, you have two options for the ferries: you can either buy a day pass for €17,50 for the central area (which covers places like Varenna and Bellagio) – or, you can buy each ticket as you go.
Personally, as I took a bus from Como to Bellagio and then from Mengaggio back to Como – I opted to simply buy my ferry tickets as one-way, single rides as I went (which only cost around €5,50 per single ferry ride).
View of water in Como in Italy; September 2026
6. Visit a Lake Como Villa
💸 Price: €€€
⏱ Time Needed: Around 1 hour per villa
✨ Best For: Instagrammers or photography lovers
I’m not going to lie. You guys know that I’m not a Fifth Avenue, Sex and the City, the Devil Wears Prada luxury kind of girl – meaning sightseeing the villas in Lake Como weren’t really on my radar.
Villa Carlotta / Villa del Balbianello / Villa Monastero depending on what you're comfortable recommending from experience vs research.
The overview cards below will help you decide which is the best villa to visit in Lake Como:
🏛️🌸 LAKE COMO VILLAS COMPARED 🌸🏛️
🌺 Villa Carlotta
🎬 Villa del Balbianello
🌿 Villa Monastero
Golden hour in Como in Italy; September 2026
7. Eat Along the Lake
💸 Price: €€€
⏱ Time Needed: Around 2 hours to fully enjoy
✨ Best For: People who love waterfront dining
Lake Como may be known for luxury, but to me – its greatest allure was in the simple things, like enjoying a nice meal on the water.
Whether you’re looking for grab-and-go meals or a nice sit-down place, you won’t run out of options anywhere in Como.
Here were some of my favorite places I ate while in Lake Como:
🌱🍝 WHERE TO EAT IN LAKE COMO 🍦🇮🇹
🍦 La Passerella
Right on the water in Varenna, this little gelato stand has to-die-for vegan options, including strawberry, dark chocolate, and even coffee-flavored gelato. Perfect for grabbing a cone and eating it with a Lake Como view.
🍝 Il Lughino
Located in Como city, Il Lughino is known for its giant, filling vegan lasagna. The lasagna was genuinely great and easily the highlight of my meal. The tiramisu was just fair in my opinion, but I would absolutely come back for that lasagna.
🥖 Punto Pane
This bakery had amazing veggie focaccia, cannoli, and pizzas, and everyone seemed to be lining up to eat here. A great casual option when you want something quick, fresh, and much less formal than a sit-down restaurant.
View from waterfront restaurant in Varenna in Lake Como in Italy; September 2026
How to Visit Bellagio, Varenna & Menaggio in One Day
🚌 Bus: C30
⏱️ Journey: Just over 1 hour
🕗 My timing: I caught the bus from Como at around 7:55 AM and arrived in Bellagio at around 9:00 AM.
⛴️ Ferry: Around 15 minutes
🕐 Time in Bellagio: Around 1 hour
🕥 My timing: I left Bellagio at around 10:40 AM and continued to Varenna.
⛴️ Ferry: Around 13 minutes
🕐 Time in Varenna: Around 4 hours
🕒 My timing: I stayed in Varenna until around 2:40 PM and arrived in Menaggio at around 3:00 PM.
💜 My tip: Give Varenna the most time. It's perfect for relaxing with gelato by the lake, visiting villas, taking photos, and enjoying slow strolls along the waterfront.
🚌 Bus: Around 1.5 hours
🕐 Time in Menaggio: Around 1 hour
🕓 My timing: I started making my way to the bus stop at around 4:00 PM, caught the bus at around 4:45 PM, and arrived back in Como at roughly 6:20 PM. I was back in my room before 7:00 PM.
⚠️ What I'd change: I would plan for the bus back to Como to be unreliable and make sure I was at the bus stop very early!
💶 Transportation Cost: I paid €5.50 for each ferry and around the same for each bus ride, bringing the entire day's transportation to roughly €24.
⏱️ Time in Each Village: Around 1 hour in Bellagio, 4 hours in Varenna, and 1 hour in Menaggio.
🗺️ Full Route: Como → Bellagio → Varenna → Menaggio → Como
💜 Would I Do It Again? Yes, I would do this exact route again – it was efficient, and I ended the day feeling very satisfied and like I had gotten the gist of Lake Como.
View of streets in Varenna in Lake Como in Italy; September 2026
How to Get Around Lake Como Without a Car
🚆🇮🇹 GETTING AROUND LAKE COMO ⛴️🚌
🚆 Train
Best for: Going from Milan to Como or Milan directly to Bellagio – also good for going to Bellano from Varenna by train.
⛴️ Ferry
Best for: Hopping between central lake towns like Varenna, Bellagio, and Menaggio.
🚌 Bus
Best for: Going from Como to Bellagio, Menaggio, or Varenna – but takes 1 to 1.5 hours each way.
Do You Need a Car in Lake Como?
No, you do not need a car to enjoy Lake Como.
You guys know that I’m always honest about which places require you to rent a car to fully immerse yourself in the beauty, like the South Island of New Zealand or the Isle of Skye in Scotland.
I’m happy to report that getting around Lake Como was a breeze without a car. Between the public buses, trains, and ferries – there is plenty of transportation in Lake Como to enjoy the scenery without ever needing to get behind the wheel.
The only reason I could think to rent a car is if you’re basing yourself in Como and want the complete freedom to discover villages alongside the lake at your own pace – as the bus seems to always run late and can take up a lot of precious time while staying in Lake Como.
View of water from Menaggio in Lake Como in Italy; September 2026
How to Get to Lake Como
Getting to Lake Como is actually very easy, despite its remote feeling.
If you’re situated in Europe, the easiest way to get there is by train – such as by connecting in Zurich or Milan, which then requires a 2.5 or short 1 hop to Como.
If you’re visiting Lake Como from abroad, the most efficient way to get to Lake Como is to fly into Milan and take a one hour train ride to Como, Bellagio, Varenna, or wherever alongside the lake you’ll be staying.
Milan to Lake Como
It’s around a one hour train ride from Milan to Como city, and then just over an hour by train from Milan to the actual villages along Lake Como such as Bellagio or Varenna.
However, please note that the train from Milan to Lake Como only runs only the right-hand side of the lake – meaning to get to places like Menaggio, you’ll have no choice but to take a connecting ferry.
Switzerland to Lake Como
Switzerland serves as an excellent “gateway” country to Italy. I myself have done this many times now, as it was shorter to fly into Switzerland than Italy from the U.S. and also helps me to break up the long train journey from Paris.
From Lugano, it’s a short 37-minute train ride hope – but even from larger Swiss cities like Zurich, it’s still only around a 2.5 hour ride to Como.
Red heart view in Varenna in Lake Como in Italy; September 2026
When Is the Best Time to Visit Lake Como?
🌸🇮🇹 BEST TIME OF YEAR TO VISIT LAKE COMO 🍂🏔️
🌸 Spring
Great for shoulder season travel, but beware that March and April are still icky season in Europe – meaning cloudy skies and rain could be present during your trip. May would really be the sweet spot for nicer weather before the crowds hit.
☀️ Summer
Honestly, the worst time to go to Lake Como – it’s hot, swarmed with tourists, and will be overall far less pleasurable.
🍂 Fall
This is the best time to visit Lake Como. The leaves will slowly start changing, the weather will be a perfect 72°F, hotel prices will drop slightly, you’ll still have sunny days, and far fewer tourists. Some shops may already be closed past the summer season, but for me – a trip to Lake Como in late September checked all the boxes.
❄️ Winter
The pro is that you’ll have snow-capped mountains and slashed prices, but you won’t get that quintessential “this is Lake Como” postcard picture you’ve probably seen on social media for years.
View of Bellagio in Lake Como, Italy; September 2026
Is Lake Como Expensive?
Yes, Lake Como is expensive. After traveling around Italy over the past decade, I can tell you for a fact that Lake Como is probably one of the most costly places I have ever been to across the country.
Here’s a breakdown of the prices in Lake Como:
Hotels: Even for a very basic hotel near the train station during shoulder season in Como, I paid roughly 138€/$185 USD per night. Therefore, if you want the stereotypical “resort style” trip to Lake Como – you’ll really have to budget accordingly.
Ferries: This price point was more than fair to me, seeing as the ferries run pretty often and are the fastest way to get between the villages. It was only 5,50€ per single ride for each ferry trip, meaning you can budget between 10-20€ per day per person for ferries in Como and be totally fine.
Buses: Although the bus is more expensive than what I would find in other European cities, I was also fine with it as it was the most reliable and convenient way back to my hotel in como. Each ride was around 5€.
Food: Eating in Como was the most jarring for me in terms of prices. I remember traveling around Milan, Rome, Florence, and Venice with my mom, and although that trip is almost a decade ago and inflation has since risen – the prices were still nowhere near as crazy for Italy as they were in Lake Como. Sit-down meals in restaurants were upwards of 17-25€, even for a basic burger, salad, or pasta dish.
Attractions: This part was pretty fair from my point of view, given the extravagance associated with Lake Como. Villas or private gardens were around 15€ per ticket.
💶🇮🇹 EXAMPLE DAILY LAKE COMO BUDGET 💸🏔️
Church and Piazza in Como, Italy; September 2026
🏔️🇮🇹 LAKE COMO PROS & CONS 🇮🇹🏔️
💜 Pros
🤔 Cons
Quiet side of Varenna Lake Como, Italy; September 2026
🇮🇹🏘️ Which Lake Como Town Should You Visit? 🏔️✨
View of Church in Bellagio in Lake Como, Italy; September 2026
Is Lake Como Overrated?
No, I don’t think Lake Como is overrated – but I also don’t think it’s the only place in Europe with a pretty lake worth visiting.
If you’re planning a trip to Europe and are craving mountains and lakeside vibes – you could be just as happy visiting less crowded places like Lake Garda, Lake Majoire, Lugano, or Annecy.
However, if you’re already exploring northern Italy or planning a bigger trip around the country – then yes, I think that Lake Como is a sight to see and worth the visit.
Lake Como was actually more stunning than I imagined, but it also matched my expectations like spiked-tourist prices and massive crowds. Still, I would happily return to Lake Como to enjoy those gelato stands and grandiose views all over again.
🏔️🇮🇹 Who Should Visit Lake Como? 🇮🇹🏔️
💜 Lake Como Is Worth Visiting If You Love...
🤔 You Might Skip Lake Como If...
Homes on the hills in Varenna in Lake Como, Italy; September 2026
My Lake Como Tips
The thing about Lake Como online is that it’s very visually appealing, but very few people actually give insight on the dos-and-don’ts of visiting Lake Como.
Here’s my personal travel advice for Lake Como after a solo trip there:
Skip Bundle Ferry Tickets: You don’t necessarily need to buy every ferry ticket far in advance. In fact, sometimes it’s better to wait until the one you want to leave is lining up and to buy the ticket then, as they often run late anyways – meaning your old ticket could easily be invalidated and you’ll need to end up buying a new one anyways.
Be Flexible: On the same note as buying ferry tickets as you go, be sure to give yourself flexibility between towns. I didn’t expect that I would only want to spend an hour at Bellagio and then the bulk of my day in Varenna. Be willing to go with the flow and alter your time table as your Lake Como trip progresses.
Take Advantage of the Buses: I was surprised when I felt like the only tourist on the local buses, but it’s really a useful and inexpensive way to get between places without waiting for the ferry
Avoid Tight Schedules: Don't try to cram every lake town into one day. After meeting a Canadian family in Varenna staying in Bellano in line at a local bakery, I was almost tempted to go see it once they told me it was a short 4-minute train ride away. In the end, I refrained from my temptation – and I’m glad that I did, as I was definitely already “Lake Como-ed out” by the end of my massive day trip to the villages.
Explore Como: I’ve never met someone who went to Lake Como and actually took the time to explore the city of Como itself, but it really is worth exploring as opposed to treating it as nothing more than a transport hub.
Famous street view in Bellagio in Lake Como, Italy; September 2026
🇮🇹🏔️ Lake Como FAQs 🚤🇮🇹
Final Verdict: Is Lake Como Worth It?
Yes, Lake Como is worth visiting – especially for its seemingly never-ending lake views, sweet summer escape aura, and picturesque villages.
Honestly, I was pretty surprised on how well I was able to relax in Lake Como – as a New Yorker girl like me doesn’t wind down easily. Two nights was the perfect amount of time to discover Como, the lake villages, and still have down time to do nothing but enjoy a sweet treat on a lakeside promenade.
I would absolutely go to Lake Como again, and I think anyone else who loves boat rides, photography, and scenic villages would also happily enjoy a trip to Lake Como.
Sparkling water and small orange boat off the coast of Menaggio in Lake Como, Italy; September 2026
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Last updated: October 3 , 2026