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Lake Como has been drawing visitors since the Roman era, and the reasons haven’t changed much. The lake itself is spectacular, the villages that ring it are among the most beautiful in Italy, the villas and gardens are world-class, and the surrounding mountains give every view a depth that’s hard to find anywhere else in Europe.
Whether you’re planning a few days or a full week, book your Lake Como vacation rental so you have a comfortable base to return to each evening.
Here are 11 of the best things to do in Lake Como, Italy.
1. Explore Bellagio
Photo Credit: elesi
- Location: Bellagio, Lake Como
- Best time: Early morning or evening in summer; any time in spring and autumn
Bellagio sits at the tip of the promontory that divides the two southern arms of the lake, which is why it is sometimes called the Pearl of the Lake. The position is extraordinary; from Punta Spartivento at the northern end of the village, you can see all three branches of the lake simultaneously, with mountains framing the view on every side.
The historic center is a dense tangle of steep stairways, stone-paved lanes, elegant boutiques, and outdoor cafes. The most photographed staircase is Salita Serbelloni, which climbs from the lakefront to the upper village through arches draped in climbing plants.
The waterfront gardens of Villa Melzi are open to visitors and offer a calm, botanical escape from the busier streets above. Arrive early, linger over coffee in the square, and leave before the day-trip crowds fully descend.
2. Visit Villa del Balbianello
Photo Credit: mary416
- Location: Villa del Balbianello, Tremezzina
- Best time: Book online in advance; closed Mondays and Wednesdays; open 10 am to 6 pm every other day
Villa del Balbianello stands on a narrow, wooded stretch of land that juts into the lake at Lenno. Its position makes it one of the most photographed properties in Italy, and its gardens are among the finest maintained on the lake.
Built in the 18th century and left to the FAI (Italian National Trust) by explorer Guido Monzino, the villa has served as a film location for Casino Royale, Star Wars Episode II, and several other productions.
Access is by boat from Lenno or by a footpath from the village. Book online well in advance during peak season, as daily entry caps apply.
3. Take a Ferry Between the Villages
- Location: Como Ferry Terminal
- Best time: Early morning departures for the quietest experience; avoid midday in peak summer
The Navigation Service ferry network connects all the major villages on Lake Como and is the backbone of the lake’s operation. The many hidden gems of Lake Como are spread across all three arms of the lake, and the ferry is the only practical way to reach most of them without a car.
Among other spots, Bellagio, Varenna, Menaggio, Tremezzo, and Lenno are all linked by regular services.
Free circulation tickets (ask for a libera circolazione) allow unlimited stops throughout the day for a single fare, making it by far the most economical way to cover the lake.
4. Wander Varenna
Photo Credit: Sorasak_M
- Location: Varenna, Lake Como
- Best time: Afternoon and evening, when the day-trippers from Bellagio have moved on
Varenna sits on the eastern shore of the lake with its colorful houses stacked directly above the water, and it consistently ranks as one of the most romantic villages on Lake Como.
Varenna is easy to reach by ferry from Bellagio in about 15 minutes, making it a natural pairing for a day on the central lake.
The Passeggiata degli Innamorati, the lovers’ promenade, is a short lakeside walkway that threads between the waterline and the village walls, with unobstructed views across the water toward Bellagio and the mountains beyond.
Other can’t-miss attractions include the Chiesa di San Giorgio (Church of St. George), a beautiful Romanesque building with frescoes, and Villa Monastero, a former convent-turned-botanical garden.
5. Visit Villa Carlotta in Tremezzo
- Location: Villa Carlotta, Tremezzina
- Best time: Late March through May for the botanical garden in bloom; open daily 10 am to 7 pm
Villa Carlotta in Tremezzo is one of the most visited villas on Lake Como, and with good reason. The botanical garden offers an extraordinary collection of flowers and exotic plantings that burst into color in spring, drawing visitors from across Europe.
The villa itself houses an important art collection accumulated by its 19th-century owners, including original sculptures by Antonio Canova, a major frieze by Bertel Thorvaldsen, and paintings by Francesco Hayez.
The lakefront setting in Tremezzo means the villa can be reached by ferry from Bellagio in about 10 minutes.
6. Walk the Greenway del Lago
- Location: Greenway del Lago, Colonno
- Best time: Spring and autumn; bring a packed lunch as some restaurants close midweek
The Greenway del Lago is a 7-mile walking route that threads through the west shore, connecting villas, gardens, ancient village cores, lakeside promenades, and viewpoints that have been drawing travelers since the Grand Tour era.
The route passes the gates of Villa Balbianello, the lakefront of Lenno, the historic core of Ossuccio, and the garden walls of Villa Carlotta before ending in Cadenabbia.
The route is mostly flat to gently undulating, accessible to walkers of all fitness levels, and completely free. Allow three to four hours, including stops, and take the ferry back rather than retracing your steps.
7. Explore Como City
- Location: City of Como
- Best time: Morning for the Cathedral and Piazza Cavour; Saturday for the covered market; Cathedral open from Monday to Saturday
Como is the city that gives the lake its name, and it deserves more than the brief stop most visitors give it. The Cathedral is a harmonious blend of Gothic and Renaissance styles with intricately carved facades and a Baroque dome designed by Filippo Juvara.
Piazza Cavour on the lakefront is the social center of the city, ringed by cafes and connected by ferry to the rest of the lake. The Tempio Voltiano is a neoclassical museum dedicated to Alessandro Volta, who was born in Como and invented the electric battery here.
The best attractions in Lake Como extend well beyond the central lake, and Como city is one of the most rewarding and underappreciated stops on the whole circuit.
8. Visit the Sacred Mount of Ossuccio
- Location: Sacro Monte di Ossuccio, Ossuccio
- Best time: Spring and autumn; open daily 7 am to 6:30 pm; avoid midday in summer
The Sacred Mount of Ossuccio is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that most visitors to Lake Como walk right past. An ancient cobblestone path climbs through olive groves from the village of Ossuccio to a hilltop shrine, lined along the way by 14 Baroque chapels containing 230 life-size terracotta statues depicting the mysteries of the Rosary.
The higher you climb, the quieter it becomes, and the views back across the lake toward Bellagio and the central basin are some of the most peaceful on the entire circuit.
It takes about 30 to 40 minutes to reach the shrine at the top, and the combination of devotional art, mountain air, and a lake panorama makes for an experience unlike anything else on the lake.
9. Climb to Vezio Castle
- Location: Castello di Vezio, Perledo
- Best time: Weekdays to avoid weekend crowds; open daily 10 am to 7 pm, and Saturday and Sunday until 8 pm
Castello di Vezio sits in the hamlet of Vezio above Varenna, reached by a 30-minute uphill walk from the lakefront on a clear, well-signed path.
The castle ruins date to the early medieval period and command one of the most expansive views on the entire lake, taking in the full central basin, Bellagio, and the peaks of the Alps on clear days.
The combination of the castle ruins and the panorama makes this one of the more memorable experiences on the lake for anyone who takes the time to make the climb.
10. Try Water Sports on Northern Lake Como
- Location: Dongo, Northern Lake Como
- Best time: Summer and early autumn for the most consistent winds
The northern arm of Lake Como, between Dongo and Gravedona, is a completely different world from the glamorous central lake. The valley narrows here, channeling predictable winds that make this stretch one of the best locations in northern Italy for kitesurfing, windsurfing, and sailing.
For something calmer, the quieter inlets around Comacina Island in the central lake offer sheltered territory for kayaking and canoeing. The island itself is the only island on the entire lake and has a fascinating medieval history, including being burned by the people of Como in 1169.
11. Try the Local Cuisine
- Location: Trattorias and osterias throughout the lake villages
- Best time: Lunch is the main meal; book ahead for lakeside restaurants in summer
Lake Como’s food culture is rooted in the lake itself. The menu at any serious trattoria around the water is built around freshwater fish prepared in ways that haven’t changed much in centuries.
Beyond fish, the broader Lombardy region is well represented, with local cheeses, cured meats, polenta in every form, and fresh pasta that varies subtly from village to village.
Skipping the waterfront tourist menus in favor of a simple trattoria on a back street is almost always the right call, so ask around locally to discover where native Comaschi people (people from Como) like to eat.
Ready to Plan Your Lake Como Trip?
Lake Como rewards visitors who arrive with knowledge of the best things to do, a loose plan, and the flexibility to follow wherever the ferry takes them. The villages are best in the early morning light, the villas are best visited mid-week, and the mountains are best when clouds have cleared after rain.
The best places to stay in Lake Como range from the city of Como to the villages of the central lake and the quieter north. Browse Lake Como vacation rentals now to find a home base that puts you on the water and gives you the time to experience it properly.
