Lake Como in 7 days

Italy's elegant lake. Belle Époque villas, mountain backdrops, and ferry-hopping between waterside villages. Best time to visit: May-June & September. Average daily budget: $120 to $320 USD.

Day 1, Land & wander

Base: Como Town, The lively southern hub with a cathedral, lakefront promenade and funicular to Brunate.

Morning: Ferry-hop the lake. Glide between Bellagio, Varenna and Menaggio for the best views.

Afternoon: Explore Como Town, The lively southern hub with a cathedral, lakefront promenade and funicular to Brunate.

Evening: Lakeside aperitivo at sunset. Spritz and views from a waterfront terrace in Varenna or Bellagio.

Eat: Risotto with lake perch (risotto con filetti di pesce persico)

Day 2, Iconic sights

Base: Bellagio, The 'pearl of the lake', with stepped lanes, gardens and grand hotels at the fork.

Morning: Visit Villa del Balbianello. The cinematic terraced gardens used in films, near Lenno.

Afternoon: Explore Bellagio, The 'pearl of the lake', with stepped lanes, gardens and grand hotels at the fork.

Evening: Funicular up to Brunate. Panoramic views over Como town and the lake from above.

Eat: Polenta uncia with local cheese and butter

Day 3, Food & markets

Base: Varenna, A romantic eastern village with a waterfront walk and the Villa Monastero gardens.

Morning: Explore Bellagio's gardens. Villa Melzi and the stepped streets of the lake's most famous village.

Afternoon: Explore Varenna, A romantic eastern village with a waterfront walk and the Villa Monastero gardens.

Evening: Walk the Greenway del Lago. A scenic shoreline path through villages on the western shore.

Eat: Fresh lake fish such as missoltini (dried shad)

Day 4, Local neighbourhoods

Base: Menaggio, A relaxed western base with a lakefront promenade and good transport links.

Morning: The tiny lakeside hamlet of Nesso with its photogenic waterfall and bridge.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Afternoon: Explore Menaggio, A relaxed western base with a lakefront promenade and good transport links.

Evening: Villa Monastero's botanical gardens in quiet Varenna.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Eat: Lakeside gelato and an Aperol spritz at golden hour

Day 5, Day trip

Base: Tremezzina, Home to the famous Villa Carlotta and its botanical gardens.

Morning: The 'Walk of Lovers' (Passeggiata degli Innamorati) along Varenna's waterfront.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Afternoon: Explore Tremezzina, Home to the famous Villa Carlotta and its botanical gardens.

Evening: Sunset from Brunate after the day-trippers have gone.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Eat: Risotto with lake perch (risotto con filetti di pesce persico)

Day 6, Hidden gems

Base: Como Town, The lively southern hub with a cathedral, lakefront promenade and funicular to Brunate.

Morning: Slow start: coffee in Como Town, then an unhurried walk before the heat or the crowds.

Afternoon: Explore Como Town, The lively southern hub with a cathedral, lakefront promenade and funicular to Brunate.

Evening: Dinner at Polenta uncia with local cheese and butter, then a quiet drink wherever the locals are in Como Town.

Eat: Polenta uncia with local cheese and butter

Day 7, Slow finish

Base: Bellagio, The 'pearl of the lake', with stepped lanes, gardens and grand hotels at the fork.

Morning: Slow start: coffee in Bellagio, then an unhurried walk before the heat or the crowds.

Afternoon: Explore Bellagio, The 'pearl of the lake', with stepped lanes, gardens and grand hotels at the fork.

Evening: Dinner at Fresh lake fish such as missoltini (dried shad), then a quiet drink wherever the locals are in Bellagio.

Eat: Fresh lake fish such as missoltini (dried shad)

Hidden gems

The tiny lakeside hamlet of Nesso with its photogenic waterfall and bridge.
Villa Monastero's botanical gardens in quiet Varenna.
The 'Walk of Lovers' (Passeggiata degli Innamorati) along Varenna's waterfront.
Sunset from Brunate after the day-trippers have gone.

Getting around

Ferries are the heart of getting around Lake Como, linking the main villages with frequent fast and slow boats, plus car ferries in the central basin. Como town is reachable by direct train from Milan in under an hour, and Varenna also has a railway station. Roads around the lake are narrow, winding and slow, so most visitors rely on ferries and trains rather than driving. Buses fill in the gaps between villages.

Safety

Lake Como is very safe, with the main considerations being narrow lakeside roads, slippery jetties and busy ferries in peak season. Watch your footing on wet villa steps and gardens, and keep an eye on belongings in crowded Bellagio and Como. Swimming is possible in summer but the lake is deep and cold, so stick to designated lidos. Prices are high in the famous villages, so budget accordingly. Solo travellers feel very comfortable.

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