Lake Como is one of those places that could easily become a lot of sitting around admiring the view – and honestly, that alone would be a great trip. But there’s way more to do here than stare at the water, gorgeous as it is.
Between the villages, the villas, the boats, and the mountains, you could fill days without ever getting bored. The trick is knowing what’s actually worth your time.
So here are the best things to do around Lake Como, from the obvious must-dos to a few things most day-trippers miss.
Ride the Ferries (Yes, It’s an Activity)
The ferries aren’t just transport here – they’re the single best thing to do on Lake Como. Cheap, scenic, and constant, they turn getting from village to village into a floating sightseeing tour.
Hop between Bellagio, Varenna, and Menaggio, sit up on the deck, and just watch the villas and mountains slide past. Buy a day pass and treat the ferries as your own private lake cruise. It’s the best value in the whole region.
Explore the Star Villages
Each village has its own personality. Bellagio, at the center where the lake splits, is the glamorous one – cobbled stairways, boutiques, and that postcard silhouette. It’s touristy but gorgeous.
Varenna is quieter and arguably prettier, with a romantic waterfront and the lovely Lovers’ Walk. Menaggio is more laid-back and local. Wander at least two or three – each is worth an afternoon of pottering.
Tour the Historic Villas and Gardens
Como’s grand lakeside villas are a highlight. Villa del Balbianello, on a wooded point near Lenno, has jaw-dropping terraced gardens jutting into the lake (you’ve seen it in films). It’s the showstopper.
Villa Carlotta and Villa Melzi are gorgeous too, with botanical gardens that explode into color in spring. Touring one or two is a lovely, relaxed way to spend a morning – and the views from their terraces are unreal.
Get Out on the Water
Beyond the public ferries, renting a little boat (no license needed for the small ones) lets you explore the lake at your own pace, buzzing between villages and coves and swimming off the back.
Prefer paddle power? Kayaking or paddleboarding along the shore near Bellagio or Lezzeno gives you a peaceful, close-up view of the villas from the water. And yes, you can swim – the lake is clean, if a touch chilly.
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Hike or Ride the Funicular
Como isn’t just about the water – the mountains around it are made for hiking. Trails above Bellagio and Menaggio reward you with sweeping views over both arms of the lake, and the walk up to the Madonna del Ghisallo chapel is a classic.
For an easy win, take the funicular from Como town up to Brunate. Seven minutes later you’re on a balcony above the whole southwestern basin, with hiking trails and a lighthouse if you want to go further.
Eat and Aperitivo Lakeside
Food here is northern Italian and lake-focused – think risotto, fresh lake fish like perch and lavarello, and creamy polenta. Grab a table right on the water in Varenna or Bellagio and settle in.
The move at the end of the day is an aperitivo on a lakeside terrace as the sun drops behind the mountains. A cold spritz, the light going gold on the water – honestly, it’s hard to beat.
Take a Day Trip
Como’s location makes for easy escapes. Lugano, just over the Swiss border, mixes Italian charm with Swiss polish and is a quick train ride away. Milan is under an hour by rail if you fancy a day of city and shopping.
You could even reach Bellagio’s quieter neighbor villages or the northern end of the lake around Domaso, which is calmer, cheaper, and popular with windsurfers. There’s more to explore than a first visit suggests.
A Perfect Day on Lake Como
Want the ideal day? Here’s how I’d play it:
- Morning: Ferry to Villa del Balbianello or Villa Carlotta for the gardens
- Late morning: Wander Bellagio’s cobbled lanes and boutiques
- Lunch: Lakeside fish or risotto in Varenna
- Afternoon: Rent a small boat or walk the Lovers’ Walk
- Evening: Aperitivo on a terrace as the sun sets over the lake
That day mixes villas, villages, water, and food without a single rushed moment. The ferries tie it all together.
A Few Things Most People Miss
Beyond the big three villages, the northern end of the lake around Domaso and Gravedona is worth a look – it’s breezier, cheaper, and a hotspot for windsurfing and kitesurfing. A totally different, sportier side of Como.
The tiny village of Nesso, halfway down the eastern shore, hides a pretty waterfall and an old stone bridge that most visitors zoom straight past. And the Greenway del Lago walking path near Lenno links quiet villages and gardens on foot.
These are the spots that make a second or third day on Como feel fresh rather than repetitive.
Where to Base Yourself
Where you stay shapes the whole trip. Varenna and Bellagio are the classic, most scenic bases, both ferry hubs with that postcard view – book early, as they fill up and aren’t cheap.
For better value with equally big views, look at Menaggio or the northern towns. Como town itself is the most convenient if you’re arriving by train from Milan, and it has the funicular on its doorstep.
Wherever you land, a lake-view room is worth the splurge here. You’ll spend more time than you expect just gazing at the water from your own balcony.
When to Visit
Spring and early autumn are the sweet spot – the gardens are at their best in April and May, the light is gorgeous, and the crowds are thinner than peak summer. September gives you warm, swimmable water with a calmer feel.
July and August are beautiful but busy and pricey, with packed ferries and Bellagio at its most crowded. Winter is quiet and moody, though many hotels, boats, and villas scale back, so check what’s open before you go.
Getting There and Around
Como is refreshingly easy to reach – it’s under an hour by train from Milan, so it makes a brilliant add-on to any northern Italy trip. Trains run to Como town and, handily, right to Varenna on the eastern shore.
Once you’re on the lake, skip the car. The roads are narrow and clogged in summer, parking is a headache, and the ferries connect everything you’ll want to see. Trains in, ferries around – that’s the stress-free formula for Como.
And build in a lazy hour or two with no plan at all. Some of the best Como moments are the unscheduled ones – a quiet bench by the water, a gelato on a village step, a ferry ride taken just for the view.
The Verdict
Lake Como rewards you whether you want to do a lot or very little. Ride the ferries, explore two or three villages, tour a villa garden, get out on the water, and finish with a lakeside spritz – that’s the perfect mix.
Don’t try to see every village in one day; slow down and let the lake set the pace. Do that, and Como delivers the kind of relaxed, ridiculously scenic trip you’ll be daydreaming about long after you leave. 🙌
