10 Things to Do in Lago di Como in Italy

Lago di Como is an absolutely magical place. If you're wondering what to see and do in Milan, this large lake, located in the north of the city bordering Switzerland, is favoured by the orography of the Alps, which make it a landscape like no other. It is shaped like an inverted "y" and is surrounded by mountains and forests that form a picture-postcard setting. So much so that the area has become a paradise for many artists and celebrities whose luxurious villas are their resting place.

In addition to its natural charm, Lake Como is surrounded by small, pretty villages on its shores where tourists are already part of the daily life of the region. The excursion to the lake from Milan is without doubt one of the most popular, as it is only an hour's drive away. A good way to visit is to take the car and drive around the lake, but to know which are the key points worth stopping at, you need to know them beforehand.

The first stop on a visit to the lake should always be Como. This town, which gives its name to the lake, is situated in the southernmost part of the lake and plays host to all visitors. It's well worth spending a few hours in the town before setting off to explore the lake further.

Highlights of Como include the Duomo. A three-nave basilica dating from 1740, it is one of the largest churches in northern Italy. The square where it is located is also one of its attractions as it is surrounded by palaces and beautiful buildings.

In the same city there are also sections of its ancient medieval wall from the 12th century. But in my opinion the best thing that Como has to offer are its views of the lake. But to enjoy them we must go up to the funicular that leaves from Gasperi's square that takes us to the locality of Brunate located in the mountain next to the city. From here the views of the Lago Di Como are spectacular and a perfect starting point for our tour. To find out the best way to get to Como from Milan follow this link.

The village of Bellagio is situated right in the centre of the lake, on the point that divides it in three. Its privileged location made it one of the strategic points of the area and one of the most important. This is reflected in the remains of the fortresses and fortifications that still remain. The village is a marvel. Filled with colourful houses on its steep, cobbled streets, Bellagio has one of the best views of the entire lake.

To get to Bellagio from Como there are two options. You can either take a boat from Como's harbour or drive along the road along the lake.

It takes about 50 minutes to drive the 30 kilometres from Bellagio to Como, but the views you'll see are spectacular. Since you'll probably be taking the boat from Bellagio to other towns, I' d recommend driving.

All the villages on the shores of Lake Como are extraordinarily beautiful. There is a kind of competition to determine which is the most beautiful village and here Varenna has the advantage.

Many, including myself, point to this small village as the most beautiful on Lake Como. There is no shortage of arguments.

Varenna is a fishing village of less than 1000 inhabitants that has conquered all those who visit it thanks to its surroundings, its colourful houses, its views and to elements such as its two churches whose bell towers embellish the views of the lake.

In the same village you can also enjoy several restaurants and bars with terraces that, for the average of what you can find in Lago Di Como, can be considered cheap.

The most efficient way to reach Varenna is to take a boat from Bellagio.

The castle of Vezio is located next to the village of Varenna but it is worth mentioning it separately. This place has an absolutely privileged view of Lake Como.

The castle of medieval origin was built to defend and control some of the villages of the lake and for this purpose it has a high rectangular tower. From this tower you can enjoy what are probably the best panoramic views of the lake thanks to its strategic position.

The castle is only open to the public from March to October and is very inexpensive to visit. The entrance fee is only 4 euros. Although architecturally it is not particularly striking, in addition to its views it has a number of qualities.

For example, in its tower there is a permanent exhibition dedicated to the Lariosaurus, a marine reptile that was discovered in the lake near the castle's location. There is also a birds of prey show, which for many is the main attraction of the place, apart from the views of course. To access the castle we have to climb a small path from Varenna.

On the opposite shore to Varenna is the village of Menaggio. This is one of the busiest towns in the area and one of the most touristic. There is an endless number of hotels, hostels, campsites and tourist flats that make it the ideal place if you want to spend a few days on Lake Como. It is no less beautiful for being more touristy.

Menaggio is a very stately village with some of the most spectacular villas and buildings in the area. The best thing is the lakeside promenade from which to enjoy the views.

On clear days you can see the village of Varenna on the other side of the lake. Another attraction of Menaggio is its small centre full of shops, restaurants and good atmosphere.

Cernobbio is a town of just over 7000 inhabitants located next to the city of Como and boasts some of the most spectacular villas in the whole of Lake Como.

These villas are the symbol of the region, spectacular mansions and palaces with gardens worthy of a royal palace. And the most outstanding ones are mainly located in Cernobbio.

The most beautiful and important are Villa Erba, a 19th century palace which today serves as a congress centre, Villa Pizzo which has a magnificent display of 17th century frescoes, and Villa D'Este. The latter is the most famous as it is a 5 star hotel that has been recognised as the best hotel in the world and is as beautiful as it is prohibitively expensive.

From the village there are also some beautiful hiking trails for hikers, but with a difference in altitude of over 1000 metres. However, you will be rewarded with incredible views.

It is difficult to get to know all the villages of Lake Como because they are so many and so beautiful. That's why some of them are always left out. One of the most often forgotten is the small village of Nesso. This is a mistake. The charm of this small town is considerable and often goes unnoticed.

Its main attraction is its small medieval bridge, the Ponte della Civera, which crosses the Orrido di Nesso. A very narrow canyon where two streams converge and flow into the lake with a beautiful waterfall. Apart from this point, it is worth wandering through its streets, admiring the façades of its houses and enjoying the views of the lake. It is in its own right the hidden jewel of Lake Como.

The only island in Lake Di Como is Comacina Island off the coast of the village of Ossuccio. You can visit it starting from this village and get to know the mysteries and places related to this list.

In 1170 the famous pirate Barbarossa invaded the island and later the bishop of Como cursed the island saying that anyone who set foot on it would suffer a violent death. After this the island was abandoned in fear of this curse and its buildings were left abandoned.

Today it can be visited without fear of any curse by taking a boat from Ossuccio. The ruins of the castle and the basilica of Santa Eufemia are still preserved on the island, as well as other buildings that were part of a project to re-inhabit the island.

The village of Ossuccio is also worth a visit, especially the Sacro Monte della Beata Vergine del Soccorso. A sanctuary that, together with the 9 chapels along its access route, has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

I have already mentioned that the Villas are the symbol of Lake Como. Well, in the village of Ossuccio itself, on the tip of a small peninsula, you will find a cinematic villa.

The Villa Balbianello is a film location, among other things because scenes from films such as James Bond and Star Wars have been filmed there. A visit to the villa is a bit expensive, the entrance fee is about 20 euros, but it is really worth it.

Villa Balbianello is made up of two buildings connected by secret passages. The first building is a loggia where the tomb of Guido Monzini, a famous explorer who was one of the last owners of the villa, is located. The second part is the house built on the cliff from an ancient monastery of which the façade and its two small bell towers are preserved.

But what really captures the visitor is the beautiful and well-kept garden with a perfect view of the lake.

Last but not least on this list is the beautiful town of Tremezzo. It is situated at the foot of the Tremezzo mountain from which it takes its name, and very well communicated with towns such as Varenna, Menaggio and Bellagio.

The Villa Carlotta is worth mentioning, although it is a bit far away from the village. It is one of the most outstanding villas on Lake Como, as its gardens are made up of galleries full of flowers and very striking decorative elements.

As far as the town is concerned, the most striking feature is the Hotel Tremezzo. This hotel is in the largest and most spectacular building in town and is famous for its floating pools on the lake itself. The town is full of colourful streets and green squares that can be explored on foot or by using the tourist trains that run through the streets.