Destinations / Italy / Lake Como
Lake Como Travel Guide
Base yourself in the middle of the lake, in Bellagio, Varenna or Tremezzo, and get around by ferry. Book one private boat afternoon and your villa visits, and go between May and September when the hotels are open.
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Where I'm sending people now
Bellagio or Tremezzo for the grand hotels and the ferry hub, Varenna if you're coming by train, Cernobbio or Moltrasio to be closest to Milan.
May, June and September. Most big hotels close from about November to March, though Villa d'Este and Passalacqua now stay open into early January.
Top hotels like Il Sereno, Passalacqua and Grand Hotel Tremezzo run about €950 to €1,500+ a night, and Villa d'Este much more in summer. A private wooden boat is about €1,600 for two hours.
Villa del Balbianello needs a reservation for every visit. Varenna banned swimwear and bare chests in town in 2026. Ferries cut back from early November.
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Maui, Kauai, Oahu and the Big Island, and how to pick between them.
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Rome and the Amalfi Coast, with the hotels and tours worth booking ahead.
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Punta Cana, Turks and Caicos and Puerto Rico, all-inclusive and not.
Know before you go
Getting there
Fly into Milan Malpensa (MXP), the main long-haul airport, or Linate (LIN) for European connections; Bellagio and Tremezzo are about 1.5 hours from Malpensa by car. By train, it's about an hour from Milano Centrale to Varenna, then a short ferry to Bellagio or Menaggio.
Getting around
Ferries are the main way around: Bellagio, Varenna and Menaggio form a central triangle with frequent boats. A car is more hassle than help, with narrow roads and limited parking, so I'd only rent one for exploring beyond the lake.
Money and tipping
Euros, cards widely accepted; bring cash for ferry ticket machines and small cafes. Tipping is optional, and private boat tours and lakeside restaurants book up in summer, so reserve ahead.
How I'd spend 5 days
Day 1 Arrive by car service, settle in, lakeside dinner
Day 2 Bellagio, Villa Melzi gardens, ferry to Varenna
Day 3 Villa del Balbianello and Villa Carlotta, Tremezzo
Day 4 Private boat tour of the lake, aperitivo in Como town
Day 5 Day trip to Milan or slow morning before you go
Hotels I'd book in Lake Como
Things to do in Lake Como
Where to eat in Lake Como
Il Gatto Nero
La Punta
Al Veluu
Locanda La Tirlindana
Il Cavatappi
Vecchia Varenna
Where I'm sending people now
Hawaii
Maui, Kauai, Oahu and the Big Island, and how to pick between them.
Italy
Rome and the Amalfi Coast, with the hotels and tours worth booking ahead.
Caribbean
Punta Cana, Turks and Caicos and Puerto Rico, all-inclusive and not.
Lake Como FAQ
Do I need a car at Lake Como?
Not for a stay in the middle of the lake. Take the train from Milan to Varenna and use the ferries. Bellagio's center is closed to traffic and parking is tight.
Do I have to book Villa del Balbianello?
Yes, every visit needs a reservation. The villa interior is only seen on small guided tours, €25 including the gardens.
Fast boat or slow boat?
Express boats from Como save time and cost about €5 more, sold only at the pier. Around the central lake, the €5.50 slow ferry is fine.
Is a ferry day pass worth it?
The central-lake day pass is €17.50 compared with €5.50 a ride, so it pays off by your fourth ride.
Is it worth going from November to March?
Only for a quiet trip. A few hotels like Passalacqua and Villa d'Este stay open into early January, but most hotels and many gardens close and ferries thin out.
Is there a dress code in Varenna?
Yes. Since 2026, no swimwear or bare chests in town, with fines up to €200.
How far is Lake Como from Milan?
About 40 minutes by train to Como, about an hour to Varenna, and about 1 hour 15 to 1 hour 30 by car from either Milan airport.
Is there a tourist tax?
Yes, a few euros per person per night, paid at the hotel.