How to get to Lake Como and explore it
If you’re planning a trip to Italy and will be visiting Milan, we recommend you check out Lake Como. It’s well worth it for the breathtaking scenery alone: majestic mountains, crystalline water, stately homes, picturesque streets… In short, one of the most beautiful scenes in the whole of Lombardy.
So, how do you get to Lake Como from Milan? There are several options, although most people travel by car or, if you prefer public transport, by train. Hire a car in Milan and drive to Lake Como if you like the idea of taking narrow, winding roads with stunning views. If you’d rather not get behind the wheel, take the train from Milano Centrale and you’ll be at Como Nord Lago station in just over an hour. A ticket with Trenitalia costs about €5, which makes it a very affordable option. Finally, if you’d like to go on an organised trip, several companies run coach trips to the lake.
Once you’re there, it’s easy to see the area. You can drive around the lake, although it will take a while. The quickest and best way to see all the main sights on the lake is to take one of the boats and ferries that ply the lake all day.
Visit Lake Como and see some of the most beautiful towns in Lombardy!
Bellagio, Tremezzo, Varenna, Como and Menaggio are five towns on Lake Como you mustn’t miss. They are all charming, but if you’re pressed for time and have to choose, here’s a quick guide to each of them. You’ll love whichever one(s) you visit!
Bellagio: without a doubt the most famous town on the lake and one of the prettiest. Located on the thin strip of land that juts out into Lake Como, it boasts some of the best views of the lake, as well as lovely steep, narrow streets.
Tremezzo: well known thanks to its marvellous Villa Carlota, a beautiful neoclassical villa built in 1843 as a wedding gift for Princess Frederica Charlotte of Prussia. You can visit its many rooms and splendid gardens. The views over Lake Como from Villa Carlota are breathtaking.
Varenna: Roman in origin, this former fishing village is famous for its spas and picturesque streets, crowned by the 12th-century Romanesque church of San Giorgio. Only ten minutes’ walk away, on the outskirts of Varenna, is Villa Monastero, a lovely 19th-century landscaped villa on the water’s edge that is well worth a visit.
Como: the town that gives its name to the lake is very popular, thanks to its wonderful landscapes. The splendid Villa Olmo and the Duomo are two unmissable sights, although you really must take the funicular railway up to Brunate. As you climb higher, you can admire Como the lake and Como the town. For a truly spectacular view, walk up to the lighthouse for breathtaking views over the lake.
Menaggio: halfway up the lake with striking views of the mountains, Menaggio retains its medieval roots and its ruined castle. A trip around the edge of the lake along this stretch is one of the most beautiful spots on the whole lake.
Noelia – Marketing Team
