Snow-capped mountains, sparkling blue waters, and villages so pretty they look hand-painted — Lake Como isn’t just a holiday, it’s a mood.

✨ Lake Como Highlights

• Postcard-perfect scenery – snowy Alps in the background, lush gardens tumbling to the water’s edge, and sunsets that look like a filter you didn’t have to pay for.

• Village-hopping bliss – Bellagio, Varenna, Menaggio… each one with cobbled streets, boutique shops, and cafés begging you to “just have one more spritz.”

• Celebrity sightings – Clooney, Versace, and the kind of discreet five-star living that makes you feel like you’ve “made it” just by being here.

• Adventure on tap – kayak in the morning, hike in the afternoon, and toast your efforts with a glass of Valtellina wine by night.

🎉 Good to Know

• 🤩 Fun fact: the deepest point of Lake Como sinks to a jaw-dropping 410 metres — that’s deeper than the Eiffel Tower is tall.

• 🏖 Best beach (or lakeside lido): Lido di Menaggio wins with its mix of sandy shore, pools, playgrounds, and views that might make you forget to swim.

• 🍻 Price of a pint: expect around €6 for a cold one by the water — a small price to pay for that backdrop.

🏖 What Are the Best Beaches (Lakeside Spots) in Lake Como?

Lake Como swaps crashing waves for silky waters and lidos where you can sunbathe, swim, and sip all in one go.

• Lido di Menaggio – sandy stretch meets swimming pools, a playground, and space for the whole fam.

• Lido di Bellagio – swanky sunbeds, cocktails on tap, and views that justify every cent.

• Lido di Cadenabbia – friendly, affordable, and perfect for a lazy day between sightseeing stops.

• San Giovanni Beach – a small, pebbly local favourite near Bellagio, ideal for a quick dip.

• Ossuccio Beach – quiet, scenic, and great for a swim before hopping a boat to Isola Comacina.

🏨 What Are the Top Hotels to stay at on your holidays to Lake Como?

• Palace Hotel Lake Como - 19th-century elegance with lake views, a Mediterranean restaurant, and Como’s cathedral right on your doorstep.

• Sheraton Lake Como - pools, a spa, and dining for every mood. Great for families, couples, or anyone who likes a side of luxury with their gelato.

• Hotel Griso Collection - set in Lecco, with balconies that practically dangle over the water. The rooftop lounge is a sunset must.

• Hotel Como - modern comfort close to the old town, plus a rooftop pool for when sightseeing gets too much.

• Il Sereno Lago di Como - sleek, boutique, and seriously boujee, with a gourmet restaurant and gardens that slope right into the lake.

🧳 Lake Como Holidays 2026 / 2027 Travel Guide

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Things to Do for Families

• Explore Villa Carlotta’s art and gardens — enough space for the kids to run while you sneak in a culture fix.

• Ride the Como–Brunate funicular for views that make the uphill trip worth every second.

• Splash about at Lido di Menaggio with pools, safe swimming, and gelato breaks.

• Take on the zip lines at Jungle Raider Park for an afternoon of squeals and smiles.

💕 Things to Do for Couples

• Cruise to Villa Balbianello, holding hands like you own the place.

• Stroll Bellagio’s narrow lanes, then linger over lakeside dinner as the sun sets.

• Hike to Castello di Vezio in Varenna for romance with a side of history.

• Book a spa day at Grand Hotel Tremezzo and call it “research” for your next trip.

🎉 Things to Do for Groups

• Charter a boat for a private lake crawl — bonus points for bringing your own playlist.

• Try paddleboarding or wakeboarding to see who’s got the best balance (or the funniest wipeout).

• Take a guided tour of Como city’s piazzas, shops, and hidden courtyards.

• Round off the day with wine tasting in Valtellina — group selfies encouraged.

🍽 Things to Do for Foodies

• Tuck into risotto con pesce persico — creamy, buttery, and fresh from the lake.

• Browse Bellagio’s Farmers’ Market for cheese, olives, and pasta worth carrying home.

• Learn pasta-making in Como, then eat the spoils with a local wine pairing.

• Splash out on a Michelin-star dinner at Mistral in Bellagio.

🚤 Getting Around on your Lake Como holidays

• Ferries – The most scenic way to hop between towns; runs like clockwork in summer.

• Trains – Como to Milan in under an hour with Trenord.

• Buses – Reliable for linking the main villages, though slower than ferries.

• Car hire – Gives you access to hidden mountain roads and secluded coves.

• Cycling – Perfect for lake-hugging rides with built-in photo stops.

🚆 Day Trips from Lake Como

Lake Como's tucked right into the top of Italy, which means you've got brilliant day trip options in every direction – including a cheeky hop into Switzerland.

• Milan 🛍️ Just 40 minutes by train from Como, Italy's fashion capital is an easy day out. Gawp at the Duomo, wander the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, grab tickets to The Last Supper if you've booked ahead, and squeeze in some serious shopping. Trains run constantly, so you can head back whenever the gelato coma kicks in.

• Lake Garda 🌊 Italy's biggest lake is around 90 minutes away and makes for a brilliant contrast – more dramatic mountains, different villages to explore, and theme parks like Gardaland if you've got kids in tow. Sirmione's thermal baths and Roman ruins are worth the trip alone.

• Verona 💕 The city of Romeo and Juliet is about an hour and a half by car or train. Visit Juliet's balcony (yes, it's touristy, but still fun), explore the incredible Roman arena, and wander the elegant piazzas. Brilliant for a romantic day out or anyone who fancies some proper Italian city vibes.

• St Moritz, Switzerland ⛷️ A bit further (around 2.5 hours via the Bernina Express), but if you fancy one of the world's most scenic train journeys, this is it. The route climbs through dramatic Alpine passes into the glitzy ski resort. Pack a jumper even in summer – it's a different world up there.

• Turin 🍫 About two hours west, Turin's got world-class museums, baroque architecture, and the best hot chocolate you'll ever taste (this is where Nutella was born, after all). The Egyptian Museum is second only to Cairo's, and the city has a sophisticated vibe that's totally different from the lakes.

• Venice 🚣 It's a stretch at 3+ hours by train, but if you're staying a week and haven't been, it's doable. Leave early, spend the day getting lost in the canals and piazzas, and catch a late train back. Magical but exhausting – save it for a day when you're feeling energetic.

🛍️ Shopping in Lake Como

Lake Como's not just pretty views and boat rides – it's got proper shopping credentials too, from high-end silk to local markets piled with Italian goodies.

• Como Town – Silk Capital Como has been producing some of the world's finest silk for centuries, and the big fashion houses still source their fabrics here. Head to A.Picci or Mantero outlet stores for scarves, ties, and accessories at prices way below what you'd pay in Milan. The Silk Museum (Museo della Seta) is worth a visit too if you want to geek out on the history before you buy.

• Bellagio Boutiques The "Pearl of the Lake" is packed with little independent shops lining its stepped alleyways. You'll find leather goods, jewellery, handmade ceramics, and more silk scarves than you can shake a stick at. Pricier than Como town, but the setting's half the fun – just wandering and window shopping here feels like a treat.

• Varenna Smaller and quieter than Bellagio, but Varenna's got a handful of lovely artisan shops selling local olive oil, limoncello, handmade soaps, and ceramics. Less tourist tat, more genuine local finds.

Local Markets For the real Italian market experience, time your visit right:

• 📍 Como – Tuesday and Thursday mornings, Piazza San Fedele. Food, clothes, and household goods

• 📍 Bellagio – Third Wednesday of the month. Small but charming with local produce and crafts

• 📍 Menaggio – Second and fourth Friday mornings. Good for clothes, leather, and local food

• 📍 Lecco – Wednesday and Saturday mornings. Big, bustling, and very local

What to Bring Home

• 🧣 Silk scarves, ties, or fabric – Como's speciality and genuinely world-class

• 🍃 Local olive oil – the lakes have their own microclimate and produce excellent oil

• 🍋 Limoncello and local liqueurs – look for small-batch producers

• 🧀 Lombardy cheeses – Taleggio, Gorgonzola, and Bitto are all from this region

• 🍝 Fresh pasta and pesto – grab some from a deli to recreate the flavours at home

Other places to visit in Italy:

• Abruzzo

• Adriatic Riviera

• Bologna

• Brescia

• Lake Garda

• Liguria

• Milan

• Naples

• Neopolitan Riviera

• Puglia

• Rimini

• Rome

• Sardinia

• Sicily

• Turin

• Tuscany

• Venice

• Verona