Lake Como · Things to do
Things to Do in Lake Como
Lake Como is best seen from the water. Start in Como itself: the marble cathedral, the walled old town and Porta Torre, Piazza Cavour and the lakefront walk to Villa Olmo, then the funicular to Brunate for the view of the lake and the Alps. Then take the boat. Villa Carlotta in Tremezzo combines a museum and a botanical garden; Villa del Balbianello, run by FAI, stands on a wooded promontory above Lenno. Bellagio, on the point where the lake’s arms meet, and Varenna, across the water, are linked by a short ferry, as is Menaggio. The villages are free to walk; the villas charge for entry and keep their own seasons.
Square
1Piazza Cavour and the Como Lakefront
Como's lakeside living room and the walk to Villa Olmo
★★★★★Reviews
Cathedral
2Duomo di Como (Como Cathedral)
A marble façade and Juvarra's dome, minutes from the lake
★★★★★Reviews
Funicular
3Funicolare Como-Brunate and Brunate
Seven minutes from the lake to the balcony of the Alps
★★★★★Reviews
Walk
4Como Old Town Walls (Città Murata, Porta Torre and Broletto)
Roman grid, medieval walls and Porta Torre in 1.5 hours
★★★★★Reviews
Village
5Bellagio
The pearl of Lario, where Lake Como's branches meet
★★★★★Reviews
Village
6Menaggio
A lakefront village and ferry hub with trails behind it
★★★★★Reviews
Village
7Varenna
Painted fishing-village houses on Lake Como's eastern shore
★★★★★Reviews
Villa and gardens
8Villa del Balbianello
A loggia on a wooded promontory, reached on foot or by boat
★★★★★Reviews
Villa and gardens
9Villa Carlotta
A lakeside museum and botanical garden in Tremezzo
★★★★★Reviews
Selected by Holiplanet editors from each place’s official website. Pins show verified locations; places without a verified point have no pin (map data © OpenStreetMap contributors, tiles © Esri). No platform ratings: contact each place directly.
Things to Do in Lake Como: questions and answers
What is Lake Como best known for?
Its villas and gardens reached by boat, such as Villa Carlotta and Villa del Balbianello, the villages of Bellagio and Varenna, and Como’s cathedral and walled old town.
What can you do on Lake Como for free?
Walk Como’s old town and the lakefront from Piazza Cavour to Villa Olmo, and explore Bellagio, Varenna and Menaggio on foot. The funicular, the boats and the villas charge a fare or a ticket.
How many days do you need on Lake Como?
Three to four days: one for Como town and Brunate, one for the villas and Bellagio by boat, one for Varenna and the central lake.
Do you need to book the villas?
Villa del Balbianello needs a booking for the park and the villa tour. Villa Carlotta sells tickets online and at the gate; in winter both open on set days only.
More for your stay: Lake Como map · Lake Como City Guide · Where to Stay in Lake Como · Best Restaurants in Lake Como · Living in Como · Lake Como in the Journal