Seven minutes from the lake to the balcony of the Alps
Photo: Guillermo Bresciano · Unsplash License · source
Why go
The funicular is a short ride with a big return. It climbs 1,084 metres of track, with a maximum gradient of 55 per cent and the lowest 130 metres in tunnel, and the journey takes about seven minutes. The lower station is in Piazza Alcide De Gasperi, a stone's throw from the lake, so you can go from the water to the mountain in the time it takes to drink a coffee.
Brunate sits at 715 metres, about 500 metres above Como, and from its terraces you look down over the town and the lake basin, with the Alps on the horizon. It is a quiet village of villas and woods, with paths that lead to the Faro Voltiano at San Maurizio. Note that the funicular is closed for planned works from 9 to 27 November 2026.
Gallery
Photo: Guillermo Bresciano · Unsplash License · source
Photo: Eugeniya Belova · Unsplash License · source
Photo: Lolita Alekseeva · Unsplash License · source
Photo: Oleksandr Voloshchenko · Unsplash License · source
Photo: Simon Hermans · Unsplash License · source
Photo: Eugeniya Belova · Unsplash License · source
Highlights
Departures leave Como and Brunate at the same time, and the car stops at the intermediate station of Carescione on request. The line opened in 1894 and runs 1,084 metres, the first stretch in a tunnel, before the lake opens out below you. Sit on the downhill side if you can, because the view widens as you climb.
Brunate stands at 715 metres and is often called the balcony of the Alps. The terraces near the upper station look across the lake basin to Como far below, and the village has narrow lanes, villas and paths into the woods. Take your time: this is a walking village, not a sight-by-sight tick list.
The Voltiano lighthouse, in the upper hamlet of San Maurizio (via Giacomo Scalini), was built in 1927 for the centenary of Volta's death and designed by the engineer Gabriele Giussani. It is 29 metres tall and its lights are red, white and green. The interior is currently closed, so check before you climb its 143 steps.
From Brunate a panoramic mule track of about 1.2 kilometres leads to the Faro Voltiano, suitable for everyone. Local tourism sources put the walk at about thirty minutes through the woods. Wear sturdy shoes, and take water on a warm day: the shade of the trees helps.
Practical information
Lower station: Piazza Alcide De Gasperi, 22100 Como (CO); upper station: Brunate, 22034 (CO)
See on mapFrom the official website:
Daily from 6:00 to midnight, with departures every 15 minutes (every 12 minutes between 7:00 and 9:00) and a journey time of 7 minutes. The funicular will be closed from Monday 9 to Friday 27 November 2026 for planned works.
The operator, ATM, publishes the funicular fares and tickets on its website. Regional Io Viaggio products are accepted on the funicular. Check the current fare table on atm.it before you travel.
Checked in November 2026. Hours and fees can change: check on the day before you go.
Getting there
The lower station is in Piazza Alcide De Gasperi, a short walk from the lakefront and about 5 minutes from Como Nord Lago station.
Take a train on the Milan-Saronno-Como line to Como Nord Lago (called Como Lago by Trenord) and walk about 5 minutes to the funicular, or take the Milan-Locarno line to Como San Giovanni and walk about 20 minutes. Journey from Milan about an hour depending on the train.
Boats of Navigazione Laghi (navigazionelaghi.it) call at Como; the funicular is a short walk from the lakefront. Navigazione Laghi announced that the arrival and departure piers in Como change from 3 November 2026.
Brunate is also reached by a steep, narrow and winding road. Most visitors leave the car in Como and take the funicular.
Insider tips
The funicular is closed from Monday 9 to Friday 27 November 2026 for works. If you are visiting in that window, plan another outing and look at the operator's page for the reopening.
Light is softest in the morning and in the hour before sunset. The funicular runs from 6:00 until midnight, so an evening ride gives you the lights of Como from above.
The Faro Voltiano's interior is currently closed, so treat it as a walk and a viewpoint rather than a climb, and look for news before you go.
It is cooler at 715 metres than on the lakefront, and the paths are woodland tracks. Light layers and shoes with grip are enough.
Nearby
From the Lake Como City Guide, each with its own Holiplanet page. Straight-line distances.
Restaurant · 1.1 km
A first-floor restaurant with a panoramic terrace right on Lake Como, serving revisited Mediterranean cooking with Lariana traditions.
Discover more →Restaurant · 1.3 km
Apulian family recipes and fresh fish, served in the centre of Como a few steps from the lake.
Discover more →Restaurant · 1.6 km
A mountain restaurant above Lake Como where polenta is stirred in a copper pot and served steaming at the table.
Discover more →Restaurant · 1.7 km
A rooftop restaurant and lounge bar at Hilton Lake Como, open all year with a glass-walled greenhouse and views over the lake.
Discover more →Hotel · 0.5 km
A grand Liberty-style palazzo in Como's historic centre
View hotel →Hotel · 0.6 km
A Liberty-style palazzo on the lakefront in the historic centre of Como
View hotel →Hotel · 0.7 km
A city-centre hotel on Piazza Cavour, right by the lake boats
View hotel →Hotel · 0.8 km
A small Art Nouveau hotel and family-run restaurant beside the Brunate funicular
View hotel →All hotels on the Lake Como map → All things to do on the map →
Questions
About 7 minutes. Departures leave Como and Brunate at the same time, and there is an optional stop at the intermediate Carescione station.
Daily from 6:00 to midnight, with departures every 15 minutes, or every 12 minutes between 7:00 and 9:00. Check for planned closures: it is closed from 9 to 27 November 2026.
Yes. ATM states it will be closed from Monday 9 to Friday 27 November 2026 for planned works under its landslide-protection project. Check the official page before you travel.
By a panoramic mule track of about 1.2 kilometres from Brunate, about 30 minutes through the woods. The lighthouse is in the hamlet of San Maurizio, and its interior is currently closed.
Take a train on the Milan-Saronno-Como line to Como Nord Lago and walk about 5 minutes, or a Milan-Locarno train to Como San Giovanni and walk about 20 minutes. The lower station is in Piazza Alcide De Gasperi.
