A Travel Guide to Lake Como
Glistening water, cobbled streets, winding roads, and lush green peaks. Lake Como is Italian beauty personified. The perfect spot to completely escape from everyday life, you’ll feel like you’ve been transported to another world.
How to get there
Fly direct from the UK to Milan Malpensa or Bergamo Airport. From Malpensa, it’s a 1.5 hour drive up to the lakes, and from Bergamo It’s around 2 hours. As you have to fly into the city, why not stay in Milan for a night or two before moving on.
How to get around
I’d recommend hiring a car for the duration of your time at the lakes. There’re so many different towns dotted along the lakeside, it’d be a shame to miss one. The other beauty of having a car is that you don’t necessarily have to plan where you’re going, just jump in and enjoy the scenery as you go.
There are boats that run from one side of the lake to the other, with stops at different towns and villages. A personal favourite was Tremezzo-Bellagio-Varenna, all in one day. You’ll never pay more than 8 Euros per journey, so it’s a super affordable way of getting around. Find out more here.
Top tip: be sure to keep a timetable on your phone or a printed copy – you don’t want to get stuck on the wrong side of the lake once the last boat has gone!
Where to stay
I’d recommend staying in either Tremezzo or Bellagio if it’s your first time to Lake Como. Tremezzo is a chilled, laid back town with a few shops and restaurants, and you can catch the main boats from the lakefront. Bellagio is a bit busier, and attracts more tourists, and you have a bigger choice of restaurants and shops.
Airbnb have some beautiful houses and apartments owned by locals. Some come with hot tubs and pools, but most have the traditional Italian home feel to them.
Food and drink recommendations
Cantina Follie – Tremezzo. An Italian wine bar, offering wine tastings accompanied with recommended meats and cheeses. Need I say more?
Al Veluu – Tremezzo. Set higher up, you can dine with views over the flora and lakes beyond, a beautiful setting. The food here is more upmarket, with veal steaks, risottos and premium wines on the menu.
Top tip: explore the back alleyways off the main roads to find some true Italian foodie gems.
What to do
Bellagio – one of the main towns to visit along the lake. Full of beautiful boutique shops and little cafes overlooking the glistening waters. The cobbled streets are perfectly Insta-worthy, and are worth exploring to find some hidden gems.
Take a boat ride on the lake – you can do these as group tours or book out a private boat. You’ll see sites like gorgeous celebrities’ homes, the lush mountainous scenery, and the quaint villages along the shore front.
Visit Villa Carlotta in Tremezzo – today it’s a museum full of traditional Italian art and pieces of furniture. There’s also a botanical garden to meander through and admire.
The best thing by a mile, is to jump in your car and just drive. You never know what’s around the next corner or what you’re going to discover next from this majestic place.
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Written by Carmen Rowe
