In the Lombardy region of northern Italy lies the beautiful Lake Como. Here is one of the largest and most popular vacation regions in Italy.
Lake Como has a fjord-like Y-shape. On the southwestern arm is the city of Como, one of the largest cities on the lake. Lake Como is the third largest lake in Italy,with a length of 51 km and a maximum depth of 425 meters. The entire shoreline is about 170 kilometers long. There is only one island in Lake Como, Isola Comacina.
Lake Como is nestled in the picturesque landscape of northern Italy and surrounded by majestic Alpine peaks. This is a true paradise for vacationers seeking both relaxation and adventure.
The shores of the lake are lined with picturesque villages, opulent villas and gardens. This is where the nobility once lived and today they serve as a refuge for numerous celebrities. The numerous churches and monasteries dotted around the lake tell a lot about the spiritual history of the region.
For active vacationers, the region around the lake offers a wealth of possibilities:
- Hiking and mountain biking on the surrounding mountain trails,
- windsurfing, sailing and kayaking on the water
- Paragliding from the mountains
For those seeking relaxation, the shores of the lake offer numerous quiet corners to simply unwind.
A visit to the region would not be complete without the delicious Italian cuisine. The cozy trattorias serve fresh fish from the lake, traditional Italian cuisine and, of course, local wines.
Tips for a relaxing vacation on Lake Como
Como is a city on the bank of Lake Como. It is one of the biggest cities around Lake Como. Its proximity to Milan makes it the ideal local recreation area for Milanese people. Many tourists take the train from Milan to Como, too.
A funicular connects Como and Brunate. Hundreds of tourists per day use this cable car to get to the little village in the mountains.
Bellagio, „the pearl of Lake Como“, is a small local authority at Lake Como in Italy with about 3000 citizens. It is located on the picturesque peninsula that splits Lake Como into two arms; one to Como and one to Lecco.
A boat tour on lake Coma was an item on the „I really really want to do this“ list. I had read somewhere that there is a Hop On Hop Off ticket that allows you to tour the whole lake…
When in Como many visitors go on a trip with the funicular. The ride ends in a little town that is well worth a closer look.
The lakeside promenade in Como isn’t long but it is still well worth a visit. Coming to the lake from the pedestrian area in Como brings you to the jetties with the little boats that cross the lake daily. From here one can walk along the lake in both directions.
Suddenly you’re in the excavation site of the Roman Baths in Como. It is odd. You walk through Como and stumble upon a Roman excavation site. The only pointer was a little sign on a multi-storey car park that said: “Terme die Como Romana”.
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Restaurant and accommodation tips
I will admit it: Pizza and pasta can get a little boring over time and mixing it up a little is a most welcome change. We discovered Mystic Burger in Como.
If you think that Italy is only for wine lovers you are mistaken. They do exist, the beer drinkers! I’m quite happy about that because I have to admit that I do not care for wine at all. But give me a tasty beer and the trip will be a good one.
For a somewhat longer stay in Como, directly at Lake Como in Italy, we were looking for an apartment that was within walking distance to all our destinations. Once again we browsed Airbnb and found something suitable.
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Lake Como travel information
Arrival
By plane
The nearest airport is Milan Malpensa. From there the Malpensa Express goes to the Como train station.
By train
To Como San Giovanni station there are trains from Germany and Switzerland. From Italy trains go from Milan to Como.
By car
Coming from Germany you can take the A7 and A5 towards Lake Como
On the way at Lake Como
By car
There is a road that goes completely around Lake Como. The route is about 200 kilometers long, passes through many towns and is very busy, especially in the high season.
By boat
Car ferries shuttle between Varenna, Bellagio, Cadenabbia and Menaggio. In addition, there are passenger-only boats that sail on the lake. For example, there are connections between Como and Colico, between Bellagio and Lecco, between Varenna and Isola Comacina. Some routes are also served by speedboat connections.
The fares are divided into zones. Here you should ask at the counter for the exact prices or special tickets (Biglietti Circolari).
By funicular
From Como there is a funicular railroad to Brunate.
Best time to visit
You can almost set the clock by the wind on Lake Como. From about 10 o’clock every day a thermal wind (Breva) freshens up and strengthens until the afternoon. Therefore, from June to September many wind and kite surfers are attracted to the lake. From October the wind decreases and in winter the breva is no longer present.
In the region around Lecco occurs the northern downdraft wind Tivano, which is even slightly stronger than the Breva.
Spring (March to May)
Spring is a wonderful time to visit Lake Como as the temperatures start to warm up and the landscape comes to life. Average temperatures range between 10°C and 20°C. There is an average of 12 to 14 days of rain per month.
Summer (June to August)
Summer is the most popular time to visit Lake Como thanks to the warm temperatures, which average between 20°C and 30°C. Rainy days are slightly less frequent than in spring, with around 9 to 11 days per month.
Fall (September to November)
Autumn brings cooler weather, with average temperatures dropping from 15°C to 25°C in September to 6°C to 14°C in November. Rainy days increase, especially in November, which is considered the wettest month of the year.
Winter (December to February)
Winter on Lake Como can be chilly, with average temperatures ranging from 1°C to 8°C. Snow is possible at higher altitudes, but is less common on the lake itself. Rainy days are around 5 to 7 days per month, making it relatively dry, but also cooler.
Best time to travel
You can almost set the clock by the wind on Lake Como. From about 10 o’clock every day a thermal wind (Breva) freshens up and strengthens until the afternoon. Therefore, from June to September many wind and kite surfers are attracted to the lake. From October the wind decreases and in winter the breva is no longer present.
In the region around Lecco occurs the northern downdraft wind Tivano, which is even slightly stronger than the Breva.