Lake Como (Italy) – Travel Guide

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📍 Places we visited:
Varenna, Bellagio, Villa Monastero, Villa Balbianello, lakeside villages, mountain serpentine roads, and ferry crossings.

🏡 Where we stayed:

• First villa – on the eastern shore (Rota), closer to Varenna. Convenient for trips to Varenna and Villa Monastero.
• Second villa – in the central part (Onno), not far from Bellagio, with a beautiful lake view and easy ferry access.

🍝 What to try from local cuisine:

• Risotto with mushrooms and truffle
• Homemade pizza with mozzarella and wild mushrooms
• Homemade tiramisu
• Local wines
• Products from alpine farms: cheeses, cured meats
• Local silk products (Bellagio has long been famous for its silk)

🅿️ Parking:

• In Varenna – large paid parking right by Villa Monastero (central): Viale Giovanni Polvani, 1, 23829 Varenna LC, Italy.
• In Bellagio – best to arrive early and park at V. Valassina, 16, 22021 Bellagio CO, Italy. There’s a large parking lot by the lake, but it’s about a 15–20 min walk to the center.
• Most villas and towns have restricted entry and paid parking – plan ahead.
• Always check ZTL access (restricted traffic zones): https://www.accessibilitacentristorici.it/ztl

🛶 Tips and features:

• A great way to explore the lake is to rent a motorboat or take ferries between towns.
• The road along the lake is scenic but very narrow, especially between Bellagio and Lecco – drive carefully.
• The weather is unpredictable: sun, rain, and sun again – take a windbreaker just in case.
• Villa Balbianello is one of the most beautiful villas on Lake Como – definitely worth visiting, especially if you’re a film fan (Star Wars and James Bond were filmed here).
• Lake Como is great not only for a short visit but also for a longer stay. In the north – the Alps, hiking trails, panoramic viewpoints, and even skiing in winter.

Flights to Italy (Lake Como)

The nearest international airports to Lake Como:

• Milan Malpensa (MXP) – the largest international airport near Como
• Milan Linate (LIN) – closer to the city, often used for European flights
• Bergamo Orio al Serio (BGY) – convenient for budget airlines

Search for cheap flights on aggregators: Trip.com or Aviasales

How to get to Lake Como

From the airports, it’s easy to reach Como by train, transfer, or rental car.
Trusted transfer services: Kiwitaxi, GetTransfer.com, Intui.travel

Where to stay

Popular towns and villages to stay in on Lake Como:

• Como – good infrastructure, train station, ferries
• Bellagio – romance, villas, stunning views
• Varenna – peace, coziness, great base for trips
• Menaggio – convenient location and calm atmosphere

Find accommodation on Booking.com, Vrbo, or Trip.com

SIM cards and Internet

Best option is to use eSIMs from international providers. They work instantly, no need to visit shops.
Trusted providers: Yesim, Airalo, Drimsim

Travel Insurance

Italy is in the EU, so travel insurance is mandatory. Get it online in advance via VisitorsCoverage or EKTA

Car Rental

Want to explore beyond the typical routes? Rent a car – it’s especially useful for mountain drives, villages, and secluded beaches.
Compare prices: DiscoverCars, Rentalcars.com, Localrent.com

Parking, supermarkets, gas stations

• Parking in Como and popular towns is paid. It’s recommended to use underground parking or search for free zones a bit farther out. Apps: Google Maps, EasyPark
• Supermarkets: Esselunga, Carrefour, Coop, Eurospin
• Gas stations: Eni, Q8, IP – most accept bank cards

What to see and do

• Villas and parks: Villa del Balbianello, Villa Carlotta, Villa Monastero
• Towns: Como, Varenna, Bellagio, Menaggio
• Ferry rides across the lake between towns
• Hiking: Greenway del Lago, trails above Varenna

Book tickets and tours in advance on GetYourGuide, Viator, or Tiqets

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