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 and 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 you’ll find the Alps, hiking trails, panoramic viewpoints, and even skiing in winter.

Flights to Italy (Lake Como)

The nearest international airports to Lake Como are:

• Milan Malpensa (MXP) – the largest international airport near Como
• Milan Linate (LIN) – closer to Milan and often used for European flights
• Bergamo Orio al Serio (BGY) – convenient for many low-cost airlines

Compare flights on Trip.com or Aviasales.

If your flight is heavily delayed or cancelled, you can also check whether you may be entitled to compensation through AirHelp or Compensair.

How to get to Lake Como

From Milan and the nearby airports, you can reach Lake Como by train, bus, private transfer, or rental car.

For trains and buses, compare routes and tickets on Omio.

For private airport transfers, check Kiwitaxi, GetTransfer.com, or Intui.travel.

Where to stay

Popular towns and villages to stay in on Lake Como:

• Como – good infrastructure, train station, and ferries
• Bellagio – romance, villas, and stunning views
• Varenna – peaceful atmosphere and a great base for exploring
• Menaggio – convenient location and a calmer atmosphere

Compare hotels, apartments, and villas on Booking.com, Vrbo, Trip.com, or Agoda.

SIM cards and Internet

One of the easiest options when travelling is an eSIM. You can set it up before arriving and avoid looking for a local SIM card shop.

Compare plans from Yesim, Airalo, or Drimsim.

Travel Insurance

Travel insurance is worth arranging before your trip, particularly if you are renting a car, hiking, or travelling with expensive equipment.

You can compare options from VisitorsCoverage or EKTA.

Car Rental

Want to explore beyond the usual tourist routes? Renting a car is particularly useful for mountain roads, smaller villages, viewpoints, and places that are difficult to reach by public transport.

Compare rental prices on DiscoverCars, Localrent, or AutoEurope.

Parking, supermarkets and gas stations

• Parking in Como and the most popular towns is often paid. Underground car parks can be convenient, while free parking may be available farther from the historic centers. Google Maps and EasyPark can be useful.
• Supermarkets: Esselunga, Carrefour, Coop, Eurospin
• Gas stations: Eni, Q8, IP – many accept bank cards

Luggage storage

If you arrive before check-in or want to explore Milan or Como without carrying your bags around, you can look for nearby luggage storage through Radical Storage.

What to see and do

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

Book tours, activities, and attraction tickets in advance through GetYourGuide, Viator, or Tiqets.

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