Lake Como Travel Guide

Your ItalyItalia Travel Guide for Lake Como… Beatriz Macias

My Como…

"One of my favorite spots in Italy, the beauty of the scenery always takes my breath away. Taking a boat ride on the lake is the best way to appreciate most of its charm, as you will have a privileged view of the 17th and 18th Century villas dotting the sumptuous landscape. Stop at any of the beautiful ports for a meal or a coffee, and if you have time, stroll the little streets of Bellagio, Menaggio and Varenna, you will be rewarded with gorgeous vistas and architecture."

Beatriz Macias

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Events at Lake Como

COMO ATTRACTIONS

Top 10 of what to see and do

1. Piazza Cavour in the city of Como
2. Como Cathedral
3. Take a boat trip on the lake Lake navigation website
4. Cable car ride to Brunate Cable car information website
5. "Museo Didattico della Seta", the Silk Museum Silk museum website
6. Visit Bellagio 
7. Villa Carlotta, south of Cadenabbia Villa Carlotta website
8. Tempio Voltiano, a museum built in honor of Alessandro Volta, developer of the voltaic pile 
9. Villa D'Este Villa d'Este website
10. Armani factory outlet

June
Saint John's day celebrations at Isola Comacina. A fireworks re-creation of the burning of the island in 1169. Music, food and a boat procession complement the festivities.

July
Como Festival. An annual music festival, including jazz, symphonic music, musicals and ballet performances. Venues include some of the old historic villas and gardens on the lake. Lake Como Festival website

August - September
Palio del Baradello. Different boroughs compete in a Medieval style festival for the Pallium, a hand painted silk drape, as a remembrance of Barbarossa's triumphant visit to the city. Palio del Baradello website

Lake Como's Typical Food

"Missaltino" fish dish
Lake flavours abound, from a mix of lake fish, floured and fried, "fritto misto di lago", to the local "lavarella", or white fish. But the true typical dish is the "missaltino", which consists of a kind of Shad - gutted, salted, sun-dried and then pressed in special boxes, "missolta", with wooden lids. The "missoltini" are usually eaten lightly grilled, with oil and vinegar, accompanied by toasted polenta.

Beatriz's Spotlight

Boating to Bellagio
Bellagio is one of the most beautiful towns on the lake, and part of its attraction lies on getting there. The town sits on a peninsula at the intersection of the three branches of the lake. You can either drive from Como (18 miles) on a narrow and windy road with breathtaking views, or you can take a boat from Como (take the regular boat, as the hydrofoil's mist obscures the view). Once in the town, be ready to climb the narrow streets filled with all kinds of stores and restaurants. Alternatively, enjoy the beach or the gardens of the Villa Serbelloni and Villa Melzi. Do not forget your camera!

How to arrive at Lake Como

Lago di Como is located about 30 miles north of Milan.

By Plane: The closest airport is Malpensa (Milan), you can take the Malpensa Express Train (change trains at Saronno), or a direct Malpensa-Como bus ride.

By Car: Autostrada A9 connects Milan with the city of Como. There is another little road from Como to Bellagio, the S583.

Other: Trains arrive from Milan every hour to the main station in the city of Como: Stazione San Giovanni, which is conveniently located near the centre.

Feature articles on Lombardy's lake district

 1. Italian Lakes in Holiday Mode