Italy’s beauty is no secret to the world; people flock in like birds, eager to soak in its charm. But if there’s one place in Italy that genuinely beats the odds and ticks every box, it’s Lake Como. The deep lake sports a dramatic scenery, supported by towering mountains and a lush landscape, making every trip there more special. If you’re heading to Lake Como soon, you need to make your trip every bit special. So here are the best things to do in Lake Como:
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1. Explore Bellagio
A gorgeous little village commune that sits right by Lake Como, Bellagio is often the first choice for people visiting the area. Its cobbled lanes, dreamy streets lined with elegant buildings, and marvelous architecture make a simple visit to Bellagio one of the best things to do in Lake Como. Bellagio isn’t just a place to stroll the streets; you can hike the mountains to enjoy panoramic views, visit the city center, and even stop by a local eatery to enjoy authentic cuisine featuring Lombard dishes like polenta and cheese.
2. Visit Villa del Balbianello
One of the most popular villas in Italy, Villa del Balbianello overlooks Lake Como, offering people panoramic views of the area. You’ll have to plan a bit to head to Villa del Balbianello because it’s often crowded and booked, but once you get in, you’ll realize why it’s considered one of the best things to do in Lake Como. Villa del Balbianello isn’t only about simply paying a visit; you can ask for a guided tour to learn about its history and the days it was part of the Star Wars filming set.
3. Ride the Funicular to Brunate
Connecting the village of Brunate in Lombardy to Como, the funicular is unarguably one of the best things to do in Lake Como. You might think we’re exaggerating, but once you
step aboard, you’ll be impressed with all the stunning panoramic views. The funicular starts just by the bank of Lake Como, so you’ll get to explore it up close without needing to book a boat tour, making it more accessible and memorable for people who don’t like going into the water. Once the 7-8 minute ride is over, you can explore the village of Brunate and enjoy a classic dish by the lake.
4. Explore Tremezzo
A light blue expanse of water made even more special by the surrounding mountains is why exploring Tremezzo becomes one of the most fun and best things to do in Lake Como. People who love hanging by the shore can simply stop at the deck and enjoy Italian wine with cheese, while the commune hosts countless other opportunities for those seeking adventure. The best thing about Tremezzo is its diversity; you’ll find architectural magnificence, soulful art galleries, and mouth-watering food all in one place.
5. Go Wine Tasting in Domaso
If you’re not even drinking wine in Italy, are you sure you’re having a blast? Wine tasting in Domaso is one of the best things to do in Lake Como because you don’t need to do much, so you have the whole day just to relax. But don’t underestimate this wine-tasting session; most eateries offering wine-tasting tours are situated high, overlooking the Alps, so you’ll get to live the fairytale dream of every adult: sipping wine and munching crackers and cheese while enjoying a glorious view.
6. Visit Menaggio
Close to the mouth of River Senagra lies Menaggio, a beautiful little town that delights every visitor with its breathtaking views and even more beautiful culture. What makes Menaggio one of the best things to do in Lake Como is its standstill beauty; you’ll be surrounded by Mountains overlooking the lake and a town known for bright-colored houses, making it even more picturesque. Menaggio isn’t just a one-man army; you’ll find plenty to do here, including scenic walking areas in Lungolago di Menaggio, and Spiaggia Lerai, a stunning beach. Head to the southern slope of Monte Gran, and you’ll find Rifugio Menaggio, a stunning hike area, popular with naturalists.
7. Visit the Orrido di Bellano
While most people explore mainstream Lake Como, they miss one destination: Orrido di Bellano. This stunning natural gorge hides behind the relatively plain village of Bellano, so it’s the perfect spot for a romantic picnic (and even a proposal). A dramatic cascade of gushing waters complimented by mighty mountains, Orrido di Bellano is one of the best things to do in Lake Como and the one thing that will make your trip memorable.
8. End of the War Museum Dongo
If you’ve always been interested in the things usually hidden by glamor, visit Dongo, the place where all of Lake Como’s reality seeps through the cracks. Dongo became the place of capture for Benito Mussolini and the RSI on 27th April 1945, so it holds a dark and cryptic history, dramatically documented. Explore original relics, learn about historical accounts and engaging re-enactments as the Museum of the End of the Second World War takes you into its shadows.
9. Take A Cooking Class
Italy might boast the best views, but if one thing truly makes up Italian culture, it’s the cuisine. And what better way to end the trip than to part with a gift: knowing how to make all those delicious delicacies you’ll have tried during your trip to Lake Como? Luckily, various eateries and chefs offer cooking classes to people, who learn everything; from making cheese to polenta, you’ll learn everything. We recommend trying Passion and Cooking by Paola Lovisetti Scamihorn and Deborah’s House.
10. Ride A Vintage Boat
How could we go on and on about the best things to do in Lake Como and not talk about the Lake itself? While there are countless ways to enjoy the lake, we recommend taking a vintage boat ride, specifically a steamboat, by the Cadenazzi family, who explore the edges of Lake Como up to Tramezzini. The steamboat’s slow speed makes the lake’s usual charm more alluring, so you’ll have plenty of pictures to take and boast on social media.
Video Guide: 10 Best Things to Do in Lake Como, Italy (Coming Soon)
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Travel Resources for Planning a Trip to Lake Como, Italy
To make planning a trip to Lake Como, Italy easier, we included some of our recommended travel resources below. You can search and find the best flights, transportation options, hotels to stay in, tours/activities, and more of the best things to do in Lake Como, Italy.
Flights:
Agoda: Search thousands of destinations around the world & quickly compare prices to find amazing deals on the best flights.
CheapOAir: You can find airline tickets, hotel rooms, rental cars, and vacation packages all on one site!
Kiwi.com: What we like about Kiwi is the fact that they are able to create combinations of flight, train, and bus tickets and offer them in a single itinerary. Also, Kiwi has what they called “Nomad” which helps you find the best way of visiting multiple destinations, saving you time and money.
JetRadar: You can search and compare airfares from 726 airlines and dozens of travel agencies and systems.
Hotels:
Agoda: Agoda is one of the world’s largest online travel accommodation platforms with a network of over 2,000,000 vacation rentals and hotels worldwide.
Hotellook: They have more than 250,000 hotels in 205 countries, working with data from more than 10 online booking systems, such as Booking.com, Agoda.com, Hotels.com, Expedia, and others.
Transportations:
Airport Transfers: KiwiTaxi, Viator
Train: EuRail, Trainline or RailEurope
Bus: Flixbus: Very affordable (as low as $6) and convenient way to transfer between cities in Europe.
Car Rentals: AutoEurope, EconomyBookings, or GetTransfer (transfers & car rentals with a personal driver)
Bike Rental: BikesBooking (Bikes & scooter rentals)
Transportation Comparison: Omio (search, compare, and book tickets for buses, trains, and flights all in one site)
Tours & Activities:
TakeWalks (WalkofItaly): This is our favorite site for walking tours & day trips.
Tiqets: Great site for entrance tickets. It offers directly bookable, instantly available, and completely mobile tickets for museums, shows, and attractions all over the world.
Musement: They have good activities and tours in Italy and Spain, also many great day trips you can choose from.
GetYourGuide: A large number of tours, excursions, and other travel activities
Viator: The largest one. It has everything from tours, attractions, shore excursions, and private guides in over 2,700 destinations worldwide. It also has many transportation and transfer options and some unique experiences we didn’t find anywhere else.
Need help planning a trip to Lake Como, Italy?
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