Lake Como
A glamorous alpine lake of grand villas and gardens beneath the mountains - the most beautiful of the Italian lakes, a retreat since Roman times.
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Illustrative image - a scene in the spirit of the place, not a photograph of it. Real photos are below.
Lake Como, cradled by steep wooded mountains in an inverted Y, is the most beautiful and glamorous of the Italian lakes, a retreat for the wealthy since Roman times. Grand villas and their terraced gardens line the shores, elegant towns like Bellagio sit at the water's edge, and ferries glide between them beneath the Alps, in a setting of timeless romance.
What you actually see
- Bellagio - the elegant town at the fork of the lake, the pearl of Como.
- The grand villas - Villa del Balbianello and Villa Carlotta and their gardens.
- The ferries - the boats that glide between the lakeside towns.
- The mountain setting - the steep wooded peaks around the water.
When to go
Spring to autumn for the gardens, ferries and warm weather; spring brings the villa gardens into bloom. Summer is busy and dear, the shoulder seasons calmer.
Honest expectations
It is glamorous and expensive, so lakeside towns and villas are pricey and busy in season. Getting around is by ferry, which takes time, so plan. Its beauty is the setting and the villas rather than a single big sight.
Nearby
Milan is an hour south; Lake Lugano and the Swiss border are nearby.
What to pack for Lake Como
Chosen from what this place is for. Tap a kit for the full checklist.
Opening times, ticket prices and seasonal closures change - check the official source before you go: official site.
