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Lake Como

Alpine lake views, belle-époque villas and ferry-hopping villages.

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Plan your Lake Como trip

Overview

Why go to Lake Como

Lake Como is a deep, Y-shaped lake ringed by mountains, with pastel villages, grand villas and gardens. Take ferries between Bellagio, Varenna and Tremezzo, climb to a viewpoint and linger over lakeside lunches.

The lake is long and ferries are the best way to travel between villages. Allow extra time and check the timetable.

CouplesNature & outdoorsCity breakFood & drink

Where
Lombardy, Italy
Recommended stay
3–5 nights
Best time to go
April–October for warm days and full ferry timetables; spring and early autumn are the quietest and prettiest.
Approx. daily budget
£100–200 a dayPer person, excluding flights. Indicative.

What does Lake Como cost?

Full cost guide
  • Budget traveller£90–130a day
  • Mid-range traveller£180–260a day
  • Luxury traveller£360+a day

Approximate per person per day, including a share of a twin room, and excluding flights. Not live prices.

Things To Do

Top picks in Lake Como

See all 12
Must SeeFree

Bellagio

Bellagio

The “pearl of the lake”: a village of steep stepped lanes, silk shops and lakeside cafés at the meeting of the lake’s three arms.

  • Suggested time: 3 hrs
  • No booking needed
  • Suits: Couples

Open all day

Must See~£18

Villa del Balbianello

Lenno

A cinematic 18th-century villa on a wooded promontory, with terraced gardens that have appeared in many films.

  • Suggested time: 2 hrs
  • Book ahead
  • Suits: Couples

Closed Mondays and Wednesdays in season; hours vary

View Tickets
Must SeeFree

Varenna and the Lovers’ Walk

Varenna

A pastel fishing village with a lakeside walkway and a pretty harbour, much quieter than Bellagio.

  • Suggested time: 2 hrs
  • No booking needed
  • Suits: Couples

Open all day

Must SeeFree

Como Old Town and Duomo

Como

A walled old town with a marble cathedral, lively squares and a lakefront promenade.

  • Suggested time: 2 hrs
  • No booking needed
  • Suits: Everyone

Streets open all day
Hidden Gems

Beyond the checklist

See all 2
Hidden Gems~£4

Orrido di Bellano

Bellano

A deep, narrow gorge with a walkway above the rushing water, a short ferry ride from Varenna.

  • Suggested time: 1 hr
  • No booking needed
  • Suits: Outdoor lovers

Daily in season

Hidden GemsFree

Isola Comacina

Ossuccio

The lake’s only island, with ruined churches, wooded paths and a waterside restaurant, reached by a short boat ride.

  • Suggested time: 2 hrs
  • No booking needed
  • Suits: Everyone

Open in daylight; boat shuttles from Ossuccio
Hotels

Best-value hotels in Lake Como

Well reviewed and fairly priced for what you get: not simply the cheapest.

All 3 hotels
Lake Como (illustrative photo: example hotel)
Best Budget ChoiceGreat Price
Example listing

Como Centro Hotel

Como, Lake Como

8.4Guest rating 8.4/10 · Very good

Excellent valueValue score 93 out of 100

Rated 8.4/10, about 31% below typical 3★ prices in Lake Como, in a central location.

From £90 per night · check current availability
View Hotels View Hotel: Como Centro Hotel
Lake Como (illustrative photo: example hotel)
Example listing

Locanda del Lago

Varenna, Lake Como

8.9Guest rating 8.9/10 · Excellent

Very good valueValue score 78 out of 100

Rated 8.9/10, priced in line with similar 3★ hotels in Lake Como, in a central location.

From £130 per night · check current availability
View Hotels View Hotel: Locanda del Lago
Food & Restaurants

Where to eat

Food guide

  • Missoltini

    Dried and grilled lake fish, a Como tradition

  • Risotto con filetti di pesce persico

    Risotto with fried perch fillets

  • Polenta uncia

    Polenta baked with cheese and butter

A suggested Lake Como itinerary

3 nights Couple

Lake Como · Highlights

Lake Como in 3 nights

A balanced first-visit plan built from our Lake Como picks: the headline sights, a local favourite or two and time to breathe.

  1. Day 1 · Bellagio, Villa del Balbianello, Villa Melzi Gardens
  2. Day 2 · Varenna and the Lovers’ Walk, Orrido di Bellano
  3. Day 3 · Como Old Town and Duomo, Brunate Funicular and Viewpoint
Use this itinerary : Lake Como in 3 nights

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