Lake Como in 3 days
Day one stays in town with the cathedral, the waterfront and the funicular, day two goes by boat to Bellagio, day three to the villas on the western shore.
- How long
- 3 days
- Arrival
- train from Cadorna
- Funicular
- €3.60 (one-way)
Three days with a base in Como: the first for the cathedral, the waterfront and the funicular to Brunate, the second for a boat to Bellagio, the third for the villas on the western shore. The order follows the lake, from the town out to the farther shores.
Como: the cathedral, the waterfront and Brunate
Arrival from Milan, train from Cadorna, about 1 h; a one-way ticket €4.80.
The Duomo, built between 1396 and 1770. The first stop of the day. Open Mon–Fri 10:30–17:30; Sat 10:45–16:30; Sun/holidays 11:00–11:45 and 13:00–16:30.
Lunch in town; one restaurant serves a full lunch menu on weekdays, €14.
Out to the waterfront and Piazza Cavour, then to the Tempio Voltiano and the sculpture Life Electric.
The funicular to Brunate, €3.60 (one-way), €6.60 (return), a ride of 7 min. From there you look over the town and the lake. The funicular runs daily 6:00–24:00, departures every 12–15 min.
Bellagio, and Varenna if you like
The boat from Como to Bellagio. The ordinary line sails about 2 h 35 min by boat from Como (one-way, ordinary line). Price: free (walking around); boat from Como €12 one-way, €24 return. Timetables change with the season.
Bellagio: walking around is free, so midday is open for the village and lunch.
With energy to spare, a ferry from Bellagio crosses to the eastern shore and Varenna, to Villa Monastero and Castello di Vezio. Boat from Como to Varenna: free (walking around); boat from Como about €13.50–14.50 one-way.
Back to Como on the same ordinary line; sailing time counts in both directions.
The villas on the western shore
Villa del Balbianello at Lenno. Booking is mandatory, entry €24 (villa and park, guided tour); park only €13, guided tour about 50 min.
Villa Carlotta at Tremezzo, a museum and garden. Entry €17.50, booking no.
Before you go
Short answers to what people ask most before setting out.
Can Lake Como be done in a day?
From Milan it works as a full day (with the boat): the town and part of the lake. Bellagio and the villas need days of their own.
What if the visit falls on a Monday or Wednesday?
Villa del Balbianello is closed Monday and Wednesday (non-holidays), partly closed Dec–Feb outside season; day three then changes, and Villa Carlotta goes first.
Ready for Lake Como?
Where to next
Where to stay in Lake Como
→You sleep in Como town: on the waterfront, by one of the two stations or in a hostel, because the boats and…
Milan · 39 km
→The Italian city that lives off next season rather than its own past
How well does Lake Como suit you?
→Six questions: a score for this place and others like it.
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