Things to Do in Lake Como
Lake Como is one of those landscapes that looks edited in photos, but it looks the same in person. Deep blue water, wooded slopes, and villages stacked up the hillsides. I spent three days moving around the lake by ferry and these are the experiences that made the trip. The lake is long, and the ferry system is the key to seeing more than one town without renting a car.
Use the Ferries Like a Local
The public ferry network is the best way to see the lake. The passenger ferries run between all the main towns, and the slow boat from Como to Bellagio gives you the whole lake shore in one ride. I bought a daily pass and hopped on and off without a plan. The fast hydrofoils cover more ground, but I preferred the slow boat for the views. Check the timetable the night before, because the gaps between boats can be long in the middle of the day.
Wander Bellagio’s Steep Lanes
Bellagio sits at the point where the lake splits into two branches, and its lanes climb steeply from the water. I walked up past small shops, a church, and gardens that give onto the lake. The village is famous and gets busy, so I went at opening time and again at dusk, when the day trippers had left. The stone paths up from the waterfront reward you with terraced gardens. Carry your camera up to the panoramic benches above the village for the classic view.
Visit Varenna and the Gardens
Across the water from Bellagio, Varenna is smaller and quieter. The waterfront promenade is lined with colorful houses, and the gardens at Villa Monastero run along the shore with flowers and lake views. I spent a relaxed afternoon here between lunch and the ferry back. It has none of the pressure of Bellagio and a gentle pace I liked. The climb up through the old part of Varenna passes a tiny church and ends at a small piazza with benches overlooking the water.
Tour the Villas by Boat
Several grand villas are only visible from the water, which makes a private boat tour worth it. I took a short guided ride that passed Villa d’Este, Villa Balbianello, and the gardens along the western shore. For a fuller visit, Villa Balbianello’s terraces and house are open to walkers who book ahead. Seeing the place from both the water and the land answered what the postcards only hint at. The boat lets you appreciate how the villas were built to be admired from the lake itself.
Take the Funicular to Brunate for a View
From the town of Como, a funicular climbs to the Brunate plateau above the lake. The ride is short and the reward is a panoramic view of the whole lake and the Alps. I went up late in the day for the evening light and walked along the ridge a little before heading back down. It is the easiest big view on the entire lake. On a clear day you can see the far end of the lake and the mountains behind it.
Hike the Greenway or the Ridge Paths
The lake has walking routes that avoid the roads. The path along the western shore near Lenno and the trails above Bellagio both offer lake views with quieter footing. I hiked a stretch near Bellagio in the morning, down through olive groves and stone houses. It is steep in parts, so pack water and go early in summer. The steps between the villages along the western shore are old and worn, but they connect the towns in a way the road never does.
Eat Around the Small Towns
Lake Como food leans on lake fish, cured meats, and polenta. I ate perch risotto in a village restaurant and fresh lake fish with a terrace view in Varenna. The towns on the eastern shore and the smaller villages feel more local than the main stops. Ask what is fresh and let the lake do the rest. A glass of local white wine with the lake in view finishes a meal better than any dessert I could name.
Manage the Crowd and the Season
The lake is popular for a reason, and summer weekends are heavy. I visited in spring, stayed in a village rather than central Como, and used the early ferries to beat the rush. If you can, base yourself in one village and use the ferries to explore, rather than moving hotels. The slower pace made the lake feel calmer and far more enjoyable. Weekday mornings are noticeably quieter than weekend afternoons, so plan your island and villa visits early in the week.
Lake Como rewards those who use the water. Plan your day around the ferry schedule, climb one good viewpoint, and leave the itinerary loose enough to stop where the lake calls. With three days and a ferry pass, you can see Bellagio, Varenna, and the quiet corners in between.
