Day Trip to Lake Como, Italy

Lake Como is a beautiful destination located in the Lombardy region of Italy, known for its stunning alpine scenery and charming villages. If you're planning a visit to Lake Como and only have one day to spend there, here are some suggestions for how to make the most of your trip.

Contents:

1. My experience (and mistakes!) about visiting Lake Como
2. Things to Know Before you Visit Lake Como (what I would have done differently so you don't make the same mistakes I did =)
3. List of popular towns to see in Lake Como
4. How to get to Lake Como from Milan

My Experience Visiting Lake Como

It was a bit of a spontaneous trip for me during autumn* as I didn't plan much ahead before visiting (wish I did and that's why I'm making this blog).

I will highlight the mistakes I made with a * and provide recommendations in the next section so you don't miss out!

I probably arrived at Lake Como at around 10.30am* after taking the train from Milano Certosa for only 4-7€ a journey (more info below). Make sure you familirise yourself with the trains in Milan* as I ended up loosing a direct train and had to wait 20-30min for the next one... I will make another blog about it so you don't struggle while you are there =).

After arriving to Como S. Giovanni station, I walked to Como and explored the area for a bit. There is a nice view point called Punto Panoramico su Como* and you can get there with the Funicolare Como-Brunate (mountain cable car). Sadly for me it was closed and I had no idea! Internet said it was open but there was a sign at the place that said it was under maintenance... Make sure you visit it on my behalf as I heard good comments about it!

After having lunch (very nice calamari) between Funicolare and Piazzetta (there are many restaurants there with meals averaging 12-20€), I decided to take the boat to visit some famous towns in the lake at around 1.30-2pm*. Sadly for me (again!) there were 3-4h of day remaining and there were no boats that would take me very far in the lake to towns such as Bellagio or Varenna =(...

Either way I took the boat to Torno and back for around 7€. I stopped at multiple towns such as Bergamasca, Cernobbio, Blevio, Moltrasio and Torno. I even had a chance to explore Torno and see the sunset from there!

I got back to Como at around 6pm ish and explored the town. I also went to a shopping mall (sorry I forgot the name...) and had very nice drinks with some (FREE) appetizers so that was a nice way to end the experience in Como =).

Things to Know Before you Visit Lake Como

I hope you saw my sad mistakes highlighted with an * in the section above... Now I will provide some recommendations to make sure you take full advantage of your trip to Lake Como!

1. Visit Lake Como during Spring or Summer. Make sure the day is long and there is plenty of light (I visited it during autumn and the day went fast).
2. Arrive to Lake Como by 9am. So wake up early and make sure your trip there is worth every minute!
3. Familirise yourself with Milan trains. I lost a direct train and had to wait for a bit... Also it is confusing to get around in Milan so make sure you visit my other Milan blogs.
4. Don't trust Google Maps open and closed times! To me it said that the Funicolare Como-Brunate was open but it was clearly closed for 2-3 months and I didn't know until I got there...
5. Prioritise towns or plan your Lake Como visit. The lake is HUGE (Italy's third-largest lake) so it does take a while to get even to the center of the lake from Como (could easily be 1-1.5h trip one way). I would say visit a town of your preferance and have lunch there instead of in Como.
6. Sunset from the boat. So time it right, I took the boat from Torno back to Como around 20min before sunset and the golden hour made was spectacular! Probably the best part of the trip.
7. Have fun and take many photos and videos! Life is an experience and Lake Como is a VERY nice experience so make sure you record it to look back at it later.

Here are some extra tips that I wish I did with some extra time:

• Make sure to visit one of the charming lakeside towns, such as Bellagio or Varenna. These towns are known for their picturesque streets, colorful houses, and breathtaking views of the lake and surrounding mountains. While you're there, be sure to grab a bite to eat at one of the local restaurants and try some of the region's famous dishes, such as polenta or risotto alla milanese.
• If you're interested in culture and history, be sure to visit the Villa del Balbianello, a stunning villa located on the banks of Lake Como. The villa, which was once home to a famous explorer, is now a museum and features beautiful gardens, ornate decor, and breathtaking views of the lake.

List of Towns in Lake Como

Here is a list of some of the charming towns located along the shores of Lake Como:

1. Bellagio: Located at the tip of a peninsula, Bellagio is a popular tourist destination known for its picturesque setting and historic villas.
2. Como: The largest city on the lake, Como is a bustling town known for its historic center, Gothic cathedral, and silk museum.
3. Lecco: Located at the foot of the Grigna mountain range, Lecco is a charming town known for its lakeside promenade and medieval castle.
4. Menaggio: Located on the western shore of the lake, Menaggio is a popular destination known for its beautiful lake views and historic center.
5. Tremezzo: Located on the western shore of the lake, Tremezzo is a charming town known for its villas, gardens, and lakeside promenade.
6. Varenna: Located on the eastern shore of the lake, Varenna is a small town known for its picturesque setting and historic center.
7. Cernobbio: Located on the western shore of the lake, Cernobbio is a fashionable town known for its villas, gardens, and lakeside promenade.
8. Lenno: Located on the western shore of the lake, Lenno is a small town known for its lakeside promenade and villas.
9. Moltrasio: Located on the western shore of the lake, Moltrasio is a small town known for its picturesque setting and historic center.

How to Get to Lake Como from Milan?

There are several ways to get to Lake Como from Milan. Here are a few options:

1. Train: One of the most convenient ways to get to Lake Como from Milan is by taking the train. Trains to Como depart from Milan's Cadorna station and take about an hour to reach Como San Giovanni. From there, you can catch a local bus or ferry to reach other towns along the lake.
2. Bus: Another option is to take the bus from Milan to Lake Como. Buses depart from Milan's Lampugnano station and take about an hour and a half to reach Como.
3. Car: If you prefer to drive, you can rent a car in Milan and drive to Lake Como. The drive takes about an hour and follows the A9 motorway.
4. Private transfer: You can also arrange a private transfer from Milan to Lake Como with a local company. This can be a convenient option if you have a lot of luggage or want the flexibility to stop along the way.
5. Tour: Finally, you can join a tour from Milan to Lake Como. This is a good option if you want to have someone else take care of the logistics and also learn more about the region from a local guide.

I personally took the train from Milano Certosa (near my hotel) as there was a direct train I could take from there (the S11) for only 4€ a journey! You can also take the train from other stations in Milan if you are closer to the center such as Milano Porta Garibaldi.

Conclusion

No matter how you choose to spend your day at Lake Como, it's sure to be an unforgettable experience. With its breathtaking natural beauty, rich history, and charming villages, there's something for everyone to enjoy. Of course don't make the same mistakes I did and go refer to my recommendations in the 'Things to Know Before you Visit Lake Como' section =).

Make sure to spend some time enjoying the natural beauty of the lake itself. If you are staying longer than a day, consider renting a boat or take a ferry to explore the lake and visit some of the smaller villages and villas along the way. Alternatively, you can take a hike in the surrounding mountains or go for a swim in the crystal-clear waters of the lake.

Related blogs:

• How to Use Public Transport in Milan
• 7 Places to Visit in Milan