Tips & Recommendations, Your Travel Guide to Lake Como, Italy

If you’re planning a trip to Lake Como, choosing the right base town will shape your entire experience. Lake Como isn’t just one destination — it’s a collection of small towns, each with a completely different vibe.

This guide breaks down the best towns to use as a base, where to stay, eat, how to get around by ferry or train, whether you should drive or not, our favourite photo from our travels here and some general travel tips — all tailored for a slower, more intentional trip.

Lake Como is undeniably the most popular lake destination in Italy, and for good reason. But lately I have been reading more and more, that people in the travel industry are saying, “Don’t bother with Lake Como, it’s overrun with tourist and too expensive.” While that does have some truth to it, if you plan well, you can experience this stunning area in a relaxing way. If you can help it, avoid the height of summer or you will wait for hours in ferry line ups, walk shoulder to shoulder through the more popular towns and won’t get the experience you’ve been dreaming about. If you go mid-April/May or September/mid-October, you will get a different perspective. We went at the end of September, stayed 5 nights in Lezzeno, had a car, but took the ferry, (as it is a great way to see the sights) rented a boat, visited the popular villages as well as some less popular and had an amazing time. We got up early and did the busier towns first thing, then the less popular late morning early afternoon, then spent late afternoon on our balcony with snacks and a drink! It worked perfectly, we never felt rushed, stressed, or overwhelmed by other tourists. And believe me when I say this, Lake Como is worth it!

For more information on this dreamy destination checkout our other blog posts in our Lake Como Travel Series: “10 Best Things to do in Lake Como, Italy (Villages, Boats & Villas)”, “4-Day Itinerary for Lake Como, Savouring Italy’s Most Romantic Lake”. As well you can explore our “Travel Guide and 1-Day Itinerary for Milan, Italy” as it makes a great day trip, when staying on Lake Como. For any tours or activities, you’d like to do while you’re here, checkout Get Your Guide, Viator or Expedia, they have lots of options and have always been reliable for us.

 

Disclosure: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. This means that if you choose to make a booking or purchase through one of these links, we may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. I only recommend places, experiences, and products that we have personally used or genuinely believe add value to a trip.

 

Table of Contents:

 

1. Five Great Base Towns on Lake Como
2. Local Transportation Recommendations
3. General Travel Tips
4. Our Fav Photo from our time in Lake Como
5. How to Make Pear & Cheese Ravioli
6. References
7. The Wrap up

1. Five Great Base Towns on Lake Como –

 

 

 

1. Lezzeno – Quiet, Local, Scenic:

Lezzeno is ideal if you want fewer crowds and a more residential feel. It’s not as polished as Bellagio or Varenna — and that’s the point. Best to have a car, there is a ferry stop, but it’s not as frequent of a schedule as the other towns on this list. We stayed here and felt like we were immersed with the locals, love it.

Why stay here:

• Peaceful mornings right on the water
• Easy access to boat rentals
• More space and privacy (great for villas and apartments)

Where to stay: Look for lakefront apartments or small boutique guesthouses. Many are family-run and offer direct lake access; we like to use VRBO or AirBnB for apartments or checkout Expedia or Hotels.com for great deals and options. Plan early and enjoy the process.

AirBnB “Home in Lezzeno”: This was an apartment we booked through AirBnB and loved it, it was up in the hills with the locals, about a 6 mins walk to the main road and a bakery/small grocery store, and lake access, it’s newly renovated, has 2 bedrooms and two bathrooms, living/dining rooms, kitchen with everything we needed to cook meals, two balconies, a great terrace with a table and chairs and stairs down to a little backyard with loungers and an outdoor shower. We were 2 couples and had lots of room. There were cute farm animals behind the building and our friendly host brought us fresh eggs, which was a nice touch. But the absolute best thing about our accommodations was the amazing and mesmerizing views!

Hotel Villa Aurora: This is a pretty hotel right on the water, they have a 9.4 out of 10 review rating, reasonably priced, a dock with loungers, breakfast included, parking, boat rentals (this is where we rented our boat), on site lake-front restaurant with great food, and amazing views of the lake. A 3 mins walk to the ferry. A very good option.

Filario Hotel & Residence: For a splurge, as it’s more on the higher price, but looks amazing and has a 9.6 review rating. It has a pool, private beach, loungers with umbrellas, cabanes, boat tours, bike & Kayak rentals, roof top terrace with sweeping lake views, gym, restaurant, parking, and breakfast for a fee. With a 6-minute walk to the ferry.

Where to eat:

• Ristorante Aurora (part of the Aurora Villa Hotel) – Casual, local, with lake front seating and known for fresh lake fish, pizza, and pasta (try the pear & cheese ravioli and the panna cotta for dessert, both delicious)
• Stone House Restaurant on Lake Como – Another good option, reasonably priced, with indoor and outdoor seating on a terrace, family run, offering great seafood and past options.
• Antico Prestino: This one is on the west side of town on the main street, offering baked good, sandwiches made to order (this is where we got our picnic lunch for our day on the water). As well, they have convivence store items, bottled water, snacks, wine etc.

Lezzeno is good for: Slow travelers, couples, and those renting a car.

 

2. Bellagio – Classic and Central:

Often called the “Pearl of the Lake,” Bellagio sits right where the lake splits into two branches, making it incredibly convenient. Bellagio is well connected with the ferry, but you would either need to take a train to Como or Varenna and then ferry over to Bellagio, which is doable, as once you’re there everything is walkable and getting to other towns to explore is easy on the ferry, or the other option would be to rent car, which would make it easier on your arrival and departure days and gives you more flexibility for touring around.

Why stay here:

• Central ferry connections
• Beautiful cobblestone streets
• Classic Lake Como atmosphere
• Very walkable to restaurants and shops

Where to stay: Elegant villas, guesthouses, vacation homes. Checkout Expedia or Hotels.com for great options and deals or VRBO or AirBnB for apartment style accommodations.

Grand Hotel Villa Serbelloni – Historic luxury on the water, this would be a splurge for sure, but we couldn’t keep this one off our list. It’s a 5-star, luxury hotel, with everything! Free parking, breakfast, pool with a bar, 2 restaurants, deli, gym, a full spa, and it’s right on the lake with amazing views. Make sure you check it out whether you stay here or not.

La Perla New & Stylish Apartment with Balcony, Bellagio Centre: full 2-bedroom apartment, 1 bathroom, parking, air conditioning, balcony with great views, great location, walkable to everything, more reasonably priced.

Where to eat:

• Ristorante Bilacus – Located at Salita Serbelloni 32, open 12:00pm to 2:20pm and 7:00pm to 9:20pm. Romantic courtyard dining on the famous street of stairs, traditional Italian cuisine and seafood, with a 4.3 review rating.
• La Punta Spartivento –Located on Via Eugenio Vitali 19, may close during the off season, when we were there at the very end of September, it was open. Has incredible views at the tip of town. They serve Seafood, and traditional Italian and have a 4.3 review rating as well.
• Mr. Panino – Located at Piazza Giuseppe Mazzini 10, open 8:30am to 10:00pm every day, but open until 11:00 on Friday/Saturday. This is a take-out place, with amazing sandwiches, perfect for either lunch by the water or take away for a picnic out on a boat. These are delicious and makes for an affordable lunch. We ate here one of the days we were in Bellagio and really enjoyed them. They have a 4.8 review rating.
• Bar Rossi – Located at Piazza Giuseppe Mazzini 22, open 7:00am to 10:00pm, Great for coffee and a sweet treat, snacks or aperitivo at sunset. They have indoor and outdoor seat with beautiful lake views.

Bellagio is good for: First-time visitors who want everything walkable and the iconic Lake Como experience.

 

3. Varenna – Romantic and Walkable:

Varenna is one of the easiest towns logistically (especially if coming by train) and one of the prettiest. You can take a train straight to and from Milan, then once here, it’s very walkable and has great ferry access to other towns. They have a very pretty waterfront walk and beautiful villas.

Why stay here:

• Direct train from Milan.
• Smaller and more intimate than Bellagio.
• Easy ferry access to other towns.
• Walkable to restaurants and shops.

Where to stay: Elegant villas, guesthouses, boutique hotels, vacation homes. Checkout Expedia or Hotels.com for great options and deals or VRBO or AirBnB for apartment style accommodations.

Hotel Royal Victoria – Lakeside pool and classic charm, beautiful, with 9.4 review rating, but a bit of a splurge, self-parking for a fee, 24-hour airport shuttle for a fee, breakfast included, 2 restaurants, spa, luggage storage, laundry service, walkable throughout town.

Casa Al Prato Apt. A – 1 bedroom/1 bathroom, washer, 15 mins walk to the train station, no parking so better for train travellers, full kitchen, 9.6 review rating, people commented on the cleanliness and great location, right in the middle of town.

Where to eat:

• Ristorante La Vista – Located at Via XX Settembre 35, open 12:30pm to 2:30pm and 7:00pm to 10:00pm every day, but closed on Tuesdays. Great for sunsets and amazing views out on a pretty terrace, they serve pastas, seafood, soups, desserts, and great drinks. They have a Vegan section on the menu, as well. Prices are average to at little high and there is 3 euro/ person cover charge. But those views!
• Al Prato – Located at Piazza del Prato 6, open 12:00pm to 2:00pm and 7:00pm to 9:00pm every day, but closed on Tuesdays. Cozy and traditional, outdoor seating and in-store pick up available, great service here, with locally sourced ingredients lots of seafood, pastas, lamb chops, desserts, drinks, affogato, lots to offer. Reservations are recommended for this place.
• Il Molo – Located at Riva Garibaldi 14, right along the water with indoor and outdoor seating with amazing views and pretty white and yellow decor. Open daily from 8:00am to 1:00am, which is very convenient as a lot of restaurants are closed mid-day so remember this place. They offer brunch items, snacks, coffees, sweets, drinks, perfect for an early morning breakfast (this is what we did) or snacks and drinks at sunset.

Varenna is good for: Travelers arriving by train who want beauty, but a little less crowds.

 

 

4. Menaggio – Laid-Back and Spacious:

On the western side of the lake, Menaggio feels more relaxed and residential. It is bigger and more walkable then Lezzeno, but not as busy as the other 3 towns, beautiful, great promenade, easy and good ferry access, lots of restaurants and shops, car highly recommended.

Why stay here:

• Less crowded
• Wider beautiful promenade
• Easier parking than Bellagio

Where to stay: Guesthouses, boutique hotels, vacation homes. Checkout Expedia or Hotels.com for great options and deals or VRBO or AirBnB for apartment style accommodations.

Grand Hotel Menaggio – Located at Via IV Novembre 77. With waterfront views and classic style, free self-parking, 24-hour airport shuttle and breakfast for a fee, 2 restaurants, pool with sun loungers and umbrellas, boat tours, near a golf course. During shoulder season the prices get more reasonable, otherwise it’s a splurge.

Hotel du Luc – On the lake with easy access to the promenade, onsite parking and breakfast for a fee, restaurant, pool, hot tubs, sauna, reasonably priced, and amazing views.

Where to eat:

• Dal Tato – Located at Via IV Novembre 43. Open every day from 11:00 am to 10:00pm but closed on Mondays. Elevated Italian cuisine, great cocktails, wine, pastas, seafood, and desserts. With indoor/outdoor seating and great views of the lake.
• Divino 13 – Located at Via Enrico Caronit 9, open 11:00am to 3:00pm and 5:00pm to 11:00pm every day, but Sunday it’s only open 5:00pm to 11:00pm and Tuesday they are closed. Casual wine bar, great atmosphere, they serve pasta, pizza, salads, desserts and of course wines.
• Cercasi Cameriera – Located at Via Carlo Camozzi 13, no hours or webside on google. Traditional Italian Cuisine, pastas, pizzas, salads, good drinks. We ate here for lunch, just happened upon it, we had pizzas and salad, was very good.

Menaggio is good for: Families, travelers with a car, and for those who want to feel a little more immersed into the local culture.

 

 

5. Como – Practical and Well Connected:

Como is larger and more urban than the mid-lake towns. The have direct train access to Milan, and good ferry service, lots to see and do here, walkable, but bigger, could do either car rental or public transportation. They have a grand church and piazza here, the Cathedral di Como, building started in 1396 and finished in 1744, this magnificent church took over 3.5 centuries to complete, very impressive. They also have a great waterfront.

Why stay here:

• Multiple train connections.
• More budget accommodation options.
• Great if you’re doing a short stay from Milan.

Where to stay: Guesthouses, boutique hotels, vacation homes. Checkout Expedia or Hotels.com for great options and deals or VRBO or AirBnB for apartment style accommodations.

Le Stanze del Lago Suites & Pool – Boutique style with 9.6 review rating, reasonably prices, onsite parking, 24-hour airport shuttle for fee, pool with loungers and umbrellas, breakfast for a fee, bike rentals, near the Como-Brunate Funicular and walkable to old town area and the lake.

Luce Apartment by Rent All Como – 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom apartment, with full kitchen, has a 10 review rating, sleeps 4, walkable to old town and lake, with lots of restaurants and shops around the area.

Where to eat:

• Osteria del Gallo – Located at Via Vitani 16, open 12:30pm to 3:00pm and 7:00pm to 9:00pm Tuesday to Saturday, 12:30pm to 3:00pm on Monday, and closed on Sundays. Traditional Italian cuisine, pastas, salads, meat dishes, drinks, and desserts. In centre of town in historic building.
• 10 Nodi Bistrot – Located at Via Dionigi da Parravicino 5, open 12:00pm to 2:30pm and 7:00pm to 10:30pm, closed on Mondays. This Seafood Restaurant close to the lake, has great reviews and reasonable prices.

Como is good for: Short trips and travelers prioritizing convenience. Either travelling by train from Milan or renting a car both work well for this pretty city.

2. Local Transportation Options –

Ferry Tips & Getting Around:

The ferry system is the heart of Lake Como transport and something you should try while visiting this area.

• Use the public ferries (Navigazione Laghi) for town hopping.
• Checkout their website for all-day pass options for the slower ferries.
• The mid-lake triangle (Bellagio, Varenna, Menaggio) is the most efficient area to base yourself.
• Try to travel in the off season, but if you can’t, arrive early for popular ferry routes, as the lines can get quite long.
• Car ferries are also an option if needed.
• Book any train travel in advance especially in peak season, or you risk not getting the train you wanted, we use OMIO.

Pro tip: If you prefer using public transportation to driving, (some people find driving too stressful, and vacation is all about reducing your stress) and want to stay closer to the “mid-lake triangle”, then staying in Varenna is a convenient choice as you have both ferry and train options.

Driving vs Train: What’s Better?

Train

If you’re coming from Milan, the train is often easiest:

• Direct routes to Varenna and Como
• No parking stress.
• Scenic ride along the lake for part of the trip.

Best for: Couples, solo travelers, shorter stays, or for people who don’t enjoy driving, as it can be stressful.

Driving

Driving offers flexibility, especially if staying in Lezzeno or Menaggio. And if you want to travel along the coast to explore other towns at your own pace this is a good choice. We had a car and really enjoyed it, we stayed in Lezzeno, and toured all over and didn’t have to worry about ferry schedules. When we did take the ferry, we drove and parked in Bellagio, got there early, so no problems getting a spot, then checked out the time at the ferry ticket booth, they come fairly often, so worked out well, no hassles.

However:

• Roads are narrow and winding.
• Parking can be limited in Bellagio and Varenna, if you don’t arrive early.
• Traffic increases significantly in summer, less stressful in the shoulder season.

Best for: Longer stays, villa rentals, off-the-beaten-path exploration or if you’re travelling before or after your time in Lake Como, can be convenient for your overall trip. We rented our car through Expedia! Check it out in their travel shop.

3. General Travel Tips:

Tourist office:

One very helpful thing to do when you first get to any city is to check out their Tourism Office. If you’re staying in a hotel, they often have a rack with lots of brochures, tourism books, and maps, which is great and this might be all you need, but if you’re staying in a vacation home, they might not have as much information available, so locating your nearest tourism office is always a good idea. They can provide city maps, brochures on things to do, have information on tours and answer any questions you might have, making your stay more enjoyable. In the Lake Como area, there is a Tourist information office at Piazza della Chiesa, 14 in Bellagio, open from 9:00am to 1:00pm and 1:30pm to 5:00pm every day, check them out at bellagiolakecomo.com or if you’re staying in Como there is one at Via Albertolli 7, in the city center. Both of these would have information on other regions as well, if you’re travelling after your time in Lake Como.

Using Points:

Whether it’s Airmiles, Aeroplan, hotel chains, or credit card points, collect them religiously and use them for travel!! We have stayed in some amazing places using points, some we normally wouldn’t have even looked at because of the price, we’ve used points for flights and rental cars too. They are so satisfying to use, but you have to get to know what is a good value and what isn’t. For example, if you’re using Airmiles for flights, the points cover the flight cost and you pay the taxes, so generally the taxes cost us in the range of $200, which is reasonable, but if we fly to Europe from Canada, the taxes were over $700, (we were told this was because their airport taxes were higher) we were shocked, it didn’t make sense to use the points for that, so you have to get to know how to best work you’re points, but once you do, you’ll be hooked!

Start your off Day Early:

Start your day off early, this will always be our suggestion! When we say early, we’re talking 6:30/7:00am, but we know that’s not for everyone, so just get started as early as you can and always keep in mind open/closing hours and open/closing days for the attractions that you really want to see. If there is something you really want a photo of without people in the shot, start there! For more information on the advantages of getting up early, check out our post “Three Significant Reasons to Get Up Early, while Travelling”.

Speaking the Language:

For some people speaking different languages comes easy and for some, it does not, I’m the latter. Although it’s not easy, we always make an effort to learn at least the pleasantries when we’re travelling. It’s one of our many favourite things to do! We also carry a language pocketbook with us, and we have google translate on our phones! We also like the free language app, Duolingo for some fun!

Phone service:

When travelling in Europe we use Hippocket Wifi, but they also service Canada and the United States. They are based in France, but you can simply order it online and they ship it directly to you 3-5 days before you leave for your trip. It comes with a small carrying case, charger, (including a car charger if needed) and an addressed, stamped return mailing envelope, so you simply drop it off in the mailbox at the airport before heading home. The great thing about this is that if you are traveling with other people, you can all use it and share in the cost. You can have up to 8-10 users at the same time. If you have multiple users, I recommend getting the unlimited options, as the 1GB/day option may not be enough. The unlimited works out to be approximately 7.00 to 9.00 euros per day, including all shipping. It’s a great option, check it out here!

**Any pricing, opening/closing hours and days listed here are as of Feb. 2026 and are subject to change, so be sure to check before you go. I like this website: for all your current information, lakecomotravel.com.

4. Our Fav Photo from our time in Lake Como:

Wow, Lake Como is so photogenic! Hard to narrow it down, but this was the view we had from our living room balcony of the apartment we rented in Lezzeno and one we will never forget. Not a typical Lake Como view, of a villa or piazza, but of an experience we loved. We made sure we got back to our apartment late afternoon each day, while staying here, so we could have drinks and snacks out on our terrace, relax and enjoy this view. It’s important to slow down, enjoy and soak in the views or atmosphere when trying to experience a new place. We took the photo in landscape to get as much of that view in as possible, we wanted some of the greenery, the bright coloured rooftops, beautiful blue water, the mountains, the villages across the lake, there is a lot to look at, but all together breathtaking! No real touch up needed, just deepened the colour a smidge.

5. How to Make Pear & Cheese Ravioli from Lake Como:

This was our favourite meal we had while in Lake Como, so much so we had it twice! We enjoyed it at the Ristaurante Auroura in Lezzeno, along with delicious Pana Cotta for dessert. Sweet Bartlett Pears mixed with sharp pecorino and creamy mascarpone cheeses make up the yummy filling for this homemade ravioli pasta. Checkout our take on the Italian delight. “How to make Pear & Cheese Ravioli from Lake Como” (coming March 3^rd).

6. References:

For our Lake Como travel planning, I leaned on a mix of trusted guidebooks, including DK Eyewitness Travel Italy, DK Eyewitness Milan and the Lakes, and Rick Steves Italy, which helped shape our itinerary, village selections, and must-see sights. In addition to the books, it’s helpful to reference official tourism websites, (lakecomo.is) and attraction sites, public transportation resources (like for the trains and ferries), and a few local food or culture blogs. Travel forums, Google Maps for driving and walking distances, and tour apps for the activities. We hope you enjoy our 4-day Itinerary for Lake Como as much as we did.

7. The Wrap up:

Lake Como rewards travelers who slow down and soak in all in.

Pick one base. Spend time by the water. Take the ferry at golden hour. Book dinner reservations in advance, for any must try restaurants or just see what piques your interest. And don’t try to “see everything.”

Because here, the magic isn’t in rushing between towns — it’s in watching the light change over the mountains and letting the lake set the pace.

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Thank you,

Beth de Verteuil

Wild Meadow Studio

Plan. Travel. Capture.

www.wildmeadowstudio.com