How is Como worth visiting, when there are so many top-notch destinations all around it? While answering that question isn’t simple, I’ll give you lots of reasons why, to the very least, it’s worth visiting Como on a day trip from Milan.
Como, the main town on the shores of the lake named after it, is surrounded by quaint villages, hiking paths, and, more importantly, impressive views of the Alps.
For the sake of fairness, though, I’ll let you know first why some travelers end up skipping Como when visiting northern Italy.
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Why you may not enjoy Como
The town is tiny for the number of visitors.
Try not to fret over the often long lines you’ll need to face to get on a boat if you’re visiting Como in winter or summertime.
The good news is crowds are thicker on the lakeside promenade only. As you walk inland, you’ll notice streets get quieter and dominated by locals.
That’s of course not the case in beloved villages like Bellagio and Varenna, where walking around during peak season can be quite a hassle.
It can be expensive.
Getting to Como itself, at least from Milan, is pretty cheap. Getting around the lake by boat is more on the pricier side, though, unless you’re willing to catch the ferry to hop from one village to the next (one-day passes are available for $22).
Having said that, you can take a day trip around the lake from Milan for $90 or go all the way to Lugano for $120, which are both great value for money.
If you want to visit a couple of the lavish villas on the shores of Lake Como, factor in $22 for the majestic Villa del Balbianello and $16 for Villa Carlotta and its botanic garden.
As for food, try to keep away from the area around the ferry stops to avoid all the tourists and you should be good. Just pick a local trattoria and you’ll be treated to a mouthwatering and authentic meal for $15 or less.
Getting there and moving around isn’t that easy.
With about 83,000 residents, Como is a midsize city.
As such, it has an efficient railroad connection to Milan: you can travel between the two for 5 bucks and arrive at your destination in 40 minutes to an hour. Yet if you’re coming from Rome, Venice, or Florence, you’ll need to catch two or three trains to get to Como.
While that would hardly be an issue if that were your final destination, most people want to tour the lake or at least stop at Bellagio, a peninsula that juts out into the lake. To reach them, you’ll either need to hop on a boat or rent a car from the town of Como.
If you dream about soaking up the inspiring views of Lake Como, then absolutely go for it regardless of where you are in Italy. Otherwise, you may want to save the effort for whenever you’re visiting Milan.
Why is Como worth visiting?
1. The views are simply breathtaking.
In Como, you won’t miss wonderful sights wherever you go — from the downtown waterfront promenade to the iconic villages along the lakeshore.
The views at water level are the best-known, but I promise you won’t regret heading to a higher point to admire Como from above.
If you don’t feel like hiking (more on that at no. 7), you can take the funicular from downtown Como to reach the gorgeous village of Brunate uphill. At over 2,345 feet tall, Brunate sits at a privileged spot where a good chunk of the lake and the Alps at a distance are fully visible.
2. The historic villas are world-famous.
Como has been a summer resort for the wealthy since Roman times. Yet between the late 16th and the 18th centuries, dozens of noblemen built sumptuous residences on the lakefront, which have added to the area’s one-of-a-kind and exclusive aura.
Within the town boundaries, you should check out the neoclassical Villa Olmo, which is a single mile from downtown and can be visited for free.
Como itself is home to a couple of other villas. Still, the most monumental ones are in other parts of the province, such as Villa del Balbianello in Lenno, Villa Carlotta in Tremezzo (both are less than 20 miles from Como by car).
3. It offers the perfect mix of nature and urban environment.
The seamless interaction between nature and the city in Como means all sorts of visitors will be able to enjoy it.
There’s a bunch of water sport options available and excellent shopping too. The hikes are amazing, but the funicular to Brunate is so much help.
In short, Como seems to be truly prepared to welcome travelers and win them over before you can say ciao.
4. It’s a marvelous spot for a boat tour.
The lake as seen from the Como waterfront is stunning enough, yet only a boat tour of its deep-blue waters will give you the full picture of how beautiful the entire region is.
Countless highly rated agencies offer itineraries that will take you to the shores on both the Como and Lecco sides, as well as to Bellagio (which sits right in the middle). You can choose to depart from Como or Milan, depending on your travel plans and budget.
Alternatively, in case you’re seeking a unique experience you can charter your own boat and zip through the lake in style.
5. The weather is flawless year-round.
It’s not a coincidence Lake Como has been a popular summer resort for millennia. There are typically less than 100 days of rainfall every year, and the average temperature is 53℉ (which is chilly but pleasant).
Snow is rare, and fog is nowhere to be seen (a true asset in Lombardy, given the neighboring Po Valley is notorious for its misty winters).
Having said that, at the height of summer temperatures have risen to around 97℉ on a few occasions, so avoid visiting in July and August if you can — unless you plan on spending a great deal of your stay in the water.
6. You’ll get to swim in the lake.
While you won’t find any sand in Como or anywhere along the lake, you can idle away at the countless pebble beaches spread across the lakefront. The adjacent province of Lecco is even better for that, in villages like Onno and Bellano.
If you’re a good swimmer, you can jump straight into the water from the ancient Civera Bridge in Nesso, on your way toward Bellagio.
And in case you’re lucky to be touring the lake on your own boat, dip in the water near the suggestive Comacina Island (the lake’s only island).
7. There’s no shortage of hiking itineraries either.
We’re at the foothills of the Alps here, so this is a hiker’s paradise. The most popular path leads to the top of Mount San Primo and is 3 to 5 miles long one way depending on the route you pick.
Travelers who would rather not sweat that much can stick instead to Spina Verde Park (whose name literally means “green spine”), which is located right outside the city center.
Apart from the fantastic views, here you can spot archaeological remains at the Pianvalle site, as well as reach the 7th-century Baradello Castle, which towers over the whole city.
Otherwise, head to the small but charming Valle Albano Park on the slopes of remote Germasino, which, despite being 34 miles from Como, is still within its province.
8. You’ll be within a short distance from Milan.
A little more than 30 miles, or about an hour’s drive, separate downtown Como from the capital of Italian fashion.
That makes it ridiculously easy to take a day trip to Como — which is exactly what I did when I was studying in Milan a few years back — or a weekend getaway if you want to go beyond the surface.
And since Milan boasts the best infrastructure in Italy (even tourism-wise), renting a car or hiring a transfer from the city will be like a walk in the park.
9. Its history is rich and intriguing.
Como was first settled in prehistory, established as a citadel by pre-Roman peoples, and officially founded as a city by none other than Julius Caesar.
It’s always been a major trade link between Italy and the other side of the Alps. That strategic importance prompted several European powers like France, Spain, and Austria to fight for control over the area throughout the centuries.
Thanks to the wealth brought about by its status, stately landmarks were built in Como, such as its astonishing gothic Cathedral.
10. Como is surrounded by lovely villages.
Como is the largest and richest town on the shores of the lake. Yet a big part of Italy’s appeal lies in its centuries-old villages, and luckily there are plenty of those in the vicinities of Como.
Besides the obvious ones like Bellagio and Varenna, highlights include Nesso, with its narrow canyon leading up to the ancient Civera Bridge, and Tremezzo, where Villa Carlotta rises imposingly, amid a row of lush gardens;
In Cernobbio, in turn, a luxurious stay at Villa d’Este — a 16th-century palazzo that was repurposed as a hotel 150 years ago — is waiting for you.
11. You’ll never get sick of the wide choice of water sports.
There’s so much to do and see around Como that, pretty ironically, we can end up forgetting about such an obvious advantage of a huge lake like Como’s.
But kayaking, canoeing, and paddleboarding are some of the most exciting activities in the region alongside hiking.
12. You might bump into one of your favorite celebrities.
Como’s idyllic ambiance doesn’t just seduce mere mortals like you and me. Tons of Hollywood stars have been falling in love with it for decades.
George Clooney is known to spend months in a row at Villa Oleandra (pictured above), his immense house in tiny Laglio. Robert Pattinson got his own villa in Menaggio, which is a bit further north.
Then you have personalities who are regular visitors, such as Madonna, Donatella Versace, and Bon Jovi.
Though most of them avoid public appearances when they’re in the area (except maybe for Clooney), chances are you might spot a random VIP around the star-studded town.
Final thoughts
After reading this post, what would you answer if someone asked you “is Como worth visiting?”? Let me know in the comments below!
When I was studying in Milan a few years ago, I went on a day trip to Como and had so much fun! The sun was out, the views of the mountains were dazzling, and the whole town had a chill and inviting environment. When it comes to Como, you should definitely believe the hype!
I do admit, however, that the lakeside town is a little out of the way if you’re staying in Rome or Florence. On the other hand, if you have a spare day while visiting Milan, then absolutely drop by Como.
