Lake Como, italy
Attractions Guide

Northern Italy’s Lake Como is one of Italy’s top tourist attractions and is quite large, with three long arms stretching out in an upside-down Y-shape below tall mountains, just below the Southern Alps and Switzerland. Because of these tall mountains and the many old villages and villas along the lakeshore, Lake Como is one of the most scenic destinations in Italy. The nearest major city and often gateway city to Lake Como is Milan.

Popular Towns & Transportation

The largest towns along the lake are Como and Lecco, which are located along the shores of the two southern arms of Lake Como. Both Como and Lecco can be reached directly by train from Milan’s Central Station in about 40 minutes.

Most of the other popular towns along Lake Como are located where the three arms meet, including Bellagio, Varenna, and Menaggio. Due to the difficult geography, the most efficient way to get between these towns is via ferries, which run frequent connections between these towns and Cadenabbia (near Tremezzo).

Como is definitely the most popular town for visitors to Lake Como, and is located at the end of the western arm of the lake. Como’s compact historic center still retains some of its imposing Roman walls and towers which once surrounded it, especially prevalent on the southern side of the city. Most visitors enter Como through this side at the towering Porta Torre medieval gate to the city.

Basilica di San Fedele

In the middle of Como’s historic center is the Basilica di San Fedele, a lovely Romanesque church with a bell tower and impressive interiors. At night you can watch as images are projected onto the church’s exterior.

Como Cathedral

The top attraction in Como is the Como Cathedral, a beautiful 14th century church mainly displaying gothic architecture with a mix of other styles. Inside the cathedral is majestic, hosting a small collection of medieval tapestries.

Tempio Voltiano (Volta Temple)

Just outside of the walled center along Como’s coastline is the Tempio Voltano (or Volta Temple), a grand neoclassical structure hosting a small museum. This museum is dedicated to the inventor of the electric battery, Alessandro Volta, who was born in the town of Como. Inside the museum you can see the voltaic pile batteries created by Volta, as well as the instruments he used.

Villa Olmo

Along the shore of Lake Como just north of the town of Como is the elegant Villa Olmo, a large neoclassical estate. The villa’s decadent interior hosts various public exhibitions. Most visitors however come to the villa to admire its beautiful lakeside gardens, which offer views looking out over the lake at the city of Como.

Basilica di Sant’Abbondio

On the western side of Como is the rustic Romanesque-style Basilica di Sant’Abbondio, which was built in the 11th century. This church is notable for its twin bellowers and old arched columns lining the basilica’s interior.

Baradello Castle

Just south of Como is the Castello Baradello, a small medieval castle which rises above the forests on a hilltop. You can explore the ruins of the castle and enjoy amazing views overlooking Como from the hilltop. The hike to reach the castle from Como is quite steep, with a distance of about 3.5 miles (5.6 km) round-trip if starting from Como’s Porta Torre medieval gate.

Brunate Funicular

Just north of Como’s historic center is the Funicolare Como-Bruante, a funicular cable car which ascends up into the mountains above Como to the village of Brunate. Brunate hosts a lovely pink baroque-style church, as well as many incredible viewpoints overlooking Como and Lake Como from high above.

Volta Lighthouse

One of the best viewpoints overlooking Lake Como can be admired from the Volta Lighthouse at the top of Brunate, which is built atop the mountain. Like Como’s Volta Temple, this lighthouse was built in dedication to the great inventor.

You can climb the stairs to the top of the lighthouse for breathtaking views over Lake Como and the Southern Alps, with far-reaching views over the towns and mountains surrounding Como. The Volta Lighthouse is about a 30 minute walk away from the Brunate Funicular station.

Isola Comacina

Along the western arm of Lake Como below where the three arms meet is a tiny island, Isola Comacina, which is located just off the coast of the town of Ossuccio. You can reach this island with a very short ferry ride from Sala Comacina or Ossuccio.

This lovely island is mostly covered in forests, and hosts the ruins of a medieval church next to a newer one, an old monastery, and a lakeside restaurant. You can also enjoy fantastic views of Lake Como’s coastline from Isola Comacina.

Sacre Monte di Ossuccio

Up the hill above Ossuccio is one of the nine UNESCO listed sacri monti churches of Northern Italy, the Sacro Monte di Ossuccio. This beautiful church is surrounded by 14 little chapels and olive groves along the hillside. From this sacri monti complex you can also enjoy incredible views overlooking Lake Como and Isla Comacina.

Villa del Balbianello

At the tip of a peninsula just east of the town of Ossuccio is one of the top attractions around Lake Como, the Villa Balbianello. This picturesque 18th century villa incorporates part of the 13th century monastery which previously existed on the property, with the most obvious leftover medieval features being the villa’s two towers. Inside the villa you can admire lavish furnishings.

The villa’s most iconic feature is its terraced gardens which offer breathtaking views over Lake Como. Interestingly this villa has also been featured in movies including James Bond’s Casino Royale and Star Wars Episode II.

Villa Carlotta

A bit further up Lake Como’s western coast between the towns of Tremezzo and Cadenabbia (which hosts a ferry stop) is the Villa Carlotta. This villa is extravagantly decorated with sculptures and paintings and elaborate 19th century accents.

Villa Carlotta also hosts a large botanical garden along the hillside above the lake, which contains an array of lush plants and flowers, as well as a bamboo garden. From the villa’s terraces you can enjoy amazing views overlooking the town of Bellagio across Lake Como.

Just across from Cadennabia is the town of Bellagio, which sits at the end of a peninsula between the two southern arms of Lake Como. Bellagio is connected to Cadennabia, Menaggio, and Varenna via ferry, and Como and Lecco via bus. Due to its location surrounded by Lake Como, Bellagio is one of the lake’s most beautiful towns. Bellagio’s largest and most lavish villa, the Villa Serbelloni, now operates as a lakefront 5 star hotel.

Villa Melzi

Along the coast near Bellagio’s ferry terminal is a lakeside pathway called the Lungolago Europa. This walkway offers majestic views of Lake Como. At the southern end of the Lungolago Europa is Bellagio’s Villa Melzi d’Eril, a stunning lakefront mansion. This neoclassical villa looks especially picturesque when viewed with Lake Como in the background.

Surrounding the Villa Melzi is a large lakeside botanical garden filled with beautiful statues, a small chapel, and a Moorish Pavilion. The Gardens of Villa Melzi also offer some of the most gorgeous views of Lake Como.

Punta Spartivento

At the very northern tip of Bellagio is Punta Spartivento, an observation deck located where the three arms of Lake Como meet. As you can probably imagine, this viewpoint offers breathtaking, near-panoramic views of Lake Como.

The town of Varenna is located on the eastern side of Lake Como’s northern arm where its meets with the lake’s other two arms. Varenna sits below tall mountains along the shores of Lake Coma is very scenic town, connected to Lake Como’s other towns via ferry (and to Lecco by train). Rising above the colorful homes of Varenna you can see the spire-topped bell tower of the Church of San Giorgio.

Villa Monastero

Varenna’s most popular attraction is the Villa Monastero, which is located on the waterfront of Lake Como. Inside the villa are elegant and historic furnishings, but its the villa’s gardens which draw tourists.

The Villa Monastero’s stunningly beautiful lakeside gardens host many sculptures and decorative columns, filled with lush plants and colorful flowers. The views of Lake Como framed behind the gardens and terraces of Villa Monastero are incredibly picturesque.

In the mountains above Varenna is the tiny village of Vezio. Atop the hill just above Varenna is the village’s Castello di Vezio (Vezio Castle), a partially-ruined medieval castle built in the 11th century. You can explore the imposing stone walls and towers of this defensive castle, and even watch falconry shows at Vezio Castle on certain days.

From the Vezio Castle’s terrace you can enjoy incredibly gorgeous views high above Lake Como overlooking two of its arms. The terrace also hosts the spooky phantom statue which is perched upon the terrace’s rail. You can also enjoy views facing the mountains and Vezio from atop the castle’s main tower.

You can reach the Vezio Castle from Varenne via the extremely scenic Sentiero degli Scabium pathway, with the trailhead located next to the Varenna’s Cemetery (located along the coast south of Villa Monastero). This hike offers amazing views along the way, and takes about 30 minutes each way. For the return you might consider the less scenic and steeper 20 minute path to return to Varenna.

At the southern end of Lake Como’s eastern arm is the large town of Lecco, which is connected to Varenna and Milan via train, and Como via bus. This picturesque town is surrounded by tall mountains, making it quite scenic. Be sure to walk along the Lungolago di Lecco, a lakefront pathway near the town’s center which offers fantastic views of Lake Como.

Basilica of San Nicolo

Among Lecco’s top attractions is the Basilica of San Nicolo, a beautiful neoclassical church with opulent interiors. The basilica’s most incredible feature is its massive neo-Gothic bell tower, the Campanile San Nicolo Lecco. You can climb to the top of this bell tower to enjoy amazing views overlooking Lecco and Lake Como.

Piani d’Erna Mountain

You can take the bus east from Central Lecco up the hill to the Funivia Piani d’Erna, a cable car station that take visitors up to the top of the tall mountains of Piani d'Erna. At the top of the mountain you’ll find a tiny village, as well as incredibly gorgeous panoramic views looking over Lake Como and Lecco from high above, especially from the Pizzo d'Erna viewpoint (a short walk away from the station).