Boats to and from Como operate all year round, including winter. Service interruptions are limited to major holidays (see the company’s website).
The complete travel guide — boat tours, hotels, things to do & more
Located in northern Italy, on the Swiss border and about an hour from Milan, Como lies on the southwestern tip of Lake Como, framed by elegant hills and timeless scenery.
From the stunning Duomo di Como in the historic center to the panoramic Como–Brunate funicular, the city blends culture, nature, and relaxed Italian lifestyle.
In this guide you’ll find the best things to do and see, and all the useful tips for planning your visit to this unforgettable village.
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Piazza Duomo is the main square that houses the imposing Como Cathedral (Duomo di Como), an eclectic building that combines Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque styles.
Next to the Duomo is the Broletto, a former town hall that now often hosts art exhibitions. It is a visually striking building with a banded facade of white, gray, and red Lombard marble.
A 5-minute walk from Piazza Duomo is Piazza San Fedele. This square, originally a grain market, is home to a beautiful Romanesque church dating back to 1120: the Basilica of San Fedele.
If you happen to pass by this little square on a Saturday, you will have the chance to come across numerous stalls, where you can find antiques and handcrafts.
Just a short walk from Como San Giovanni station, Piazza Volta and Piazza Mazzini mark the heart of the city’s nightlife, surrounded by Art Nouveau buildings, shops, restaurants, and wine bars.
Nearby Via Olginati and Via Vitani preserve Como’s medieval charm with historic trattorias and refined boutiques.
As you stroll on the lakefront walk, you’ll come across Life Electric, a monument by archistar Daniel Libeskind paying tribute to Alessandro Volta and his invention of the voltaic pile.
A stone’s throw from Life Electric, you can learn more about the illustrious Alessandro Volta at the Volta Museum, one of the city’s attractions dedicated to the scientist. Next to the museum, you can also admire the War Memorial, an imposing monument dedicated to the WW1 soldiers.
For soccer fans, next to the War Memorial is the Sinigaglia Stadium, home to Como’s soccer team, which offers fantastic views of Lake Como as it is located almost on its shores.
Walking along Passeggiata Lino Gelpi, you’ll reach Villa Olmo, a neoclassical mansion from 1780 set on the lakefront. While the villa’s interiors are currently closed for restoration, its elegant gardens and park remain open year-round and mark the start of the Chilometro della Conoscenza walk.
From Como take the funicular railway, which takes about 7 minutes to reach Brunate, a small town overlooking Como from the top of a 715-meter hill. The viewpoint is located a stone’s throw from the lower exit of the Brunate station.
Opening season: All year round; in summer, lines to ride the funicular can be quite long, so consider buying tickets in advance (e.g., the evening before your trip).
Round-trip ticket: €7.20
Reservation required: No
Address: Piazza Alcide de Gasperi 4, Como
Once you arrive in Brunate, you can reach the Volta Lighthouse by shuttle bus or a 20-minute walk. The lighthouse is currently closed for maintenance, but its terrace offers breathtaking views of Lake Como.
Located right in the town center, the Como art gallery is divided into two areas: one tells the ancient history of Como through an exhibition of medieval and Renaissance artifacts, while the other offers an overview of the local rationalist movement of the 20th century.
Among Como’s most renowned attractions, the Volta Museum collects many memorabilia of the inventor’s life, such as the first version of his electric battery. Built in 1927, the temple was designed by architect Federico Frigerio taking inspiration from the famous Pantheon.
The Como silk museum is dedicated to silk-related exhibits and activities, which made the city of Como famous all over the world for its high quality industrial and craft production. During your visit, you will learn the different stages of silk production and see machinery, looms, and tissues.
Lido Villa Olmo has a beach bar, two large swimming pools and lots of deckchairs and umbrellas to relax and enjoy Lake Como on the hottest days. It is a true institution in the city of Como, situated at a stone’s throw from the beautiful Villa Olmo.
Address: Via per Cernobbio 2, Como
More than a lido: a lounge restaurant for dining or enjoying an excellent aperitif with an unparalleled view. You can relax on the grassy beach by renting umbrellas and sunbeds, and numerous parking lots can be found along Viale Geno.
Address: Viale Geno 13, Como
Spina Verde Park is a protected forest gathering many sites of panoramic, historical, and natural interest.
Within Spina Verde Park there are many trails, suitable for moderately trained people and full of interesting places and attractions located only 15-30 minutes apart. One of these is the tower of Castello Baradello, erected in 1558 by Holy Roman Emperor Frederick Barbarossa.
This loop trail starts in Como and goes for about 1 hour all the way up to Brunate and back, offering stunning views of Como and its lake.
Walking up you’ll cross part of the Poetry Way, an itinerary telling the stories of 16 renowned personalities who inhabited the area. Once in Brunate, you can dine at one of the many restaurants on site.
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Como is a key hub for the Lake Como ferry system. One of the main routes connects Como to the towns located in the northern part of the lake.
The stops vary depending on the service, but in general, all routes heading north always stop in Bellagio. Some of the ferries departing from Como also offer an express service by hydrofoil a few times a day, which helps optimize travel time by skipping some towns.
The cost depends on several factors, in particular: length of the journey, type of service (e.g., regular or express), whether it is a round-trip ticket or a day pass. Here are some examples:
Como’s main pier and ticket office are located in Lungo Lario Trento.
On the company’s official website, navigazionelaghi.it.
Online booking is highly recommended, especially during peak season (between June and September). If you are unable to purchase your ticket online, you will need to go to the ticket office at the pier between 30 minutes and one hour before departure.
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The best time to visit Como depends on what you look for. Here’s a clear breakdown:
If you want the perfect mix of good weather, beauty, and manageable crowds, choose:
➡️ Late May–June
➡️ Late September
Como is easy to reach thanks to its strategic location in northern Italy, close to Milan and the Swiss border.
By train: Direct trains run frequently from Milan (Milano Centrale, Milano Porta Garibaldi, and Milano Cadorna). Travel time ranges from 35 to 60 minutes, depending on the route and station (Como S. Giovanni or Como Nord Lago).
By car: Como is about 50 km from Milan and easily accessible via the A9 motorway. Keep in mind that parking in the historic center is limited.
By plane: The closest airports are Milan Malpensa, Milan Linate, and Milan Bergamo. From Malpensa, Como can be reached by train or car in about 1 hour.
By boat: Como is also a key hub of the Lake Como ferry system, making it reachable by water from other towns on the lake.
You can choose between slower, more scenic ferries that take around 2 hours (regular service), or faster hydrofoil ferries that complete the journey in about 45 minutes (express service).
In Como, it’s best to plan for at least one full day to truly experience the city and its surroundings. This gives you enough time to explore the historic center, enjoy the lakefront, take the Como–Brunate funicular, and even venture nearby by boat or on foot—without feeling rushed.
Como’s center is mostly flat and therefore easily accessible even for people with reduced mobility.
Address: Piazza Guido Grimoldi, Como
Find out more on Lake Como Travel’s Instagram feed ⤵️
🌄 Lake Como in autumn — when the lake turns to gold 🍁🍂
The air feels crisp, the light softens, and the hills glow with warm color. Wander through quiet streets, hear the leaves under your feet, and watch the reflections stretch across the still water.
There’s a calm here that summer never shows — peaceful, timeless, and wrapped in golden light 💛
📍 Filmed around Villa Balbianello · Villa Carlotta · Tremezzina · Como City
📌 Save this reel for the season when Como slows down and shines the brightest ✨
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#lakecomoitaly #visitlakecomo #autumninitaly #lagodicomo #autumncolors🍁 #villabalbianello #fallvibes🍁 #goldenseason
Looking for some ideas for a day out in the city of Como?
🛡️ Wander through Como’s charming medieval streets, filled with hidden gems and historic shops
🌊 Take a break along the scenic lakeside and don’t miss the striking Life Electric sculpture
⛪ Step inside the city’s stunning churches — starting with the magnificent Cathedral in Piazza Duomo
➡️📱 Discover more on lakecomotravel.com
#lakecomo #lakecomoitaly #comocity #comocittà
Looking for a short hike with a bit of history? The 30-minute hike from Como city center to Baradello Castle is just what you need 🏰
Perched on a hill above Como, this 11th-century fortress was rebuilt by Emperor Barbarossa over an older fortification and has played a key role in the region`s history. From the top of the tower, you’ll enjoy stunning views of the city and Lake Como—an unbeatable blend of nature and history 🌄✨
⚠️ Important: the castle is not always open, but you can explore its fascinating interior during public events or by booking a private tour with @slowlakecomo. Check out lakecomotravel.com for tour details and bookings!
#castellobaradello #baradello #comoitaly #comocity #lakecomohiking #lakecomoitaly #spinaverde
September was a fantastic time for hiking! 🌳
Here are some of the most breathtaking places I`ve seen:
1️⃣ The Como-Brunate funicular at the Carescione stop
2️⃣ The Romanesque bridge over the Nosee stream, in Nesso
3️⃣ Bellagio promontory as seen from the path leading to the Makallé viewpoint
4️⃣ The church of Montepiatto, a hamlet upstream of Torno
5️⃣ The city of Como as seen from the path leading to Brunate
6️⃣ The charming shore of Argegno
7️⃣ Panoramic view of Lake Como from Croce dell`Uomo, a vantage point above Cernobbio
8️⃣ The small harbor of Torno
9️⃣ The view of the lake from Pigra, which you can reach in just 5 minutes by cable car from Argegno
Which one is your favorite?
#lakecomo #lakecomoitaly #lakecomoviews #lakecomoexplore #lakecomophotographer
Is there anything more beautiful than Lake Como seen from above? 😍 Here are some of my favourite vantage points from which you can enjoy breathtaking views:
🔹Gorge of Nesso: locally known as “Orrido di Nesso”, this is a magnificent natural gorge, carved by the rushing waters of the Nosee and Tuf streams, which splits the village of Nesso in two. You can enjoy this view from Piazza Castello
🔹Makallé viewpoint, Bellagio: a splendid panoramic balcony offering a priceless view of the Bellagio promontory and the three branches of Lake Como. You can reach this spot by car or via a beautiful hike that starts from the hamlet S. Giovanni in Bellagio (find the route on my Komoot channel - open the link in bio)
🔹Castle of Vezio, Perledo: from the terrace of this medieval fortress overlooking Varenna you can enjoy a truly unique view, again of the Bellagio promontory as well as the three branches. You can reach the castle by a walk of about 30-45 minutes from Piazza S. Giorgio in Varenna
🔹Salita Peltrera, Como: a spot where you can enjoy the view of the city of Como and the southwestern tip of the lake. Reaching this place from Como city center is very easy, just enter “Salita Peltrera” on your GPS and in a few minutes you will be there!
Which one is your favorite?
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#lakecomo #lakecomoitaly #lakecomoviews #lakecomoexplore #orridodinesso #makallé #castellodivezio #lagodicomo #comersee
Dive into the beauty of Lake Como with these breathtaking snapshots. In order, following the cover:
2️⃣ Salita Serbelloni, Bellagio
3️⃣ Lecco`s lakefront
4️⃣ The city of Como as seen from the top of Respaú hill
5️⃣ Lunch @labaiaristorante, Moltrasio
6️⃣ Riva Bianca beach, Lierna
7️⃣ Passeggiata degli Innamorati (Lovers` walk), Varenna
8️⃣ Villa Balbianello, Tremezzina
9️⃣ Trail connecting Molina to Lemna (hamlets of Faggeto)
🔟 Careno beach, Nesso
📲 Explore more at lakecomotravel.com (link in bio)!
2 Responses
Hi there
we will be staying in Como over the new years eve period. – travelling from New Zealand. We would like some suggestions of what we can do on new years eve please.
Many thanks
Anne-marie Marsh
Hi, in winter on Lake Como you can:
– discover the Christmas markets in the various villages (in particular, Como hosts the Città dei Balocchi festival, which illuminates the city’s buildings)
– visit the villas that have special winter openings, most likely during Christmas time
– visit indoor attractions such as museums (for example, the Civic Art Gallery of Como) or beautiful churches such as Como Cathedral
– take ferry trips to visit other towns on the lake
If you want a tailor-made itinerary, try my AI-based tool to generate your own tailor-made itinerary!