4 Beautiful Lake Como Towns | Menaggio, Bellagio, Varenna

Lake Como, in Italy’s Lombardy region, is famed as much for its beautiful buildings and jaw-dropping vistas, as it is for the Hollywood glitterati who vacation there. You can find everything Italy is lauded for – cheeses, abundant wine, and hospitable service in Como. But, with so many different Lake Como towns bordering its shores, it can be difficult to know where to begin. Here are four beautiful Lake Como towns you must visit during your time around Como.

Lauren Hockey | Updated 2023

Pastel perfection in downtown Bellagio, Lake Como. | © Lauren Hockey

4 Incredible Lake Como Towns You Must Visit

Contents

How to Get to Lake Como

Como is easily accessible by train, car, bus, and/or ferry.
If you hire a car, we recommend you choose both a smaller car and opt for full excess. The roads are essentially single lanes, pretending to be twin lanes with one side flanked by a sharp drop to the water, and the other often unforgiving rock of a tight tunnel carved through the mountainside.
From Milan, trains leave from Milan Nord Cardona, taking you directly to Como Nord Lago. The trip only takes about 35 minutes. From Como, you can get on a bus, ferry, or fast boat up the lake to your town.
If you are basing yourself in Varenna, you can catch a train directly there from Milan.
If you are staying in Belaggio or Menaggio, there is also the option to catch the train to Varenna and take the ferry across to either town from there.
Lake Como day trips are popular too with a full-day tour from Milan a good option for those without a car or short on time.

Things to do in Lake Como Towns Bellagio

Lauren wanders the foreshore in Bellagio Lake Como. | © Lauren Hockey

Where to Stay in Lake Como

The best way to visit Como is to decide on Como village to base yourself in for a number of days and visit the other surrounding Lake Como towns by ferry during your stay.

If you visit Lake Como in the high season (Summer), you should book your hotel well in advance. The villages are small and hotels book out quickly.

There are a number of iconic luxury hotels in Lake Como like Grand Hotel Tremezzo, Grand Hotel Villa Serbelloni, and Mandarin Oriental Lago di Como where you can call a villa home for a few days. Nothing beats the immersive experience of staying on the iconic lakefront like a celebrity if you are able to splurge.

For those travelling to Lake Como with kids, the Hilton Lake Como could be a good option. Located close to the train station in Como, it has family rooms and suites and amenities like a rooftop pool, and gym (which aren’t very common among boutique hotels on the lake).

There are also many boutique hotels in Lake Como and less-expensive bed and breakfasts accommodation for those looking for more budget accommodation near Lake Como.

If you visiting Como in Summer, ensure your accommodation has air conditioning as the heat can be stifling. Also, check on parking availability if you need it as parking is at a premium around all the Lake Como towns.

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The incredible colourful buildings of Lake Como. | © Lauren Hockey

Lake Como Towns: Bellagio

Bellagio is easily the most well-known of the Lake Como towns and probably the best town to stay in Lake Como if you are hoping for more of a buzz. As its main business district, it is a bustling hubbub of activity.

Getting from Como to Belaggio takes about 45 minutes by ferry or bus. Ferries from Bellagio are frequent and of good value. You can take a car or travel as a foot passenger. But ensure you are 30 minutes early for the ferry you want to catch to beat the queues and secure your spot. It’s not possible to pre-book ferries.

From here, you can catch an easy ferry over to Menaggio or onwards to Varenna, a unique way to see the many harbourfront hotels in pastel shades of pink and peach, and homes steeped way up into the Italian Alps.

Ferries from Bellagio are frequent and of good value. You can take a car or travel as a foot passenger. But ensure you are 30 minutes early for the ferry you want to catch to beat the queues and secure your spot. It’s not possible to pre-book ferries.

Many visitors question whether to visit Menaggio or Bellagio during their time in Lake Como. The obvious answer is if you have time, visit both.

Bellagio is a much busier town during the day full of day-trippers (popular as it’s a great option to add to most Italy itineraries). It quietens down at night time. So, if you base yourself here and visit the other towns during the day, you can enjoy the quaint restaurants and more relaxed streets in the afternoons and evenings, perhaps.

There are some incredible things to do in Bellagio where pristine botanical gardens mingle next to a popular lido, churches steeped in history, and museums full of relics.

Things to do in Bellagio Lake Como

There are so many great things to do in Bellagio. From wine tasting to walks and visits to stunning villas and gardens.

Here are a few ideas for what to do in Bellagio:

Visit the Parco di Villa Serbelloni. Tours take about 90 minutes. Guests learn about the history of the villa, and the gardens and enjoy the magnificent view of the lake over to Lecco. It costs about 10 euros per person (children under 6 are free).
Stroll the gorgeous Villa Melzi Botanical Gardens designed by architect Luigi Canonica and agronomist Luigi Villoresi. The gardens are open over Summer. Tickets are about 8 euros each (children are free). Guided tours can be booked at an additional cost. Wear comfortable shoes. Read more here.
Do a wine tasting at an ‘enoteca’. This is a must-do in Lake Como for wine lovers. You’ll find these little wine cellar bars by simply wandering the backstreets of any of the villages. You may need to book in high season. Settle in for delicious wines matched with tasty antipasti.
Hire a boat in Bellagio and go in search of George. You can hire a small boat from one of the vendors on the lakefront without a boat license. The boats are small 40hp boats that you can hire by the hour or half-day for upwards of about 100 euros. Cruise on your boat like an A-lister, take a dip in the lake and enjoy the magical views of the villages from the stunning emerald waters.

Search hotels in Bellagio Lake Como here

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The arches of Bellagio, one of Como’s busiest towns. | © Lauren Hockey

Prepare your walking shoes for the street, narrow streets of Bellagio. | © Lauren Hockey

Glimpses of the famous lake from around every corner in Bellagio. | © Lauren Hockey

Lake Como Towns: Varenna

Varenna is full of charm. It has a more laid-back, sleepy feel than some of the other towns on the lake. It offers the same cobblestone alleyways dotted with trattorias and trinket shops.

But, there is less traffic and more waterfront dining options. Varenna has a more local feel to it and less of a night-time buzz than Bellagio or Menaggio.

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The perfect pastel-painted buildings of Varenna. | © Lauren Hockey

Rest your head at Hotel Du Lac whilst in Varenna, and you’re supremely placed for all the town has to offer. Set in an 1823 villa on the shores of Lake Como, it boasts comfortable, understated rooms and attentive service.

A leafy terrace plays host to wine tastings and afternoon aperitifs, and there’s also parking for guests – something not to be sniffed at in Como.

The view from the terrace at Hotel Du Lac, Varenna. | © Lauren Hockey

Things to do in Lake Como Towns Hotel du lac

The perfect Lake Como afternoon was well spent. | © Lauren Hockey

Things to do in Varenna Lake Como

There are lots of fun things to do in Varenna Lake Como. For garden and history lovers there are villas aplenty and for hiking enthusiasts, there are nearby Lake Como hikes.

Here are a few things to do in Varenna Lake Como:

Visit Villa Monastero. Widely considered one of the best things to do in Varenna. A former nunnery, visitors can walk around the gardens and visit the house museum. Tickets are about 13 euros for adults (children are free) Pre-book tickets online and plan your visit.
Explore the gardens at Villa Cipressi. If you aren’t fortunate enough to stay at this luxury hotel, you can still enjoy the view from the gardens. Confirm your visit date online before going as the gardens book out for weddings and other events. You can also buy a combined ticket for both Monastero and Cipressi for about 19 euros (children are free) if you plan on visiting both on the same day. Villa Cipressi also has evening yoga classes a couple of times per week open to outside guests (for about 9 euros per class).
Hike the Sentiero del Viandante, a 45-km trial that winds up along the eastern shore of Lake Como. One of the most famous Lake Como hikes, dating back to Roman times hikers can choose 3 different paths. You will need to be fit and wear comfortable clothing and appropriate hiking shoes. The hikes take anywhere from 2 hours to a full day, depending on which path you choose and how long you stop to take in the incredible views of the lake.
Immerse yourself in nature at the Orrido di Bellano. Despite the name (orrido translates to horrid/horrific), you will find a breathtaking gorge, filled with aquamarine lagoon water, flanked by steep rock walls. Visitors can traverse a wooden walkway to admire the waterfall. Admission is about 3 euros per person.
Sample the local wines at In Vinis Veritas, where the knowledgeable sommeliers will help guide you through Viogniers and Pinot Noirs alongside a tasty plate of fresh bruschetta. Use this as your amuse-bouche before dinner at characterful and cozy Il Cavatappi, where the pumpkin gnocchi is the standout dish.

Search Varenna Lake Como hotels here

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The character-filled facades in Varenna. | © Lauren Hockey

The quiet streets of Varenna Lake Como| © Lauren Hockey

A beautiful church in Menaggio Lake Como. | © Lauren Hockey

Lake Como Towns: Menaggio

A visit to Menaggio completes the trifecta of Como’s most popular towns, and the ones easily accessed via ferry.

The ferry from Como to Menaggio takes anywhere from 35 minutes to 1.5 hours, depending on which ferry you take.

Things to do in Menaggio Lake Como

You’ll find plenty of things to do in Menaggio with its town squares and plenty of patisseries.

Here are just some of the Menaggio activities on offer:

Take an e-bike tour to Lake Lugano. This is a mini-adventure for those who are fit and used to riding (not appropriate for children under 14).
Walk or ride part of the Menaggio-Porlezza railway line. If you don’t want to ride all the way to Lugano via the old retired railway line, walk a section and revert back.
Visit the historic churches. As you wander through the town you might want to pop in to see Chiesa Di Santa Marta and Chiesa Di San Stefano two quaint little churches near the main square.
Hike the Senagra Valley. Take a self-guided tour like this one (you will need hiking shoes and a good level of fitness) or book a half or full-day guided tour here that is less intense.
Play a round of golf in Lake Como. Menaggio and Cadenabbia is Italy’s second-oldest golf course and offers 9 or 18 holes with views over the lake. Book and pay for a tee time here.
Take a trip down to Villa Carlotta with its expansive gardens and panoramic lookout spots.
Villa Balbianello should be on your list if history is more your thing. Count Guido Monzino, the last person to live in Villa Balbianello, was the first Italian to lead an expedition to Mount Everest.

Search Menaggio hotels here

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Lake Como Towns: Nesso

Nesso is one of Lake Como’s quieter towns. It’s for that reason that you’ll want to seek it out. The pace here is quiet and peaceful – even outside of daily siesta hours. With limited ferry traffic, it is also the perfect spot for a swim.

A stay at a local Nesso apartment is a taste of true Italian living. Throw open your shutters and listen to the sound of the lapping water just a few feet below.

The soft chime of the church bells will wake you at first light, and you can traverse the harbor wall and dive into the crisp waters of Como, all before breakfast. Click to search Nesso apartments and hotels.

Things to do in Nesso Lake Como

Nesso is a quieter town in the cluster of Lake Como villages. While there are less organised things to do in Nesso, there are a couple of local activities and sights to see:

Visit the Ponte della Civera. A gorgeous little Romanesque bridge that has become the most famous bridge in Lake Como. You will need comfortable walking shoes to traverse all the stairs down from the main road.
See the Orrido di Nesso. Continue past the bridge you will be able to see the famed Orrido di Nesso, a long, narrow waterfall.

Whether you choose the buzz of Varenna or Menaggio or Bellagio or the serenity of Nesso, nothing is too much trouble in any of the Lake Como towns. Choose your pace, switch off your notifications, and kick back with local red wine – you’re in Italy’s playground now.

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