Last year, we visited Lake Como and here’s everything I wish I knew before going. We originally started our trip in Switzerland, and after visiting Lugano, I realized how short the train ride was to Lake Como, so we decided to add it onto our itinerary. You can take the train from Lugano to Como S. Giovanni (the main train station in Como), and the ride is only about 38 minutes, which honestly surprised me. It made adding Lake Como to our Switzerland trip incredibly easy. I just wouldn’t recommend driving as the roads are very narrow and curvy.
Another thing I didn’t realize beforehand is that Varenna also has its own train station, making it another great option if you’re traveling by train. Many people take the train directly from Milan to Varenna instead of staying in Como, especially if they want to be closer to the more charming lakeside towns right away.
Halfway through our trip, my husband had to fly back home for work, so the Lake Como portion ended up being just me, my two kids, and my mom in her 70s. Because of that, where we stayed became really important.
That was honestly the biggest thing that overwhelmed me while planning the trip. There are so many towns around Lake Como, and they all look beautiful online, but each one offers a very different experience. Since I was traveling solo with my kids and my mom, I needed somewhere that was easier to navigate, less hilly, and convenient without constantly carrying luggage up endless stairs.
We ended up staying in Como, and I think it was the right choice for this phase of our trip. But it’s important to know that Como feels much more like a small city than the charming postcard towns you typically picture when you think of Lake Como.
We rented an Airbnb in the old town that was walking distance to the boat ferry, which was important. Our mornings were slow and relaxed. We would walk to the supermarket, make breakfast at our AirBnb and grab lunch/dinner in the old town, and spend our evenings strolling by the water and shops. There honestly isn’t a huge sightseeing checklist in Como itself, and I think that’s exactly why my son loved it so much.
He even said he felt like he was living like a local in Como and went for a haircut there too, which has become a sweet little tradition every time we’re in Italy.
Out of our entire Europe trip that summer — including Switzerland, Lake Como, the French Riviera, and Paris — Como ended up being his favorite stop. I would probably just add the Como Brunate Funicular next time.
If you stay in Como, one important thing to know is that the ferry rides to the smaller towns are longer than they look on a map. Taking the fast ferry (hydrofoil) to Bellagio or Varenna takes about 45 minutes each way, and if you take the regular ferry, it can easily turn into a much longer ride.
We originally imagined ourselves hopping around different towns every day, but realistically, with kids and my mom, it became a lot. We ended up doing one full day visiting Bellagio and Varenna and then spent the rest of our time enjoying Como itself. And honestly, that felt like enough.
So if your dream is spending multiple days exploring the charming villages, just know that staying in Como means you’ll likely spend a lot of time on ferries. It’s definitely doable, but it can become tiring if you’re traveling with young kids, older family members, or anyone who prefers a slower pace.
Looking back, if I had been traveling without needing as much convenience, I probably would have stayed in Varenna. It felt more charming, more walkable, and more aligned with the Lake Como experience most people imagine.
Other home bases I’ve heard families recommend include: Cernobbio and Menaggio.
Here are my thoughts on some of the towns:
Varenna
This was probably my favorite town overall. It’s picturesque, peaceful, and incredibly charming without feeling overly hectic. It’s also home to Villa Monastero and the famous “Gate of Heaven” photo spot inside the Villa Cipressi gardens. One thing I loved about Varenna was that it still felt manageable with kids. There’s a small playground near the waterfront that my daughter loved, and the town itself felt easier to navigate than Bellagio.
I also highly recommend walking along the Passeggiata degli Innamorati, also known as Lover’s Walk. It’s the beautiful lakefront walkway connecting the ferry area to the heart of town and one of the prettiest walks on the lake.
Bellagio
Bellagio is probably the town most people picture when they think of Lake Como. It’s known as “the pearl of Lake Como” and is full of beautiful alleyways, lakefront restaurants, boutiques, and gelato shops. It’s absolutely worth visiting, but it’s also much steeper and more crowded. There are a lot of stairs and hills, so personally, I probably wouldn’t choose it as my home base if traveling with very young children, a stroller, or older parents.
That said, it’s perfect for wandering. Spend time shopping through the old town, stopping for gelato, and just getting lost in the little streets overlooking the water.
If you have extra time:
Tremezzo
If you have extra time, I definitely recommend visiting Tremezzo, home to the stunning Villa Carlotta. The gardens here are absolutely beautiful and one of the most impressive villa visits on the lake. This area also feels a little quieter and more relaxed than Bellagio.
Lenno
is another popular stop and is known for Villa del Balbianello, one of the most famous villas on Lake Como and a filming location for movies like Star Wars and Casino Royale.
Taking the Ferry
One thing I really wish I knew beforehand: fast ferry tickets (hydrofoil tickets) are only sold in person. During busy summer months, lines start early. I actually woke up around 7 AM one morning just to get in line and secure tickets for later in the day.
You can check ferry schedules online at the Navigazione Laghi website ahead of time, and regular ferry tickets can often be booked online, but the fast ferries are much more limited and sell out quickly during peak season.
You can also look into the day passes instead of purchasing individual ferry tickets. If you’re planning to visit multiple spots in one day, they usually end up being worth it and make hopping between towns much easier. Just note that the day passes still require an additional supplement if you want to take the fast ferry (hydrofoil), and those fast ferry tickets/supplements are only sold in person and can sell out early during peak summer months.
Also, don’t underestimate ferry travel time. Lake Como is much bigger than it appears in photos, and getting from town to town can easily take up a large portion of your day.
Private Boat Tour
I also highly recommend doing a private boat tour if your budget allows. It ended up being one of the easiest ways to see multiple areas without dealing with constant ferry schedules.
Originally, I really wanted to find a boat company that allowed swimming stops, but when we visited, the water was surprisingly rough, and most tours focused more on sightseeing than swimming. We couldn’t find an option that allowed enough swim time while still visiting multiple towns, so that’s something to keep in mind if that’s high on your priority list.
A few more things I wish I knew before visiting Lake Como:
Many towns have steep hills, uneven cobblestone streets, and stairs. Comfortable shoes are a must. If you’re taking a stroller, make sure it’s lightweight, because you’ll be carrying it a lot of the time.
If traveling during summer, reserve accommodations and boat tours early. Lake Como gets very busy. I used GetYourGuide, but you can also contact the companies directly, many of the community through WhatsApp
.
Don’t over-schedule your days.
Part of what makes Lake Como special is slowing down and enjoying the scenery. I made the mistake of trying to pack several Villa visits in one day. The weather can change quickly near the lake, especially in the evenings, so bring light layers even during summer.
Lake Como ended up being one of the most relaxing parts of our trip, and honestly, I think that’s the best way to experience it. Slow mornings, ferry rides, long dinners, gelato breaks, and nowhere to rush to.
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