Visiting Lake Como
Starting in Milan
You'll most likely be flying into Milan, Italy to begin your trip. Milan has multiple airports but the two I traveled through are Milan Malpensa and Milan Linate, both are great!
Once you're in Milan...
Once you're in Milan, the cheapest way to get to Lake Como is by train. Italy's train system is really nice and can get you to Lake Como is about an hour. The website I have always used is Trenitalia. Though, there are some other companies that are just as go.
Where to stay on Lake Como
There are many cities and towns to visit on Lake Como. Some of the most popular ones are Bellagio, Varenna, and Menaggio. These are beautiful and iconic for a reason, so definitely check them out, but there are so many other more lowkey places! Look into Nesso or Brienno if you want a small-town feel.
My Itinerary
I started my journey in the city of Como. I took the train from Milan Central Station to Lago Como. This journey was only about an hour and cost me $10 for a one-way ticket. Como is beautiful, with lots of restaurants, shops, and areas to swim. I stayed here for one night before continuing to head north on the lake.
After one night in Como, I took the ferry to Varenna where I stayed the next two nights. The ferry can be a chaotic scene in the busy season but don't be afraid. I suggest going to the port and asking the ticket office workers to break it down for you. For the most part, the ferries run frequently and are fairly quick.
The ferry ride from Como to Varenna is just over 2.5 hours. A bit long, but the ride is lovely. Along the way you'll pass by dozens of small lake front towns, painted in all colors.
Varenna is one of the smaller but iconic stops along Lake Como. I found it to be magical. We stayed here two nights, and it has to be one of my favorite places I've ever visited. There are plenty of restaurants, bars, and shops. My boyfriend and I even rented a boat for a few hours and rode around Lake Como, just the two of us.
A restaurant recommendation is Bar Molo. Great views and so yum!
One evening, we took the ferry from Varenna to Bellagio to check it out and grab dinner. This is a super popular spot, so we felt we had to see it. The ferry from Varenna was less than 20 minutes and cost only a few euro. Stunning views and plenty of shopping, eating, and drinking.
A restaurant recommendation is Bstyle Bellagio. Cutest vibe!
Favorite Spot...
Back in Varenna, there is a swimming spot that we could not resist. We visited in mid-August so the heat was no joke! Right below Hotel Royal Victoria, there is a small, pebbled beach. A great spot to jump in if you want to escape the heat in the summer! You can also find it by location this church and heading down the steps.
Saying Bye...
On our way back to Milan, we left straight out of Varenna. The train station is not too far from the ferry port. The ride back was just under 1.5 hours and again, very fairly priced.
Thank you for reading!
I hope you found this helpful. I have a YouTube video on my channel where I vlogged the whole trip. Linked below!
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