LAKE COMO
Lake Como is located in Northern Italy. It is surrounded by beautiful Italian mountains that frame the water. Spend one day on Lake Como, and I promise you will fall in love. And then you are going to want much more than just a day on the lake.
While visiting Lake Como, you do not want to miss these 5 cities:
1. Bellagio
2. Varenna
3. Menaggio
4. Tremezzo
5. Lecco
Bellagio
Bellagio is known as "the pearl of Lake Como." It does not take long to realize how it got its name. The streets are absolutely beautiful with architecture and design that looks like it came out of a movie set...but it's even better because it’s real!
Bellagio has some spots that you do not want to miss. If you only have a few hours to spend in Bellagio, this is what I recommend:
Walk the Waterfront Promenade
This walk is absolutely breathtaking. You can take this walk from one end of Bellagio to the other. Allow some time to make stops on the way for pictures or sit down and enjoy a drink with your view.
Take a walk through Salita Serbelloni
This is an iconic walk up a set of cobblestone steps. Along the way, you can stop to enjoy a meal or stop in some of the local shops.
Enjoy Villa Melzi Gardens
This was one of my favorite spots in Bellagio. You are not able to visit the actual villa, but the gardens are stunning! Take some time to walk up the trails to get an aerial view of the villa also ~ you may even find a small, magical-looking garden on your way up. *You can purchase tickets at the gate.*
Pick up some Beautiful Souvenirs
Here are a few of my favorite places to shop while in Bellagio:
1. Corner Shop Bellagio ~ this is a great place to find beautiful fine and costume jewelry.
2. Azalea Luca Gandola ~ if you are looking for beautiful silk in Bellagio, this is a great place to go.
3. La Bottega del Legno di Mario Tacchi ~ you can find a great mix of items to take home here.
4. La Lanterna ~ you can buy hand-painted olive oil and vinegar bottles here. They are so beautiful and unique!
Grab Something to Eat
Whether you are looking for something casual or a Michelin star restaurant, Bellagio has wonderful dining options for you. My personal favorites are:
1. La Lanterna ~ yes, the place I just said that you can buy painted bottles is also an amazing restaurant. We enjoyed this casual and unique dining experience on Salita Serbelloni street. I highly recommend the house red wine, lasagna, and tiramisu (it was the best I had)!
2. Mistral Restaurant ~ this Michelin start restaurant located in the Grand Hotel Villa Serbelloni is a dream. The location is amazing, right on the water with floor to ceiling windows. The food is delicious and the service is also!
Varenna
This may be my favorite place on Lake Como. It is hard to beat the charm and beauty of this city on the lake.
This town is a little less crowded and more laid back than Bellagio, but contains some amazing spots! Here are a few:
Hotel Villa Cipressi
This villa is located on a hotel property in Varenna. If you have seen videos or pictures of a famous gate on Lake Como, this is probably the place. This villa was probably my favorite of all I have seen. Apart from the gate location, this villa was fairly quiet, even on a busy day. There are so many beautiful spots to take pictures and enjoy the beautiful views of Lake Como. *You can purchase tickets at the gate.*
Villa Monastero
Another beautiful villa located in Varenna. This beautiful villa has ornate pillars, stairs, and arches. There are so many beautiful spots to enjoy views of Lake Como from here. *You can buy a ticket for both and get a discount!*
Enjoy a Meal by the Water
One of my favorite meals on Lake Como was in beautiful Varenna. Varenna Caffe is a lovely cafe on the water in this town on Lake Como. They offer delicious breakfast items and caffés. This spot is first come, first serve, so I definitely recommend getting there early to ensure you get a spot!
Take a Boat Tour of both Varenna and Bellagio
You can take a boat tour to Varenna and Bellagio on the same day! This is a great option if you can only take a day trip to these two towns.
Here are two great options:
Menaggio
Menaggio is another town located in the famous triangle on Lake Como! I did not spend as much time in this town on the lake, but the views of the lake were amazing from here.
Take a Waterfront Stroll
Enjoy the beautiful views from Menaggio while walking the waterfront, Viale Benedetto Castelli. This town is known for its waterfront walk with beautiful flower boxes and detailed railings.
Visit Piazza Garibaldi
Take a walk down the cobblestone streets and enjoy the beautiful buildings that are surrounding. There are various shops, including a lavender store, leather shop, shoe store, and stores featuring handmade items.
Stop Inside Chiesa di S. Marta
Make a visit inside this beautiful church located on the cobblestone streets in the heart of the city. This church is free to enter!
Grab a Gelato at II Gabbiano
This lovely gelato shop is located right on the water and is the perfect place to enjoy dessert. They open early in the morning and close at night, so there is plenty of time to stop by for a visit!
Tremezzo
Tremezzo is another beautiful spot located on Lake Como. It is known for some remarkable spots.
A couple of the beautiful places to visit in Tremezzo are:
Villa del Balbianello
If you have seen Casino Royale or Star Wars Attack of the Clones, then you have seen the beautiful spots on this villa. Villa del Balbianello is a breathtaking spot located on a hilltop. In order to see the actual villa, you likely need to buy tickets in advance, but you should be able to purchase tickets for the garden at the gate. *Be aware that there is a small hilly walk you will need to take to arrive at this villa.*
Grand Hotel Tremezzo
This is an absolutely amazing hotel to visit while in Tremezzo. There are a couple of restaurants located in the hotel that you can reserve or even stay a few nights. If you choose to stay, there is even a beautiful pool located on Lake Como! Here is a link to book your stay:
https://us.trip.com/hotels/detail/?cityId=33651&hotelId=3649746&checkIn=2024-08-12&checkOut=2024-08-14&adult=2&children=0&subStamp=1080&crn=1&ages=&travelpurpose=0&curr=USD&link=button&hoteluniquekey=H4sIAAAAAAAAAAGHAHj_CggKAhgCEgIIARoNMDkwY2UzNzUzNzNjZiASKKWuzbQGMiKSAQJVU8oBGjE3MTgyMTMzNTg2NDIuNWU4Y1BIUWRFM0FROgMaAUZIAlIGMkE2ODhEWg4qA0VVUjFwzojS3qAfQGIFZW4tVVNoghBwAYoBCBABSAFYAXgB6gEDVVNE-AHS4d4BwZmyW4cAAAA&subChannel=&masterhotelid_tracelogid=090ce375373cf&NewTaxDescForAmountshowtype0=T&detailFilters=17%7C1~17~1*80%7C0%7C1~80~0&hotelType=normal&barcurr=USD&locale=en-US
Lecco
This happened to be a last minute stop in Italy and it was one of my favorites! Lecco is a larger town located on the end of Lake Como. This may be a good option for someone looker for a cheaper stay on Lake Como!
Here are some highlights in Lecco:
Campanile di San Nicolò
Visit the clock tower in Lecco to enjoy amazing views of the city and lake. I only had the chance to enjoy views of the outside of the tower, but the views from the top look amazing!
Take a Waterfront Walk at Night
One of the things I enjoyed most about Lecco was the view of the water at night. With Lecco's street lights, boats, and colored ferris wheel, it is truly magical at night. I recommend catching an evening meal and then enjoying the view while the sun sets.
Ride the Panoramic Ferris Wheel
Catch a spot on the ferris wheel in Lecco and enjoy the views from above. Be sure to check the schedule to make sure that the ferris wheel is open. Tickets are 7 euro for adults and 5 euro for children.
Stays & Travel to Como
Below I am sharing links to help you book your flight, hotels, and cars (if you choose to rent one):
Link to Flights
The best airport to fly into in order to reach Lake Como is Milan. Follow the link and simply enter your departure city and dates to find the best flights: https://us.trip.com/flights/dallas-to-milan/tickets-dfw-mil?dcity=dfw&acity=mil&ddate=2024-07-15&rdate=2024-07-18&triptype=rt&class=y&lowpricesource=searchform&quantity=1&searchboxarg=t&nonstoponly=off&locale=en-US&curr=USD
If you are coming from Europe, you can find great deals here! https://www.omio.com/?clickid=VbIWFx2FUxyKTV1xy8WA4X9EUkCxP5QlQTK3Vw0&iradname=Omio.com%20-%20mobile%20app%20interstitial%20page&ircid=7385&irgwc=1&irmptype=mediapartner&utm_campaign=1209822&utm_source=affiliate_ir_Go%20Travel%20Un%20Limited%E2%80%8A
Link to Hotels
Simply enter your desired location (there are so many great places to stay in Como) and dates!
https://us.trip.com/?SID=2209817&allianceid=1094387&trip_sub1=541e4ca84e7643ea9ed86d511-552096&utm_campaign=552096&locale=en-us
Or if you prefer a rental:
I personally stayed in a rental just off of the coast of Como!
https://vrbo.tp.st/sSGYdzxe
Link to Rental Cars
I would recommend renting a car from the airport you fly into to make your travels easier! *Milan is a nearby airport to many Como towns.* https://rentalcars.tp.st/6XkTrUvU
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