Visiting Lake Como and Milan in Italy? Check out this itinerary for 2 Days in Lake Como and 1 Day in Milan, including where to stay, places to visit, where to eat, the best time to visit and more! 

Lake Como, Italy

Italy

Como, Province of Como, Italy

Bellagio, Province of Como, Italy

Milan, Metropolitan City of Milan, Italy

Brunate, Province of Como, Italy

Villa del Balbianello, Via Guido Delmati, Monzino, Province of Como, Italy

2 Days in Lake Como and 1 Day in Milan, Italy

🚶‍♀️Active - Majority of the trip is walking. However, you can choose to take local transport which I have mentioned below if you would like too. There is also a short 10 minute boat trip in this itinerary.

🎭 Culture (beautiful villas and gardens around the lake)

🏛 History (several historic churches and buildings)

🌲 Nature Lover (beautiful natural landscapes perfect for those who enjoy scenic beauty) 

💰€€ - Lake Como can be expensive, however, depending on the month you travel it can be cheaper.  

Book Airport Transfers in Advance at Affordable Prices | Kiwitaxi

10:00 am - Land at Milan and get a taxi or train to Como.  🛏️ 

7:00 pm - Once you arrived back to Como head to dinner at one of the choices listed above. 

Explore Travel With Janvi's Travel Shop

Instagram

☀️ The best time to visit Lake Como and Milan is between April and October when the weather is warmer. During the summer months, between June and August, it is very warm and crowded. It is also much more expensive however, it is a great time for many activities such as swimming. I visited during the first week of September which I recommend as it was still warm however, less crowded and slightly cheaper.

1:00 pm - Visit Piazza S. Fedele. See the Basilica di San Fedele and Libreria Ubik Como in the Piazza. Eat lunch in this area. 

7:00 pm - Head to dinner at one of the choices listed above. 

7:00 am - Wake up early and eat breakfast.

12:45 pm - Leave the villa and return back to Lenno by boat. 

🌸 Between April and May, it is much quieter and cheaper, however, it can be chilly in the morning and evenings as well as chances of rain during the day, making it difficult to explore. 

❤️ Romantic Getaway (stunning scenery and town is ideal for couples)

Stay At Vitani 30 | Italianway: Modern style apartment with 2 bedrooms with double beds, 1 double bed sofa, 2 bathrooms & kitchen. Perfect to accommodate up to 6 people.

8:00 am - Fly out early morning to Milan (MXP).

12:00 pm - Settle in your accommodation before heading out to explore Como!

2:15 pm - Walk to Teatro Sociale (4 min). The traditional theatre called Teatro Sociale is where concerts, dance and live performances take place. From here you can also see the town Brunate. Como and Brunate are linked by a steep, narrow, winding road. 

2:30 pm - Head to Cattedrale di Santa Maria Assunta and Broletto di Como (2 min). Broletto di Como is located next to the cathedral which was once Como’s municipal building. It was built in the Gothic-Romanesque and Renaissance style in the 13th century. It now hosts art exhibitions and other events. From under the arches there are beautiful views of the Piazza del Duomo.

3:00 pm - Walk to Piero Caldirola Breakwater (9 min). Walk along the bridge to get to see the sculpture Life Electric (4 min) and also see the views of Lake Como and the surrounding mountains. ⛰️

5:45 pm - Spend the rest of the afternoon walking along the waterfront. Relax and enjoy a drink at a bar.

8:15 am - Travel to the comune Lenno (40 min). If you drove, the nearest parking is Parcheggio Mercato on Via degli Artigiani, close to Lido di Lenno 🚤

9:00 am - Arrive at Via Carlo Lomazzi in Lenno which is located on the western shore of Lake Como surrounded by vegetation and calm waters 🇮🇹

9:45 am - Once you have arrived, explore the area before taking a boat to the famous Villa del Balbianello (10 min). To get to Villa del Balbianello, take a taxi boat from just outside Ristorante Lago on Via Carlo Lomazzi. The water taxi cost around €7 per person. 

10:00 am - Explore Villa del Balbianello which is a beautiful villa with terraced gardens and panoramic views built at the end of the 18th century. The villa is surrounded by high woods and water 😍 The villa is open from March to January, every day except Monday and Wednesday from 10:00 to 16:00. Ticket prices for adults are €22 and €12 for children to explore both the garden and villa. I recommend spending as much time as possible here to enjoy every view from this villa!

1:00 pm - Enjoy lunch with a view of Lake Como at Ristorante Lago.

2:30 pm - After a lovely lunch, spend some time exploring Lenno.

9:30 am - Leave for Milan by either a 55 min taxi drive or an hour train journey.

11:00 pm - Arrive in Milan (Milano Cadorna) and explore the city.

Boat is a great way to move from town to town in Lake Como. However, boat rides in peak seasons can be crowded. It is best to purchase your ticket online a few days before the trip. An important thing to note is boat rides do not run until late in the evening!

An easy and cheaper way to move around Lake Como. There are many different bus routes that will take you to your destination. However, they are not frequent so it is best to arrive at the stop at least 5-10 minutes early. It is also better to purchase your ticket in advance.

The best way to move around on the eastern side of the lake is by train. Unfortunately, the western side does not operate trains so bus is a better option!

There are taxis available to travel around Lake Como however, during peak seasons they can take long to arrive so it is recommended to book your taxis in advance before you head out. 

4:00 pm - From the garden walk (15 min) to Funicolare Como-Brunate (stazione a valle) for a Funicular ride to the hilltop village of Brunate. The Funicular railway station opened in 1894 and takes you uphill 500 meters to Brunate in a few minutes. It is approximately €5 for both ways. 

4:30 pm - Explore and walk around the village Brunate.

5:30 pm - Return back down the Funicular from Funicolare Como-Brunate (stazione a monte).

3:00 pm - Visit the town of Bellagio by driving to the ferry terminal Cadenabbia (Traghetto). From here take a ferry to Bellagio (Traghetto) (30 min). Bellagio is one of the most glamorous and romantic destinations and is home to a colourful historic centre.

4:00 pm - Visit Via Giuseppe Garibaldi (6 min walk) the famous TikTok street.

5:30 pm - Head back to Cadenabbia (Traghetto) and drive to Como (45 min).

5:30 pm - Reach MXP airport for your flight in the evening.

There is plenty of walking and majority of the places can be seen by walking from one place to another. However, in Lake Como, if you want to save time, any of the above transports can be used! In Milan, I recommend walking to avoid sitting in traffic! 

Heading to Kefalonia, Greece and wondering what to do?

Here are 18 things to do in Kefalonia! 

Kefalonia, Cephalonia, Greece

Greece

FREE: 18 Things To Do In Kefalonia  

Visiting Budapest? Here's a two day itinerary including where to stay, places to visit, where to eat, the best time to visit and more! 

2 Days in Lake Como and 1 Day in Milan, Italy

Buy to unlock full guide