Lake Como Travel Guide

One of my favorite spots in Italy, the beauty of the scenery of Lake Como always takes my breath away. Taking a boat ride on the lake is the best way to appreciate most of its charm, as you will have a privileged view of the 17th and 18th Century villas dotting the sumptuous landscape. Stop at any of the beautiful ports for a meal or a coffee, and if you have time, stroll the little streets of Bellagio, Menaggio and Varenna, you will be rewarded with gorgeous vistas and architecture.

Como attractions
Top 10 of what to see and do
Piazza Cavour in the city of Como
Como Cathedral
Take a boat trip on the lake
Cable car ride to Brunate
Museo Didattico della Seta, the Silk Museum
Visit Bellagio
Villa Carlotta, south of Cadenabbia
Tempio Voltiano, a museum built in honor of Alessandro Volta, developer of the voltaic pile
Villa D'Este Villa d'Este website
Armani factory outlet

Events at Lake Como
June
Saint John's day celebrations at Isola Comacina. A fireworks re-creation of the burning of the island in 1169. Music, food and a boat procession complement the festivities.
July
Como Festival. An annual music festival, including jazz, symphonic music, musicals and ballet performances. Venues include some of the old historic villas and gardens on the lake.
August - September
Palio del Baradello. Different boroughs compete in a Medieval style festival for the Pallium, a hand painted silk drape, as a remembrance of Barbarossa's triumphant visit to the city.

Lake Como's Typical Food
Missaltino fish dish
Lake flavours abound, from a mix of lake fish, floured and fried, fritto misto di lago, to the local lavarella, or white fish. But the true typical dish is the missaltino, which consists of a kind of Shad - gutted, salted, sun-dried and then pressed in special boxes, missolta, with wooden lids. The missoltini are usually eaten lightly grilled, with oil and vinegar, accompanied by toasted polenta.

Spotlight on Boating to Bellagio
Bellagio is one of the most beautiful towns on the lake, and part of its attraction lies on getting there. The town sits on a peninsula at the intersection of the three branches of the lake. You can either drive from Como (18 miles) on a narrow and windy road with breathtaking views, or you can take a boat from Como (take the regular boat, as the hydrofoil's mist obscures the view). Once in the town, be ready to climb the narrow streets filled with all kinds of stores and restaurants. Alternatively, enjoy the beach or the gardens of the Villa Serbelloni and Villa Melzi. Do not forget your camera!

How to arrive at Lake Como
Lago di Como is located about 30 miles north of Milan.
By Plane: The closest airport is Malpensa (Milan), you can take the Malpensa Express Train (change trains at Saronno), or a direct Malpensa-Como bus ride.
By Car: Autostrada A9 connects Milan with the city of Como. There is another little road from Como to Bellagio, the S583.
Other: Trains arrive from Milan every hour to the main station in the city of Como: Stazione San Giovanni, which is conveniently located near the centre.