3 days in Lake Como

Day by day

1. Day 1: Villa del Balbianello and Villa Carlotta

   Villa del Balbianello, Villa Carlotta and Isola Comacina, then Sunset on the Passeggiata degli Innamorati in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Villa del Balbianello

      On the wooded Dosso di Lavedo point near Lenno, this 18th-century villa has terraced gardens, a loggia framing views of both directions of the lake and pleached plane trees.

   2. Late morning

      Villa Carlotta

      Visit in April or early May for the azalea and rhododendron displays, and allow at least an hour for the garden alone.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Risotto with perch

      Lakeside trattorias around Bellagio, Varenna and Menaggio; check the menu for 'pesce di lago' rather than imported fish.

   4. Afternoon

      Isola Comacina

      Lake Como's only island lies off Sala Comacina and Ossuccio, covered in olive trees and the excavated ruins of early medieval churches destroyed in 1169.

   5. Evening

      Sunset on the Passeggiata degli Innamorati

      Varenna's walkway over the water catches the evening light on Bellagio across the lake.

2. Day 2: Bellagio old town and Punta Spartivento and Villa Melzi gardens

   Bellagio old town and Punta Spartivento, Villa Melzi gardens and Varenna and the Passeggiata degli Innamorati, then Private boat tour in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Bellagio old town and Punta Spartivento

      Explore before 10am or after the last day-tripper ferries have left; the lanes are far calmer.

   2. Late morning

      Villa Melzi gardens

      The lakeside gardens of Villa Melzi d'Eril, laid out in the early 19th century, run along the shore south of Bellagio with a Japanese-style pond, rare trees, sculptures and a small chapel.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Missoltini

      Traditional trattorias on the central and upper lake, especially around Tremezzina and the eastern shore.

   4. Afternoon

      Varenna and the Passeggiata degli Innamorati

      Walk the passageway at sunset, when the light falls on Bellagio across the water.

   5. Evening

      Private boat tour

      A water taxi or wooden motorboat with a driver can loop past Villa del Balbianello, Villa Carlotta and Bellagio's lakefront at golden hour.

3. Day 3: Central-lake ferry triangle and Como–Brunate funicular

   Central-lake ferry triangle, Como–Brunate funicular and Villa Monastero, then Villa del Balbianello's loggia in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Central-lake ferry triangle

      Navigazione Laghi ferries shuttle between Bellagio, Varenna, Menaggio and Cadenabbia in about 10–15 minutes per hop, making the crossings themselves one of the best ways to see the lake.

   2. Late morning

      Como–Brunate funicular

      On a clear day walk about 30 minutes uphill to the Faro Voltiano for a view stretching to the Alps and the Po plain.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Lavarello

      Fish restaurants along the lake; carpione versions often appear as antipasto.

   4. Afternoon

      Villa Monastero

      A former Cistercian convent turned villa, Villa Monastero has a long, narrow botanical garden of about two kilometres following the shore south of Varenna, with citrus, palms, agaves and lake views.

   5. Evening

      Villa del Balbianello's loggia

      The open loggia at the top of the garden frames views of both directions of the lake.

Before you go

• Villa del Balbianello: Guided tours of the villa interior have limited places and sell out on summer weekends; book through FAI in advance.

If it rains

• Swap in Como Cathedral (Como): Look up at the Broletto, the striped medieval town hall right next to the cathedral façade.
• Swap in Tempio Voltiano (Como): Pair it with the lakeside walk to Villa Olmo, about 15 minutes away along the shore.

Where to stay for this itinerary

With 3 nights, Bellagio keeps most of this route within easy reach. For a calmer or cheaper base, Varenna ($$$) suits couples, first-timers and quiet stays. Compare every area.

Pace and daylight

The sights in this plan add up to roughly 15–21 hours of visiting over 3 days, before meals and getting between them. Daylight runs from about 8.7 hours in December to 15.7 hours in June, so in winter start early and keep museums for the afternoon.

More or fewer days

• One day in Lake Como
• 2 days in Lake Como
• 5 days in Lake Como

Questions travellers ask