5 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

      Arrive by water taxi from Lenno for the classic view of the villa from the lake, then walk back along the path. (1.5–2 hours, mid-priced).

   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. (2–3 hours, mid-priced).

   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

      Take the shuttle boat from Sala Comacina and allow an hour to wander the ruins. (1–2 hours, low cost).

   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. (2–3 hours, free).

   2. Late morning

      Villa Melzi gardens

      Walk there along the lake from Bellagio's ferry pier rather than through the village streets; it takes about 10 minutes. (1 hour, low cost).

   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. (1–2 hours, free).

   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

      A central-lake day ticket usually pays for itself if you make three or more crossings; buy tickets at the pier office or machines before boarding. (Half a day or more, low cost).

   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. (2 hours, low cost).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Lavarello

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

   4. Afternoon

      Villa Monastero

      Combine it with lunch in Varenna; the garden entrance is a five-minute walk from the main square. (1–1.5 hours, low cost).

   5. Evening

      Villa del Balbianello's loggia

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

4. Day 4: Day trip to Milan

   About 40–60 minutes by train from Como each way. Getting there: Train from Como San Giovanni or Como Nord Lago.

   1. Morning

      Travel to Milan

      About 40–60 minutes by train from Como (Train from Como San Giovanni or Como Nord Lago); about 50 km.

   2. Day

      Milan

      Italy's fashion and business capital has the Duomo with its rooftop terraces, the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II and Leonardo's Last Supper at Santa Maria delle Grazie, which needs a ticket booked well ahead. Best for first-timers, culture and shopping.

   3. Evening

      Back in Lake Como

      Dinner: try Polenta uncia.

5. Day 5: Castello di Vezio and Como Cathedral

   Castello di Vezio, Como Cathedral and Tempio Voltiano, then Dinner on a Bellagio terrace in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Castello di Vezio

      Wear proper shoes for the cobbled path up from Varenna and go in the morning before the climb gets hot. (1.5 hours including the walk, low cost).

   2. Late morning

      Como Cathedral

      Look up at the Broletto, the striped medieval town hall right next to the cathedral façade. (45 minutes, free).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Polenta uncia

      Mountain rifugi and agriturismi in the hills above Menaggio and Bellagio, mostly in cooler months.

   4. Afternoon

      Tempio Voltiano

      Pair it with the lakeside walk to Villa Olmo, about 15 minutes away along the shore. (45 minutes, low cost).

   5. Evening

      Dinner on a Bellagio terrace

      Lakefront restaurants in Bellagio look across to Varenna's lights after dark.

Before you go

Reserve timed tickets for Villa del Balbianello before you travel; the rest of this plan needs no advance booking.

Where to stay for this itinerary

With 5 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 18–24 hours of visiting over 5 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
• 3 days in Lake Como

Questions travellers ask