How many days · Lake Como · Italy
How many days do you need in Lake Como?
A straight answer, then what each trip length really gets you.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Maurizio Moro5153, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
4 days is the sweet spot for Lake Como, and 2 days is the minimum to see the main sights. Two days covers Bellagio, Varenna and one villa garden on the central lake. Three or four days lets you add Villa del Balbianello, the Greenway walk, Como city and the Brunate funicular; a week leaves time for Milan, Lugano or the Bernina line.
Key facts
- Ideal
- 4 days
- Minimum
- 2 days
- Day trips available
- 5
- Daylight
- 8.7 h (Dec) to 15.7 h (Jun)
What each trip length gets you
| Trip | Pace | What you can see |
|---|---|---|
| 1 day | Rushed | Villa del Balbianello, Villa Carlotta, Bellagio old town and Punta Spartivento and Varenna and the Passeggiata degli Innamorati |
| 2 days | Good | Varenna and the Passeggiata degli Innamorati, Central-lake ferry triangle and Como–Brunate funicular |
| 3 days | Good | Villa Melzi gardens, Villa Monastero and Castello di Vezio |
| 5 days | Relaxed | The highlights plus a day trip to Milan |
| 7 days | Plenty | A slow trip with day trips such as Milan and Lugano |
How long the top sights take
The 12 best-known sights in Lake Como add up to roughly 18–23 hours of visiting time — about 3 days at seven sightseeing hours a day, before travel between them and meals. The biggest time commitments are Central-lake ferry triangle (Half a day or more), Villa Carlotta (2–3 hours) and Bellagio old town and Punta Spartivento (2–3 hours).
| Sight | Time needed | Area |
|---|---|---|
| Villa del Balbianello | 1.5–2 hours | Tremezzina (Tremezzo and Lenno) |
| Villa Carlotta | 2–3 hours | Tremezzina (Tremezzo and Lenno) |
| Bellagio old town and Punta Spartivento | 2–3 hours | Bellagio |
| Varenna and the Passeggiata degli Innamorati | 1–2 hours | Varenna |
| Central-lake ferry triangle | Half a day or more | Central lake |
| Como–Brunate funicular | 2 hours | Como |
| Villa Melzi gardens | 1 hour | Bellagio |
| Villa Monastero | 1–1.5 hours | Varenna |
| Castello di Vezio | 1.5 hours including the walk | Varenna |
| Como Cathedral | 45 minutes | Como |
| Tempio Voltiano | 45 minutes | Como |
| Villa Olmo | 1 hour | Como |
By type of trip
| Trip | Days | Why |
|---|---|---|
| First visit | 4 days | The main sights at a comfortable pace |
| Short break / repeat visit | 2 days | Focus on Villa del Balbianello and Villa Carlotta |
| With children | 5 days | Slower days and time for Central-lake ferry triangle |
| With day trips | 6 days | Add Milan and Lugano |
Daylight changes the maths
Sightseeing days are much shorter in December (about 8.7 hours of daylight) than in June (about 15.7 hours). In winter, allow an extra day or plan museum-heavy afternoons.
Ready-made itineraries
Combining Lake Como with other destinations
Questions travellers ask
+Is 2 days enough in Lake Como?
It covers the main sights at a brisk pace; 4 days is more comfortable. Two days covers Bellagio, Varenna and one villa garden on the central lake. Three or four days lets you add Villa del Balbianello, the Greenway walk, Como city and the Brunate funicular; a week leaves time for Milan, Lugano or the Bernina line.
+Is a week too long in Lake Como?
No — a week leaves time for day trips such as Milan and Lugano.