Shopping · Lake Como · Italy
Shopping in Lake Como
Shopping streets, markets and souvenirs worth the suitcase space.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Chris j wood, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
Como has been a centre of silk weaving for centuries, and silk scarves and ties are the lake's signature purchase. Bellagio's lanes have silk, leather and ceramics shops, while Como's walled centre has a broader mix of fashion and food shops. Best souvenirs: Como silk, Valtellina cheese and bresaola and Lake olive oil.
Key facts
- Shopping areas
- 3
- Markets
- 2
- Top souvenir
- Como silk
Where to shop
Como old town
Via Vittorio Emanuele II and the streets around Piazza San Fedele have fashion boutiques, silk shops and delis within the walls.
Bellagio's stepped lanes
Salita Serbelloni and the lanes off the lakefront have silk, leather and olive-wood shops.
Varenna and Menaggio
Small shops for local food products, olive oil and lake-themed souvenirs near the ferry piers.
Markets
Como weekly market
A large street market near the city walls sells food, clothing and household goods; ask locally for the current day and location.
Village markets
Lake towns including Menaggio and Bellagio hold small weekly markets with produce, cheese and clothing stalls.
What to buy
Como silk
Scarves, ties and fabric from Como's silk mills and shops; check for 'seta di Como' labelling.
Valtellina cheese and bresaola
Vacuum-packed bresaola and Bitto or Casera cheese from delis travel well for a few days.
Lake olive oil
The Lario area produces a small amount of extra-virgin olive oil sold by village delis.
Piona Abbey liqueurs
Herbal liqueurs and honey made or sold by the monks at Abbazia di Piona.
Streets and markets worth a wander
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Neighbourhood · Bellagio
Bellagio old town and Punta Spartivento
Bellagio's lanes climb in steps from the lakefront arcades, lined with silk and leather shops, to the Romanesque Basilica of San Giacomo.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Iconic
- Views
- Shopping
- Photo spot
Food and drink to take home
Edible souvenirs travel best when they are dry or sealed: consider Bresaola della Valtellina, Miascia, Valtellina red wine and Gelato on the lakefront. Delis and antipasto platters around the lake, and alongside aperitivo drinks in Como and Lecco. Check your home country's rules on bringing food and drink back.
Shopping by neighbourhood
| Area | Price level | Character |
|---|---|---|
| Bellagio | $$$$ | Stepped lanes, silk shops and lake views on both arms from the central promontory |
| Menaggio | $$ | A lakeside piazza, a lido and hiking trails on the western shore |
| Tremezzina (Tremezzo and Lenno) | $$$ | Grand hotels, Villa Carlotta and the Greenway path along the western shore |
| Como | $$ | A walled old town, the cathedral and the funicular at the southern tip |
| Cernobbio | $$$$ | Villa d'Este, a lakeside square and the start of the western shore |
| Lecco | $$ | A mountain-backed town at the foot of the eastern arm, linked to Manzoni's novel |
Paying and bargaining
Prices are in EUR. Tipping is not expected in Italy, and a cover charge is often already on the bill. Rounding up or leaving a few euros for good service is appreciated but optional.
- Greet shopkeepers with 'Buongiorno' or 'Buonasera' when you enter and say 'Grazie, arrivederci' when you leave.
When to shop
Shops and markets are quietest in January–February and November; the busiest months are July–August.
- November: Città dei Balocchi — Christmas lights and markets in Como (usually from late November)
Staying near the shops
$$ · Best for first-timers, budget, shopping and solo travellers
Como
A walled old town, the cathedral and the funicular at the southern tip
Questions travellers ask
+What should I buy in Lake Como?
Como silk, Valtellina cheese and bresaola, Lake olive oil and Piona Abbey liqueurs.
+Where is the best shopping in Lake Como?
Como old town: Via Vittorio Emanuele II and the streets around Piazza San Fedele have fashion boutiques, silk shops and delis within the walls.
+What are the best markets in Lake Como?
Como weekly market and Village markets.