Lake Como sits in northern Italy at the foot of the Alps, its dramatic upside-down Y shape carved by glaciers and ringed by mountains that drop almost directly into the water. The lake has drawn visitors for centuries — wealthy Romans built villas along its shores, and today it remains one of Italy’s most photographed destinations, with celebrity homes, historic gardens, and a string of lakeside towns that each offer a genuinely different experience.
This guide covers the 6 best towns to visit on Lake Como, with details on what to do in each, how to get there, and practical tips for navigating a lake that draws enormous summer crowds to a handful of its most famous spots while leaving others nearly untouched.
Lake Como Towns: Quick Comparison
| Town | Location on Lake | Crowd Level | Best For | Parking Difficulty |
| Bellagio | Center, where the lake splits | Very high | Iconic views; villas; shopping | |
| Como | Southwest tip | Very high | City amenities; boat tours; the Duomo | |
| Varenna | East side | Moderate | Sunset views; villas; local feel | |
| Lecco | Southeast tip | Moderate | Walking paths; local food; fewer tourists | |
| Menaggio | West side | Moderate | Lake beach; hiking access; Switzerland day trips | |
| Colico | Far north | Low | Quiet escape; waterfront dining; sunset |
About Lake Como
Lake Como — Lago di Como in Italian — is the third largest lake in Italy and is located roughly 50 kilometers north of Milan, close to the Swiss border. Its distinctive upside-down Y shape splits into two southern branches at Bellagio, the town that occupies the point where the lake divides. The area has been inhabited since Roman times, and the legacy of centuries of wealthy residents is visible in the historic villas and elaborate gardens that line much of the shoreline.
How to Get to Lake Como
By car
Driving gives the most flexibility for visiting multiple towns in a single trip, but parking is a genuine challenge, particularly in the most popular towns. Booking.com is a reliable option for rental car comparisons with free cancellation in many cases.
By train
Train travel is the most popular and affordable way to reach Lake Como from Milan. Trains depart from Milano Centrale or Milano Porta Garibaldi and reach the towns of Como or Lecco in approximately one hour. Trenord operates the regional rail network for Lombardy; tickets can be purchased online in advance or at station kiosks, with online purchase generally recommended to avoid potential translation issues at the counter.
By boat
Once on the lake, ferries operated by Navigazione Laghi connect most towns directly, and are often the most practical way to reach the more congested towns like Bellagio, where driving and parking can be genuinely frustrating. Private boat tour companies, such as Como Classic Boats, also operate for a more curated lake experience.
1. Bellagio — The Iconic Lake Como Town
Bellagio sits exactly where Lake Como splits into its two southern branches, giving it water views in nearly every direction and making it the most photographed town on the lake. The town’s reputation as a celebrity destination and its frequent film appearances have made it the single most visited stop on Lake Como — which also means it carries the heaviest crowds and most difficult parking of any town on this list.
Driving to Bellagio is generally not recommended unless your accommodation includes private parking; taking the ferry from a less congested town like Varenna or Villa Carlotta is the more practical approach for most visitors.
Things to do in Bellagio
- Wander the pedestrian-only streets and stone stairways that wind down to the lake, lined with shops, gelaterias, and restaurants
- Visit Villa Melzi d’Eril, one of the lake’s most popular villa-and-garden visits, with multiple viewpoints across the water
- Walk to Parchetto della Punta, the small park at the exact point where the lake splits into its two branches, roughly a 15-minute walk from the town center
2. Como — The Lake’s Largest City
The town of Como, at the southwest tip of the lake, is the most visited destination on Lake Como overall, in part because it sits at the end of the rail line from Milan and is the easiest town to reach without a car. The full town wraps around the waterfront, providing lake views from multiple parks along its perimeter.
Things to do in Como
- Take a boat ride — Como offers the widest range of boat tour options on the lake, from standard ferries to private sunset cruises and dinner boats
- Visit the Basilica di San Fedele, a 12th-century church with a notable rose window, near the central Piazza del Duomo
- Spend time in Piazza del Duomo, the town’s main square, lined with cafes well suited to people-watching over an aperitivo or coffee
- Visit the Cattedrale di Santa Maria Assunta in the same square — free entry, but shoulders must be covered inside
- Walk the gardens around Tempio Voltiano, a museum honoring the inventor of the electric battery, with strong lake views even without entering
- Explore Villa Olmo on the town’s outskirts — free to visit, with notable architecture, gardens, and lake views
3. Varenna — The Most Photogenic Sunset Spot
Varenna, on the eastern side of the lake, tends to draw more local Italian visitors than international tour groups, making it noticeably less crowded than Como or Bellagio despite its considerable charm. The town slopes steeply downhill toward the lake, with most of its streets built as cobblestone stairways — heading downhill from anywhere in town eventually reaches the waterfront.
Because Varenna faces west, it offers some of the best sunset views on the entire lake — arriving in the late afternoon to spend golden hour in town before watching the sunset over the water is a strong strategy for this particular stop.
Things to do in Varenna
- Walk the Greenway dei Patriarchi, a unique raised stone walkway along the edge of town that passes under ancient stone arches with changing views of the village
- Visit Villa Monastero, a lakeside villa surrounded by botanical gardens with strong water views
- Visit Castello di Vezio, a 12th-century castle on the hillside above town offering elevated views across the lake, including access to the dungeons
- Explore the southern part of town, where stone stairways descend through colorful buildings toward the water
4. Lecco — The Local Favorite
Lecco, at the southeast point of the lake, sees noticeably fewer international tourists than the lake’s more famous towns despite offering a genuinely enjoyable visit. The town’s standout feature is its long paved lakeside pathway, which allows for an extended walk along the water — something most other Lake Como towns cannot offer at this scale.
Things to do in Lecco
- Walk Lungolago Park along the lake, particularly beautiful at sunset
- Visit Piazza XX Settembre, the main town square, which hosts frequent events and a Christmas market in winter
- See the Torre Viscontea, a medieval tower near the main piazza
- Visit the Monument of the Fallen, a memorial along the lakefront honoring those who died in World War I
- Cross the Ponte John Kennedy bridge to the smaller lakeside town of Malgrate for views back across to Lecco, and stop for gelato along the way
5. Menaggio — Gateway to Switzerland and the Hills
Menaggio, on the western shore roughly midway up the lake, is a strong base for visitors interested in combining Lake Como with active outdoor pursuits or a quick excursion across the border into Switzerland, which sits less than 5 miles north. The town has a small public lake beach — one of the few proper swimming spots directly accessible on Lake Como — and serves as a trailhead for several hiking routes into the surrounding hills.
Things to do in Menaggio
- Swim or sunbathe at the public lido (lake beach), a rarity among Lake Como towns
- Hike into the hills above town for panoramic views back down across the lake
- Take a short ferry or drive to Switzerland for a day trip across the nearby border
- Stroll the lakefront promenade, generally less crowded than the equivalent walks in Como or Bellagio
6. Colico — The Quiet Northern Escape
Colico sits at the far northern tip of Lake Como, where the River Adda flows into the lake, and offers the most peaceful experience on this list. The town draws a largely local crowd rather than international tour groups, even during peak summer months, making it the strongest choice for visitors who want genuine lake scenery without the congestion found further south.
The wide waterfront in Colico is lined with restaurants offering direct lake views during meals, and the town faces west, giving it strong sunset viewing similar to Varenna but with a fraction of the crowd.
Things to do in Colico
- Eat at one of the waterfront restaurants with direct lake views — Hotel Risi is a solid, well-reviewed option
- Walk the paved waterfront path, which extends north past several small beaches including Spiaggia la Breva and Spiaggia Ontano
- Watch the sunset from anywhere along the western-facing waterfront
Where to Stay on Lake Como
Accommodation choice depends heavily on budget and which towns you plan to prioritize. Hotels cluster in the main towns — Como, Bellagio, Varenna, and Menaggio all have a reasonable hotel selection. For a genuinely memorable splurge, several historic villas around the lake offer guest stays at a significant price premium. Budget-conscious travelers will find a strong Airbnb selection with lake views, particularly in the less touristy towns like Lecco and Colico, often at considerably lower rates than equivalent accommodation in Bellagio or Como.
Best Time to Visit Lake Como
| Season | What to Expect | Crowd Level |
| Summer (June–August) | Bright sunny skies, deep blue water, warmest weather; the classic Lake Como postcard look | |
| Fall (September–October) | Still warm, fewer crowds than summer, good light for photography | |
| Winter (November–February) | Snow-capped surrounding peaks, twinkling lights, holiday markets in towns like Lecco; cold and shorter daylight hours | |
| Spring (March–May) | Frequently rainy; generally considered the least favorable season to visit |
Early summer or early fall generally offer the best balance of pleasant weather and manageable crowds. If visiting during peak summer, plan visits to Como and Bellagio for early morning or evening hours to avoid the heaviest midday tour group traffic.
Tips for Visiting Lake Como
- Visit popular towns (Como, Bellagio) during shoulder season or off-peak hours — early morning or evening visits significantly reduce crowd density at the lake’s most photographed stops.
- Plan parking in advance using Google Maps before driving into any town, and confirm with your accommodation whether private parking is included — this matters most in Bellagio, where parking is genuinely difficult.
- Venture off the main tourist streets for the best food — Lake Como’s better restaurants are frequently found on smaller side streets away from the primary waterfront promenades.
- Consider basing yourself in a less touristy town (Lecco, Colico, or Menaggio) and using the ferry network to day-trip into Como or Bellagio rather than staying in the most congested towns directly.
For ferry schedules and route maps across Lake Como, see Navigazione Laghi.
For train tickets from Milan to the Lake Como region, see Trenord.
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Bottom Line
| Most iconic / photogenic | Bellagio — splits the lake; but take the ferry, not a car |
| Best city amenities | Como — easiest to reach by train; widest boat tour selection |
| Best sunset views | Varenna — west-facing; raised stone walkway; less crowded than Bellagio |
| Best for locals’ pace | Lecco — long lakeside path; fewer international tourists |
| Best for swimming/hiking | Menaggio — public lido; trailheads; close to Switzerland |
| Quietest / most peaceful | Colico — local crowd only; west-facing sunset; far north |
| Best time to visit | Early summer or early fall for weather/crowd balance |
| How to get to the lake | Train from Milan to Como or Lecco (~1 hour) via Trenord |
| Getting between towns | Ferry via Navigazione Laghi — easier than driving/parking in Bellagio |
| Biggest mistake to avoid | Driving directly into Bellagio without confirmed private parking |
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best towns to visit on Lake Como?
The best towns to visit on Lake Como are Bellagio (the most iconic, where the lake splits into two branches), Como (the largest town, easiest to reach by train from Milan), Varenna (best sunset views, less crowded than Bellagio), Lecco (local favorite with a long lakeside walking path), Menaggio (best for swimming and hiking, close to Switzerland), and Colico (the quietest, most peaceful option at the lake’s northern tip).
How do you get to Lake Como from Milan?
The most common way to reach Lake Como from Milan is by train, with regional services run by Trenord departing from Milano Centrale or Milano Porta Garibaldi and reaching the towns of Como or Lecco in approximately one hour. Driving offers more flexibility for visiting multiple towns in one trip but comes with significant parking challenges in popular towns, particularly Bellagio.
How many days do you need at Lake Como?
Lake Como rewards anywhere from a single day trip from Milan to a two-week stay without exhausting everything to see. A focused 3 to 4 day trip allows time to properly visit 3 to 4 towns at a comfortable pace — for example, basing in Como or Varenna and day-tripping by ferry to Bellagio and one or two quieter towns. A single day trip from Milan typically focuses on one or two towns, most commonly Como and Bellagio.
What is the best town to stay in on Lake Como?
Varenna and Como are generally considered the best base towns for a Lake Como stay, both offering a reasonable hotel selection, good ferry and train connectivity to other towns, and (in Varenna’s case) a quieter atmosphere than Bellagio. Bellagio itself is appealing as a stay if your accommodation includes private parking, given how difficult day-trip parking is there. For budget travelers, Lecco and Colico offer comparable lake access at typically lower accommodation costs.
Is Lake Como worth visiting?
Yes — Lake Como is widely regarded as one of the most beautiful lake destinations in Europe, combining dramatic Alpine scenery, historic villas and gardens, and a genuinely varied selection of towns ranging from bustling and famous (Bellagio, Como) to quiet and local (Colico, Lecco). The lake rewards visitors at any time of year, though summer brings substantial crowds to its most famous towns — visiting in early summer or early fall, or prioritizing less-visited towns, delivers a noticeably more pleasant experience.
Which Lake Como town has the least crowds?
Colico, at the far northern tip of Lake Como, consistently sees the fewest international tourists and the most local-dominated crowd, even during peak summer months. Lecco, at the southeastern point of the lake, is the next quietest major town, offering genuine local atmosphere and a long lakeside walking path without the congestion found in Como or Bellagio.