Lake Como packs an extraordinary concentration of historic villas, mountain viewpoints, lakefront promenades, and outdoor activities into a 46-kilometre-long (29-mile) lake surrounded by the Lombard Prealps. Whether you are here for two days or a full week, this guide covers the essential sights with practical details: opening hours, ticket prices, which ferry to catch, and how to avoid the worst queues. All prices are in euros and were verified for the 2026 season. Explore our complete Lake Como guide for everything you need to plan your trip.
Historic Villas and Gardens
Villa del Balbianello (Lenno)
The most photographed villa on Lake Como, Villa del Balbianello sits on a wooded peninsula near Lenno and has appeared in Star Wars: Episode II and Casino Royale. Built in 1787 for a cardinal, it later belonged to explorer Guido Monzino, whose collection of artefacts from Everest expeditions and African travels fills the interior. The terraced gardens cascade down to the water on three sides. Entry is €23 for the full tour (villa and gardens) or €12 for gardens only. The villa is open mid-March to mid-November, Tuesday through Sunday, 10 AM to 6 PM (last entry 5 PM). Arrive at opening time to avoid 60 to 90 minute queues that build by 11 AM. Reach it by ferry to Lenno (30 minutes from Como, €4.60 one-way) then a 20-minute walk or €2 water taxi from the Lenno dock. The walk along the lakefront path is flat and shaded. For more detail, see our Como weather by month.
Villa Carlotta (Tremezzo)
Villa Carlotta in Tremezzo is the lake’s premier garden destination, famous for its spring rhododendron and azalea bloom (peak: mid-April to mid-May) that covers 8 hectares (20 acres) of terraced botanical gardens. The 17th-century villa houses a collection of neoclassical sculpture including Canova’s Cupid and Psyche. Entry costs €15 for gardens and villa, open daily from late March to early November, 10 AM to 6 PM (until 7 PM in summer). The Tremezzo ferry stop is directly outside the entrance; ferries from Como take 45 minutes (€5.60 one-way). Give yourself 2 to 3 hours. The café in the garden has decent espresso and panoramic seating at standard prices. For more detail, see our best time to visit Como.
Villa Monastero (Varenna)
Villa Monastero stretches along 2 kilometres of lakefront in Varenna, combining a former Cistercian convent with botanical gardens that run the length of the shoreline. The garden path hugs the water with alternating views of citrus trees, cypresses, and the lake itself. Entry is €10 (gardens and villa museum), open March to November, 9:30 AM to 6 PM (until 7 PM in summer). Varenna is a 15-minute ferry from Bellagio (€4.60) or a 1-hour direct ferry from Como. The villa is a 5-minute walk north from the Varenna ferry dock along the lakefront passeggiata. For more detail, see our Como events and festivals.
Lake Towns to Visit
Bellagio
Bellagio sits at the tip of the central peninsula where Lake Como’s three branches meet, earning it the nickname “the pearl of the lake.” The town is a warren of steep stone staircases (salite) lined with shops, wine bars, and gelaterie. The Punta Spartivento park at the northern tip gives you a view of all three lake branches simultaneously. The gardens of Villa Melzi (€8, open late March to October, 10 AM to 6:30 PM) are a 10-minute walk south from the ferry dock along the lakefront. Bellagio has the best ferry connections on the lake: direct boats to Como (45 to 75 minutes depending on fast/slow service, €5.60 to €12), Varenna (15 minutes, €4.60), and Menaggio (15 minutes, €4.60). The town is extremely crowded from 11 AM to 4 PM in summer; arrive before 10 AM or stay overnight to experience it without the day-trip crush. For more detail, see our best neighborhoods in Como.
Varenna
Varenna on the eastern shore is the most romantic of the lake towns, with a waterfront passeggiata (walkway) that curves along the lake past trattorias and gelato shops. It is smaller and quieter than Bellagio while offering direct train access from Milan (Milano Centrale to Varenna-Esino station, 1 hour, €7.50). The climb to Castello di Vezio above the town (30 minutes on foot, steep path) rewards you with panoramic lake views and the castle’s resident falconry birds. Varenna makes an excellent base if you want train access plus a quieter atmosphere than Bellagio or Como city. For more detail, see our where to stay in Como.
Menaggio
Menaggio on the western shore has the most substantial lakeside promenade of any Como town, a wide flagged walkway stretching nearly a kilometre with benches, gelaterie, and ferry views. It is less overtly romantic than Varenna or Bellagio but more practical: it has the lake’s best mini-golf course (€8), a public lido with pool (€12 day pass), and the starting point for several well-marked mountain biking trails. The ferry to Bellagio runs every 30 minutes in summer (15 minutes, €4.60). Menaggio suits families and active travellers who want a central base with outdoor facilities without Bellagio’s intensity. For more detail, see our Como travel tips.
Outdoor Activities and Viewpoints
Funicular to Brunate
The Como-Brunate funicular climbs from Piazza de Gasperi in Como city to the hilltop village of Brunate (715 metres / 2,346 feet) in 7 minutes. Tickets cost €3.10 one-way or €5.70 return, running every 15 to 30 minutes from 6 AM to 10:30 PM (until midnight in summer). From the top station, a 15-minute walk up Via Pissarrottino leads to the Faro Voltiano lighthouse (€2 to climb the 143 steps), with a 360-degree panorama of the lake, the city of Como, and on clear days the Milan skyline 50 kilometres south. The funicular offers a 4°C to 6°C temperature drop from the lakeside, making it a popular afternoon escape in July and August. Queues at the base station can reach 30 minutes on summer weekends; go before 10 AM or after 5 PM.
Greenway del Lago di Como
The Greenway is a 10.5-kilometre (6.5-mile) walking route along the western shore from Colonno to Griante, passing through ancient villages, olive groves, and lakefront sections. It takes 3 to 4 hours to walk the full route at a gentle pace. The path is well signposted and mostly flat with occasional short climbs. Key stops include the Villa del Balbianello approach path, the Sagra di San Martino church in Griante with its panoramic terrace, and the gelateria in Sala Comacina village roughly at the midpoint. The route is free and open year-round. Start at Colonno (bus C10 from Como, €2) and walk north; you can catch a ferry or bus back from any of the villages along the way. Wear proper walking shoes; some sections are cobbled and uneven.
Kayaking and Watersports
Several operators rent kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, and small motorboats along the lake. Bellagio Watersports (near the ferry dock) rents single kayaks at €15 per hour and SUPs at €12 per hour. Como Kayak in Como city offers guided kayak tours to the Orrido di Nesso gorge (€45 per person, 3 hours) including a swim stop at the waterfall. For motorboats, AC Boat Rental in Bellagio rents 40hp boats without a licence required from €80 for 2 hours (fuel included). Book watersports 1 to 2 days ahead in July and August; walk-in availability is good in shoulder season. The lake can get choppy by early afternoon when the Breva wind kicks up from the south, so book morning sessions for calmer water.
