Lake Como is one of those places that somehow gets even better every time you return.
Beyond the famous views, there are beautiful historic villas, botanical gardens, little lakeside towns, waterfalls hidden between old stone houses, and plenty of places where the best thing to do is simply sit by the water and enjoy the view.
I’ve visited Lake Como several times, and this list brings together ten places I think are genuinely worth adding to your itinerary—from some of the lake’s most iconic sights to a few quieter corners.
If you’re planning your first trip, these are my 10 favorite things to do in Lake Como.
Quick Lake Como travel tips
Best time to visit: May, June, and September are my favorite months for pleasant weather and slightly fewer crowds. July and August are beautiful but much busier.
How long to stay: I recommend at least three days if you want to see several towns and villas without rushing.
Getting around: Ferries are the easiest and most scenic way to travel between the central lake towns such as Bellagio, Varenna, and Menaggio. A car is useful for places that are harder to reach by ferry, but parking and narrow roads can be challenging.
Where to stay: Varenna, Bellagio, and Menaggio are all convenient bases for exploring the central part of the lake. Como is better if easy train connections to Milan are your priority.
If you have three days, you can also follow my 3 Days in Lake Como itinerary, which combines many of the places below into one route.
1. Walk up Salita Serbelloni in Bellagio
Bellagio is probably the most famous town on Lake Como, and Salita Serbelloni is one of its most recognizable streets.
This steep stone staircase climbs away from the waterfront between colorful buildings, boutiques, cafés, and restaurants. It’s the kind of scene most people imagine when they think of Bellagio.
Come earlier in the morning if you want to see it before the streets become busy, then spend some time wandering without a specific route.
Bellagio is small enough that you don’t really need one.
Explore the staircases around the historic center, stop for gelato, walk down towards the waterfront, and eventually make your way to Punta Spartivento, the northern tip of Bellagio where the branches of Lake Como meet.
How long to spend: At least 2–3 hours in Bellagio, longer if you also visit Villa Melzi.
My tip: Bellagio gets extremely busy in high season. Early morning and late afternoon are much more enjoyable than the middle of the day.
2. See Orrido di Nesso
For something completely different from Lake Como’s polished villas and elegant towns, head to Nesso.
The village is built into the steep eastern side of the lake and is home to one of its most atmospheric natural sights: Orrido di Nesso.
Here, mountain streams rush through a narrow rocky gorge before reaching Lake Como.
The best part is walking down through the old village towards Ponte della Civera, the little stone bridge close to the water.
From the bridge, you can see the gorge and waterfall framed by centuries-old houses rising above you.
It feels surprisingly wild considering how close it is to some of the busiest places on the lake.
The only catch: there are a lot of stairs.
The walk down is easy. The walk back up is the part you’ll remember.
How long to spend: Around one hour.
My tip: The waterfall is particularly impressive after rain or during periods with more water, but Nesso is worth visiting for the village and lake views even when the waterfall is smaller.
3. Explore the gardens of Villa Carlotta
If you love gardens, Villa Carlotta in Tremezzo should be high on your Lake Como list.
The historic villa sits on the western shore of the lake and is surrounded by an extensive botanical garden filled with palms, camellias, azaleas, rhododendrons, and exotic plants.
As you walk higher through the gardens, beautiful views open up across the water towards Bellagio and the mountains.
Inside the villa, you can also visit the museum and art collection, but for me the gardens are the real highlight.
Spring is especially beautiful when many of the flowers are in bloom, although the gardens change throughout the season and are worth visiting well into autumn.
How long to spend: Around 1.5–2 hours if you want to explore both the villa and gardens without rushing.
My tip: Combine Villa Carlotta with nearby Lenno and Villa del Balbianello. They work perfectly together for a day exploring the western shore.
4. Visit Villa del Balbianello
If you only visit one villa on Lake Como, make it Villa del Balbianello.
Set on the wooded Lavedo peninsula near Lenno, it has one of the most spectacular locations anywhere on the lake.
The terraced gardens climb around the villa with sculpted trees, beautiful lake views, and the famous arched loggia overlooking the water.
You may also recognize it from Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones and Casino Royale.
But even without the movie connection, Balbianello would still be one of the most beautiful places on Lake Como.
The gardens are immaculate, the setting is dramatic, and almost every turn reveals another view across the water.
How long to spend: Around 1.5–2 hours.
My tip: Book ahead on the official Villa del Balbianello website. It is one of the most popular attractions on Lake Como, and visits currently require a reservation.
After your visit, spend some time in Lenno itself. Its waterfront is quieter than Bellagio or Varenna and is one of the nicest places on the lake for a slow lunch or coffee by the water.
5. Walk through Orrido di Bellano
Another natural attraction worth adding to your itinerary is Orrido di Bellano, just north of Varenna.
Unlike Nesso, where you admire the gorge from the village and stone bridge, Bellano lets you walk directly through the gorge on suspended walkways.
Water rushes between tall rock walls beneath you, creating a completely different experience from the peaceful lake scenery outside.
It doesn’t take very long to visit, which makes Bellano an easy addition if you’re already spending the day in Varenna.
Afterwards, take a walk through Bellano itself and along the waterfront before continuing back towards Varenna.
How long to spend: Around 45 minutes to one hour for the gorge.
My tip: Wear comfortable shoes. The paths and stairs can be wet and slippery.
6. Have breakfast at Bar Il Molo in Varenna
Not every must-do on Lake Como needs to be a major attraction.
Sometimes it’s simply having your morning coffee with a really good view.
Bar Il Molo sits directly on Varenna’s waterfront, overlooking the little harbor, colorful houses, and boats floating on the lake.
Come for breakfast or coffee, get a table outside if you can, and start the day slowly before exploring Varenna.
The setting is the reason to come.
After breakfast, walk along Varenna’s waterfront and follow the Passeggiata degli Innamorati, the short walkway connecting the ferry area with the historic center.
Then wander through the narrow streets and staircases around town before continuing to Villa Cipressi and Villa Monastero.
My tip: Go early. Varenna changes completely once the ferries start delivering larger groups of day-trippers.
7. Visit Villa Monastero in Varenna
If I had to choose one place not to miss in Varenna, it would be Villa Monastero.
The villa sits directly beside Lake Como and is surrounded by a long botanical garden that follows the shoreline.
As you walk through it, you pass palms, fountains, sculptures, flowers, and small terraces overlooking the lake.
What makes Villa Monastero especially beautiful is how close you remain to the water throughout much of the visit. Instead of one single viewpoint, the garden gives you new lake views again and again as you walk.
You can visit just the botanical garden or combine it with the House Museum inside the villa.
How long to spend: Around 1–1.5 hours for the gardens, a little longer if you also visit the interiors.
My tip: Visit earlier in the day and then walk next door to Villa Cipressi. The two villas are close enough that it makes sense to see both on the same morning.
8. Wander through the gardens of Villa Cipressi
Just a short walk from Villa Monastero is Villa Cipressi, another beautiful property overlooking Lake Como.
Its botanical gardens are arranged across a series of terraces descending towards the water.
They feel smaller and more intimate than Villa Monastero, with winding paths, Mediterranean plants, old cypress trees, and beautiful openings towards the lake.
You don’t need hours here, which makes Villa Cipressi an easy addition to a day in Varenna.
I would visit both villas rather than choosing between them: Villa Monastero feels grander and more extensive, while Villa Cipressi has a quieter, more intimate atmosphere.
How long to spend: Around 45 minutes to one hour.
My tip: If you’re visiting both Villa Cipressi and Villa Monastero, start early and explore the villas before spending the rest of the day wandering around Varenna or taking the ferry to Bellagio.
9. Walk along the waterfront in Menaggio
Menaggio doesn’t always get the same attention as Bellagio and Varenna, but that is part of its appeal.
Located on the western side of the central lake, it feels more relaxed and less like a place built entirely around tourism.
Start around Piazza Garibaldi, wander through the small historic center, and then walk along the beautiful lakeside promenade.
There aren’t dozens of sights you need to check off here.
That’s exactly why I like it.
Menaggio is a place to slow down, order an aperitivo, sit beside the lake, and enjoy the views across towards Varenna and the mountains.
It’s also a useful base if you want to explore the western side of Lake Como while still having ferry connections across the central lake.
How long to spend: A couple of hours is enough for the town itself, although it’s also lovely for a relaxed evening and dinner.
My tip: Come towards the end of the day. The waterfront is especially beautiful in the softer afternoon and evening light.
10. Take the funicular from Como to Brunate
For one of the best panoramic views around the southern part of Lake Como, take the funicular from Como to Brunate.
The historic railway climbs steeply from the lakefront in Como to the small hilltop village of Brunate in just a few minutes.
Once you arrive, walk through the village and look for the viewpoints overlooking Como, the lake, and the surrounding mountains.
If you have more time, continue towards Faro Voltiano, the Volta Lighthouse, for an even higher perspective.
I especially like Brunate towards the end of the day, when the light becomes softer and the views across the lake are at their best.
How long to spend: Allow around two hours including the funicular journey and some time exploring Brunate. Add more if you walk to the lighthouse.
My tip: If the weather is cloudy or visibility is poor, save Brunate for another day. The views are the whole point.
How to get around Lake Como
Lake Como looks relatively compact on a map, but getting from one place to another can take longer than you expect.
For the central part of the lake, ferries are usually the best option.
Bellagio, Varenna, and Menaggio are well connected by boat, and using the ferry also means you avoid traffic and parking.
For places such as Nesso, having a car can make your itinerary easier, although the roads around the lake are often narrow and parking can be limited.
If you’re staying in Varenna, you also have the advantage of a direct train connection from Milan.
My preferred way to explore Lake Como is to combine ferries with a car or train, rather than relying exclusively on one form of transport.
Always check the current official Lake Como ferry schedule for your travel dates because services change seasonally.
How many days do you need in Lake Como?
You can see a little of Lake Como in one day, but I wouldn’t recommend trying to fit all ten places on this list into a short visit.
Three days is a great starting point.
With three days, you can comfortably divide the lake into different areas:
- Day 1: Lenno, Villa del Balbianello, Villa Carlotta, and Menaggio
- Day 2: Varenna, Villa Monastero, Villa Cipressi, Bellagio, and possibly Bellano
- Day 3: Nesso, Como, and Brunate
If you have four or five days, even better.
Rather than adding as many attractions as possible, use the extra time to slow down: take longer ferry rides, have lunch beside the lake, go swimming, or simply spend an afternoon doing very little.
That’s often when Lake Como feels its best.
Best time to visit Lake Como
For a combination of good weather, beautiful gardens, and manageable crowds, I particularly like late spring and early autumn.
May and June are fantastic for the villas and gardens, while September often still feels like summer without quite the same intensity as July and August.
Peak summer is beautiful, but it is also when Lake Como is at its busiest.
If you’re traveling in July or August, book accommodation and major attractions in advance and start sightseeing early whenever possible.
What I would prioritize on a first visit
You don’t need to see every single place on the same trip.
For a first visit, my absolute priorities would be:
- Villa del Balbianello for the most iconic villa experience.
- Varenna for the classic Lake Como atmosphere.
- Villa Monastero for one of the most beautiful gardens by the water.
- Bellagio for the famous streets and lake views.
- Then choose between Nesso or Bellano if you want to add something more natural and less polished.
Lake Como isn’t a destination where you need to race from sight to sight.
Some of my favorite memories here are much simpler: morning coffee by the lake, ferry rides between towns, walking through gardens with nowhere else to be, and watching the light change over the mountains.
Use this list as a starting point—and leave yourself enough time to enjoy the lake in between.