Lake Como is one of those places I can return to again and again and never get tired of. I’ve visited several times, explored different parts of the lake, stayed in different towns, and somehow there is always another beautiful corner waiting to be discovered.
You could easily spend a week here, but three days is enough to see many of the places that make Lake Como so special: elegant villas, romantic lakeside towns, gardens, mountain views, and plenty of time by the water.
This three-day Lake Como itinerary includes some of my personal favorites and the places I think are worth seeing on a first trip.
It is a fairly full itinerary, so don’t feel you have to follow every stop exactly. Lake Como is also about slowing down: having a long lunch by the water, taking the ferry for the views, and wandering through a town without anywhere particular to be. Here is how I would spend three days on the lake.
The three-day itinerary at a glance
Day 1: Lenno → Villa del Balbianello → Tremezzo → Villa Carlotta → Menaggio
Day 2: Varenna → Villa Cipressi → Villa Monastero → Bellagio → Villa Melzi
Optional: Castello di Vezio or Orrido di Bellano
Day 3: Nesso → Como → Brunate → Cernobbio
Day 1: Lenno, Tremezzo, and Menaggio
For your first day, explore the western shore of Lake Como. This part of the lake is home to two of its most beautiful villas, waterfront towns, and some of my favorite views.
Villa del Balbianello
Start your trip at Villa del Balbianello. The villa sits on a wooded peninsula stretching into the lake near Lenno, and its location alone makes it worth visiting.
Walk through the terraced gardens, admire the famous loggia overlooking the water, and take your time exploring the different viewpoints around the property.
You may recognize Villa del Balbianello from Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones and Casino Royale, but even without its movie connections, it is easily one of the most memorable places on the lake.
I would allow around 1.5–2 hours for your visit.
Tip: Plan this visit in advance. Villa del Balbianello is particularly popular during the warmer months, so book ahead rather than leaving it until the day you arrive.
Lenno
After Balbianello, spend some time in Lenno. It doesn’t get quite as much attention as Bellagio or Varenna, but it is one of my favorite towns on Lake Como.
The waterfront is much more relaxed than the lake’s busiest towns. Walk along the promenade, stop for a coffee, and enjoy the view for a while.
Lunch at Lido di Lenno
For lunch, stop at Lido di Lenno. The restaurant sits right on the lake, so you can eat overlooking the water before continuing toward Tremezzo. It’s exactly the kind of place that makes you want to turn a quick lunch into a very long one.
Villa Carlotta
After lunch, continue to Villa Carlotta in Tremezzo. Villa del Balbianello’s strength is its location; Villa Carlotta brings art, gardens, and views together.
The botanical gardens cover several hectares and are filled with camellias, azaleas, rhododendrons, palms, and other exotic plants. The paths climb above the lake, opening up views toward Bellagio and the surrounding mountains.
Spring is particularly beautiful here, but the gardens are worth visiting well beyond the main flowering period.
Inside the villa, you’ll also find an art collection, but I would make sure to leave enough time for the gardens. Plan around 1.5–2 hours for Villa Carlotta.
Menaggio
Finish the afternoon in Menaggio. It is one of the main towns in central Lake Como, but it feels more relaxed than Bellagio.
Start at Piazza Garibaldi and wander through the little streets around the center before walking along the lakeside promenade. If you’ve spent the day moving from one sight to another, this is a good place to stop sightseeing altogether: get an aperitivo, find a table outside, and enjoy the lake for a while.
Dinner in Menaggio
For dinner, try Il Ristorante di Paolo in the center of Menaggio, then take one last walk along the waterfront before heading back to your hotel.
Day 2: Varenna and Bellagio
If you have only one day to experience the Lake Como you have probably seen in photographs, make it this one. Varenna and Bellagio are two of the lake’s most beautiful towns, and the ferry makes them easy to combine.
Start early. Both towns become very busy during the day, and Varenna is particularly lovely in the morning before the crowds arrive.
Breakfast in Varenna
Start with breakfast at Bar Il Molo on Varenna’s waterfront. The setting is the main reason to come: colorful houses, little boats, and the lake right in front of you. Have your coffee here, then start exploring Varenna on foot.
Explore Varenna
Varenna is small, so the best thing to do is wander. Walk along the waterfront, climb the steep cobbled lanes between the colorful houses, and take the Passeggiata degli Innamorati, the short lakeside walkway connecting the ferry area with the historic center.
One street you shouldn’t miss is Salita Serbelloni, one of Varenna’s most photographed little stairways. It takes only a few minutes to see, but it captures the character of the town.
Villa Cipressi
Continue to Villa Cipressi, where the botanical gardens descend toward the lake in terraces planted with Mediterranean and exotic species.
The gardens aren’t enormous, so you can comfortably visit them in around 45 minutes to one hour. More than anything, come here for the setting and the views.
Villa Monastero
Just a few minutes away, you’ll find Villa Monastero, one of my favorite places in Varenna.
Its botanical garden stretches along the lake for almost two kilometers, passing fountains, sculptures, architectural details, and carefully framed views over the water. The long, narrow shape of the garden means you’re almost constantly walking beside the lake.
Allow around 1–1.5 hours, or a little longer if you also want to visit the villa interiors.
Ferry from Varenna to Bellagio
From Varenna, take the ferry across to Bellagio. Don’t think of it only as transportation: some of the best views of Lake Como are from the water, and the journey between the central lake towns is part of the experience. If the weather is good, stay outside as you approach Bellagio.
Explore Bellagio
Bellagio may be the most famous town on Lake Como. It gets crowded, but I still think it deserves a place on a first-time itinerary.
Wander through the narrow streets climbing away from the waterfront, browse the small boutiques, and make your way toward Piazza della Chiesa. Don’t rush through Bellagio trying to tick off sights; a big part of its appeal is walking around and seeing where the little staircases lead.
Lunch at Trattoria San Giacomo
For lunch, try Trattoria San Giacomo, tucked into one of Bellagio’s characteristic streets. Afterwards, stop at Gelateria del Borgo for gelato and spend a little time around Piazza della Chiesa.
The gardens of Villa Melzi
In the afternoon, walk along the lake to the Gardens of Villa Melzi, among my favorite gardens on Lake Como.
The grounds run along the shoreline and feel peaceful compared with the busy center of Bellagio. You’ll find old trees, sculptures, flowers, elegant garden architecture, and views across the lake. Give yourself around 1–1.5 hours, and don’t rush.
Punta Spartivento
Before leaving Bellagio, walk to Punta Spartivento at the northern tip of the peninsula. Bellagio sits where Lake Como divides into its two southern branches, and Punta Spartivento gives you a clear view of that meeting point. It’s a lovely place to finish your time in Bellagio, especially later in the afternoon.
If you have more time: Bellano or Castello di Vezio
There are two more places worth visiting on this side of the lake, but I wouldn’t try to squeeze both into an already busy day. Castello di Vezio sits high above Varenna and looks across the central lake; getting there involves an uphill walk, so allow enough time. Alternatively, head north to Orrido di Bellano, a natural gorge carved through the rock by the Pioverna River.
If you’re determined to see as much as possible, choose one. Personally, on a three-day trip, I would rather spend more time in Varenna and Bellagio than race through all four places.
Dinner in Bellagio or Varenna
If you stay in Bellagio for dinner, head toward La Punta for a meal overlooking the lake. Alternatively, take the ferry back to Varenna and have dinner at Ristorante La Vista, whose terrace looks over the water.
Day 3: Nesso, Como, Brunate, and Cernobbio
Your final day takes you away from the famous central lake towns and toward the southern part of Lake Como. You’ll start in one of the lake’s most atmospheric villages, continue to Como, head into the hills above the city, and finish the trip in Cernobbio.
Nesso and Orrido di Nesso
Start early in Nesso. The village is built into the steep hillside and is known for the Orrido di Nesso, a narrow natural gorge where the water rushes between the rocks before reaching the lake.
Walk down through the village toward Ponte della Civera, the old stone bridge spanning the gorge close to the water. This is the classic Nesso view: the stone bridge, waterfall, old houses, and blue lake all squeezed into one scene.
Just remember that what goes down must come back up: there are plenty of stairs waiting for you afterwards. Allow around one hour to explore.
Como
Continue south to Como, the largest city on the lake. After two days of little villages and villas, Como feels completely different, with shops, restaurants, historic architecture, and a lively waterfront. Spend a few hours exploring the historic center rather than treating Como only as the place where you catch a train or ferry.
Como Cathedral
Start at Como Cathedral (Duomo di Como) in the heart of the old town. Its construction stretched across several centuries, resulting in a mix of architectural styles. Take a look inside, then spend some time wandering through the surrounding streets and piazzas.
Basilica of Sant’Abbondio
If you enjoy historic churches, walk to the Basilica of Sant’Abbondio. It sits slightly away from Como’s busiest tourist streets and feels noticeably quieter than the area around the Duomo, while its Romanesque architecture offers a contrast to Como Cathedral.
Volta Temple and the waterfront
Head back toward the lake and walk along the waterfront to the Volta Temple, dedicated to Como-born physicist Alessandro Volta. Even if you don’t visit the museum itself, the waterfront here is a pleasant place to walk, with open views across the lake and mountains.
Lunch at Ristorante Sociale
For lunch, try Ristorante Sociale, a historic restaurant close to the cathedral serving traditional Italian and Lombard cuisine. Afterwards, walk back toward the lake for the next part of the day.
Take the funicular to Brunate
From Como, take the historic funicular up to Brunate. Within minutes, you leave the busy city behind and arrive high above the lake.
Spend some time walking around Brunate and taking in the panoramic views over Como, the lake, and the surrounding mountains. If you have the time and energy, continue toward the Volta Lighthouse for an even higher viewpoint. Late afternoon is a particularly good time to come up here.
Cernobbio
After taking the funicular back down, finish your Lake Como trip in Cernobbio. Only a short distance from Como, it feels smaller and more intimate. Walk along the waterfront, explore the center, and enjoy one final aperitivo beside the lake.
Villa d’Este
Cernobbio is also home to Villa d’Este, one of the best-known hotels on Lake Como. Unlike Villa Carlotta or Villa Melzi, this isn’t a public attraction where you buy an entrance ticket to explore the gardens. Villa d’Este is a hotel, so access depends on its current policies and reservations.
If you would like to experience the property, check the hotel’s current options in advance rather than planning to arrive simply to tour the gardens.
Dinner in Como or Cernobbio
For your final dinner, try Ristorante La Colombetta in Como or, if you’d like to end the trip with a view, head above Cernobbio to Gatto Nero. A long dinner overlooking Lake Como is a pretty good way to say goodbye.
How to get around Lake Como
One of the biggest mistakes you can make when planning Lake Como is looking at a map and assuming everything is close. Distances may look short, but narrow lakeside roads, traffic, and limited parking can make driving much slower than expected.
In the central lake area, especially around Bellagio, Varenna, Menaggio, and Tremezzo, ferries are often the easiest way to get around. They are also the most scenic.
If you’re traveling by car, use it strategically rather than trying to drive everywhere. A car is useful for reaching places such as Nesso and exploring areas away from the main ferry routes, but I would happily leave it parked while visiting the central lake. Ferry schedules change throughout the year, so check the timetable for your actual travel dates rather than relying on one you found months earlier.
Do you need a car in Lake Como?
Not necessarily. If you’re staying in Varenna, Bellagio, Menaggio, or Como and mainly want to see the famous central lake towns, you can easily build a trip around trains and ferries.
Varenna is particularly convenient if you’re arriving from Milan because it has a train station as well as ferry connections across the lake. A car gives you more freedom to explore smaller villages and viewpoints, but it also comes with the headache of narrow roads and parking.
For this particular itinerary, I would combine ferries with a car, but you can adapt it to public transportation if necessary.
Where to stay in Lake Como for three days
Where you stay can make a huge difference to how much time you spend getting around. For a first trip, I would generally stay around the central part of the lake.
Varenna
Varenna is probably my favorite all-around base. It has a train connection with Milan, sits directly on the ferry network connecting it with Bellagio and Menaggio, and becomes particularly atmospheric in the evening once many day-trippers have left.
Bellagio
Choose Bellagio if you want to stay right in the middle of the classic Lake Como experience. You’ll have restaurants, shops, distinctive streets, and convenient ferry connections on your doorstep. The downside is that it is one of the busiest places on the lake.
Menaggio
Menaggio is a good alternative if you want something a little more relaxed. It’s particularly convenient if you’re traveling by car while still giving you easy access to the central lake ferries.
Como
Como makes sense if transport connections are your priority or if you’re arriving late from Milan. There is much more going on in the evening than in the smaller towns, but you’ll spend more time traveling to places such as Bellagio and Varenna.
When is the best time to visit Lake Como?
For me, the best times to visit Lake Como are late spring and early autumn. May and June usually give you beautiful gardens, long days, and warm weather without the intensity of peak summer. September can also be wonderful, with warm days and slightly fewer visitors.
July and August are also the busiest months. Expect crowded ferries, busy restaurants, and much more competition for accommodation. If you’re visiting during high season, book the things that matter most to you in advance, particularly accommodation and the most popular villas.
Are three days enough for Lake Como?
Yes. Three days is enough for a good first trip to Lake Como. You won’t see the entire lake, but you don’t need to. Three days gives you enough time to experience the famous central lake towns, visit several of its most beautiful villas, see Como itself, and discover a couple of places beyond the obvious highlights.
If you have four or five days, I wouldn’t necessarily add ten more attractions; I’d slow this itinerary down. Spend an afternoon swimming. Take a boat out on the lake. Have a two-hour lunch. Stay in Varenna after everyone else catches the ferry home. On Lake Como, the time between the sights can be just as memorable as the sights themselves.
Why I keep coming back
Lake Como has a reputation for glamour, grand hotels, and historic villas, and you’ll certainly find all of that here. What keeps bringing me back, though, are the simpler moments: early mornings by the water, ferry rides between little towns, gardens overlooking the lake, and long lunches that somehow turn into an entire afternoon.
If it’s your first visit, this three-day route gives you a little bit of everything: the villas, Bellagio and Varenna, quieter Lenno and Menaggio, the scenery of Nesso, and finally Como and the mountains above it. And if you don’t manage to see everything, that’s a very good reason to come back.