Lake Como's villas, lakeside villages and Alpine backdrop have been a retreat for centuries. Ferries link Bellagio, Varenna and Menaggio; spring and early fall are best.
Good to know
- Take ferries rather than driving; roads are narrow and busy.
- Book villa visits in advance; some close on certain days.
- Stay in a smaller town like Varenna for calmer evenings.
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Places the planner can use
Mark places as a must or something to skip. The itinerary is built only from this list; ★ marks the destination’s highlights.
Classic wooden Riva boat tour past celebrity villas and gardens, with a swim or aperitivo stop.
Funicular to a hilltop viewpoint, then a walk in the cathedral quarter.
How Como became a silk capital, with working looms.
The pearl of the lake, with stepped lanes and silk shops.
Spritz and snacks at a lakeside bar as the sun sets behind the mountains, a perfect end to the day.
Neo-classical villa with terraced gardens and azaleas.
Thermal pools and massages in a grand lakeside hotel spa, a reliable plan for a rainy afternoon.
Lakeside villa and gardens used as a film location.
Pastel fishing village with a lakeside promenade, a small castle and trattorias on the water.
Ride the ferries between Bellagio, Varenna and Menaggio for the best views of the villas and mountains.
Easy trail along the lake linking villas and villages, with Alpine views and lunch stops.