Hot Spots › Italy
Lake Como
Lake Como is legitimately beautiful. The combination of a deep alpine lake, dramatic mountain backdrop, and centuries of aristocratic villa culture creates something genuinely distinctive. Bellagio — the town at the fork of the lake's two arms — has the most famous views and the most visitors. The ferry system that connects the lake towns is one of the pleasures of the place. The problem is that the combination of celebrity ownership (George Clooney's house has become a pilgrimage destination) and social media exposure has made the most famous areas very difficult to enjoy in summer.
Crowd pressure
Bellagio ferry terminal in summer is extremely congested. The most famous viewpoints are permanently busy. Some lake towns have more manageable visitor numbers.
Why visit
The lake setting with dramatic Alps backdrop is genuinely beautiful. The villas and gardens are extraordinary.
Best window
May-June or September-October
Getting there
Train from Milan to Como or Varenna. Ferry system connects the lake towns. A car gives access to higher villages.
The honest version
Very expensive. The most famous areas (Bellagio, central Como) are heavily visited. The lake is large enough that quieter areas exist if you look.
Instead of Lake Como
Instead of
Lake Como
Italy
Try
Lake Orta
Italy
Lake Orta delivers the Italian lakeside atmosphere people seek at Como — medieval town, water, mountains, ferry access, good food — in a smaller, more intimate format and with far fewer visitors. The island monastery offshore is something Como cannot offer.
Layers
Region
At a glance
- Country
- Italy
- Region
- Lombardy
- Heat Score
- 84/100
- Cost level
- $$$
- Alternatives
- 1