Hey there! I’m sure you’re wondering what to visit on Lake Como, so you’re in for a treat! Lake Como is one of Italy’s most popular tourist destinations, renowned for its stunning natural scenery, charming towns, and celebrity sightings. If you’re planning a trip to Lake Como, here are some top attractions and activities you shouldn’t miss, including 15 lesser-known places that will surely surprise you!
While Varenna and Bellagio are popular tourist spots you won’t want to miss, there are plenty of other amazing things to see and do on Lake Como. I researched some of the lesser-known spots, but we didn’t have enough time to see all of them during our 2-day visit. If you’re planning a trip, I recommend spending at least three days to take in everything the lake offers. You can find my proposed 5-day itinerary in my post called How to Organize Your Lake Como Vacation – Useful Tips and Itinerary.
For the short version, the MUST-SEE places are:
- Villa Balbianello
- Varenna (with Villa Monastero and Hotel Villa Cipressi)
- Bellagio
- Villa Carlotta
Read on for the extended version, with many gorgeous places, including 15 lesser-known locations. I split the lake into three parts: the eastern shore, the middle part, and the western shore, and I listed the town Como separately. While we couldn’t see everything, I’ve documented all my research in this post.
What to visit on Lake Como – Hotel Villa Cipressi, Lake Como
Lake Como hotels and accommodation
If you need a recommendation for a place to stay, I had a great experience at Casa Bellagina in Bellagio. However, here are some highly-rated Lake Como hotels or apartments if you want to explore other options. Since I proposed a 5-day itinerary, of which three days are spent on the lake’s western side, I will suggest some accommodations on this side. If you’re relying on public transit, Menaggio and Cadenabbia are both excellent choices:
- Low budget: Hotel Bellavista, Landscapesilvia 1 Aria, Hotel Adler
- Medium budget: Hotel Garni Corona, Suites Menaggio, Royal Cadenabbia
- Luxury/Boutique: Grand Hotel Victoria concept & spa, Grand Hotel Menaggio, Casa Maria Menaggio
If you’re traveling by car, I suggest seeking lodgings higher up for a breathtaking view. I had booked Appartamento La Vigna in Sala Comacina, which was top-notch. I dreamed of having my coffee on that terrace before we changed our minds and got the apartment in Bellagio. Regardless of where you choose to stay, I’m sure you’ll have an unforgettable time exploring the exquisite beauty of Lake Como.
- Low budget: Balbianino, Azzano Holidays B&B, Hotel Lenno, Sala Comacina Residence No 4 (for a large group, it has 4 bedrooms and a pool), Il Grifo, Hotel Argegno
- Medium budget: Appartamento La Vigna, Liza’s Suite’s – Room’s with a View, Casa Lumaca, Villa Lina, Villa Belvedere Como Lake Relais, Residenza Simona (2 bedrooms and a pool)
- Lux/Boutique: Grand Hotel Tremezzo, VILLA MOLLI-Infinity Pool and Hot Tub (very special, for a large group, it has 6 bedrooms), Villa privata con piscina Colonno, MUSA Lago di Como
What to visit on Lake Como – chapters
- Eastern Shore
- Lariano Triangle
- Western Shore
- Town of Como
What to visit on Lake Como – The eastern shore
Varenna
The pearl of the eastern shore of Lake Como is definitely Varenna! There are three fantastic spots in Varenna that I highly recommend, but you shouldn’t miss exploring the town itself. It’s a small town, only 700 meters from one end to the other, full of that charming Italian dolce far niente spirit. Strolling through the streets while enjoying a delicious gelato is an experience you’ll never forget.
We parked our car near the ferry dock, where a few spots are available for around 1€ per hour. You must pay at the machine (note that it’s coins only!) for the number of hours you want to stay and leave the ticket on the dashboard. I suggest putting in around 3-4 hours if you want to visit both gardens and an extra hour if you plan to have lunch or dinner.
Varenna seen from Lake Como
What to visit on Lake Como – Varenna
Varenna
Varenna, Lake Como
Villa Monastero – what to visit on lake como
I highly recommend visiting Villa Monastero, especially the garden! The garden is quite long, stretching for almost 2 km along the lake. It’s a sight to behold, with elegant walkways, exotic plants, gorgeous gazebos, and fountains. The website describes it as “an explosion of colors, shapes, scents, and rare botanical species from all over the world.”
The garden is open daily from March until November and only on certain days the rest of the year. Be sure to check the exact schedule here before planning your visit. The ticket for the garden is €8, and for the garden plus the museum (inside the Villa), it’s €10. During our visit, we only saw the garden. We didn’t know if Mara would have the patience to go inside, but she enjoyed walking outside.
Don’t forget that you can buy a combo ticket for the Villa Monastero Garden + the Hotel Villa Cipressi Garden for €15! It’s definitely worth the extra cost to see both gardens if you have the time!
What to visit on Lake Como – Villa Monastero, Varenna, Como
Villa Monastero, Varenna, Lake Como
Villa Monastero
Villa Monastero
What to visit on Lake Como – Villa Monastero, Varenna, Como
Hotel Villa Cipressi – what to visit on lake como
Hotel Villa Cipressi is a stunning hotel where you can actually stay, but it may be a bit pricey (I see €1000 per night for the Suite with Garden View in October!). However, I highly recommend visiting the Botanical Garden, which is truly spectacular! It is not as extensive as the first one but built around the Villa on several levels.
If you wander down to the lake, you will come across a giant magnolia tree that must be breathtaking when it blooms! During our visit in late April, we were lucky enough to catch the wisteria in full bloom, which added to the fairy-tale atmosphere of the area.
The ticket costs €8, or you can purchase a combined ticket for this garden and the one at Villa Monastero for €15. Children under 11 can enter for free, so it’s also an excellent option for families. For more information on prices and schedules, check here.
What to visit on Lake Como – Hotel Villa Cipressi, Varenna
Hotel Villa Cipressi, Lake Como
Giant Magnolia tree at Hotel Villa Cipressi
Hotel Villa Cipressi
Hotel Villa Cipressi, Varenna, Lake Como
Here at Hotel Villa Cipressi, I stumbled upon a stunning gate that has become quite popular on Instagram. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to take the typical “influencer” photo in front of it, but I did manage to capture some great angles that I’m really happy with. Check out “the real deal” below! 😆
Hotel Villa Cipressi, Lake Como
Hotel Villa Cipressi
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Castello di Vezio
Castello di Vezio is a castle in ruins located at an altitude of 175m above the lake, right above the town of Varenna. You can climb on foot. You have two options: Sentiero del Viandante, a smoother and longer path (30-50 min), with more beautiful views, which starts across from Villa Monastero, or a shorter (20 min) but steeper path, without views because it is covered by vegetation (a plus during summer), which starts somewhere near the port.
We drove up and parked for free in the parking lot near the castle. The ticket costs €5, and entry is free for children under 6. It is open daily between March and October, so make sure to check the exact schedule here. While the castle itself is mostly in ruins, the view from the top is absolutely charming and definitely worth a visit!
View over Lake Como at Castello di Vezio
Castello di Vezio
Castello di Vezio
View at Castello di Vezio
Castello di Vezio
Orrido di Bellano
I recently visited Orrido di Bellano, a gorge 7km north of Varenna. Amazingly, this natural wonder was formed 15 million years ago! What’s even more surprising is that it’s completely hidden behind the houses in Bellano and isn’t a well-known attraction. Nevertheless, I highly recommend it as it is very impressive.
You can park for free in Piazza S. Giorgio. The ticket for the Orrido costs €5, but children under 6 can enter for free. The trail is very simple, on a wooden and metal footbridge, with only a few stairs to climb and descend. The entire stroll, including stops for photos, takes about 15 minutes, so the path it’s not very long. We arrived just 15 minutes before closing (it closed at 5 pm in April), so I can confirm the timings. 😅 However, it’s always best to check the schedule on Google Maps before going.
Orrido di Bellano, Lake Como
Orrido di Bellano
Orrido di Bellano
Orrido di Bellano
Corenno Plinio
Corenno Plinio is a charming little village that looks like it was plucked straight out of a rustic fairy tale. I never expected to find such a quaint and peaceful place on Lake Como, known for its luxury and extravagance. This medieval village, which sits atop a Roman settlement, is famous for its many steps carved into the rock, earning it the nickname “the village of a thousand steps.” The stone houses here remind me of the picturesque villages of Tuscany. It’s only a 20-minute drive from Varenna. I highly recommend adding it to your itinerary if you’re ever in the area.
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Lierna
Lierna is a small and picturesque town with a lovely (pebbly) beach that is not too crowded. We found it among the lesser-known recommendations for Lake Como. So if you have time and want to relax on the beach or take a stroll through a town that is not overrun with tourists, you can stop here.
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Belvedere Piani Resinelli
what to visit on lake como
We would have loved to reach this viewpoint, but it would have taken us about an hour by car from Varenna. Mara was not up for such a long journey, so we gave up. But look at that incredible footbridge!!
To get here, you have to head towards Lecco, then drive up to Ballabio – Piano dei Resinelli and park at one of the two car parks, Parcheggio Piani dei Resinelli in Piazzale Daniele Chiappa (here on Google Maps), or Parcheggio Valentino in Via Escursionisti (here on Google Maps). Then walk along an easy trail for about 30 minutes until you reach Belvedere Parco Valentino – Piani Resinelli (here on Google Maps).
As I mentioned, we did not make it here, so we don’t have more details. If you have any additional information about the trail, please let me know!
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Sentiero del Viandante
Sentiero del Viandante is a path on the eastern side of the lake, along the lower slopes of the mountain, stretching for about 70 km between the towns of Abbadia Lariana and Morbegno. From what I understand, it is a relatively easy trail, and only trekking boots are recommended, not other specialized equipment. However, on alltrails.com, it is marked as a medium to difficult, so read more if you want to embark on this experience.
The trail is divided into 6 stages that you can complete one by one, depending on your own fitness level, or of course, you can do only one or a few of the stages. What’s great is that the entire trail is bordered by the railway line, and you can easily access it from each station, so after each stage, you can take the train back to the starting point. Read more here.
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What to visit on Lake Como – the Lariano Triangle
The Lariano Triangle is the small peninsula between the branches of Lake Como between the towns of Como, Lecco, and Bellagio.
Bellagio
Bellagio is right at the tip of the peninsula in the middle of the lake. We only managed to reach this area, so I’ll tell you about the rest of the places from what I researched. We parked for free (on the white lines) on Parco Martiri della Libertà street, which climbs up the hill right in front of the port (here on Google Maps).
What to visit on Lake Como – Bellagio
What to visit on Lake Como – Bellagio
Bellagio
Bellagio has a unique refinement, with every street corner elegant and every tree well-maintained. It is undoubtedly the most famous place on Lake Como and, of course, the busiest. As we were not eager to face crowds, we only explored it briefly in the afternoon and did not visit anything. But there are a few places worth seeing in Bellagio.
I will start with this street, the iconic image of the town. It is Salita Serbelloni Street, seen from Via Giuseppe Garibaldi. The place where you can take a picture is here.
Bellagio, Lake Como
Take a kayak tour if you’re looking for a unique way to experience the lake. Not only will you get breathtaking views, but you’ll also get to hear some amazing stories from your guide.
And if you’re looking for a great place to visit, Villa Melzi is worth checking out. The gardens are stunning, and I would have loved to see the Moorish kiosk (Chiosco Moresco) there. Admission is €8 for adults, but children under 11 get in for free. The Villa is open daily from 10:00 – 19:00, and you can explore the garden, museum, and chapel. Unfortunately, the interior of the Villa is not accessible.
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Villa Serbelloni Gardens – you can visit the gardens, but the Villa’s interior is not open to the public. To explore the gardens, you’ll need to take a guided tour, which runs twice a day from Tuesday to Sunday at 11:00 and 15:30. The tours last about 2 hours, with the first hour being a sustained uphill walk.
You can purchase tickets online or on-site at the entrance to the Villa in Piazza della Chiesa. Tickets cost €10, and entry is free for children under 7 years old. However, keep in mind that a minimum number of people is required for a tour, and my friend reported that their guide was half an hour late.
Despite these minor inconveniences, the views of the gardens are breathtaking and well worth the visit. If you’re a fan of stunning scenery and picturesque landscapes, the Villa Serbelloni Gardens are a must-see. Check out my friend’s photos for a sneak peek of what’s in store!
Villa Serbelloni, Bellagio
Villa Serbelloni, Bellagio
Nesso
Nesso is a charming, picturesque town filled with old-world charm and romantic vibes. The stone bridge adds to the aesthetic, giving it a sense of history and timeless beauty. If you come by car, you’ll need to park it uphill and descend the stairs to the bridge. However, suppose you’re up for a scenic stroll. In that case, Nesso is home to a stunning waterfall and canyon (Orrido di Nesso), which you can view above on the road bridge. It’s definitely worth the trip!
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Torno
Torno is another lovely town that came up when I was researching what to visit on Lake Como. Far from the tourist trail, I think you can find the local spirit in these places, which I always look for on my trips. I really liked the picture below on Instagram, and I finally found (probably) the place it was taken from, here on Google Maps.
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Civenna
For a top view, go to Civenna! Here you will also find a giant bench, I understand that there are several on Lake Como, or even around the world, search for Civenna Big Bench on Google Maps or Panchina Gigante Civenna on Instagram.
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What to visit on Lake Como – Western shore
There are many amazing places to visit on the western shore of Lake Como! Let’s start with Villa Balbianello, the most special place on the entire lake in my opinion, and then I’ll cover the rest of the attractions from north to south.
Villa del Balbianello
I dare to declare Villa Balbianello, especially its stunning garden, the most beautiful place on Lake Como! And it has some serious competition!
The magnificent Villa was built in the 18th century and was last owned by Guido Monzino, who was obsessed with the beauty of this place. He was an entrepreneur, collector, and passionate traveler (the first Italian to climb Mount Everest) who donated the estate to the FAI Foundation. FAI preserves the spirit of the Villa, and everything is arranged according to Guido’s wishes. He is buried here on the property.
The ticket for the Villa is €11, and the garden is an additional €11. We only saw the garden, which is absolutely splendid and certainly the highlight of the visit! With trees cut in unusual shapes, romantic views, pathways bordered by statues, panoramic terraces, and an abundance of diverse flowers, I’m sure it will impress you!
Parking at Villa Balbianello is free, you will find Parcheggio/Parking on Via degli Artigiani. Just keep in mind that from the parking lot to the Villa, you have to walk about 1 km, which I found endless because Mara kept changing her mind, she wanted to be carried or to walk by herself, and when she walked, she played with pebbles and didn’t want to move forward, I think we spent more than half an hour here…
The endless 1 km path to Villa del Balbianello 🙂
What to visit on Lake Como – Villa del Balbianello
Villa del Balbianello
Villa del Balbianello
Villa del Balbianello
Villa del Balbianello, Lake Como
Villa del Balbianello
Villa del Balbianello
What to visit on Lake Como – Villa del Balbianello
Villa La Gaeta
what to visit on lake como
Villa La Gaeta is a marvel!!! You can’t visit it, but you can admire it from behind the fence, or even better, from the lake if you take a boat ride in this area (it’s north of Menaggio). It is known for appearing in the James Bond movie Casino Royale (2006). Here‘s a scene from the movie with Villa La Gaeta.
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Menaggio
Menaggio is a very beautiful town! It’s small, with a charming Italian city center and a wonderful promenade along the lake. We stopped here for lunch. We parked in a paid parking lot along the lake, it was around €1 per hour. But there is also a free parking lot here.
Menaggio, Lake Como
Menaggio
Menaggio
Menaggio
Chiesetta degli Alpini and Croccetta di Menaggio
These two places are close to Menaggio and an excellent opportunity for a hiking trip, if you’re into it. I read that the trail is medium in difficulty and takes about 45 minutes to walk. And the view towards Menaggio is fantastic! I read that you can also drive to Croce, and from there walk for about 15 minutes. It’s a trail that we would have done when it was just the two of us, maybe we’ll do it as a family in a few years, but if you have more details about it, write them in the comments!
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Chiesa di San Martino
Chiesa di San Martino is another little church you can hike to. You have to leave the car in Griante and walk for about an hour, it’s a track of medium difficulty. From here, you have a gorgeous view of the two branches of the lake, split by the Lariano Triangle, the peninsula where Bellagio is located.
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Tremezzo and Villa Carlotta
what to visit on lake como
Tremezzo is a beautiful town and a must-visit on Lake Como. In addition to leisurely walks enjoying gelato, you can see three important attractions here.
Villa Carlotta is yet another splendid villa, it seems these beautiful villas are popping up like mushrooms on Lake Como! It has a lovely garden and I adore the multi-level steps! We didn’t get to see it because the group was tired and wanted to eat, but it was a priority on our list.
With an Italian garden, a romantic garden, a fern valley, and a citrus tunnel, it’s definitely a must-see on Lake Como! The ticket costs €12, children under 6 enter for free, and check their website for visiting hours. Currently, in the summer when I’m writing this article, the Villa is open daily from 10:00 am to 7:00 pm.
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Grand Hotel Tremezzo looks incredible! With that ‘Wes Anderson vibe’ thanks to the beautiful facade, an artificial beach in front, and a floating pool on the lake, not to mention the extravagant interiors (it’s a delight to browse their Instagram), I think it sums up the luxury experience of Lake Como! Of course, you can book a room here, but the prices are something, between €1000 and €2800 per night. I just put it on the list in case you want to take a photo in front. 😁
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Villa Sola Cabiati is 5 minutes from Grand Hotel Tremezzo and is owned and managed by the hotel. As far as I understand, it cannot be visited, but if you stay at the hotel, it is possible to take a tour of the Villa. You can see it very well from the street, and admire the exterior and garden at your leisure.
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Also in Tremezzo, you can take a tour on a classic wooden motorboat, a little luxurious indulgence to taste a bit of the extravagant life of the lake! Lake Como: Classic Speedboat Private Tour is a private tour with a Cadenazzi motorboat in the central part of the lake. It’s more expensive, costing €599 per group of up to 5 people, but it looks like a unique experience.
Villa La Casinella
Villa La Casinella is a beautiful private villa, only accessible by water, located on the small peninsula where Villa del Balbianello is also located. It’s truly special, and if you visit their website, you can immerse yourself in their dreamy setting. It can be rented, of course. It has a tennis court, cinema, and pool, can accommodate up to 17 people, and comes with a full staff who will take care of any request you may have. You can admire it from the lake if you take a boat ride in the area.
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Ossuccio
Ossuccio is a charming small town, almost connected to Sala Comacina, another town you can leisurely walk to. Let me tell you about three cute places here.
Villa Balbiano is close to Balbianello. It’s a private property and cannot be visited, but weddings are held here, although I read some pretty poor Google reviews, you can see the Villa from the street, it looks quite lovely.
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Chiesa di San Giacomo is an old stone church, very beautiful, on the shore of Lake Como.
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The Sacro Monte di Ossuccio route is a small path that passes by 14 chapels and reaches the Santuario Madonna del Soccorso. The 14 chapels were built between 1635 and 1710 in Baroque style. It’s a beautiful walk with wonderful views towards both Bellagio and Isola Comacina, the only island on the lake.
You have to park your car on Via Molgisio in Lenno (here on Google Maps), and the route is on a gravel road of about 1 km, with an ascent of 150m, which takes about half an hour to complete.
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Argegno and Belvedere di Pigra
what to visit on lake como
You can take a stroll in Argegno, which is on my list of picturesque towns, but we came here to take the cable car up to Pigra.
Argegno, Lake Como
Argegno
We parked for free at Parcheggio Grandi and walked for 4-5 minutes to the cable car. You have to be careful with the schedule, which is also on Google Maps. During the weekdays, they have a lunch break between 12:30-14:00, so avoid that time. I don’t recommend going up thinking of spending an hour and a half there, as there isn’t much to do except maybe have a picnic.
So, during the weekdays, the cable car operates from 6:30-12:30 and 14:00-16:30, and on weekends, it operates from 9:30-17:00. However, it may vary depending on the season. The round-trip ticket costs €4.70. The cable car takes about 5 minutes to reach Pigra, a small town located 550m above sea level, where you can enjoy a beautiful view of Lake Como!
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From here, you can take a short and easy walk of about 15 minutes through the forest to a lookout point. Honestly, the viewpoint isn’t that great as the view is blocked by cables! However, the walk through the forest is lovely. Mara picked up a small pine cone on the trail, which we still have at home, and she knows she got it when we were on vacation.
View from Pigra
Belvedere Pigra
Belvedere Pigra
Trail to Belvedere Pigra
Trail to Belvedere Pigra
Laglio
Laglio is another lesser-known town with charming cobbled streets that wind up the hill. George Clooney’s Villa is also located here if you were curious about that. 😄
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Greenway del Lago di Como
Greenway is a 10km trail along the lake on the western side, between the towns of Colonno and Griante. It’s exactly the type of activity we enjoy on vacation! Okay, in the first few days, we visit the important sights, no doubt. But then we like to immerse ourselves in local life, see lesser-known places, and get some exercise. Just like we trekked Sentiero degli Dei on the Amalfi Coast, the trails in Cinque Terre, or the Mediterranean Steps in Gibraltar. It’s doable if you spend more time on Lake Como. This is why I created a 5-day itinerary, and there are just so many places to see!
Read more about Greenway del Lago di Como here, the official website that presents each section of the path, where to go, and what you can see along the way. It’s an easy trail that mostly goes along the lake.
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Town of Como
I left for last the town of Como, which is at the southwest end of the lake. I would say it’s not the main attraction of the lake, but it’s worth stopping here if you have more time. I’ve visited Como several times in the past, so we didn’t stop here in 2022. But I’m digging through memories, photos, and the internet to recommend a few places to visit.
Note after about two hours of searching through photos! Although I remember at least three visits to Como, I could only find two photos and those on Facebook! Since I started traveling more seriously, I have organized my photos very well. But we’re talking about pre-2010, when we didn’t even have mobile phones that took photos, oh dear. 😂 So, unfortunately, I have nothing to brag about!
With my friends at Villa Olmo in Como in 2009
Como is everything you would expect from an Italian town: large squares, elegant and well-maintained buildings, narrow cobbled streets, pizza, piadine, and gelato at every turn. In short, on a walk through Como, I recommend you see: Porta Torre and Piazza Vittoria, Piazza San Fedele, the Cathedral of Como, Piazza Duomo, and last but not least, Villa Olmo. The Villa’s park is open and free daily, I have been here twice. But I read on their website that the Villa is also free to visit.
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A little further up, in the town of Cernobbio, there are two other important villas, Villa Erba and Villa d’Este.
In Como, there is also a funicular that goes up the mountain to Brunate. A round-trip ticket is 5.70€, the ascent takes 7 minutes, and the frequency is 15-30 minutes (check the exact schedule here). Brunate is a town in itself, you can walk around here, and there are several panoramic viewpoints. The one I wanted to reach is Faro Voltiano. t’s about 1.5km and a climb of 200m from the funicular station to here.
Also, from Como, you can rent a motorboat for a 2-hour ride on the lake or opt for a guided tour on a motorboat.
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What to Visit on Lake Como: A Travel Guide to Italy’s Most Glamorous Lake
I wrote yet another lengthy article, 4700 words, about what to visit on Lake Como. I hope you got an idea of the wonders of the lake beyond Bellagio and Varenna, about where each one is located. Read the other articles about the lake, too, and they will help in planning your trip.
What did I miss on this list? Tell me in the comments! I wish you a wonderful vacation on Lake Como!
Also, have a look at:
- How to organize your vacation on Lake Como – useful tips and itinerary
With my family at Hotel Villa Cipressi in Varenna, on Lake Como
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