Lake Como in 2-3 Days — Como, Bellagio, Varenna & Villa del Balbianello
Route length
2 days
Moving time
~12 h
Distance
90 km
Budget
€280–720/person
Transport
Walking, Ferry, Mixed
Best Season
Spring
Wanderpath gives you stops and context. Use Google Maps, Komoot or OsmAnd for turn-by-turn directions tailored to your vehicle.
Route Map
Route Waypoints
Como is the southern anchor of the lake — a working Lombard city with a surprising Gothic-Renaissance Cathedral (work began 1396, completed 1770), a silk industry dating to the 15th century, and the Piazza Cavour lakefront that is one of northern Italy's most elegantly proportioned public spaces. The best first-afternoon activity: walk to the funicular base at Piazza de Gasperi and ride up to Brunate (720m) for a panoramic sunset view of the whole lower lake and the Alps beyond. The village of Brunate is tiny and perfect for a post-sunset aperitivo before descending.
Practical Tips
Funicular base: Via Alessandro Volta 75 / Piazza de Gasperi, 5 min walk from the ferry dock. Runs every 30 min. Check last descent time at funivie.it — typically 22:30 summer, 20:30 off-season. Do NOT miss the last funicular down.
Como Cathedral (Duomo): the western rose window is extraordinary in late afternoon light — visit between 16:00 and 18:00 for optimal colour. Free entry. The carved marble portal by the Rodari brothers is one of the finest late-Gothic doorways in Lombardy.
Silk Museum (Museo della Seta): Via Castelnuovo 9, €10 adult. A niche but genuinely unique museum — Como is still the European capital of silk production and the museum covers the full process from cocoon to couture. Open Tue–Fri 09:00–12:00 and 15:00–18:00.
Dinner on the Piazza Cavour lakefront: Il Solito Posto (Via Lambertenghi 9, VERIFY reservation) for traditional Lombard cuisine; or Osteria del Gallo (Via Vitani 16) for local trattoria atmosphere and cheaper prices than the lakefront terraces.
Do not take a taxi boat for the Como–Bellagio transfer — it's 10× the price of the ferry for no practical benefit. Use the regular ferry service.
Coordinates:[1] 45.80810, 9.08520 · [2] 45.81295, 9.08013 · [3] 45.81133, 9.07080 · [4] 45.81020, 9.08420
Where to stay
- Hotel Metropole SuisseHotel · €220–400 · 668 m
Belle Époque lakefront hotel since 1892; directly on Piazza Cavour; best location in Como; book well ahead in summer
- Hotel BorgovicoHotel · €100–180 · 1.2 km · ~14 min
Mid-range option 10min walk from ferry; reliable; good breakfast; parking on site — useful if driving
- Ostello del CastelloHostel · €30–65 · 246 m
Only budget hostel in Como; hilltop location near castle; private rooms available; great views from terrace
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