Why go

Lake Como is one of the loveliest landscapes in Italy and the easiest great day trip from Milan. Shaped like an upside-down Y, the deep blue lake is framed by steep wooded mountains that rise straight from the water, with pastel villages, grand villas and terraced gardens along its shores. Writers and composers from Stendhal to Verdi came here, and it remains a favourite retreat for the Milanese.

The heart of the lake is the central basin, where the three arms meet. Here Bellagio, Varenna and Menaggio face each other across the water, linked by frequent ferries, and the views from the boats are as memorable as the villages themselves.

What to see

  • Bellagio. The so-called pearl of the lake, with stepped lanes, silk shops and the gardens of Villa Melzi.
  • Varenna. A tiny fishing village with a lakeside walkway and the gardens of Villa Monastero.
  • Villa del Balbianello. A villa on a wooded promontory near Lenno, famous from film sets, reached by boat or on foot.
  • Como town. A walled centre with a fine cathedral and the funicular up to Brunate for wide views.
  • The ferries. Slow boats, fast boats and car ferries criss-crossing the lake.

Plan your visit

For the classic villages, take a direct train from Milano Centrale to Varenna-Esino, which takes about 64 minutes and costs about €7.70 one way. From Varenna, ferries cross to Bellagio and Menaggio; a single crossing costs about €5.50 and a central-lake day pass about €17.50, which pays for itself after three or four crossings.

If you would rather see Como town, trains from Milano Centrale reach Como San Giovanni in about 40 minutes, and trains from Milano Cadorna reach Como Lago on the lakefront in about an hour, both for about €5.40. The slow boat from Como to Bellagio takes more than two hours, so this route suits a more leisurely day.

Ferries run all year, but the winter timetable from 2 November 2026 to 14 March 2027 has fewer sailings, and many villa gardens close from November to March. Buy ferry tickets at the pier office where open, as tickets bought on board cost more. Note the last trains back to Milan, which leave Varenna by about 9.30pm.

Getting there

Regional trains need no reservation. Milano Centrale serves Varenna and Como San Giovanni, and Milano Cadorna serves Como Lago.

Tips

Start early to beat the crowds at the piers, especially on summer weekends. Pack a light layer even in summer, as it is cooler on the water, and allow time for lunch: lakeside restaurants serve local fish such as perch with risotto. A guided day trip from Milan, often including Lugano in Switzerland or a private boat, is an easy alternative if you prefer not to plan.

Nearby

Lake Maggiore, with Stresa and the Borromean Islands, and the hilltop old town of Bergamo are other easy day trips from Milan by train. From Varenna, the train continues north along the lake to Tirano, where the Bernina Express sets off across the Alps to St Moritz.