My friend and I (two women, late 30's) are travelling to Northern Italy in October. Planning to do three days in the Lake Como region and are trying to choose between Bellagio, Varenna or Menaggio. All seem to have compelling things to see and do and it seems like it's fairly easy to get around by boat. Can anyone give me feedback on which of the towns you would recommend for us?

Generally speaking, we're both fairly athletic and hope to be outdoors most days, not big shoppers, but definitely up for great meals and great views. Intend to visit the villas and towns as well as to try to do some of the smaller hikes.

Thanks all for your input!

JEStraveler,
I would say you should pick the town that has the restaurants you want to go to dinner at. The ferries don't operate late at night.

Traveling by car? Menaggio.

Traveling by train? Varenna.

Determined to have the best view all the time? Bellagio.

Bellagio has been an upscale tourist destination for more than a century. So you are in a tourist attraction, and if feels that way. Varenna (thanks to Rick Steves) is increasingly overrun with tourists, but in October they will have dropped off quite a bit.

Menaggio is the liveliest and most egalitarian of the 3 towns, party because it sits at the center of a number of important roads liking the lake to other destinations.

Are you traveling in early or late October? You need to be aware that Lago di Como can get quite misty as the fall progresses and air begins to chill. If it were me, I would not spend a lot of money for a lake view from my hotel window at that time. (I might spend a little money to take a chance on it, but not a lot.)

I'll have to totally disagree with the previous poster about a room with a view of the lake in October. We spent time in Bellagio and our room at the Belevedere afforded spectacular lake view every day!
As for which town to stay in, I'd recommend Bellagio for several reasons:
*There's more to do.
*There are more restaurants.
*It has the best ferry service of the three towns, and thus, it is much easier to get to the other towns!

HowardR,

What time in October were you there?

Thanks so much for the speedy response. Sounds like I have some restaurant searching to do. If you have any "can't miss" places in the area, let me know. Thanks again!

I prefer Bellagio over Varenna because Varenna was too small for my taste. I cannot comment on Menaggio. I would not let transport dictate because you can arrive by train to V (or Como) and ferry to Bellagio, or you can drive in.

Bellagio gets my vote. Great places to eat, more people watching, and a wonderful view. Be sure to get a room with a view (yes, even in late October.)

I enjoyed not only taking a boat to diferent destinations, but there are some interesting small towns and hikes just south of Bellagio that the boat won't take you to but you can get to by public bus. Just check the bus schedule at the bus stop near the boat dock.

You will absolutely love your 3 days at Lake Como.

nessundorma, we were there early-to-mid-October.
Things to see and do:
*Villa Carotta in Tremezzo (a short ferry ride from Bellagio).
*Villa Monastero in Varenna
*A walk around the center of Varenna (small but incredibly charming)
*Outdoor dining at Bilacus in Bellagio.

I vote for Bellagio, and if possible, the Hotel Belvedere.

I like the fact the Bellagio has the most ferry connections. I agree with the other poster who said the best choice of dining is in Bellagio, and ferries don't run late.

I found Mennagio to be less attractive than Bellagio and Varenna.

Thanks all. Looks like Bellagio is a clear favorite and the Belvedere has room for us. Question though, we need to fly out of Malpensa in the morning our last day. Has anyone gone from Bellagio to the airport? Looks like Menaggio is far easier, but we're wondering what our choices are. Easy enough to switch hotels the last night if that makes sense. Were thinking of hiring a driver. If anyone's done that, please let us know your experience? Thanks!

You need to be at Malpensa airport a solid two hours before your departure. Although Menaggio is on a more direct route to Malpensa (and there is a bus that goes to Malpensa, but it does not run continuously), I would recommend that you deal directly with the Belevedere in making arrangements for a driver to take you to the airport. I would expect to pay in the neighborhood of 120 euros from Bellagio.

Ah, you'll love the view from the Belvedere.