How is Como?
 

I've seen many postings here on Bellagio, Mennagio and Varenna, but has anybody been to Como, on Lake Como? any comments/ suggestions?
We're planning to drive to Como from Milan in late June.

Any info would help.
Thank you!

Of the lake towns you mention, Como would be my fourth choice. Actually, I would characterize Como as a city, Menaggio as a medium-size town, and Bellagio and Varenna as small towns.

There's nothing wrong with Como; it's just a different experience from being mid-lake at any of the other places you mention.

You can drive to Menaggio and take the car ferry to Bellagio and/or Varenna. You are not limited to Como just because you're driving.

Como is an industrial town famous for its silk production and it's not the best place for a tourist to stay IMO. I mean you CAN take Como as a base to tour the lake by car, but I think that there are much better places to stay, that have gorgeous views on the lake.

Thank you for your input.
Any accomodation reccomendation for Mennagio, Varenna or Bellagio?
I'm looking for a place that is around 100 to 150 euros for a double room.

Thank you.

I'll be travelling solo to Milan in early July and wanted to take a quick side trip to the Lake Como area. I will not have a car, and thus will be subject to trains/buses/ferries. From other posts here, I'm gettting the impression that I should avoid Como and rather go on to Bellagio or one of the other villages. My question is do the buses/trains from Milan go on to those other towns from Como or is there direct service from Milan and/or is ferry service from Como the easier choice? I'll only be doing a day trip and was looking for something interesting/picturesque

You can travel directly by rail from Milano Centrale to Varenna. The trip takes one hour and 20 minutes and the trains run at approximately two-hour intervals. There are no rail connections to either Menaggio or Bellagio. You can ferry to either of these from Varenna.

You can also go by rail to the city of Como and then take a ferry from there. There may also be bus services from Milan to several of these locations but I am not familiar with those services.

As a follow-on to the immediately above: if you decide to train to Varenna sit on the left side (facing forward) for the best lake views which will begin at Lecco.

Just got back from Bellagio and I would recommend staying there above the other three places. Como was fun for an afternoon, but it was a busy city. Not much to do on Varenna or Mennagio. We stayed at the Du Lac right on the ferry dock in Bellagio. It was right where all the action is but it all depends on what you like. The town is very beautiful with lots of quaint shops and restaurants. I would not hesitate to stay there again.

Thanks for the info on Bellagio. Did you travel from Milano to Como by train? Was Bellagio convenient for ferries, etc.?

Bellagio is very convenient for the ferries. The hydrofoil takes about 45 minutes from Como, with 2 or 3 stops, while the ferry makes many stops and takes 2 hours.
Also, you can get to Varenna, Tremezzo and other towns directly from Bellagio on the ferry.
The more scenic way from Milan to Bellagio would be to take the train (40 minutes) to Como and then the hydofoil.

If you are driving from Milan why have the hassle of trains, ferries etc. Take your time and continue to drive there. You can stop when you want to snap a picture and park at the Public parking in town (Fee)or at your hotel. Then...take the Ferry across to Cernobbio and check out the Villa d' Este or wherever. My Hotel was the Villa Fiori which had parking but may be spendy for you.

IMO the advantage in being mid lake is the ease of going over to one (or all three)of the other towns that are on the car ferry circiut. It is about 15 minutes to cross the lake. With a little searching on the web you can find the boat (and ferry) schedule for the entire lake.

Where you want to go might depend on the number of days you have and whether there is something specific in Como (a must see).

Never been to Como (yet) but the lake is fantastic.

Can you get to the lakes if your flight into Milan arrives at 6:30pm? IS it feasible to do a quick trip? Arrive into Milan on a Sat at 6:30 pm and leave Milan on Tues afternoon?? So would have all day Sun and Mon at the lakes and a little Tues morning?
How would you get back and forth?
THANKS!