Driving from Milan to lake como in may. How should I get there by car. Heard road to bellagio is dicey. What do you suggest? What city should I stay in. This may be my only time there and want to make the most of it. Suggestion. .? Thanks

Moved to Europe board and tagged for Italy

We were just in Lake Como. We picked up a car at the airport, then drove to Menaggio. We stayed at the Grand Hotel Menaggio. We chose this town because we felt it was less crowded than the other towns. To us it was a great choice. The hotel was in a great location next to the ferry terminal and they have free parking.

We drove to and from Lake Como, returning car at Milan airport, and found road/driving to be very easy. We did not stay in Bellagio, which is on the middle peninsula sticking out into Lake Como, as driving in and out of Bellagio is just more time consuming, crowded. We stayed on the west side of the lake in Tremezzo, which is a quick ferry ride to Bellagio, so it was no problem just taking the boat across any time we wanted to go, including for dinner on several evenings. Also used ferries to go anywhere else on the lake we wanted to check out those towns, Varenna, Como, etc.--much easier. We found staying on that side of the lake very easy and enjoyable.

Are you coming from Malpensa or from the city? Do you "need" a car (i.e., heading somewhere after the lake)? What are your sightseeing plans? The more popular sights are concentrated near the center of the lake. Ferries are generally the best way to explore, and it might turn out that you pay for a car that sits in a hotel parking lot while you're there.

Also, are you familiar with the limited traffic zones (ZTL)? As you're driving around, you need to be alert to these areas that you can't drive into. Most towns have a ZTL encompassing some part of the historical center... Como, Menaggio, Bellagio, Varenna, for sure. Maybe others. Driving out of Milan's city center is much more "dicey" than any aspect of the road to Bellagio.

Thanks for the info

Done it several ways but preferred was to take the train to Como (the city) and the boat to Bellagio, where we prefer to stay. We've stayed at Hotel du Lac but prefer a self-catering apt either La Limonera right in town or the apts at Vella Serbelloni, where you can also use the facilities of the hotel.

Four trips to Bellagio and we usually have hired a driver service from MXP to Bellagio.
If driving, head to Menaggio and take ferry across.
Or drive up the peninsula that Bellagio is on.
We also have taken train to Como and ferry north to Bellagio.
Parking is difficult, almost non existent. Hotel Belvedere offers parking. A car is not needed. Use ferries to explore the lakeside towns.