One Day Itinerary for Lake Como
 

Hey,

I will be arriving by train from Venice to Lake Como around 12:30 PM. My plan was to go immediately to the hotel (drop off luggage and check in), then go about the town. What would be the best things to do for a day? I've heard great things about the ferries. Also, are there hikes to go on? Any information or links would be great.

Thanks!

Where on Como?
Your train connection will be via Milan.

In the town of Como. Milan to Como S Giovani.

You can start by sitting on the left side (facing forward) of the train from Milan; lake views begin at Lecco.

It is difficult to advise you unless we know which town you are going to stay in.

You may have heard great things about the ferries but do you know where to get one?

Oops, then my info to you is not needed if you are going to the city of Como itself instead of to mid-lake by rail. My apologies.

I can alter that plan if need be upon leaving Milan. Is there a better place to stay or have a one day itinerary for? I had heard good things about using the town of Como as a base and traveling from there for the day on the lake.

The main attractions on Lago Como are mid-lake, not on the south end. Pray for good weather---if not I would not go at all---and take the ferry to Bellagio and Varenna. You may run out of time so check the return ferry times.

How would I get from Milan to Bellagio/Varenna? Just via train? Also, is this B&B in Varenna (Villa Torretta), a good one? I just looked it up. It seemed quite nice.

You could get a ferry to Bellagio/Varenna/Menaggio from Como OR you can take the train from Milan to Varenna-Esino (the actual full name of the place). That latter trip takes about 1.5 hours one way.

Once in Varenna-Esino you can walk downhill from the train station to the ferry dock (about ten minutes) and get a ferry across the lake to both Bellagio and Menaggio. Ferries run frequently and the trip across takes about 10-15 minutes; you can see the other two towns from the dock in Varenna.

One day on Lake Como? What an impossible tease. I couldn't handle it. If you must say you've been there…

Bob is right, check the weather. If a full day of rain is predicted, better to shop and/or explore the museums of Milan.

The town of Como is not the hot-spot. It's an OK place to shop if you're having a cloudy day while staying at the Villa d'Este, but it's not <i>the</i> place to be on the Lake. The southern tip of the Lake is the least dramatic looking.

I would take the train from Milan to Varenna, and possibly stay at Eremo Gaudio. They have the best views of Lake Como, and if I only had one day, that's where I would want to be perched, especially for sunset. It's a 7-minute walk to town's center, a 12-minute walk to the ferries. If you wanted to explore Bellagio for an hour or so (I enjoy Villa Melzi), you have until sundown to get the last ferry back.

If you're a senior, you better be in good shape to handle this itinerary. It's very much like a hike.

Agreed with the others on the weather.

The hike that we found the most information on was the walk up to Castello di Vezio from Varenna. Gorgeous views of Lake Como. It's not a very hard hike - paved with stones much of the way - but great for a little activity and scenery. On the recommendation of a man we met at the castle, we hiked back down via Fiumelatte, which was more of a true hike. If you do that, I'd just take the train from Milan to Varenna. You could then take the ferry and stay in Bellagio if you wanted to, or just stay in Varenna.

What time of year?

Thank you for the replies Dukey and NYC, I am researching more the train to Varenna. I think that may be a better option for sure. No worries on the amount of traveling. Myself and my companion are both fit and in good shape, young travelers. And it is such a tease of a trip! I would have loved to be in the lake region for at least 3 or 4 days. Time constraints and the desire to see Rome, Florence, and Venice made that harder than I hoped. There's always next time as well. I see the Eremo Guadio is booked up for the time I'm going. (June 21). Any other suggestions?

Hey jent,

The trip will be this June. It's a little late in the game to change it up, but I'd been hearing sentiments similar to what is being posted so I wanted to go to Fodors for more insight. :) I think there's still enough time to edit some areas of the trip. Plus, I have free cancellation for train and booking. So I wanted some leeway if there were any improvised plans. Any more tips are greatly appreciated!

Dear Sir, I am Italian, from Reggio Emilia and I know very well all the pre-alpine lakes.
The advice by Dukey1 are perfect, you can visit the lake in a day (if you run!), but also NYCFoodSnob is right, If you comes from Venice is far away and inconvenient, expecially without a car; Como is a very beautiful town, but it is not the hot spot for the lake.
If you do not have any particular reason to go right over there, I suggest you replace Como Lake with Garda Lake, because it is closer. Typical villages are equally lovely and characteristic than those of Como lake, furthermore, the micro climate in Garda Lake is generally sunny (Como Lake is very rainy). Maybe, in the USA Garda Lake is less well known, but I assure you that it is just interesting as Lake Como (it is the favorite place by German tourist) and services are equally good! I’m sorry for my bad English and I wish you a wonderful stay... wherever you go!

If Eremo is booked, try a one-night splurge at the Royal Victoria in the town square. They are the only hotel in Varenna with a pool, and you may appreciate that in June. Their rooms are newly remodeled as of this past winter, and many tourists aren't aware.

The Hotel du Lac and the Villa Cipressi are also popular places to stay, but their better rooms will be taken by now. Varenna in June is popular with weddings.

Hey all,

Thank you for all the suggestions. I was able to get the reservation changed and a hotel booked! We will be staying in Varenna, arriving around 3 in the afternoon. As that is the case, are there any things I "MUST" do while I'm there? Or is it okay to just go with the flow and take in the scenery?

Arriving at 3 in the afternoon leaves with you with one ferry at 3.23 to catch if you want to explore beyond the immediate area around Varenna; last ferry back arrives at 7, departing Bellagio at 6.45.
Staying in Varenna for the afternoon leaves you free to climb up to Castle Vezio or maybe explore the gardens in Villa Monastero and Villa Cipressi

Hey SeeDee,

Is there a good site to find all the ferry times? I need to catch one of the ferries from Varenna to Como the morning after we stay in Varenna. I have to catch a train around noon, would it be possible to leave early from Varenna (7-8 AM), see Bellagio some, then make it to Como by noon? Or is that trying to do to much?

The page I accessed for ferry timetables :
www.navlaghi.it/eng/c_orari.asp

Cannot see much joy for you on the Varenna - Como route as the only boat I can find that operates in the morning leaves Varenna at 11.04, arriving Como 13.35.

It would be a pity if you missed out on Bellagio but with your tight schedule, your only hope would be the afternoon before.
If you are making a train connection in Como at midday, perhaps your only option would be to train from Varenna to Milano Centrale in the morning, as I presume the train passing through Como originates in Milan. Trenitalia website isn't the easiest to purchase tickets on but it's okay when it comes to train timetables.

The triangle ferry route Varenna, Mennagio will give you wonderful scenic views.