Things to Do in Lake Como: Villas, Ferries and Lakeside Towns
Lake Como, in the Lombardy region of northern Italy, is famous for its Y-shaped waters, mountain backdrops, colourful villages and grand lakeside villas. The best things to do in Lake Como are simple: ride the public ferries, wander Bellagio and Varenna, tour a historic villa garden and take in the views from the water. This guide explains each option with fares, opening details and the planning tips that matter most.
Information below comes from official sources where possible, including Navigazione Laghi (the ferry operator), Trenitalia, FAI (the Italian national trust), Villa Carlotta's own site and the Como funicular operator ATM. Travel blogs fill in the gaps and are named as such. We have not visited, so please confirm hours and prices before you book.
Lake Como at a Glance
Most visitors need only two or three days. According to a Lake Como guide site, that is enough to cover Bellagio, Varenna and a few villas or viewpoints. The towns around the central lake are linked by ferry, which makes it easy to base yourself in one place.
Quick facts about Lake Como, Italy
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Region | Lombardy, northern Italy |
| Main towns | Como, Bellagio, Varenna, Menaggio |
| Public ferries | Navigazione Laghi |
| Time needed | 2 to 3 days for highlights |
| Milan to Varenna | About 1 hour by train |
Ride the Public Ferries
The ferry is the best way to see Lake Como. Navigazione Laghi connects Como, Bellagio, Varenna, Menaggio and many other towns, and a day pass lets you hop on and off. Vehicle ferries run only between Bellagio, Varenna, Menaggio and Cadenabbia, and crossings between these three main towns take about 15 to 20 minutes.
Short ferry crossings link the three central towns
According to Trenitalia, the full price of a Como to Varenna day pass is 29.50 euros. A guide site lists other fares: Bellagio to Varenna costs 5.50 euros one way, a central-area day pass costs 17.50 euros, and Como to Bellagio costs 12.00 euros on the regular service or 17.00 euros on the express boat. Fares change, so check the Navigazione Laghi website before you buy, and consider booking online to avoid queues.
Example Navigazione Laghi fares listed by a guide site
Wander Bellagio, the Pearl of Lake Como
Bellagio sits where the lake's three branches meet, and travel guides call it the Pearl of Lake Como. It is a popular base because of its narrow streets, shops, restaurants and ferry links, and a guide site says bike and kayak rentals are available.
Walk to Punta Spartivento, the tip of the peninsula where the arms of the lake meet, or visit the gardens of Villa Melzi, which one travel guide says you can reach on foot from the town. Another blogger found the views from the ferry as good as those from Punta Spartivento, so do not skip the boat ride.
Explore Varenna
Varenna is on the eastern shore and is a short ferry ride from Bellagio. It has its own railway stop, Varenna-Esino, which is why many day-trippers from Milan choose it. A travel blog says the Milan to Varenna train takes about an hour.
Villa Monastero in Varenna has a botanical garden and a house museum. Villa Cipressi next door is now a hotel, and its garden is open to visitors; Grandi Giardini Italiani lists adult garden admission at 13 euros for 2026. Check each villa's website for current hours and combined tickets.
Tour the Famous Lake Como Villas
Villas are one of the main reasons people visit. Here are the best-known options and what to check before you go.
| Villa | Town | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Villa del Balbianello | Lenno | FAI site; booking required |
| Villa Carlotta | Tremezzina | Botanical garden and museum |
| Villa Monastero | Varenna | Garden and house museum |
| Villa Cipressi | Varenna | Garden only; hotel |
| Villa Melzi | Bellagio | Gardens near the town |
Villa del Balbianello
FAI's official page says Villa del Balbianello is open from March to January every day except Monday and Wednesday, with online booking required and the last guided tour at 4 PM. From November, reduced hours apply from 10 AM to 5 PM, and the last park entrance is 4 PM. You can walk from Lenno, about 1 kilometre with an uphill stretch according to a local tourism site, or take a taxi boat from Lido di Lenno, a paid service not managed by FAI. Wear comfortable shoes.
Villa Carlotta
Villa Carlotta's own website lists 2026 hours of 10 AM to 7 PM daily from March 20 to October 18, with the last ticket at 6 PM. From October 19 to November 8, it closes at 6 PM. After that, the villa opens only on special autumn and winter dates, such as November 14 and 15, 21 and 22, 28 and 29, and December 5 to 8. On closing days you can visit only by reservation. A 2025 listing gave an adult ticket price of 15 euros, but 2026 prices were revised, so check the official site.
Como City and the Brunate Funicular
Como, at the southern tip of the lake, is the main transport hub. From the city, the Como-Brunate funicular climbs to Brunate in about 7 minutes, according to ATM, and runs from 6 AM to midnight. ATM's tariff sheet lists a 3.60 euro single and a 7.20 euro return, though other sites quote different prices, so check before you ride.
Brunate has views over the lake and the Alps, and Trenord names the Voltiano lighthouse (Faro Voltiano) as a sight to visit there. The funicular has linked the two towns since 1894.
Swim, Cycle or Paddle
A travel guide notes there are several public swimming areas and pebble beaches around the lake. For active days, bike and kayak rentals are available in Bellagio. Private boat tours also leave from the main towns, and one traveller described a one-hour tour from Bellagio that passed villas and lakeside villages. Always check prices and safety rules before you book.
A Simple Three-Day Lake Como Plan
This is our suggestion, not an official itinerary.
- Day 1: Arrive in Varenna by train, visit Villa Monastero and take the ferry to Bellagio for dinner.
- Day 2: Explore Bellagio and Villa Melzi, then take a ferry to Lenno or Tremezzo for Villa del Balbianello or Villa Carlotta.
- Day 3: Head to Como, ride the funicular to Brunate and finish with a stroll in the old town.
Planning Tips
A quick Lake Como checklist
- Choose one base, such as Bellagio or Varenna, to keep ferry transfers short.
- Book Villa del Balbianello ahead, and remember it is closed on Mondays and Wednesdays.
- Buy ferry tickets online and check the timetable for your travel date.
- Confirm villa hours, since seasons and special openings change.
More Travel Guides for Your Trip
Lake Como is close to Switzerland, and one travel blog describes a day trip from Lugano that takes about an hour by car to reach Menaggio. If you are planning a longer Alpine trip, our guides to the 25 most beautiful honeymoon destinations in Switzerland, the best things to do in Zurich, Switzerland and the best things to do in Geneva, Switzerland can help with the Swiss side of your route.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best things to do in Lake Como?
Top picks are the public ferries, Bellagio and Varenna, Villa del Balbianello, Villa Carlotta, Villa Monastero, and the funicular ride from Como to Brunate.
How many days do you need in Lake Como?
A Lake Como guide site says 2 to 3 days are enough to see highlights such as Bellagio, Varenna and a few villas or viewpoints.
How do you get around Lake Como?
Public ferries run by Navigazione Laghi connect the main towns. Buses and trains also serve the area, and Varenna has a railway stop.
How much does the Lake Como ferry cost?
Trenitalia lists the full price of a Como to Varenna day pass at 29.50 euros. Single tickets and other passes cost less; check Navigazione Laghi for current fares.
Is Villa del Balbianello open every day?
According to FAI, it is open every day from March to January except Monday and Wednesday, with booking required.
Can you visit Lake Como as a day trip from Milan?
Yes. A travel blog describes taking the train to Varenna in about an hour, then using ferries to visit Bellagio and Menaggio.
Where is Lake Como?
It is in Lombardy, northern Italy, and the main towns include Como, Bellagio, Varenna and Menaggio.
Sources and Official Links
- Navigazione Laghi: Lake Como ferry tickets and timetables
- Trenitalia: day passes with Navigazione Laghi
- FAI: Villa del Balbianello
- Villa Carlotta: visit information and 2026 hours
- ATM: Como-Brunate funicular
- Grandi Giardini Italiani: Villa Cipressi tickets
- Lake Como travel guide
- Lake Como ferry and boat tours guide
This guide was checked on October 31, 2026. Confirm all details with the official sites before you travel.
