Things To Do in Lake Como: Our Day Trip From Milan

We spent one day at Lake Como in June 2024, as a day trip from Milan on our Soul Sisters Italy trip. We toured Como town in the morning, took the boat across the lake, and spent the afternoon wandering Bellagio with gelato in hand.

This guide covers what we did, what I’d do with more time, what to eat, and how to get there. Some of the places below we didn’t get to in one day but are highly regarded as places to visit, and I’ll tell you which ones those are.

Where Is Lake Como and Why Do People Go?

Lake Como is a long, Y-shaped lake in northern Italy, at the foot of the Alps. It’s about an hour from Milan, which is why so many people visit as a day trip. It isn’t one town. It’s a ring of small towns and villages around the water, connected by ferries.

People come for the scenery: steep green mountains dropping straight into the lake, pastel villages, and grand old villas with terraced gardens. Several of those villas have been used as film locations, which has only added to the glamour.

Want to zoom in and explore? Open Lake Como in Google Maps.

These are the towns you’ll hear about, numbered to match the map above. We only saw Como and Bellagio ourselves, so the notes on the others come from our trip research, not from walking them. Tap any town name to see photos of it on Google Maps.

1. Como: The biggest town, at the southern tip, and the gateway from Milan. Visit for the cathedral and the old center. We started our day here.
2. Cernobbio: A small, polished town just north of Como, home to the Villa d’Este hotel. Worth a stop if you’re staying nearby.
3. Laglio: A tiny, quiet village best known for its celebrity villa. Pretty from the boat, with little to do on land.
4. Nesso: A hillside village with a waterfall gorge and an old stone bridge. A short stop for photos.
5. Argegno: A small waterfront village with a cable car up to mountain views. Good for a slow hour.
6. Lenno: A calm lakeside town and the stop for Villa del Balbianello. Visit if the villa is on your list.
7. Tremezzo and Cadenabbia: Neighbors on the western shore, home to Villa Carlotta and some grand hotels. We caught our boat to Bellagio from Cadenabbia.
8. Menaggio: A relaxed town with a pretty main square and a long promenade. A popular base that’s less crowded than Bellagio.
9. Bellagio: The postcard town, where the three branches of the lake meet. Yes, visit. We spent our afternoon here.
10. Varenna: Colorful and quieter, with a lakeside walkway and a train station that connects straight to Milan. At the top of our list for next time.
11. Bellano: A small working town known for the Orrido, a dramatic river gorge you can walk through. A stop for something different.
12. Lecco: A real city at the tip of the eastern branch, with mountains right behind it. More local and less of a tourist stop.
13. Gravedona: A quiet town on the northern end of the lake. The north is where people go for camping and water sports.
14. Colico: At the very top of the lake, known for wind and kite surfing. Skip it on a short trip.

With one day, we chose Como and Bellagio. Here’s how that went.

Our Day at Lake Como

Milan was stylish and fast, and Venice was all canals and history. Lake Como was the calm day in between. One thing I didn’t realize is Lake Como is surrounded by towns and the lake is sort of the highway between them. Each town has its own appeal and reasons to visit depending on what you’re looking for.

Things To Do in Lake Como

One day is enough for two towns and a boat ride. The first three below are what we did. The last three are well-known stops we didn’t have time for.

1. Walk Como Town

Como is the gateway to the lake, especially if you’re coming from Milan. The historic center is lively and walkable, with cafés, shops, and beautiful old buildings. The cathedral dominates the main square and is worth a slow look. We took a guided tour of the city, but I think we could have just walked it on our own.

2. Take the Boat Across the Lake

Seeing the lake from the water is the whole point. We took the public boat from Cadenabbia to Bellagio, which is a short, inexpensive crossing with villas and mountains in every direction. You don’t need a private boat to get the views. Check the ferry timetable before you go, because the boats run on a set schedule.

3. Wander Bellagio

Bellagio sits where the three branches of the lake meet, and it’s as pretty as everyone says. Cobblestone staircases climb between pastel buildings, and every lane ends in a view of the water. We wandered without a plan, shopped, and ate gelato in the alleys. Give yourself at least three hours here.

My favorite find of the day was in a little antique shop here. I fell in love with a white porcelain figurine, and I found out later from the marks on the bottom that it was made by Karl Ens, a German porcelain maker, in the Art Deco era. It’s my favorite souvenir from the trip.

What To Eat in Lake Como

The food around the lake mixes alpine and northern Italian cooking. These are the local dishes to look for on a menu.

• Risotto al pesce persico: Creamy risotto topped with lightly fried perch from the lake.
• Polenta uncia: A mountain dish of polenta with butter and melted cheese.
• Missoltini: Sun-dried lake fish, grilled and served with polenta.
• Gelato: We can vouch for this one. Eat it while you walk.
• Aperitivo by the water: A spritz or a glass of local Lombardy wine while the boats go by.

For more on eating your way through the country, see our foodie guide to Italy.

Where To Eat and Drink

We had pizza at Risto Bar Company Vecchia Maiolica, on a lakeside terrace in Cadenabbia, before the boat. We loved eating right out by the water. I loved the pizza. Cynthia had the prosciutto-wrapped melon, which she loved and I did not enjoy. Later we had pasta in Bellagio at Bar Pasticceria Rossi, where they do a live pasta and cheese demo. Go for that alone. We didn’t eat at the places below, but they come up again and again as favorites around the lake.

• Ristorante Bilacus, Bellagio: A courtyard restaurant known for fresh pasta and classic lake dishes.
• La Punta, Bellagio: At the very tip of Bellagio, where the lake splits in two.
• Crotto dei Platani, Brienno: A historic lakeside restaurant built into the rock.
• Bar Il Molo, Varenna: A casual spot for aperitivo right on the water.

Getting to Lake Como and Getting Around

We came by private bus with our group, which made the day easy. The drive from Milan to Como takes 45 minutes to a little over an hour, depending on traffic.

On your own, the train is the simple option. Trains run from Milan to Como and to Varenna, and the ride is about an hour. Once you’re at the lake, the public ferries connect Como, Bellagio, Varenna, and the smaller villages.

Comfortable shoes are essential. The towns are built up the hillsides, with staircases and cobblestone streets.

Apps to download before you go:

• Google Maps: For walking routes and finding the ferry docks.
• Trenitalia: For booking trains from Milan to Como or Varenna.
• Omio: For comparing trains, buses, and ferries across Italy.
• WhatsApp: Many hotels and boat companies communicate through it.

If you’re planning the whole route, our Italy itinerary covers how we fit Milan, Lake Como, Venice, and the Amalfi Coast into one trip.

Lake Como FAQs

Final Thoughts

Lake Como isn’t just beautiful. It’s peaceful in a way that feels rare.

For us, it wasn’t about checking off attractions. It was about slowing down, wandering, eating gelato, and taking too many photos.

If Milan feels energetic and Venice feels romantic, Lake Como feels serene and timeless. Next time, I’m staying the night.

We’re planning the next Soul Sisters trip now. Tell us where you want to go.