Which is the best town to stay in Lake Como?
By Clarissa Ann Cassels. November 15, 2024
Lake Como in northern Italy has enchanted visitors for centuries with its captivating beauty and elegance. Once known by the name of Lario, it was first settled by the Romans seeking to spend their winters in temperate climates before crossing the Alps. Since then, it remains one of Italy’s star attractions, drawing the rich and famous and serving as a set for various movies. The lakesides are dotted with charming and inviting towns and hamlets, offering exceptional accommodations among the 19th-century villas and the Romanesque churches. Lush forests and the stunning mountain peaks of the Pre-Alps complete the idyllic scenery. No matter where you choose to stay around Lake Como, an unforgettable experience awaits.
In this article we introduce the best towns and villages on Lake Como for visitors to stay in. Como, the region’s main town, boasts a rich history, vibrant café culture, and numerous lodging options. Bellagio is known for its steep and picturesque narrow streets and its extravagant hotels. Menaggio and Mandello offer an ideal blend of sightseeing and hiking trails. Cernobbio, Tremezzo and Lecco feature charming waterfront views against impressive peaks, while Varenna enchants with its beauty and romantic promenade and has become one of the preferred destinations in the region.If you are interested in where to stay in Lake Como, you may also be interested in where to stay in Milan, where to stay in Lake Garda, where to stay in Venice and where to stay in Florence.
Best places to stay in Lake Como
Como
The main town
Como is the most prominent town, well-connected and the best place to stay if you are looking for excitement.
Situated on the southwestern shores and nestled around towering mountains on one side and the lake’s bay on the other, Como makes an ideal base for exploring the area’s natural beauty and nearby villages. The town is highlighted by the Duomo, a grand Gothic-Renaissance cathedral. Within its historic centre, landmarks like the Roman gate, Porta Pretoria, and the Romanesque Porta Torre catch the eye. Around Piazza Cavour, a lively café culture thrives, complemented with interesting shops and great restaurants. Tree-lined paths along the lake lead to serene beaches and to the stunning Villa Olmo, which offers a free cultural visit and a walk in its gardens.
From Como, ferries leave for many lake-side towns and a train line connects you to Milan in less than an hour or into Switzerland.
Bellagio
The pearl of the lake
Bellagio, gloriously perched at the very heart of the lake is the perfect destination for an exclusive holiday.
Also known as “the pearl of the lake”, Bellagio shines above the waterfront with its elegant villas, its narrow cobbled streets and mediaeval houses clinging to the side of the hill, at the top of which sits the Rockefeller Foundation. Restaurants, shops and cafes line the bustling main street leading to the old square, lodging a mediaeval tower and the Romanesque Cathedral of San Giacomo.
Have a relaxing time on the shaded terraced cafes, stroll to the point of the peninsula for a breath-taking view of the three branches of the lake, visit the beautiful grounds and gardens of Villa Melzi or of the 18th century Villa Serbelloni, now converted into the Grand Hotel. Bellagio centre is surrounded by picturesque hamlets with great bars and restaurants, such as Loppia, Pescallo and San Giovanni, just a short walk away.
Menaggio
Leisure and elegance
On the central western shore of Lake Como, Menaggio has a lot to offer for those seeking an active holiday in beauty.
Menaggio is a charming resort town backed by rolling vineyards, with panoramic views of the Alps. It’s a favourite for visitors looking to explore the walking trails: Rifugio Menaggio is a peak destination but for beginner levels opt for a walk along the undulating hillsides to Menaggio’s Castle.
Menaggio offers a variety of leisure activities, including swimming, water-skiing and kayaking at the local Lido, mountain biking and horseback riding, as well as golfing at one of the oldest golf clubs in Europe. Being the main transport hub of the area, Menaggio provides easy access with ferries arriving from both north and south, and buses connecting to Lake Lugano in Switzerland along well-kept roads. This makes Menaggio an excellent base for exploring all that Lake Como has to offer.
Cernobbio
Botanical gardens and their villas
Cernobbio is a charming spot to stay and ideal for those wishing to visit villas and their gardens. Set at the base of Mount Bisbino, just a few kilometres north of the city of Como, Cernobbio boasts captivating landscapes. It features a picturesque, tree-lined waterfront promenade and narrow streets filled with shops, cafés and tempting eateries.
Cernobbio is renowned for its 19th-century villas adorned with exotic plants and trees, including Villa Bernasconi, Villa d’Este, and Villa Erba, all of which are open to visitors. The botanical gardens of Il Giardino della Valle are also worth a visit to complete the tour of spectacular plant specimens. Of course, visiting these gardens during spring would make the whole experience even more worth the while in order to enjoy the booming flowers and their unmistakable fragrances.
The town is well-connected with reliable transport and ferry services to other main destinations on Lake Como.
Tremezzo
Incredible villas in a central location
Tremezzo is an excellent place to stay for first-time visitors in Lake Como, with an excellent location and one of the most breath-taking villas.
Tremezzo is located on the central western shore near the stunning hamlets of Lenno, Mezzegra and Ossuccio, together forming the municipality of Tremezzina. Villa Balbianello, situated on the tip of the Lavedo peninsula in Lenno, is an unbeatable attraction and has served as a filming location for the movies Star Wars: Attack of the Clones and James Bond Casino Royale.
Surrounded by paradisiacal natural scenery, Tremezzo boasts incredible views and convenient transport options both by road and boat. A short walk from the town centre leads to the impressive 17th-century Villa Carlotta, one of the lake’s creme de la creme. The neoclassical villa features refined interiors with an art museum, the gardens are open for public exploration, their vibrant blooming flowers are a must see during the spring season.
Varenna
A corner for romantic inspiration
Romantic Varenna is one of Lake Como’s most romantic and poetic places to stay, well connected both by water and by land.
Rising up above the eastern banks of Lake Como, Varenna is a jumble of quaint colourful houses and splendid mansions. Dating back to the 11th century, this former fishing village is becoming increasingly popular, a place of an inspiration for artists and writers.
Along the gleaming waterfront, you can stroll along Lovers Lane past exquisite villas to the ferry stop, or venture up the hill to explore the town’s web of narrow cobbled stairways. Hike up to the Castello di Vezio for unbeatable views of the lake and the peninsula of Bellagio, just across. Varenna is home to Villa Monastero, built in the 13th century and featuring art exhibitions, and Villa Cipressi, also a restaurant and hotel. Both mansions and their botanical gardens are open to the public during weekends from march onwards.
Mandello del Lario
Mountains and Moto Guzzi
Mandello del Lario is well-connected and a great destination for hikers, bikers and young families.
Mandello del Lario is a town close to Lecco, on the delta of the Grigna mountain-range, appearing like a majestic amphitheatre. Hikers of all levels can explore the paths leading to impressive peaks with stunning views, some easily reachable, such as the chapel of Santa Maria.
Known across the world for being the original home of Moto Guzzi, Mandello is a famous attraction for biking enthusiasts who fill the streets with old engines in early September, in the occasion of the annual festivities dedicated to this classic and stylish motorbike. But for the rest of the year, Mandello is a quiet town with few tourists and perfect for young families who can enjoy a stroll in the park or through the narrow streets along the lake, admiring the colourful houses and enjoying some delicious gelato.
Lecco
The Manzonian town
Lecco is the second main town of the lake and a great destination for budget holidays and exciting cultural and naturalistic endeavours. Famous in Italy for its history in literature and its impressive mountain peaks, Lecco is still to be discovered as an international tourist destination. Thanks to the setting of Alessandro Manzoni’s 19th century novel The Betrothed, the town is scattered with sites that connect back to the epic story and its past of Spanish occupation.
With a lively centre with great shops and affordable restaurants, Lecco has all you can desire for a holiday in between city and nature. The rocky mountains tower over the city inviting climbers from around the world. For the less ambitious hikers, a cable car can take you to Piani d’Erna for an easy stroll on the Alpine pastures to the freshest of airs.
Cycling is also ideal here, be it along the lake shores or down the river Adda.
Our recommended hotels in Lake Como
Use the interactive map to navigate through our recommended hotels in Lake ComoNote: Hotel prices can change daily due to promotions, seasons, and demand. Our $ - $$$$ scale shows the overall cost range rather than exact prices.
