Best things to do in Lake Como

Lake Como's Absolute Essentials

This selection spans the shores of Lake Como, featuring neoclassical landmarks like Villa Olmo and the expansive botanical gardens of Villa Carlotta and Villa Monastero. Architectural highlights include the Gothic-Renaissance Como Cathedral and the Romanesque Basilica of San Fedele. The list covers essential transport hubs like the Como-Brunate Funicular and the central ferry terminals, alongside historical monuments dedicated to local figures like Alessandro Volta and the silk weavers of Menaggio. Medieval heritage is represented by Vezio Castle and the 12th-century Porta Torre city gate.

Lake Como's Absolute Essentials — Map

sailko / CC BY 2.5

A

Cathedral of Como

Como Cathedral is the Catholic cathedral of the city of Como, Lombardy, Italy, and the seat of the Bishop of Como.

Geobia / CC BY-SA 3.0

B

Villa Monastero

Villa Monastero is located in Varenna, Province of Lecco, on the shore of Lake Como.

Croberto68 / Public domain

C

Villa Carlotta

Villa Carlotta is a villa and botanical garden in Tremezzo on Lake Como in Northern Italy.

Patrick Morgan / CC BY 2.0

D

Como-Brunate Funicular

A cable railway opened in 1894 that connects the city of Como to the hilltop village of Brunate, reaching an elevation of approximately 700 meters.

Giuseppe Bisi / Public domain

E

Villa Olmo

Villa Olmo is a neoclassical villa located in the city of Como, northern Italy.

sailko / CC BY 2.5

F

Basilica of San Fedele

The Basilica of San Fedele in Como is located in the city center. The present Romanesque church dates from 1120 and is dedicated to the…

Sygic Travel User / CC-BY-SA

G

Monument of Alessandro Volta

A 19th-century bronze statue by Pompeo Marchesi honoring the Como-born physicist who invented the electric battery.

Swiss79 / Public domain

H

Vezio Castle

Castello di Vezio is a castle located nearby Varenna and Perledo, northern Italy.

ChrisSampson87 / CC BY-SA 4.0

I

Porta Torre

The Basilica of Sant'Abbondio is a Romanesque-style 11th-century Catholic basilica church located in Como, region of Lombardy, Italy.

Andre Stutz / CC-BY-SA

J

Monumento alla Tessitrice

Located in Menaggio, this sculpture commemorates the local women who worked in the lake region's historic silk and textile industry.

ChrisSampson87 / CC BY-SA 4.0

K

Bellagio Porto turistico

A marina and docking area for private vessels and water taxis, located on the western side of the Bellagio peninsula.

Adriana Ocampo / CC-BY-SA

L

Punta di Spartivento

A scenic viewpoint at the northern tip of Bellagio where the lake branches into three directions: toward Como, Lecco, and Colico.

Arnaud 25 / CC BY-SA 4.0

M

Villa Erba

Villa Erba is a 19th-century villa in Cernobbio, on the western shore of Lake Como in northern Italy.

N

Varenna

The main ferry terminal in Varenna, serving as a primary link for the 'Mid-Lake' ferry circuit between Bellagio, Menaggio, and Cadenabbia.

Daniel Case / CC BY-SA 3.0

O

Como

The principal ferry terminal in the city of Como, providing high-speed hydrofoil and slow-boat connections to towns along the western shore.

Other Lists

Historic Religious Sites Historic Fortifications and Monuments Lombardy Peaks and Viewpoints