- Como is under an hour from Milan by train
- Take the funicular up to Brunate for lake views
- Ferries go to Bellagio, Tremezzo and the villas
- The province covers most of the lake's western shore
- Airports
- Milan Malpensa (MXP), Milan Linate (LIN), Bergamo (BGY)
- Best time to go
- April-June and September-October
- Type
- Province
Como is a historic city at the southern end of Lake Como, in Lombardy. Long known for silk production, it has a fine marble cathedral, a walled old town and a lakeside promenade where ferries leave for the rest of the lake.
The province includes most of the western shore of the lake, with Cernobbio, Tremezzo and Menaggio, and the tip of the Bellagio peninsula, as well as hill country towards Switzerland. It makes a convenient base for UK visitors who want easy rail links. See our Italy guide for more.
Things to do
- Como Cathedral: a Gothic and Renaissance marble cathedral in the old town.
- Brunate funicular: a short ride up to a hilltop village with lake and mountain views.
- Lakeside walk: stroll to Villa Olmo and the Tempio Voltiano, which honours Alessandro Volta.
- Silk heritage: the silk museum tells the story of Como's textile trade.
- Villa del Balbianello: a lakeside villa on a wooded promontory near Lenno.
- Villa Carlotta: gardens and art in Tremezzo.
- Bellagio: the lake's best-known village, reached by ferry.
- Hiking: trails in the hills above the lake, including the Via dei Monti Lariani.
Where to stay
| Area | Why stay there |
|---|---|
| Como city | Good transport and lots of restaurants |
| Cernobbio | Elegant lakeside town near Como |
| Tremezzo or Menaggio | Central lake location with ferry access |
| Bellagio | The classic Lake Como village |
Getting there
Milan Malpensa is roughly an hour by road, and Linate and Bergamo are about an hour or more depending on traffic. Trains from Milan reach Como in under an hour, from Milano Centrale to Como San Giovanni or from Milano Cadorna to Como Nord Lago. Ferries and hydrofoils run up the lake from Como.
Best time to visit
April to June and September to October for pleasant weather and gardens in bloom. July and August are busy. Some villas and ferries reduce services in winter.
Slow ferries are cheaper and more scenic, while hydrofoils are faster but have less outside seating.
Top attractions in Como
LandmarkColosseum
Rome's great amphitheatre, where up to 50,000 spectators once watched gladiator fights, is the city's most iconic sight.
LandmarkFlorence Duomo
Florence's cathedral, crowned by Brunelleschi's record-breaking dome, is the symbol of the city, with the bell tower…
NatureMount Etna
Europe's tallest active volcano, with lava fields, craters and sweeping views over eastern Sicily.
NaturePath of the Gods
A spectacular cliff-top trail high above the Amalfi Coast, with views over Positano and out to Capri, that is free to…
LandmarkPompeii
The Roman town buried by Vesuvius in AD 79, Pompeii is the most complete ancient city in the world and an unforgettable…
ViewpointSeceda
A grassy ridge above Val Gardena that drops away in a dramatic wall of jagged peaks, reached by cable car from Ortisei.
Como on the map
Frequently asked questions
Should I stay in Como or Bellagio?
Stay in Como for convenience and rail links, and in Bellagio or the central lake for scenery and atmosphere.
Is Como a good day trip from Milan?
Yes. Trains take under an hour, and you can add a short ferry ride or the Brunate funicular.
Can you visit Switzerland from Como?
Yes. The Swiss border is only a few kilometres away, and Lugano is a short train ride.
Written by
Thomas Ski, mountains & expeditions editor
Thomas is happiest above the tree line or below the Antarctic Circle. He writes our ski, mountain and polar expedition guides.
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