6 Most Beautiful Lake Como Towns + Why You Should Visit
Lake Como is like living the Italian dream with its timeless beauty and laid-back atmosphere. Imagine relaxing on a speedboat and soaking in the beautiful scenery all around. Or even strolling through the charming cobblestone streets full of shopping and outdoor cafes. With mountain landscapes and calm waters all over, you’ll be in awe of the beautiful surroundings. Every village has its own beauty and charm too. This post will help you understand which Lake Como Town is for you and which ones you should hit if you’re a first-time visitor. There are many pretty towns in Lake Como and this post will be dedicated to the 6 most beautiful Lake Como towns that I believe are worth visiting.
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Before you go:
🏨 Best place to base yourself is Varenna and Albergo Milano is the most affordable hotel with a balcony lake como view.
🧷 Travel Insurance with SafetyWing in case of any accidents. Better safe than sorry!
📱Mobile E-sim card to stay connected while traveling without the hassle of changing out your sim card!
💜 Best time to visit Lake Como: Spring or late summer. I by far loved visiting during Wisteria season! You will find most of the villas blooming with gorgeous Wisteria. The time varies each year but it is typically around the end of March and into April.
6 Most Beautiful Lake Como Towns
1. Bellagio
Bellagio is often referred to as the “Pearl of Lake Como.” People flock here from all over the world to admire the stunning views, elegant villas, and picturesque streets. The location is very central on the lake which makes it a popular starting point for exploring the region. No visit would be complete without heading to Villa Melzi and hiking to the panoramic viewpoint at Villa Serbelloni Park.
You also can’t miss seeing the most famous street in Bellagio, Salita Serbelloni. Here, you’ll find a cobblestone pathway descending downward, lined with shops and cafes with a mountainous backdrop. It is seriously the prettiest street in Lombardy, Italy! You’ll find many people passing through here at all times making a lively atmosphere. Join in on the lively buzzing street by eating at Trattoria San Giacomo or La Lanterna. Before dinner, you can go to the rooftop bar at Hotel du Lac to admire the sunset over the lake.
Why Visit: The prettiest Lake Como town
🌸 Read my full blog post on Things to do in Bellagio, Lake Como
How to get there: Take the ferry to Bellagio from any of the other towns. If arriving from Milan, you’ll need to take the train to Varenna-esino first.
🔗 Where to Stay:
2. Varenna
Varenna is another beautiful town in Lake Como with its colored houses and charming feel. It’s also the easiest village to reach as it’s connected by both train and ferry. You can easily visit as a day trip from Milan. Varenna is a very popular area to base yourself too due to its great location on the lake. There are also so many things to do here. You can visit 2 breathtaking villas. Those include Villa Monastero and Villa Cipressi. Both offer lake views and are full of beautiful greenery and flowers. If you go during wisteria season, you’ll really love seeing all the purple flowers adorn the pathways and gates of these villas. Varenna is a super romantic town as you will see how picturesque it is when you visit and not only that there’s a passageway at the start of the town called “Lovers Walk.” Don’t miss the chance to sit at Bar il Molo with an Aperol Spritz for the perfect sunset. If you have more time, you can hike to the medieval Castle of Vezio.
Why Visit? It’s the most popular town and full of cafes, shopping, and 2 stunning villas.
🌸 Read my full blog post on Things to do in Varenna, Lake Como
How to Get There: Take the ferry to Varenna or come in by train to Varenna-esino.
🔗 Where to Stay: Bed & Breakfast il Bolentino Varenna for those on a budget. Albergo Milano if you want a balcony with a Lake Como view or Villa Cipressi for more of a splurge.
3. Nesso
Image by iphotoklick from Pixabay
If you love a hidden gem then you have to visit Nesso! Nesso is one of the lesser known towns in Lake Como. It is also one of the prettiest towns so don’t miss visiting it. It is also a stop on the amazing boat private boat tour I took. You can see the waterfall (Orrido di Nesso) and pedestrian bridge from the boat tour. The exact one I took is linked here. Be sure to book it in advance as it can sell out. The boat doesn’t stop into the town sadly though. So, if you want to explore it more, then be sure to carve the necessary time to visit. You can easily do it in a day trip. The best things to do in Nesso include hanging out on the shore near the waterfall, strolling through the charming streets, and hiking the surrounding areas.
Why Visit? If you love hidden gems!
How to Get There: Take the ferry to Tremezzo from any of the other towns. If arriving from Milan, you’ll need to take the train to Como Lago first.
🔗 Where to Stay: Grand Hotel Tremezzo if you fancy splurging.
🚤 Private Boat Tour with stop at Nesso (no exiting boat though).
4. Tremezzo
Tremezzo is known for its grand hotels and elegant villas, including the famous Villa Carlotta. The town provides a luxurious and refined experience along the lake’s western shore. Visiting the Grand Hotel Tremezzo is a must visit and if you can afford to stay here, even better! This is the most iconic and famous hotel of Lake Como. It is such a dream hotel! If you can’t stay here, then visiting is still a must. You can enjoy lunch at T Pizza or T Bar. Then check out the pool area which is the view you’ll find from T Pizza. If you take a path behind the the pizza restaurant you can hike up a small path and find the view in the above picture. It is really a beautiful place. After, visit Villa Carlotta, a stunning villa with its extensive botanical gardens. Also, very near is the town of Lenno and Villa del Balbianello which is another beautiful villa in Lake Como.
Why Visit? A luxury experience with grand hotels and elegant villas
How to Get There: Take the ferry to Tremezzo from any of the other towns. If arriving from Milan, you’ll need to take the train to Como Lago first.
🔗 Where to Stay: Grand Hotel Tremezzo if you fancy splurging.
5. Como
Como is the largest of the Lake Como towns and the first place you might think of due to the name. However, its actually a bit further from all the other towns so I prefer a base of Varenna, Bellagio, or Menaggio. You can easily then day trip to Como and here are some things you should plan when visiting. For the best views in Como, ride the Funicolare from Como to the charming village of Brunate. Then visit Villa Olmo and the park surrounding. It’s one of the only free public villas to visit in Lake Como. There are many cafes and shops to explore in Como. You can also pay a visit to the Como Cathedral, a Gothic-Renaissance church.
Why Visit? Como is the largest town on the lake and has a mix of historical and modern vibes.
How to Get There: Take the train to Como S. Giovanni.
🔗 Where to Stay: Hilton Lake Como is the perfect place to stay in Como. They have an infinity pool and are located 10 minutes walk from the shores of Lake Como.
6. Menaggio
Menaggio is one of the quieter Lake Como Towns but it doesn’t take away from the beauty of this place. Featuring a lakeside promenade, a charming town center, and access to hiking trails in the surrounding hills it’s the perfect escape from busier towns. Piazza Garibaldi is a central square which is a great place to relax and people-watch. It’s surrounded by cafes and restaurants, making it an ideal spot to enjoy a drink or a meal while soaking in the ambiance. Those interested in hiking can hike to Monte Grona. The trail offers panoramic views of Lake Como and the surrounding region.
Menaggio is actually a great option to stay at a more affordable cost. You can easily get to Bellagio and Varenna in a 15-minute boat ride. Staying at Hotel Bellavista with a balcony view of Lake Como was purely magical.
Why Visit? Best for families or a quieter experience. More affordable too.
How to Get There: Take the train to Varenna-esino then a 15 minute ferry to Menaggio.
Where to Stay: Hotel Bellavista is an affordable option with a balcony view of Lake Como.
🎥 Watch my Instagram Video on Hotel Bellavista here.
Hope you found this post on the most beautiful Lake Como towns helpful. Please comment below with your favorite town!
You may also like these posts!
📝 Lake Como 4 Day Itinerary
💼 Milan to Lake Como Day Trip
🏞️ Things to do in Bellagio, Lake Como
🌸 Things to do in Varenna, Lake Como
🏠 Most Beautiful Lake Como Villas
🤍 Hidden Gems in Italy
👩 Solo Female Travel Guide to Italy
🇮🇹 For more travel inspo visit my Italy section
