• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Home
  • About Us
  • Work With Us
  • Contact
Ordinary Traveler

Ordinary Traveler

Adventure Travel Blog, Luxury Escapes

  • Blog
  • Destinations
  • Resources
  • Videos
  • Travel Photography
  • Retreats
Ordinary Traveler / Blog / Italy / The Best Towns to Visit on Lake Como, Italy – And Must-Know Tips!

The Best Towns to Visit on Lake Como, Italy – And Must-Know Tips!

By Christy Woodrow, Last Modified: January 28, 2020

The Best Towns to Visit on Lake Como, Italy - And Must-Know Tips!

This Northern Italy gem, sitting just at the foot of scenic Swiss Alps, encompasses all of the country’s beauty and charm in one small region!

Once a vacation retreat for only the famous and affluent, Lake Como, Italy has now become a well-known favorite for travelers worldwide craving fairytale villages, sunshine and spectacular views at what’s been deemed the “most beautiful lake in the world.”

These are the best towns to visit on Lake Como, Italy!

Lake Como, Italy: The Best Towns to Visit (And Must-Know Tips!)

 

5 Best Towns to Visit on Lake Como, Italy

 

I recently visited this gorgeous Italian destination with Monograms Travel. I’ll be writing more about this company soon, but I found the combination of group excursions and individual time to be a perfect fit for my style of travel — especially when traveling solo. 

The local guide was not only invaluable during my trip in Lake Como, but she went above and beyond to help me book my onward travel after the Monograms portion of my trip concluded.

I found the group portion of the trip to be a nice addition as I was able to meet other travelers and I learned much more about Lake Como than I would have on my own. I spent four days exploring this area of Italy — staying in the town of Como — and found these five towns to be my favorite!

 

1. Varenna

One of the more humble towns of Lake Como, Varenna is rather quiet compared to its more touristy neighbors. The serenity of this town makes it a haven from hotel-packed resorts, and may be the most authentically charming spot on the lake!

Grab some gelato near the colorful waterfront and pebble shores, take a stroll on the passerella — or “lover’s walk” — and climb to the beautiful Castello di Vezio for a chance to explore the grounds of a beautiful privately-owned castle.

Read more: Italy Travel Tips: Everything You Need To Know Before Visiting

Lake Como, Italy: The Best Towns to Visit (And Must-Know Tips!)

 

2. Bellagio

Just a short ferry ride from Varenna is Bellagio, the posh and classy “Pearl of the Lake.” Stylish boutiques and wine cafés adorn the cobblestone paths, and a tour of the town will ensure you see the best sights of this historic town.Another absolute must-see are the grandiose Villa Melzi gardens — they’ll make you feel as though you’ve stepped right into a fairytale.

A one-hour tour of Bellagio is included with all Monograms bookings to Lake Como, so you can get the best of both worlds by learning about the history and exploring on your own. I also booked an optional excursion of watercolor painting with a pro and it was the highlight of my entire trip to Como!

Read more: The Ultimate Women’s Packing Guide For Italy

Lake Como, Italy: The Best Towns to Visit (And Must-Know Tips!)

 

3. Como

The heart of the lakeside cities, Como’s lively atmosphere and more urban setting make it a hub of historic significance and plentiful city amenities.

Take a cruise of the lake, indulge your taste buds with a cooking class, and visit the galleries that Como is known for! Gothic architecture throughout the city (dating back as early as the 12th century!) attracts attention from travelers worldwide, though it’s the city’s cathedral — Duomo — that might be its biggest draw.

Read more: Lake Como Travel Guide + Packing Tips

Lake Como, Italy: The Best Towns to Visit (And Must-Know Tips!)

 

4. Tremezzo

Famous for its elegant villas and various plants and flowers from around the world, the town of Tremezzo is a treat for all the senses.

Visit the art museum and botanical garden of Villa Carlotta, taste Tremezzina’s fine dining at restaurants like La Darsena and Al Veluu Ristorante, and witness the large historical cross at the peak of Monte Crocione. While the Monte Crocione hike takes about 7-8 hours in total, it offers amazing views of the lake and alps so it’s well worth the trek!

Read more: Where to Stay in Lake Como, Italy (And The Best Hotels in Each Town)

Lake Como, Italy: The Best Towns to Visit (And Must-Know Tips!)

 

5. Brunate

Brunate is actually our only location on this list that’s nestled in the hills rather than on the shoreline, but is most definitely worth a visit for the birds-eye view of Lake Como. Just a short funicular ride from the city of Como, Brunate is a wonderful day trip from Como with a small-town feel and the allure of a classic Italian village.

Hike to the lighthouse Faro Voltiano or book a sunset dinner experience you won’t forget. These two ventures alone are worth the trip from Como.

Read more: Where to Stay in Cinque Terre (And the Best Hotels in Each Village)

5 Towns to Visit on Lake Como, Italy

 

Read More:

10 Places You Can’t Miss in Italy

Where to Stay in Rome: A Guide to the Best Neighborhoods & Hotels

10 Things to Know Before You Visit Rome, Italy

Top 10 Reasons to Travel Abroad

How to Choose the Best Luggage for Your Next Trip

12 Places To Travel While the U.S. Dollar Is Strong

Cinque Terre Travel Tips: Everything You Need to Know

 

My trip to Lake Como was a project managed by iambassador in partnership with Monograms Travel and other sponsors. Ordinary Traveler maintains full editorial control of the content published on this site.

About Christy Woodrow

Christy Woodrow is a travel photographer and professional blogger based in San Diego. She has been traveling around the world with her partner, Scott, since 2006. Join them in their quest to find off-the-beaten-path destinations by signing up for weekly emails. You can read more about her on our about page.

Filed Under: Italy

Previous Post: « The Perfect Road Trip Itinerary in Nova Scotia (Massive Guide)
Next Post: 2018 Holiday Gift Guide for Travelers »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Abroad with Ash says

    I’ve visited Italy multiple times and have yet to visit Lake Como! It looks beautiful. Maybe 2020 🙂

    Reply
  2. Don DeMaio says

    Hi. It would help tremendously if you included a small map with articles like these to show everyone where all these towns are. Grazie.

    Reply
  3. Jennifer Dombrowski says

    I love that water color you did! I used to love to paint and draw when I was a kid, so I could totally see myself booking a tour like that. And it’s impossible not to be inspired with that scenery to look at while you paint.

    Reply
    • Ordinary Traveler says

      Well thanks. 🙂 To be fair, our teacher helped all of us A LOT because we were rushed at the end in order to make our ferry!

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

Meet the Team

Christy&Scott
Welcome to our adventure travel blog! We are Christy and Scott and we've been traveling the world together since 2006. Our goal is to inspire others to live an adventurous life, as well as provide trip ideas and helpful travel tips for people with limited vacation time.
-- READ MORE --

Affiliate Information

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. I’m also a member of other affiliate programs. For more info please read my Policy Page

Footer

Traveling Tips & Hacks

  • Camping Hacks
  • Travel Tips
  • Cheap Honeymoon Destinations
  • Best Travel Camera
  • Best Weekend Getaways
  • Travel Packing Tips
  • Travel Photography Tips
  • Spiritual Travel

Popular Travel Guides

  • Cinque Terre Travel
  • Rome Travel
  • Venice Travel
  • Havasu Falls Travel
  • Norway Travel
  • Switzerland Travel
  • Big Island Hawaii Travel
  • Kauai Travel

Ordinary Traveler

  • Home
  • About Us
  • Blog
  • Resources
  • Work With Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

© 2021 · Ordinary Traveler