How Many Days Should I Stay in Lake Como? (3-Day Lake Como Itinerary)

Planning to spend three days in Lake Como, Italy? Lucky you – Lake Como (or Lago di Como) is one of our favorite places in Italy if not the whole of Europe. We love it so much here that we actually considered getting married in Belaggio, in the end, we got married in Cinque Terre. But, only because we wanted to be by the ocean.

Anyway, back to Lake Como – I’m sure the very mention of the place will conjure up images of lakefront towns filled with candy-colored buildings and cobblestoned streets. And the glistening lake is at the very center of it all. Yep, Italy’s third-biggest lake is home to over 30 of these pretty towns.

And handily, Lake Como is easily doable on a day trip from Milan if you’re short on time. In fact, both destinations are just 48 km apart.

I’ve included my very favorite Lake Como towns on this three days in Lake Como itinerary. And I happen to think it’s the perfect Lake Como itinerary as it includes the must-see towns here like Belaggio and Varenna. But, it also highlights a few hidden gem towns like Menaggio and Cernobbio.

Three days in Lake Como is the ideal amount of time to get a feel for this gorgeous region. But, of course, if you have less time you can cross off the places that don’t appeal to you.

Day One: Como & Cernobbio

Como, the largest town on Lake Como is more like a mini city. Well, it is technically classed as a city, but it gives off more of a small-town vibe to me – and that’s a good thing!

It doesn’t get as much hype as its neighbors (Belaggio and Varenna). However, we really loved Como as there’s so much to do here. We actually based ourselves here the second time we visited the region as it has reasonably priced hotels, fantastic restaurants, and a reliable and frequent ferry service to the other towns along the lake.

The best time to visit Lake Como is from April to October!

Duomo di Como:

We recommend spending a full day here checking out the various historic landmarks dotted throughout the city. Your first stop should be the Duomo di Como (aka the Como Cathedral). This magnificent cathedral, which took nearly four centuries to complete, blends a variety of architectural styles, including Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque elements. Its construction began in 1396 and was finally completed in 1770.

Villa Olmo:

Next, we checked out Villa Olmo – a stunning neoclassical villa that’s perched on the lakefront. It was built in the late 18th century by the Odescalchi family and was originally designed as a lavish summer escape. And interestingly, the villa’s name comes from a magnificent elm tree that used to grace its gardens.

Most tourists come here to wander the lush gardens which boast mesmerizing views of the lake and the surrounding mountains. But, I really loved the interior – it’s the perfect example of Italian aristocratic elegance with its painted ceilings.

Currently, the inside is closed for renovations. However, you can wander most of the villa’s gardens for free! Yep, no entry fee here!

Funicular to Brunate:

One of my favorite things to do here in Como was to ride the funicular up to the quaint mountaintop village of Brunate.

It has been in operation since 1894 and as you can imagine the ride up provides breathtaking views of Lake Como and the surrounding mountains. The journey takes about seven minutes. And at the top, you will be rewarded with stunning 180-degree views of the lake.

Allow around two hours to explore Brunate, known for its charming villas, quaint streets, and the iconic Faro Voltiano lighthouse. If you’re hungry the Trattoria Dei Bracconieri Brunate is a lovely restaurant with an amazing outdoor seating area. The views from there are wow!

The funicular is in operation from 6 am to 10:30 pm daily and costs around €6.60 return.

Dinner in Cernobbio:

For dinner this evening, we recommend getting the ferry (it’s around a 45-minute journey) to Cernobbio. The town’s historic center boasts charming candy-colored buildings many of which are home to quaint shops and cafes.

If time is on your side, be sure to visit Villa d’Este, a luxurious hotel with beautifully landscaped gardens that are open to the public. The last entry here in peak season is 6:45 pm and entry costs €15.

As for dinner, we recommend Ristorante Trattoria del Glicine on Piazza Santo Stefano.

Your Next Read: How to Spend 3 Days in Cinque Terre: The Perfect Cinque Terre Itinerary

Day Two: Belaggio & Lenno

Belaggio:

For your second day in Lake Como, we recommend getting up early to explore Belaggio – one of the prettiest and most popular towns on the lake. Nicknamed the “Pearl of Lake Como,” this picturesque village literally looks like it has sprung from the pages of a travel brochure. It’s all candy-hued buildings and steep, narrow cobbled streets.

One of the must-see attractions here is Villa Melzi, a stunning neoclassical villa surrounded by beautifully landscaped gardens that boast breathtaking views of the lake and the Alps. The San Giacomo Church is another noteworthy stop in Belaggio with its Romanesque architecture and intricate frescoes – it truly is very photogenic.

Besides these attractions, be sure to spend a few hours wandering the town’s cobbled streets which are lined with quaint shops, locally-run Cafes, and art galleries. For the best view in town, consider taking a short walk to Punta Spartivento – this is where you can see the two branches of Lake Como meet!

This path is an easy 10-minute walk from the ferry terminal and my suggestion is to grab a coffee from Pasticceria Sancassani for the walk.

Evening in Lenno:

Our suggested town for this evening – Lenno is around a 50-minute ferry ride from Belaggio and it’s home to the magnificent Villa del Balbianello. Which is famous for its exquisite architecture and as a filming location for movies like James Bond: Casino Royale and Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones.

You MUST book your tickets at least a month in advance for Villa del Balbianello. This is, after all, one of the most famous villas in Lake Como!

There are two kinds of tickets you can get: a villa plus garden for around €25 or a garden-only ticket for €14. Please note the villa is only open from the middle of March to November and it’s closed on Mondays and Wednesdays. And the last entry is at 5 pm.

Afterwards, we headed for dinner and we really loved our meal at Bistrò Il Golfo in Lenno, a casual eatery with amazing views of the lake.

Your Next Read: What the Guide Books Won’t Tell You About the Cinque Terre (2025 Guide)

Day Three: Menaggio & Varenna

Menaggio:

Spend your final morning in Lake Como at Menaggio – another charming town that’s known for its cobblestoned streets and postcard-worthy lakeside promenade. I’d actually go so far as to say that the views along here are some of the best in Lake Como. For most of the way, you’ll look out onto the shimmering lake and the majestic mountains that frame it.

If you’re a history buff, be sure to check out the Church of Santa Marta and the remnants of the Castello di Menaggio – they’re like stepping back in time!

For those who love to hike, the trails in Val Sanagra Park are calling your name. Here, you can wander through lush valleys and forests. And it’s the perfect place to escape the summer heat as it tends to be cooler up here in the mountains, protected by all those trees. The park gets its name from the stream that flows through here and there are plenty of lovely waterfalls and Roman-era stone bridges dotted along the trails.

Varenna:

Varenna is a cute, romantic town that’s situated at the other end of the lake to Como (it’s a minimum two-hour ferry ride). It’s also one of the only other towns with a train line – regional trains operate to Milan, Bergamo, and Lecco from here. So, you could head on to your next destination from Varenna if you wish.

Start your afternoon here by wandering through the charming, narrow streets and soaking in the vibrant atmosphere of this gem of a town. Visit the historic Villa Monastero, a stunning estate with beautiful gardens and a museum housed in a former monastery. Next door, is Villa Cipressi which boasts glorious terrace gardens. Try to visit both if you have time, a combination ticket to see both costs €19.

Then, take a leisurely stroll along the Passeggiata degli Innamorati (aka Lovers Walk), a scenic lakeside promenade offering breathtaking views of the lake and surrounding mountains.

It’s around an hour’s walk over cobblestones, under iron arbors, and across cantilevered accessways over the water.

Finally, don’t miss the opportunity to explore Castello di Vezio, a 1,000-year-old castle perched on a hilltop, providing panoramic vistas of Lake Como. The walk up is only around 30 minutes but it is steep so a reasonable level of fitness is advised. The entry fee to the Castello is €7.

Tours you might find interesting:

Where to Stay in Lake Como:

Because there are so many towns surrounding Lake Como deciding which one to stay in can be a challenge, to say the least. Well, after visiting the area three times – I’ve narrowed it down to my favorite towns to stay in to help you out.

Como:

The only city on Lake Como is best described as a historic, large town. There’s loads to do here and there are plenty of great restaurants here too.

My top choice in Como is Hotel Metropole Suisse, a lakeside hotel in the center of Como (only 300 meters from the Duomo di Como). The rooms are classically designed and spacious. A room here averages €130 per night.

Another good option in Como is the Hilton Lake Como – a 4-star property that’s modern and has a fabulous rooftop pool with a view of the lake. A double room here averages €200 per night.

Belaggio:

Arguably, the prettiest town on Lake Como. Belaggio is a very popular place to stay and as such the prices here are higher than many other towns on the lake.

Hotel Bellagio is a brilliant, budget-friendly choice here. This small, two-star hotel boasts views over the lake, and the rooms although small are lovely. Many rooms come with a view of the lake, too. A room here starts from €125 per night and that includes breakfast.

Varenna:

Varenna is one of my favorite towns in Lake Como as it’s colorful and quaint. You can also catch the train to Milan from here, which is very handy.

My favorite hotel in Varenna is Hotel Olivedo, which is set within a 19th Century Building and is just a 2-minute walk from the pier in Varenna. A room here averages €150 per night.

And finally, my top pick if you’re looking for complete luxury is the Grand Hotel Tremezzo (as pictured above!)

The cheapest hotel deals here:

Booking.com

Getting around Lake Como:

The most popular (and the best) way to get around Lake Como is on the local ferries. The ferries are operated by Navigazione Laghi and they run year-round but in the low season, it has reduced frequency services.

In the high season, the service is very frequent from the major towns here. Pretty much going every hour. However, it’s best to double-check the times at the ferry terminals as they can change from month to month.

Considering the distances – for example, from Como to Belaggio will take one hour on the fast ferry and two hours on the regular ferry the ticket prices are reasonable. A free-circulation ticket (you can hop on and off throughout the day) is around €23.30 – we highly recommend purchasing this.

Another way to get around Lake Como is by taking the local bus, which runs along the lake. If you’re on a budget this is the way to go, but as you can guess, the views aren’t the same as the ferry.

You can also drive, but I’d only advise this for those who are used to driving on steep, narrow roads and if you’re visiting off-peak. As the roads can be very busy during the busy summer months.

Getting to Lake Como

Milan is the closest major city to Lake Como and the most popular way to get from Milan to Lake Como is via train. A regular and reliable train service operates from Milano Centrale Station to both Varenna and Como. The train journey should cost you around €15 return per person.

While, from Milano Malpensa Airport your best option is to take the Malpensa Express train as far as Saronno, and then change trains to Como Lago Nord station. The journey takes around an hour and a half altogether.

Another good option is to drive to Lake Como from Milan, or other cities in Italy. As I said, from Milan, it’s only a 48 km journey. But, it’s worth noting that the drive from Como to the other towns on the lake can be challenging as the roads here tend to be narrow and steep.

If you need to rent a car then consider booking your rental car through Discover Cars. This is a search engine for rental cars and allows you to filter by price if you’re on a budget or by vehicle type if there’s a specific car you’re after.

Thanks for Reading!

And that’s a wrap on this Lake Como itinerary, I hope it’s given you plenty of inspiration for your upcoming visit here!

Some other popular Italy posts I wrote (that you may enjoy) include –

How to Spend One Day in the Cinque Terre

Best Activities in Cinque Terre (5 Unique Things to Do)

Where to stay in Monterosso Cinque Terre

Villages of the Cinque Terre: Which One Should I Stay in?

Last Updated on March 12, 2025 by snaphappytravel