Day Trip from Milan to Lake Como (Perfect One Day Itinerary)

If you’re staying in Milan, it’s highly likely that you’ll go on a day trip to nearby Lake Como. This is after all one of the most popular things to do in Milan and for good reason – Lake Como is one of the most stunning lakes in the world. And given that it’s a short train ride from the city, it makes sense to go on a day trip to Lake Como from Milan.

Now, I will add that I highly recommend spending 3 days in Lake Como but if time isn’t on your side then a day trip to Lake Como is easily doable. After all, the two destinations are only 48 km apart. And the train from Milano Centrale train station to Como is only 40 minutes (to Varenna it’s just over an hour).

In one day in Lake Como, you’ll get to wander around gorgeous lakeside towns like Belaggio and Varenna, go on a ferry ride along the lake, and get the funicular from Como to the quaint mountain town of Brunate.

I’ve visited Lake Como a couple of times now (in fact, we almost got married here) so I know all the top things to do here if you’re tight on time. So, read on to find out the best things to do on a Milan to Lake Como day trip.

Getting to Lake Como from Milan

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. We got the train from Milan to Varenna in the morning (this took just over an hour). And then we caught the train back to Milan in the evening from Como (this is around a 40-minute journey). I believe this cost us around €15 return each.

Another popular way to get from Milan to Lake Como is to book a guided tour, this is the best option if you want a stress-free day as all your transport is taken care of. This full-day tour is rated excellent (with thousands of 5-star reviews). It includes a coach from Milan to Como and a private boat tour of the lake. You’ll also get to visit Belaggio and Lugano (in Switzerland!) So, you’ll get to see two countries in one day! It costs from €85 per person. Which is brilliant value for money!

How to spend a day in Lake Como (Self-guided)

We recommend following the same itinerary that we did for your one day in Lake Como. Because it meant we had a less-crowded experience in Varenna (one of the prettiest and most popular towns on the lake) as we visited there first thing in the morning. Handily, you can catch a train from Milano Centrale Station to Varenna Esino Station, which will take just over an hour and cost around €10 return.

In order to squeeze all of the below in you will need to catch an early train from Milan (we got the 8 am train) which meant we were in Varenna just after 9 am. We then purchased a free circulation ticket for the Lake Como ferry from the ferry port when we arrived in Varenna – this ticket means you can hop on and off throughout the day. It cost us around €23.30.

When planning your day in Lake Como, it’s also worth factoring in how long the ferry takes to get from one town to the next. For example, from Varenna to Belaggio it’s 40 minutes, and from Belaggio to Como it’s between 1-2 hours, depending on whether you get the regular or fast ferry.

At the end of our day, we got the train from Como back to Milan. This takes around 40 minutes and the last train of the day is usually at 11 pm.

Please note – you can do this day in reverse if you wish (starting in Como and ending in Varenna).

Morning – Varenna

The quaint, romantic town of Varenna will be your first stop this morning and it happens to be one of my favorite towns in Lake Como. It’s so charming – and by getting here early in the morning you’ll likely have the place pretty much to yourself!

Start your morning here by wandering through the charming, narrow streets and soaking in the vibrant atmosphere of this gem of a town. If you haven’t already had breakfast, we highly recommend Caffe Varenna on Contrada Scoscesa.

Then, stroll up to the historic Villa Monastero. This stunning villa is home to breathtaking 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 can, a combination ticket to see both costs €19.

Next, 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 next to the lake and we took lots of photos.

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.

Afternoon – Belaggio

Nicknamed the “Pearl of Lake Como,” the picturesque village of Belaggio is as pretty as a postcard. It’s all candy-hued buildings and steep, narrow cobbled streets.

As I said, it’s around a 40-minute ferry ride from Varenna to Belaggio. And we say, aim to get here for lunch. We recommend Osteria da Lu&Ca for lunch today.

After lunch, make a beeline for Villa Melzi, a stunning neoclassical villa surrounded by beautifully landscaped gardens that boast breathtaking views of the lake and the mountains. The San Giacomo Church is another noteworthy stop in Belaggio with its Romanesque architecture and intricate frescoes – it is so photogenic.

Besides these attractions, be sure to spend an hour 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 port and my suggestion is to grab a takeout coffee from Pasticceria Sancassani for the walk.

Optional Stop-off: Villa Balbianello

Villa del Balbianello in the town of Lenno is around a 50-minute ferry ride from Belaggio. This villa was a filming location for movies like James Bond: Casino Royale and Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones.

If you’re doing okay for time be sure to stop off here before heading for Como. FYI, your free circulation ferry ticket allows you to hop off where you please along the lake.

But, remember – 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.

Evening – Como

Como is the only city on Lake Como but it’s more like a big town than a city. And we really loved Como as there’s so much to do here.

Your first stop this evening 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.

Then finally, this evening head for the funicular which goes up to the quaint mountaintop village of Brunate.

The funicular runs until 10:30 pm daily and costs around €6.60 return.

The funicular 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 an hour to explore Brunate, known for its charming villas, quaint streets, and the photogenic Faro Voltiano lighthouse. For dinner, we recommend the Trattoria Dei Bracconieri Brunate, a lovely restaurant with a fab seating area. The views from there are amazing!

Catch the train back to Milan late this evening from Como San Giovanni train station. As I said, the trains typically run as late as 11 pm.

Where to stay in Lake Como (definitely do this if you can!):

Why not extend your Milan to Lake Como day trip with an overnight stay, that way you can see more of the area the next day. Use the map below to search for the best hotels for your needs –

Thanks for Reading!

I hope this guide has given you plenty of inspiration for your Milan to Lake Como day trip. It’s something I 100% recommend doing during your vacation to Milan. It truly is one of the most beautiful places in the world!

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

How to Spend 3 Days in Cinque Terre

What the Guide Books Won’t Tell You About the Cinque Terre (2025 Guide)

How to Spend One Day in the Cinque Terre

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

Last Updated on March 12, 2025 by snaphappytravel