Lake Como: A Peaceful Start to Our Italian Adventure
Lake Como was the perfect introduction to our two-week trip in Italy. After an overnight flight from Atlanta to Milan, we made the (very last-minute) decision to skip waiting 2 hours for a train from MXP to the city of Milan and then another train to Como and instead hopped in a taxi straight to Como City.
Fun fact: the fare to Como was about the same as going into Milan, so it was an easy call. That decision saved us hours of travel time and got us lakeside much faster—a win when you’re traveling with a toddler who is done sitting still. (Green is the distance to Como and Blue is the distance to Milan)
Where We Stayed: Como City
We chose Como City as our base, mostly for its practicality. It’s the easiest town on the lake to get to, and it has plenty of restaurants, shops, and ferry options. While it doesn’t have the same postcard-perfect views as Bellagio or Varenna, the trade-off was worth it for the convenience—especially traveling in the off-season when ferries can be less frequent.
Our Airbnb in Como City was central, clean, and just what we needed No, it didn’t have the sweeping lake views I saw from some homes in Varenna, but being walking distance from everything made up for it.
Day 1: Settling In and Exploring Como City
We arrived in Como in the morning, dropped our bags, and grabbed coffee at a café near the ferry terminal. This spot turned out to be the nice first taste of the area, complete with the well known swans walking around the area (Asher was fascinated). With luggage in tow for the first hour, we took it easy that day wandering along the promenade, checking out the historic city center, and enjoying pasta at a casual dinner spot on the main plaza. By the time the sun set, jet lag had fully set in, and we were happy to call it an early night.
Day 2: A (Slightly Off-Plan) Ferry Adventure
Our plan for the second day was to visit Bellagio, but plot twist the ferry to Bellagio was sold out. Instead, we took the eastern route to Torno, a quieter town on the lake. Torno was peaceful and beautiful, but it’s definitely more of a summer destination. Many shops and restaurants were closed for the off-season, so after a quick lunch at a little pizzeria near the dock, we headed back to Como.
While it wasn’t what we originally planned, the detour was a nice way to slow down and enjoy the unexpected. That said, if you’re traveling in the off-season, I recommend reviewing ferry schedules in advance and getting tickets early in the morning (as you can only get them at the ferry station day of and can’t buy online)
Day 3: Bellagio and Varenna
We made it to Bellagio on our third day, and it was worth the wait. Bellagio is postcard-perfect, with charming streets that climb up the hill and overlook the lake. We spent the day wandering through town, exploring side streets, and having lunch at a second-story restaurant with panoramic lake views. It was quiet—so quiet, in fact, that we were one of only a few people dining there, which made it feel extra special.
From Bellagio, we hopped on another ferry to Varenna. Varenna was an unexpected favorite, with its calm energy and stunning sunset views. Asher loved the little playground right by the water, and we strolled along the lakeside path while the sun dipped behind the mountains.
Final Day in Lake Como: The Tram to Brunate
For our last evening, we took the tram up to Brunate, a mountain town overlooking the lake. Let me tell you, the line looked daunting at first, but it moved quickly, and the view from the top was absolutely worth it. There were a ton of people online saying that the lines for this are long and that you have to hike quite a bit when you get to the top for views. I didn’t feel that way at all. There’s a little café near the tram station, so we grabbed drinks to take back while waiting in line This was the perfect way to end our time in Lake Como before heading to Puglia the next day.
Reflections on Lake Como
Would I stay in Como City again? Definitely. It gave us the flexibility we needed to explore without worrying about ferry schedules or being stranded in a smaller town after sunset. That said, Bellagio and Varenna are unbeatable for views and charm. If you visit in peak season, I’d recommend at least day-tripping to both. I’d love to spend more time boat side in the summer but in the fall and winter months its just not an option. The temps were in the low 60s and it gets dark between 4:30 and 5p.
Traveling to Lake Como in November had its pros and cons. The peacefulness was unmatched, but many shops and restaurants were closed. If you’re looking for vibrant summer vibes, this might not be the best time to visit. But for us, it was great.
