Lake Como

Is 2 days enough for Lake Como?

Yes, for a quick visit. You can cover the three main towns (Como, Bellagio, Varenna) and ride the funicular. But you cannot do leisurely hikes, visit every villa garden, or take a private boat. This plan skips the most overcrowded villas (Villa del Balbianello on the western shore) and focuses on what is genuinely beautiful, easy to reach by public ferry, and worth your time.

Day 1: Bellagio and Varenna

Morning (08:30 13:00): Como to Bellagio by fast passenger ferry

1. Walk from your hotel to Como Lago ferry terminal (the dock directly in front of the train station).
2. Buy the 24 hour pass at the ticket counter (not the automated machine, which often glitches). The cost is about EUR 18 per person in 2026.
3. Take the 09:10 direct fast ferry to Bellagio. The ride takes 60 minutes. Sit on the left side for the best views of the lake and hillside villas.
4. Arrive in Bellagio by 10:15. The ferry crowds are still thin before 11:00.
5. Walk uphill from the ferry landing. Skip the main stairs (they are packed with tourists) and take Via Garibaldi, the quieter parallel street. It leads to the Pescallo viewpoint in 15 minutes.
6. At 11:30, visit Villa Melzi gardens (EUR 10 entrance, open 09:30 18:00 in July 2026). The gardens are small, elegant, and rarely overcrowded. Skip Villa Serbelloni (requires a guided tour, booked days ahead, and costs EUR 15 for a 45 minute walk).
7. Lunch at a simple osteria on Via Pescallo. A plate of pasta with lake fish (missoltino) costs around EUR 14. Avoid restaurants with plastic menus and photos outside. They overcharge.

Afternoon (13:30 18:00): Varenna and the Walk of Lovers

1. Take the 13:30 passenger ferry from Bellagio to Varenna. The ride is 15 minutes. Cost is included in the 24 hour pass.
2. Varenna is smaller and calmer than Bellagio. Get off the ferry and turn left. Walk the Passerella degli Innamorati (Walk of Lovers) a narrow lakeside path that takes 20 minutes to reach the old town center.
3. Visit Villa Monastero (EUR 8 entrance, open 10:00 19:00 in summer). The botanical garden and the lakefront terrace are worth the fee. Spend 45 minutes here.
4. Skip the castle (Castello di Vezio) unless you want a steep 30 minute uphill walk for a view that is similar to what you saw from the ferry.
5. At 16:00, grab a gelato from a kiosk near the ferry dock (EUR 3 for two scoops). Then take the 16:40 ferry back to Como. Arrive around 17:40.
6. Evening: have dinner at a trattoria in Como old town, a 10 minute walk from the ferry terminal. A glass of local red (Nero d'Avola not typical here, try a Sangiovese or a Lagrein) and a Milanese cutlet cost about EUR 28 total.

Day 2: Como city and the Brunate funicular

Morning (08:30 12:30): Como historic center and boat walk

1. Start at the Duomo di Como (free entry, open 07:00 12:00 and 15:00 19:00). The Gothic facade is worth 10 minutes.
2. Walk to the nearby Broletto (medieval town hall) and Piazza Cavour. Then wander the porticoes along Via Plinio. This area has quiet cafes away from the main tourist path.
3. At 10:00, walk 15 minutes along the lake promenade to Villa Olmo. The villa is free to enter (ground floor only, open 10:00 13:00 and 14:00 18:00). The neoclassical rooms and the park are peaceful. A coffee at the villa bar costs EUR 2.50.
4. Return to the town center by 11:30.

Afternoon (13:00 17:00): Funicular to Brunate

1. Buy a round trip funicular ticket (EUR 6.50 in 2026, cash only). The funicular station is a 5 minute walk from the Como Lago ferry terminal.
2. The ride lasts 7 minutes. Go up around 13:00 to avoid the lunch rush queues (they can be 20 minutes long at noon).
3. At the top, walk 5 minutes to the panoramic viewpoint at Piazza della Vittoria. You see the entire lake and the Alps.
4. Then walk 10 minutes along the dirt road to the Faro Voltiano lighthouse (admission EUR 2, open 10:00 18:00). Climb the spiral stairs for a higher view.
5. Walk back to the village. Have a late lunch at a small restaurant in Brunate (a plate of pizzoccheri, buckwheat pasta with cabbage and cheese, costs EUR 12).
6. Take the 16:00 funicular down.

Evening (17:30 onward): Last stroll and a simple dinner

Walk along the lakeside promenade in Como, from Piazza Cavour to the Monumento ai Caduti. Find a table at a wine bar near the duomo. Order a glass of Franciacorta (local sparkling wine, about EUR 8) and a board of local cheeses (EUR 10). A quiet end to two days.

Where to stay for this itinerary

• Como city (old town): Best for transport connections. Trains from Milan arrive here. Typical hotel price EUR 120 180 per night in July.
• Varenna (lakeside): Quieter, more romantic, but requires a ferry or train to reach other towns. Rooms start at EUR 150 per night.
• Bellagio (upper village): Most scenic but expensive and crowded. Expect EUR 200 per night for a basic double.

Practical tips

• Ferry schedules change by season. In July 2026, the last ferry from Bellagio to Como is around 19:30. Check the official navigazione laghi website the day before.
• Pre book the Villa Melzi garden ticket online (EUR 10) to skip the line. The queue at the ticket booth can be 20 minutes at 11:00.
• Avoid the water taxis. They cost EUR 30 50 per short trip and do not save much time.
• Carry cash. Many small cafes and the funicular in Brunate do not accept cards.
• Sunscreen and a hat are mandatory in July. The sun reflects off the lake and shade is scarce on the ferries.

FAQ

• Can I do both Bellagio and Varenna in one day without rushing? Yes, if you follow the ferry schedule and skip long villa tours. You will have about 2 hours in each town, which is enough for a walk, a garden, and lunch.
• Is the 24 hour ferry pass worth it? Yes, if you plan to take 3 or more rides. The pass costs EUR 18. A single ticket from Como to Bellagio costs EUR 9, so two trips already pay for the pass.
• Should I book a private guided tour? No, unless you have a specific interest in villa interiors or want a boat with a driver. The public ferry and your own feet cover the main sights for less than EUR 40 total.
• What is the biggest mistake tourists make? Trying to visit all three branches of the lake in one day. You cannot see Menaggio, Bellagio, and Varenna in a single afternoon. Pick two.
• Is Lake Como expensive for food? It is similar to Milan. A sit down pasta dish costs EUR 12 16. A main course of fish costs EUR 18 24. Cheap eats: pizza al taglio (by the slice) from a bakery, EUR 3 4.