10 Things to Do in Lago di Como in Italy

Lago di Como is an absolutely magical place. Located in the north of the city bordering Switzerland, this large lake is favored by the orography of the Alps, which make it an unparalleled landscape. It is shaped like an inverted "y" and is surrounded by mountains and forests that form a dream postcard. So much so that the area has become a paradise for many artists and celebrities who have in their luxurious villas their resting place.

The first stop to visit the lake should always be Como, the city that gives its name to the lake and plays host to all those who visit it. It is worth spending a few hours to see the city before leaving and going deeper into the lake.

Highlights of Como include the following:

• Duomo, a three-nave basilica dating from 1740 that is one of the largest churches in northern Italy.
• The Duomo square is also one of its attractions as it is surrounded by palaces and beautiful buildings.
• Stretches of an ancient medieval wall of the twelfth century.
• Its views of the lake.

Visiting Como is a perfect starting point, so much so, that when you make an excursion to Lago di Como from Milan, a visit to the city is also included.

Bellagio is located right in the center of the lake, on the point that divides it into three.

Its privileged location made it one of the strategic points of the area and one of the most important, which is reflected in the remains of the fortresses and fortifications that still remain. Its cobblestone streets and colorful houses will enchant you.

To get to Bellagio there are several options: by boat from the port of Como, by car along the road along the lake or my favorite option, joining an excursion to Lago di Como and Bellagio from Milan.

All the villages on the shores of Lake Como are of extraordinary beauty, but many point to this small village as the most beautiful of Lake Como. Arguments are not lacking.

Varenna is a fishing village of less than 1000 inhabitants that has conquered all visitors thanks to its environment, its colorful houses, its views and to elements such as its two churches whose bell towers greatly embellish the lakeside views. In addition, in the village there are several restaurants and bars with terraces that, for the average of Lago Di Como, can be considered economical.

The most efficient and recommendable way to reach Varenna is to take an excursion to Lago di Como and vineyards from Milan which, among others, includes this beautiful village.

The Castle di Vezio is located next to the village of Varenna, but it is worth commenting on it separately. And is that this place has absolutely privileged views of Lake Di Como.

The castle of medieval origin was built to defend and control some of the villages of the lake and for this purpose it has a high rectangular tower. Although architecturally it is not particularly striking, in addition to its views it has several qualities:

• In its tower there is a permanent exhibit dedicated to the Lariosaurus, a marine reptile that was discovered in the lake near the castle's location.
• There is also a show of birds of prey.

To access the castle it is necessary to climb a small path that leaves from Varenna, it is only open to the public from March to October and the entrance fee is only 4 euros.

On the opposite shore of Varenna is the village of Menaggio, one of the busiest municipalities in the area and one of the most touristic. There are countless hotels, hostels, campsites and tourist apartments that make it the ideal place if you want to spend a few days on Lake Como.

Menaggio is a very stately village with several of the most spectacular villas and buildings in the area. The best thing is the lakeside promenade from which to enjoy the views: on clear days it is possible to see on the other shore the village of Varenna.

Cernobbio is a town of just over 7000 inhabitants that boasts some of the most spectacular villas in all of Lago di Como:

• Villa Erba, a 19th century palace that today functions as a congress center.
• Villa Pizzo, which has a magnificent display of 17th century frescoes.
• Villa D'Este, the most famous, as it is a 5-star hotel recognized as the best in the world, and is as beautiful as it is prohibitively expensive.

These villas are the symbol of the region with their spectacular mansions and palaces with gardens worthy of a royal palace.

It is difficult to know all the villages of Lago di Como, so many and so beautiful they are; therefore, it is always common to leave one behind and one of those that are often forgotten is the small town of Nesso.

Its main attraction is its small medieval bridge, the Ponte della Civera, which crosses the Orrido di Nesso, a very narrow canyon where two streams converge and flow into the lake with a beautiful waterfall. In addition to this point, it is worth strolling through its streets, admiring the facades of its houses and enjoying the view of the lake.

It is, in its own right, the hidden jewel of Lake Como.

The only island in Lake Como is Comacina Island, off the coast of the village of Ossuccio. You can visit it starting from this village and get to know the mysteries and places related to this list.

In 1170, the famous pirate Barbarossa invaded the island and later the bishop of Como cursed it, saying that anyone who set foot on it would suffer a violent death. After this the island was abandoned in fear of this curse.

Today it can be visited without fear of any curse by taking a boat from Ossuccio. The ruins of the castle and the basilica of Santa Eufemia are preserved on the island, as well as other buildings that were part of a project to re-inhabit the island.

In the village of Ossuccio, at the tip of a small peninsula, is a movie villa, the Villa Balbianello, where scenes from movies like James Bond or Star Wars have been shot.

The visit to the villa is a bit expensive, costing about 20 euros, but it is really worth it:

• It consists of two buildings connected to each other by secret passages.
• The first building is a lodge where you can find the tomb of Guido Monzini, a famous explorer who was one of the last owners of the villa.
• The second part is the house built on the cliff from an ancient monastery of which the facade and its two small bell towers are preserved.

But what really captures the visitor is the beautiful and well-kept garden with a perfect view of the lake.

Last but not least on this list is the beautiful town of Tremezzo. It is situated at the foot of Mount Tremezzo, from which it takes its name, and is well connected to towns such as Varenna, Menaggio and Bellagio.

From this village it is worth mentioning Villa Carlotta, although it is a bit far away, because it is one of the most outstanding villas of Lago di Como since its gardens are formed by galleries full of flowers and very striking decorative elements.

As for the locality, what is most striking is the Tremezzo hotel. This hotel is in the largest and most spectacular building in town and is famous for its floating pools on the lake itself. The town is full of colorful streets and green squares that can be explored on foot or by making use of the tourist trains that run through the streets.