The Perfect 3 Days in Lake Como: What to Do (and What NOT to Do)

Visiting Lake Como feels like stepping in to the glamour of Hollywood past. You could stretch your time here as long as you would like, but unfortunately most of us have limited time off from work, and need to make it part of a longer European vacation. Lake Como especially shines as a relaxing finale to an active trip to Switzerland or Northern Italy. Read on to find out the do’s and don’ts to have your perfect 3 days in Lake Como!

For more info on a trip to Switzerland, the perfect companion to Lake Como, check out these posts:

Jungfrau Region in 3 Days: Switzerland’s Most Spectacular Scenery

Ultimate Carry-On Packing List for Summer in Switzerland

One Amazing Day in Zermatt, Switzerland: The Best of the Matterhorn Village)

DO: Choose the right village.

This is the first major decision you will make when planning your trip. Do you want to stay in one of the big three: Bellagio, Menaggio, or Varenna? Or are you interested in one of the villages that gets a little less social media attention, like Tremezzo or Lenno? Think about the vibe you want, the amount you are willing to spend, and if there are specific attractions that are a must.

Of course, you could stay in the large Como town hub, but you would miss out on a lot of the charm the lake has to offer! With a shorter amount of time, it could make sense to stay there a night and just spend the day riding the ferry to visit the more picturesque villages.

Bellagio, Menaggio, and Varenna

If you prefer more options for restaurants and nightlife and don’t mind crowds, look at staying in one of the big three villages. Bellagio (known as the Pearl of Lake Como) is in a great central location. It was easily my favorite for wandering streets and checking out shops. The crowds are the tradeoff! You will have no trouble finding gorgeous restaurants with stunning views across the lake.

Menaggio feels more like a town, and has a lovely promenade that often houses local artisan markets. It also boasts a fun, relaxing lido (I love this European beach club concept) called Victoria Beach (more info here). The central location lends itself to good transport links outside of Lake Como.

Varenna is home to Villa Monastero, Villa Cipressi, and my favorite restaurant in Lake Como – Al Prato. The colorful buildings are reminiscent of Cinque Terre. When arriving from Milan, the train will take you directly here, which is a huge plus. During peak times, the trains can get very crowded so keep that in mind. If you are depending on it to get you all the way back to Milan‘s airport, you may be standing the entire time or be forced to take the next train!

Tremezzo, Lenno, and other smaller villages

For those mainly interested in quite relaxation with some great hotel options directly on the lake, Tremezzo (also home to Villa Carlotta), is a good option. Even if you can’t afford to stay there, the Grand Hotel Tremezzo is worth a visit for an overpriced drink! If you are a big Star Wars buff, then you may want to stay in Lenno for easy access to Villa del Balbianello (used as a set in the prequels).

For an area as relaxing and least crowded as possible, take a look at Lierna on the “quiet side” of the lake. They even have a sandy beach – very difficult to find in Lake Como!

DON’T: Rely on ferries to transport you in the evenings.

I was surprised to learn that the ferries, even in peak season, do not have late hours. That’s not an issue if you are having dinner in Menaggio but need to get back to your hotel in Tremezzo, since they are on the same side of the lake and relatively near each other. However, if you are in Varenna on the opposite side of the lake and need to get back to Tremezzo, that’s a very expensive taxi ride or a very long bus ride. To make things worse, the bus schedule is also confusing and unreliable.

The ferry schedule is released for each season here. Note there are multiple ferry types, some are express and skip stops, and others stop at each village. The ferry rides take longer than you would expect – if you are taking a ferry from your arrival in Como to mid-lake (Bellagio/Menaggio/Varenna), it can take up to an hour. Don’t try to book tickets ahead of time, there is no real advantage and the website rarely works anyway.

DO: Take a Private Boat Tour

If you only book one thing on your visit to Lake Como, make it a private boat tour. The vintage wooden boat tours are especially popular, but you can save some serious cash booking a modern motorboat. Often, tour operators will pick you up in the village you are staying and will offer custom itineraries. You can also rent a boat without a license, but that can be dangerous, and I find it less relaxing! A good boat tour operator will give you a comprehensive history of the area with glamourous celebrity tidbits thrown in. Many tours include a bottle of prosecco, or you can always bring your own!

DON’T: Stick to Only “Traditional” Italian Food

When most of us think Italian food, we imagine pizza and pasta. While those foods can certainly be found in Lake Como, that is not the traditional food of the region due to their specific climate, geography, and crops. The inhabitants of the Lake Como/Lombardy region of Italy have been eating freshwater fish (for obvious reasons) and more hearty mountain foods, like risotto, for generations. It would be a shame to skip over the dishes of the region that have been perfected over the years in favor of lasagna or carbonara!

The aforementioned Al Prato was a standout restaurant – if you are in Varenna, do not miss it. It wasn’t just our favorite resaurant in Lake Como, it was our favorite restauran the entire trip. They don’t do reservations by phone or email, and their menu changes daily. Another recommended resaurant is Angolo Divino Enoteca Wine Bar, tucked away in a little alley in Bellagio. They have a great selection of wine and antipasto bites. Ristorante Las Darsena in Tremezzo has a very affordable and highly rated chef’s menu.

DO: Take it Slow

A stay at Lake Como is about slowing down and enjoying life. Spending the day at a lido (beach club) is the perfect way to relax and feel a little glamourous. There are several lidos up and down the lake, but for many, the most convenient is the brand new Victoria Beach in Menaggio (reserve in advance here). It is a great spot to spend a half day (or even full day) with an infinity pool, cabanas, and lake access. Definitely book your lounger or cabana ahead of time, and they are more affordable than you may think. You can also pay a la carte for drinks and (surprisingly good) food, or you can book a package that includes food/drink.

DON’T: Try to see All the Villas

The wealthy have been building vacation and year round residences on the shores of Lake Como for centuries. Many of them offer tours of the villas and the grounds. On a trip to Europe, it’s tempting to try to fit in as many activities as you can, but the villas become repetitive and costly (in both time and money). Try to focus on your specific interests. If gardens are your jam, check out Villa Monastero or Villa Cipressi in Varenna. For neoclassical architecture built on a Baroque foundation (built in the 1600s), you will want to visit Villa Carlotta in Tremezzo. If you are a Star Wars or James Bond buff, Villa del Balbianello is the natural destination for you.

In Conclusion

Lake Como has an old-world charm that lingers with you after you’ve left. Long after your trip ends, you’ll carry a piece of la dolce vita with you – an appreciation for slowing down, savoring more, and finding joy in the details. That is the best souvenir you could ask for!