Lake Como is Calling

We Finally Made it to Lake Como

On our most recent trip to Italy, we finally made the trek to Lake Como for a few nights. Despite having been in and out of Milan several times, we’d never carved out the time to visit the lake—until now.

From Milan’s Malpensa airport (MXP), we took two short train rides and arrived in Como surprisingly fast. The journey was simple and stress-free, perfect for kicking off our trip in northern Italy.

First Impressions of Como

Stepping off the train, we were immediately struck by how many people were there—and how many were American! Nearly everyone seemed to be speaking English, or so it felt.

Like other famous spots in Italy, we’d delayed visiting Lake Como because we worried it might feel overrun with tourists. We visited during the shoulder season, and even then, some areas felt overwhelming. We can only imagine the crowds during summer!

Yes, we’re tourists too—but part of what we love about Italy is immersing ourselves in the culture and speaking (our very limited) Italian. In highly touristed areas, locals tend to switch to English right away, which makes it harder to practice Italian and connect on a deeper level.

Why We Chose Como as Our Home Base On The Lake

We decided to stay in Como for three main reasons:

1. Proximity to Milan’s Malpensa airport (MXP)
2. A wide variety of restaurants (perfect for exploring the region’s slow food scene)
3. A vibrant city feel with plenty to explore during the day

This turned out to be the right decision. Como itself is beautiful—immaculately clean streets, well-preserved buildings, and an impressive selection of restaurants. It was the ideal place to unwind after a long international flight and adjust to Italian time.

We stayed at this quaint apartment that was perfect for our short visit and allowed us to experience the city like locals.

Exploring Lake Como: Day Trip to Varenna

We arrived to Como on a Monday afternoon. By Wednesday, we were ready to venture beyond the city and explore the lake. Our plan was to visit Varenna for lunch and sightseeing. While the ferry sounded like a fun option, it would have been a much longer trip, so we opted to take the bus instead.

What we didn’t anticipate were the Amalfi Coast-like roads—narrow, winding, and perched high above the lake. If you’ve never been to Lake Como before, we do NOT recommend driving yourself, unless you have experience with these types of roads! Our bus ride was both thrilling and nerve-wracking, as drivers navigated one-lane roads while passing massive buses and tiny Fiats.

The views, though? Absolutely breathtaking.

Varenna: A Postcard-Perfect Town

Our bus journey took us to Menaggio, though we didn’t have time to explore it, as we had to catch the ferry to Varenna. The short ferry ride was magical, with stunning views of the water and surrounding hills.

Varenna looked just like the photos—picturesque, charming, and quintessentially Italian. The town is layered on a hillside, filled with winding streets, historic villas, gardens, and cozy restaurants. It’s the kind of place where you can truly slow down and soak in the beauty of Italy. We recommend, like with most places, to arrive early. The beauty of this destination attracts many visitors and can get busy quickly.

Leisurely Lunch in Varenna

We lingered over a long lunch at El Prato, a local restaurant with beautiful outdoor seating. The unseasonably warm weather made it even more enjoyable. Dining here was a reminder of what makes Italian cuisine so special: fresh, locally sourced ingredients prepared simply but perfectly. Between the pasta, wine, and charming views, we felt completely immersed in the moment.

Bellagio: A Quick Glimpse

Our original plan included exploring Bellagio, another famous Lake Como town, but by the time lunch ended, we were exhausted. Whether it was the carbs or jet lag catching up to us, we decided to just take the ferry there to catch the bus back to Como. Bellagio was beautiful but extremely crowded—even more so than Varenna. After a quick walk along the waterfront, we knew we’d made the right call to keep our visit short and head back.

Reflections on Our Lake Como Experience

We’re so glad we finally experienced a small part of Lake Como. The villas, the dramatic hillsides, the shimmering water—it’s every bit as stunning as people say. Would we return? Maybe, but it is a bit of a trek. If we do, we’d consider staying in one of the smaller, lesser-known towns like Torno or even further north to avoid the heavy tourist crowds.

If you’re planning a trip, remember: Lake Como is best enjoyed slowly, whether that’s sipping espresso in a quiet café or taking the time to enjoy a multi-course Italian meal overlooking the lake.

Plan Your Visit

Thinking of visiting Como? Check out our Como City Guide for a recommendations on where to eat and where to stay.

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