Snow-capped mountains, sparkling blue waters, and villages so pretty they look hand-painted - Lake Como isn’t just a holiday, it’s a mood.

✨ Lake Como Holiday Highlights

• Postcard-perfect scenery – snowy Alps in the background, lush gardens tumbling to the water’s edge, and sunsets that look like a filter you didn’t have to pay for.

• Village-hopping bliss – Bellagio, Varenna, Menaggio… each one with cobbled streets, boutique shops, and cafés begging you to “just have one more spritz.”

• Celebrity sightings – Clooney, Versace, and the kind of discreet five-star living that makes you feel like you’ve “made it” just by being here.

• Adventure on tap – kayak in the morning, hike in the afternoon, and toast your efforts with a glass of Valtellina wine by night.

🎉 Good to Know for your Holidays to Lake Como 2026 / 2027

• 🤩 Fun fact: the deepest point of Lake Como sinks to a jaw-dropping 410 metres — that’s deeper than the Eiffel Tower is tall.

• 🏖 Best beach (or lakeside lido): Lido di Menaggio wins with its mix of sandy shore, pools, playgrounds, and views that might make you forget to swim.

• 💶 Lake Como is pricier than southern Italy but still good value by luxury-destination standards. A pizza runs about €5 to €9, a pasta dish €7 to €12, and a beer by the water around €5 to €7. But still, a small price to pay for that backdrop!

🏖 What Are the Best Beaches (Lakeside Spots) in Lake Como?

Lake Como swaps crashing waves for silky waters and lidos where you can sunbathe, swim, and sip all in one go.

• Lido di Menaggio – sandy stretch meets swimming pools, a playground, and space for the whole fam.

• Lido di Bellagio – swanky sunbeds, cocktails on tap, and views that justify every cent.

• Lido di Cadenabbia – friendly, affordable, and perfect for a lazy day between sightseeing stops.

• San Giovanni Beach – a small, pebbly local favourite near Bellagio, ideal for a quick dip.

• Ossuccio Beach – quiet, scenic, and great for a swim before hopping a boat to Isola Comacina.

🏨 Lake Como Hotels 2026/2027

Lake Como's hotels range from ultra-luxury lakeside retreats to affordable city-centre bases in Como town. Most of our hotels are clustered around Como itself (the main city at the southern tip of the lake), with a handful in Bellagio and Lecco. Wherever you stay, the ferry network makes the whole lake accessible.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Families

• 🏨 Sheraton Lake Como. The top family pick on the lake. Indoor pool, kids' swimming area, playground, spa and three restaurants. 137 rooms with extra beds available. Set just outside Cernobbio, about a 10-minute drive from Como town centre. Properly kitted out for families who want facilities without compromising on quality.

• 🏨 Hotel Belvedere Bellagio. A 65-room hotel with an outdoor pool, spa, health club and a restaurant serving local Italian dishes. Set in Bellagio with the town centre a 9-minute stroll away. Cycling and mountain biking available. Extra beds and cots on request. Brilliant for families who want a Bellagio base.

💑 Couples

• 🏨 Palace Hotel Lake Como. A gorgeous 19th-century Art Nouveau hotel right in the centre of Como with lake views from some rooms. Mediterranean restaurant, bar and a classic feel that oozes romance. 2-minute walk from Como Nord Lago train station and moments from the cathedral.

• 🏨 Hotel Griso Collection. Set in Lecco with balconies practically dangling over the water. 43 rooms, a panoramic rooftop lounge bar, hot tub and Italian restaurant. The sunset views from the terrace are something else.

✨ Luxury

• 🏨 Il Sereno Lago di Como. Genuinely world-class. A 30-suite boutique hotel in Torno designed by Patricia Urquiola, with a Michelin-starred restaurant, a 60-foot infinity pool suspended over the lake, spa and private boats. This is the real deal for anyone wanting a once-in-a-lifetime Lake Como experience.

• 🏨 Hilton Lake Como. Modern five-star with a rooftop infinity pool, full-service spa (sauna, Turkish bath, hot tub), three restaurants and two bars. 15-minute walk into Como town along the lakefront. Sleek design and big rooms. A brilliant luxury pick without the ultra-premium price tag of Il Sereno.

💰 Value

• 🏨 Hotel Como. Modern 3-star with a seasonal rooftop pool, poolside bar and air-conditioned rooms. 12-minute walk to the Duomo di Como and Piazza Cavour. Bus and train station just 100 metres away. Great value base for exploring.

• 🏨 B&B Hotel Como. No-frills but clean and well-located, with 84 rooms and bike rental. Walking distance to the historic centre and the lake. Perfect if you're planning to be out all day and just need somewhere reliable to sleep.

👉 See all Lake Como hotels

🧳 Lake Como holidays 2026 travel guide

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Things to Do for Families

Keeping the kids entertained on Lake Como is easy if you know where to find the space to run, swim, and climb.

• Villa Carlotta Gardens - located in Tremezzo, this is 17 acres of botanical freedom. Skip the art museum inside and head straight for the "bamboo forest" and turtle fountain, where the kids can explore while you enjoy the lake views.

• The "Vertical" Train - take the Como–Brunate Funicular for a 7-minute ride up the mountain. It’s a thrill for little ones, and at the top, you can walk to the Volta Lighthouse for views that beat any plane ride.

• Lido di Menaggio - the most family-friendly beach on the lake. Unlike the deep open water, this lido has dedicated kids' pools, a sandy beach entry, and an on-site playground for when they get bored of swimming.

• Jungle Raider Park - for active families, head to Civenna (15 mins from Bellagio). It’s a high-ropes adventure park in the trees with courses ranging from "Baby" (age 3+) to "Tornado" (teens/adults).

💕 Things to Do for Couples

Lake Como was practically built for romance, but these spots offer the best memories (and photo ops) away from the bus tours.

• Villa del Balbianello - the ultimate romantic backdrop (yes, it’s the Star Wars wedding venue). Walk the Loggia Durini in Lenno for the iconic lake view, but book the "Gardens Only" ticket to wander the grounds at your own pace.

• Bellagio Sunset Stroll - avoid the crowded main square and walk to the fishing hamlet of Pescallo on the other side of the hill. It’s quiet, cobbled, and perfect for a pre-dinner wander before finding a lakeside table.

• Castello di Vezio - hike the steep path above Varenna to reach this ancient castle. It’s famous for its "ghost" sculptures and daily falconry displays, plus it offers the best sunset view of the "Golden Triangle."

• Luxury Spa Day - you don’t need to stay there to enjoy the Grand Hotel Tremezzo. Book a "Day Spa" pass to use their T Spa and the famous floating pool that sits directly in the lake waters.

🎉 Things to Do for Groups

Whether you’re on a stag/hen do or a big family reunion, these activities are designed for social vibes and shared costs.

• Private Boat Charter - you can rent a 40hp boat without a license from most towns (e.g., Lake Como Boat Rental). It fits up to 7 people, so split the cost, bring a Bluetooth speaker, and curate your own private lake crawl.

• Water Sports Challenge - head to Lezzeno or the windy northern end (Dervio) for wakeboarding and paddleboarding. It’s the perfect group activity to see who has the best balance—or the funniest wipeout.

• Como City Culture Crawl - take a guided walk through Como’s medieval centre. Hit the Porta Torre, shop the silk boutiques (seta), and finish with a group aperitivo in the buzzing Piazza Volta.

• Valtellina Wine Tasting - for a day trip, take the train north to Sondrio or Tirano. This alpine valley is famous for Nebbiolo red wines, and group tastings in the terrace vineyards are a fraction of the price of Tuscany.

🍽 Cheap Eats & Street Food

Dining in Bellagio or Como town can be pricey, but you can eat incredibly well on a budget if you skip the lakefront tourist traps.

• Market Days - build your own luxury picnic for under €10. Head to the Como Market (Tuesday & Thursday mornings) or Lenno Market (Tuesday mornings). Pick up local Bitto cheese, crusty bread, and porchetta.

• Aperitivo Hour - this is the budget traveller's best friend. Between 6pm and 8pm, order a drink (usually €8–€10) at a local bar, and it often comes with a substantial buffet of snacks, pasta, and meats included.

• Pizza by the Slice - look for "Pizza al Trancio." In Como town, Il Pinzimonio is a local favourite for affordable, authentic dining away from the main square prices.

🚤 Getting Around on your Lake Como holidays

• Ferries – The most scenic way to hop between towns; runs like clockwork in summer.

• Trains – Como to Milan in under an hour with Trenord.

• Buses – Reliable for linking the main villages, though slower than ferries.

• Car hire – Gives you access to hidden mountain roads and secluded coves.

• Cycling – Perfect for lake-hugging rides with built-in photo stops.

🚆 Day Trips from Lake Como

Lake Como's tucked right into the top of Italy, which means you've got brilliant day trip options in every direction – including a cheeky hop into Switzerland.

• Milan 🛍️ Just 40 minutes by train from Como, Italy's fashion capital is an easy day out. Gawp at the Duomo, wander the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, grab tickets to The Last Supper if you've booked ahead, and squeeze in some serious shopping. Trains run constantly, so you can head back whenever the gelato coma kicks in.

• Lake Garda 🌊 Italy's biggest lake is around 90 minutes away and makes for a brilliant contrast – more dramatic mountains, different villages to explore, and theme parks like Gardaland if you've got kids in tow. Sirmione's thermal baths and Roman ruins are worth the trip alone.

• Verona 💕 The city of Romeo and Juliet is about an hour and a half by car or train. Visit Juliet's balcony (yes, it's touristy, but still fun), explore the incredible Roman arena, and wander the elegant piazzas. Brilliant for a romantic day out or anyone who fancies some proper Italian city vibes.

• St Moritz, Switzerland ⛷️ A bit further (around 2.5 hours via the Bernina Express), but if you fancy one of the world's most scenic train journeys, this is it. The route climbs through dramatic Alpine passes into the glitzy ski resort. Pack a jumper even in summer – it's a different world up there.

• Turin 🍫 About two hours west, Turin's got world-class museums, baroque architecture, and the best hot chocolate you'll ever taste (this is where Nutella was born, after all). The Egyptian Museum is second only to Cairo's, and the city has a sophisticated vibe that's totally different from the lakes.

• Venice 🚣 It's a stretch at 3+ hours by train, but if you're staying a week and haven't been, it's doable. Leave early, spend the day getting lost in the canals and piazzas, and catch a late train back. Magical but exhausting – save it for a day when you're feeling energetic.

🛍️ Shopping in Lake Como

Lake Como's not just pretty views and boat rides – it's got proper shopping credentials too, from high-end silk to local markets piled with Italian goodies.

• Como Town – Silk Capital Como has been producing some of the world's finest silk for centuries, and the big fashion houses still source their fabrics here. Head to A.Picci or Mantero outlet stores for scarves, ties, and accessories at prices way below what you'd pay in Milan. The Silk Museum (Museo della Seta) is worth a visit too if you want to geek out on the history before you buy.

• Bellagio Boutiques The "Pearl of the Lake" is packed with little independent shops lining its stepped alleyways. You'll find leather goods, jewellery, handmade ceramics, and more silk scarves than you can shake a stick at. Pricier than Como town, but the setting's half the fun – just wandering and window shopping here feels like a treat.

• Varenna Smaller and quieter than Bellagio, but Varenna's got a handful of lovely artisan shops selling local olive oil, limoncello, handmade soaps, and ceramics. Less tourist tat, more genuine local finds.

Local Markets For the real Italian market experience, time your visit right:

• 📍 Como – Tuesday and Thursday mornings, Piazza San Fedele. Food, clothes, and household goods

• 📍 Bellagio – Third Wednesday of the month. Small but charming with local produce and crafts

• 📍 Menaggio – Second and fourth Friday mornings. Good for clothes, leather, and local food

• 📍 Lecco – Wednesday and Saturday mornings. Big, bustling, and very local

What to Bring Home

• 🧣 Silk scarves, ties, or fabric – Como's speciality and genuinely world-class

• 🍃 Local olive oil – the lakes have their own microclimate and produce excellent oil

• 🍋 Limoncello and local liqueurs – look for small-batch producers

• 🧀 Lombardy cheeses – Taleggio, Gorgonzola, and Bitto are all from this region

• 🍝 Fresh pasta and pesto – grab some from a deli to recreate the flavours at home

Other places to visit in Italy:

• Abruzzo

• Adriatic Riviera

• Bologna

• Brescia

• Lake Garda

• Liguria

• Milan

• Naples

• Neapolitan Riviera

• Puglia

• Rimini

• Rome

• Sardinia

• Sicily

• Turin

• Tuscany

• Venice

• Verona