The elegant and bustling town of Como is the primary and commercial centre for Lake Como. The magnificent scenery of Lake Como (also known as Lake Lario) has fascinated artists and travellers from many years now and we wanted to go and experience this as well.

Lake Como continues to attract international celebrities that appreciate the evocative beauty of the Lake and its surroundings. Grand villas, palazzi, and churches show the city’s splendour, while intriguing lanes and colourful piazzas show off its charm. Situated on the lakeshore, it has a marina and a hydroplane “airport” along with its ferry port. Stroll on the promenade and enjoy the views. The city is a cultural hub with plenty of things to do, concerts, shows and museums to explore.

Como’s crowning jewel is its Duomo, a great cathedral that was started in 1396 and constructed over the course of four centuries. It has a lovely blend of styles through those years, including Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque. Frescoes, paintings, stained glass and sculptures decorate the vast interior.

There are a lot of things to do in Como, and once you’ve made the decision to visit this amazing Italian city, it really comes down to time management. There is plenty to do but we were just one night in Como so we did the Duomo and around Como City centre. We TOTALLY loved it and are planning to go back in near future and will be spending few days to explore this region.

Some of the towns worth visiting around the Banks of Lake Como to really enjoy Italian hospitality and culture.

 

Bellagio – situated at the junction of the lake’s two legs, this is an extremely attractive town yet less crowded and quieter than the others in the vicinity.

Bellano – located on the east side of the lake just to the north of Varenna, this lesser visited town features a pedestrian-only area in the centre of town.

Colico – although the town may not appear to be as attractive as the others surrounding Lake Como, it is still worth visiting because of its views from the top of the lake. There is a historical World War I fort that is open to the public once a week.

Como – the main town of the group is Como, which is located at the southern end of the lake. It is a more elegant resort than most and makes an excellent base for exploring the surrounding areas and towns.

Griante – situated on Lake Como’s western plateau, this small village is well worth visiting because of its spectacular vistas out over the lake and the surrounding countryside villas. Be sure to visit the small church that is perched high up the village’s mountainside.

Lecco – sitting at the southeastern end of Lake Como is the quaint town of Lecco and its 25,000 plus residents.

Menaggio – located on the western shoreline, this attractive tourist destination is not as busy as Bellagio and Varenna. There is a youth hostel located here but it is usually filled on weekends so keep that in mind. Additionally, the pedestrian-only area in the heart of town is populated with coffee shops, gelaterias, a lakefront mini-golf course and snack bar, and several restaurants.

Nesso – located about halfway between Bellagio and Como, this very small town is situated on Lake Como’s western leg.

Tremezzo – right across the lake from Bellagio is the beautiful little town of Tremezzo. The main attraction of the town is Villa Carlotta with its botanical garden and waterfront.

Varenna – sitting across from Bellagio and Menaggio along the eastern shoreline is this beautiful town with its charming villas of Villa Cipressi and Villa Montastero, the attractive and relaxing gardens of which are worth visiting.