This post was most recently updated on January 20th, 2022
Why Lake Como? I was blessed to travel to Italy last year and see many beautiful sights. I had some favorites, to be sure (Venice, Cinque Terre, Florence, Rome, to name a few!). But if I had to choose my favorite, it would be Lake Como. I traveled there with my husband, plus my daughter, Heather, and son-in-law, Matthew. We all fell in love with this area!
Lake Como (or Lago di Como), is a glacial lake nestled at the base of the mountains, not far from the Switzerland border and about 50 miles north of Milan. It is considered one of the most beautiful lakes in Europe and has always attracted celebrities and the wealthy since Roman times. I didn’t really know what to expect when we decided to take a day trip out of Milan, but I had seen pictures of the villa (Villa del Balbianello) used for filming Star Wars: Episode II Attack of the Clones. That was enough to know I wanted to see more.
From our Milan apartment, we left at 8:00 am for the train station, and had no problems finding or boarding our train. It was about an hour ride to Varenna. The ride was nice, especially as we neared Lake Como. With lots of tunnels along the lake, we were pleasantly surprised when an occasional arched window allowed us glimpses of the spectacular views.
Our itinerary would take us to Varenna, Bellagio, and Como. But our photos tell the story so much better than words. So just sit back and enjoy…(click on any photo to enlarge)
ferry map for Lake Como
Varenna on Lake Como
Exploring the town, walking alongside the lake, enjoying the beautiful weather, buying a painting from a local artist, splurging on gelato
Riding the ferry from Varenna to Bellagio
So many medieval villages along the lake!
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- Views from ferry to Bellagio
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- Approaching Bellagio
Bellagio, Italy
Lunch, exploring churches, alleys, and walking the Promenade
Ferry from Bellagio and on to Como, Italy
Weather turns rainy, Sicilian Festival, exploring the duomo, riding the funicolare, dinner on the run so we can catch the train back to Milan!
So what do you think of Lake Como? I hope I’ve convinced you it’s a wonderful place. I only had one day there. If I could go back, I would love to stay several days and explore the many medieval towns surrounding the lake. Maybe we’ll cross paths?
If you’d like to hear about our adventures in Italy, you can read about Rome, Cinque Terre, and Florence, too.
If you enjoyed this post, I’d love it if you’d share it!
Oh my….How I a LOVED our time at Lake Como. I agree that one day was not long enough! I am already hoping to go back and spend a whole week taking in everything on the lake. Thanks for taking me back to those lovely memories. 🙂
I’m glad to read you could do it all in one day. I’m hoping to go for my bday this October but I have limited time.
For sure! You can see a lot with only one day! Of course, once you go, you might never want to leave…..but you’ll definitely love your time there, even if it’s only for a day. 🙂
Thanks for my little mini mental vacation to Lake Cuomo. Stunning photos. Back to the grind a little refreshed!!!!
Hope the grind isn’t being too hard on you!
Italy is my absolute favorite place in the world and these photos bring me back to the time spent there. Now the pics make me want to take a trip back real soon.
Wow these places look just stunning! What a beautiful view you had on the ferry. This has just bumped up Italy higher on my bucket list.
I hope you DO get to go!
Incredible photo journal of your time in Lake Como. Italy is a part of the world I have long been attracted to. Its scenery, architecture, history and food all seemed to be intricately entwined. I’ll get there one day!
I hope you do!
Stunning shots! Great post. Not yet visited this region of Italy (www.ishitasood.blogspot.in)
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