Today I propose a very special place: Lake Como, located less than 50 km from the well-known fashion capital, Milan. What can you do in Como? From hiking, boat trips, lunch or dinner in a romantic setting by the lake, shopping or visiting some really special sights and to discover a new world, just a few steps from one of the most famous metropolises of the world.
Among its cobbled streets, among the remains of Roman fortifications - Porta Torre (Gate Gate) or Porta Pretoria, you can discover a quiet world that lives far from any hustle and bustle of life in the great Italian metropolises, with an impressive variety of sights and landscapes, while the picturesque villages around Lake Como will urge you to extend your getaway by at least a few more days. If you choose only a city break you will regret at the end of only a few days while a stay will allow you to combine the getaway with visiting Milan but also with the authentic villages that surround Lake Como.
Brunate
If you are eager for new experiences and splendid landscapes, I recommend you to leave the city behind and take the funicular to Brunate, a small idyllic village from where you can see the most beautiful view over the city of Como and the alpine landscape. You will see how the stunning blue of the lake blends perfectly with the green of the mountains and the white of the villas and boats perfectly completes this wonderful picture.
The funicular was developed during the French Revolution and became a mediator of mass tourism as it is the only way to see Lake Como from a new perspective.
Brunate offers you the refuge you need after a few hours spent in the city and the perfect opportunity to admire the Art Nouveau style villas as well as the Volta Lighthouse, named after the inventor of the battery, Alessandro Volta.
Villas on the shores of Lake Como
Lake Como resembles a Norwegian fjord, stretches for 50 kilometers in the form of an inverted Y and is one of the most beautiful lakes in the Lombardy region.
You can explore the lake by opting for one of the organized trips to Bellagio or Varenna, two of the most idyllic villages around Lake Como. Lake Como is far from a place not even for Hollywood celebrities, including George Clooney, but also for other actors who, fascinated by the beauty of the wild landscapes and mountains surrounding the lake, have purchased here the most luxurious villas.
You can take a boat trip to see these properties, from Menaggio or Tremezzo, located on the west bank, to Bellagio or Varenna. Check the schedule beforehand so that you have a clear idea of the departure and return times.
Highly appreciated by tourists (and guides will certainly draw your attention to it) is Villa Carlotta, located in the mildest point of Lake Como, on the Riviera Tremezzina, where the leaves remain green even in the cold season; no wonder the property has one of the most famous gardens in Italy.
Villa Carlotta is a palace dating from the 18th century; Although it has an important collection of paintings and sculptures, most tourists choose to come here because of its garden and the landscapes it offers, as I told you.
Bellagio
There is no doubt: Bellagio is the most beautiful resort on Lake Como, also called the "pearl of Lake Como". The resort is perfectly located, right at the point where the two arms of the lake meet, which gives it a position meant to make it even more valuable.
Bellagio is characterized by centuries-old buildings, steep stone stairs, narrow streets, gardens full of multicolored flowers, cafes, restaurants and shops, the perfect environment to spend an afternoon that you will surely never forget.
Once in Bellagio, look for Punta Spartivento - it offers impressive views of the lake and snow-capped mountains. After wandering the streets of Bellagio, you can enjoy a good coffee at one of the lakeside cafes to gain energy to see with your own eyes at least one of the most beautiful and photographed villas in Bellagio: Villa Serbelloni and Villa Melzi.
Villa Serbelloni is located just above the resort and you can imagine the view of the lake or the Alps. Although the building itself is not open to the general public, you can stroll through the beautiful terraced rose gardens on guided tours that last approximately 90 minutes.
If you choose to see Villa Melzi, you must know that this is the perfect place where you can relive the charm of the 1800s and from where, besides the neo-Moorish and orange grove pavilion, you can admire the wonderful landscape of the resort from another perspective.
Villa Melzi's address is: Lungo Lario Manzoni, Bellagio
Isola Comacina
Isola Comacina is a unique place on Lake Como and as soon as you get here you will find that, regardless of the season, the landscape is fascinating.
Here, among the fishing houses, in a setting reminiscent of medieval times, you can also see the Church of Santa Maria Maddalena, a building rich in history, art and tradition, whose architecture defies the passage of time.
You have the opportunity to take a tour of the island that will not last more than an hour and on your return you can stop at the bar "La Botte", where you will be greeted with delicious traditional dishes.
The island can be reached by boat from Ossuccio or by one of the steamships of the public shipping company. The entrance ticket to visit Comacina Island is 6 euro / person and includes an entrance to the Antiquarium Museum; children have free entry.
Varenna
Varenna is a picturesque village, located on the eastern shore of Lake Como and, in addition to being a place famous throughout history for traditional activities such as fishing, barrel building or black marble extraction, Varenna is also an excellent place to visit and photographed and therefore a mandatory stop for tourists who take a boat trip on the lake.
Time stands still in Varenna as it is the best preserved medieval center in the entire area of the lake; Varenna will surely fascinate you with its charming, steep, cobbled streets and centuries-old churches, as well as the Church of San Giovanni Battista, the church dating from the X-XI centuries and which is one of the oldest churches in the Lombardy region. In addition, you can choose to visit Vezio Castle; the structure is not as similar as it was when it was used for defensive purposes but surely the landscape you will be able to admire from here will be one that will satisfy the harshest critic.
Cernobbio
Cernobbio is a very popular holiday resort on the shores of Lake Como, located at the foot of Monte Bisbino. The city is so sought after in terms of the fact that it is located very close to other charming cities on the lake, such as Argegno, Laglio or Tremezzina.
In Cernobbio are some of the most famous villas on the shores of Lake Como, including the wonderful Villa d’Este and Villa Erba. The Royal Palace was built for the 16th century Welsh Princess Caroline of Brunswick, and today is a luxury hotel that has preserved or renovated its original furniture and delights its guests with a well-kept garden.
Another eye-catching villa is Villa Erba, which dates back to the 18th century. It is said that it belonged to director Luchino Visconti. Today it serves as a multifunctional center for various events and congresses, extremely appreciated by those who walk in sumptuous rooms and walk through the elegant park.
If you have time, take a walk on the shores of Lake Como to admire the other villas in Cernobbio: Villa Bernasconi, built in art nouveau style, Villa Fontanelle, which belonged to the famous fashion designer Gianni Versace or Villa Pizzo, built in 1435 by Muggiasca family.
From the village there is a picturesque route whose paths lead you to Monte Bisbino (1300m) where you can visit the Sanctuary of the Virgin Mary (Santuario della Beata Vergine).
Curiosities about Como
- Como is the "city of silks" - if you don't know, 95% of the silk on the Italian market is produced here;
- In Como you will be invited to enjoy Domaso wine - Domaso is a small town on Lake Como, whose wines have been appreciated since Roman times;
- In Como you will be invited to taste a portion of "misultitt" - a typical dish from Como, prepared from "missoltini" fish, preserved with salt and dried. Once upon a time, poor people were proud of this typical dish, which they consumed with "polenta". Try this dish in one of the restaurants on the shores of Lake Como.
