Lake Como
Villas, gardens and a rationalist masterpiece, an hour from Milan.
What makes it distinctive
Lake Como pairs the grand villa gardens of its shoreline with something few lake resorts have: Como town's remarkable twentieth-century architecture. Mornings on the water, afternoons in gardens and a car for the hill roads make it complete.
See the complete escape- Best months
- April, May, June, September, October
- Seasons
- Many lakeside hotels close from roughly November to March; July and August are the busiest months.
- Arrive
- Milan Malpensa (MXP) or Milan Linate (LIN). Allow roughly an hour to an hour and a half by road from either Milan airport to the western shore, more at busy times.
- Getting around
- Rewarding outside peak weekends: the western shore and the climbs into the hills. Leave the car parked on the days you spend on the water.
- Ideal stay
- 3–5 nights
(opens Agoda in a new tab)Villa d'Este
Cernobbio
A historic villa hotel in large gardens on the water at Cernobbio. It is close to Como town for the architecture day and on the western shore for the drives.
This recommendation is based on research, not a visit. Confirm current details, rates and seasonal opening with the property.
Affiliate link: Prestagio may earn a commission if you book, at no extra cost to you. Rates and availability are set by the provider; Prestagio does not take bookings. Learn more.
Three days in Lake Como
Longer stays add more days in the Planner.
Arrive by water
Check in, then take a boat north along the western shore past the wooded headland of Villa del Balbianello. Dine by the lake as the light goes.
Como's rationalist heart
Spend a morning in Como town: the cathedral, then Giuseppe Terragni's Casa del Fascio on Piazza del Popolo, an architecture stop rather than a place to stay. Ride the funicular to Brunate for the view in the late afternoon.
Gardens of the mid-lake
See the gardens of Villa Carlotta at Tremezzo, cross to Bellagio by ferry, and have a late lunch. Drive the shore road home at sunset.