Frequently Asked Questions
Where to stay on Lake Como?
BEST LOCATIONS ON LAKE COMO
Where to Stay on Lake Como
Are you planning a trip to Lake Como but unsure which village or shore is the best place to stay? Let us help you get started…
Lake Como has a perimeter of about 160 km and covers an area of 146 km². Somewhere along that stretch, you’re looking for the perfect place to stay—ideally a great base to explore the highlights while also soaking up the charm and beauty of Lake Como.
Lake Como is shaped like an upside-down Y. In the left “leg” you’ll find the city of Como, in the right leg is Lecco, and at the northern tip lies Sorico. Be sure to take a look at this page to get a good sense of the lake’s shape and where the various towns are located.
Answering the question of where, in our opinion, you should stay on Lake Como isn’t too difficult. In our response, we try to take into account the broadest possible range of preferences—a combination of traditional ingredients we believe are important, useful, or enjoyable when visiting Lake Como. That way, we can suggest seven interesting areas for you to consider.
1. Como City Center”
The city of Como is the largest city around Lake Como. It is a true hotspot where both locals and tourists stroll through the charming streets. Como is the metropolis of Lake Como and offers endless things to see and do. During your stay at Lake Como, you must see, taste, and experience Como.
2. From Como to Argegno
Between Como and Argegno, you’ll find the villages of Cernobbio, Moltrasio, Carate Urio, Laglio, and Brienno. These villages are located along the shore or at least extend to the shores of Lake Como. They are connected by the Statale road. The road runs higher up along the shore, bypassing the small town centers. This ensures a smooth connection to Como city center and guarantees a relatively good level of mobility.
Between Moltrasio, Carate Urio, and Laglio, the Vecchia Regina, the old connecting road, runs right next to the shore of Lake Como. In our opinion, it is the most beautiful (driving) road through the villages, lined with stunning villas on both sides. It is home to wealthy locals, affluent second-home owners, and international stars like George Clooney.
You can book lovely hotels, B&Bs, or small villas here, catering to all tastes and budgets. Dining in the area is also not a problem: there is a wide range of traditional restaurants, bars, and Michelin-starred gourmet restaurants. This region also offers many opportunities for hikers and cyclists, who can explore the mountain slopes from here with beautiful and challenging routes.
If your focus is solely on the well-known tourist highlights, then this area may be less interesting: you won’t find the classic spots of Lake Como here. But precisely for that reason, we would recommend this area. It’s peaceful and pleasant to stay in. Here, you can experience a certain authenticity, and get a reflection of Lake Como’s identity with its contrasts between dream and reality. The beautiful villas with their rich history along the shores, making you daydream, contrasted with the local, pure lifestyle of the average resident higher up, who enjoys peace and nature.
This region is a perfect base to explore Lake Como. Como city center is not far, and the main tourist attractions are easily accessible. Finally, it’s worth mentioning that Argegno has the best boat connections and likely offers the most dynamic atmosphere.
3. From Argegno to Menaggio
From Argegno, we continue all the way to Menaggio, passing through Colonno, Sala Comacina, Ossuccio, Lenno, Tremezzo, Cadenabbia, and Griante. Once again, the villages are connected by the Statale road.
The main road runs through the (too) small town centers, making smooth mobility sometimes a big issue. Especially in the busy summer months, when buses, cars with boat trailers, and motorhomes have to pass each other, the traffic artery can come to a complete standstill. But there’s improvement on the way. Major infrastructure works are underway, including a tunnel through the mountainside between Colonno and Menaggio to divert through traffic. However, it will take until 2028 (?) before the new tunnel is fully completed.
Here you’ll find the most famous spots around Lake Como! Think of Isola Comacina, Villa Balbianello in Lenno, or Villa Carlotta in Tremezzo. But there’s so much more to discover. The most beautiful hotels with a rich history. Gorgeous palaces of wealthy families who settled here centuries ago. The history of trade that made Lake Como prosperous. The story of the Grand Tour across Europe.
In this region, we also embrace authenticity. Discover the history of Lake Como, take a deep sip of it, and never let it go. This was already an active region back then, and it still is today.
Who lives here? Locals, and once again, the wealthy newcomers. The contrast between large and small can be quite significant. Likewise, the range of hotels, B&Bs, and rental villas is very broad. You’ll definitely find a place to stay here that checks every box on your wishlist.
The biggest highlights are in Menaggio and Cadenabbia. From these two towns, ferries depart where you can take your car or motorbike across the lake. Destinations include Varenna and Bellagio, not coincidentally the two main hotspots on the other side. A smooth boat connection is a must, especially during the high season, if you want to explore Lake Como quickly and efficiently. We would recommend leaving your car behind and renting a Vespa, combined with the ferry ride.
4. Shore from Menaggio
5. From Como to Bellagio
The arm between Como and Bellagio is also a beautiful option for booking your favorite holiday spot. This arm of Lake Como runs parallel to the shores between Como and Argegno, and Argegno and Menaggio.
6. Varenna and the Eastern Shore
Varenna is located on the eastern shore of Lake Como and is one of the absolute hotspots on the lake. The picturesque village is known for its colorful houses, narrow alleyways, and peaceful, romantic atmosphere. Take a walk on the Passeggiata degli Innamorati… With a view of the shimmering water and surrounded by green hills, it’s an idyllic place. A real postcard spot that you must see.
There is no shortage of restaurants, bars, and ice cream parlors. If you’d like to stay in Varenna, there is a wide range of options, from standard hotels to luxury and boutique hotels. The most obvious activities in Varenna include a visit to Villa Monastero or Castello di Vezio.
Varenna is somewhat aligned with Bellagio. A beautiful village that is often flooded with tourists. The range of shops is entirely tailored to the tourist market, and naturally, prices here are higher.
The main downside of Varenna is its accessibility. In principle, the ferry is the only option from Bellagio, Menaggio, or Cadenabbia. During the high season, it’s often a scramble for a spot on the ferry or even to get a ticket in time. Varenna is perfect for a visit without a car: all the sights are within walking distance, and parking – except for a public lot – is always a challenge. Alternatively, you could also consider the train, as there is a station in Varenna.
The eastern shore also has, both literally and figuratively, less to offer compared to the opposite shores. Here, you will experience less of the typical atmosphere and grandeur of Lake Como. The mountain slopes are rougher and steeper, and importantly, on this side, you get less sunlight in the afternoon. There is a more grounded climate here, with no large-scale developments. The range of charming places to stay, restaurants, and bars is also much more limited.
Besides Varenna, Bellano and Lierna are two other villages worth visiting. There is an interesting hiking path between Bellano and Varenna, so you could combine both villages in one visit.
We recommend staying in Varenna during the off-season. Exploring Lake Como from the eastern shore is an option, but for every trip, you are reliant on the ferry.
7. The Region around Lecco
Lecco is the second-largest city after Como. And that’s where the comparison ends. In fact, Lecco is everything that Como is not…
This article is still being worked on…
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