Ruta por el lago de Como, romance de temporada… ¿alta o baja?

Imagine yourself on the shores of Lake Como, among gardens and Renaissance palaces with pastel colors reflecting in the water.

Do you like what you see?

Lake Como, located north of Milan, is one of the most romantic and exclusive summer destinations in Italy.

And no wonder!

No matter where you look, all the pictures are beautiful.

• A narrow road circles the perimeter as it passes through villages suspended in time.
• The steeple of a church rising between the water and the mountain.
• Hundreds of palatial residences surrounded by lakeside gardens.
• The trompe l'oeil of the facades: those paintings that increase the number of windows, terraces and ornaments, testing your observation skills.
• Snow-capped peaks doubling their beauty in the reflection of the lake.
• Swans swimming in pairs beside a cobblestone beach.
• The panoramic bird's eye view from the trails that cross its mountains.

If you were looking for an excuse to fall in love again, you've found it.

When to go

Lake Como is among the most popular tourist destinations in Italy. Thanks to its location and orography, summer temperatures are mild and pleasant. This, together with an incomparable landscape and its marvelous period palaces, make it the object of desire for both local and foreign visitors.

So much so that, when the good weather begins, the winding roads that run along its profile are crammed with vehicles. At the same time, hotel rooms are sold out or the price goes up.

So, if you visit in summer, be prepared for crowds.

Do you prefer to enjoy this place without stress?

I cannot promise you that you will be alone, but if you travel to this destination in early spring or autumn, the chances increase that you will discover Lake Como at your leisure. . Be aware, however, that many palazzos close out of season and the chances of precipitation will be higher.

We stayed 4 days, two of them gray and rainy, in early March 2017. Although I must say that it is also charming to see the fog floating over the lake and staining the place with that ghostly tone , don't you think?

Towns and Villages of Lake Como

One of the greatest charms of the area are the beautiful lakeside villages.

Period houses, cobblestone streets, fishermen fishing in their boats, pointed bell towers, pastel-colored palaces and gardens with exotic trees.

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This is the main town of Lake Como. From the name it was clear, wasn't it? 🙂 🙂

It is considered one of the largest producers of silk in Europe. Despite this, we did not see any exaggerated display of this quality while we were there. Only the presence of the silk museum gave them away.

What is very clear when you visit is that it is the hometown of Volta- yes, the father of the electric battery.

What we liked most about Como?

• The food, mmm.... I'll tell you more about this later.
• Stroll along the lake shore to the Voltiano Museum.
• Walking through the pedestrian streets of its old center, each one more picturesque than the next.
• Visit the Duomo free of charge.
• The panoramic views of the city offered by the final platform of the breakwater pier.
• The beautiful Villa Olmo reflected in the water from the opposite side of the city.
• The funicular to Brunate (5.50€ i/v per person).

Brunate

This small town is not usually included in the list of the most outstanding towns on the lake. However, I loved visiting it.

And it was not only for the views it offers of the red roofs of Como, which, by the way, are magnificent. But also because it is the starting point of numerous walks, more or less easy, to other panoramic points on the lake.

In our case, we walked from the funicular station to the voltiano lighthouseabout 30 minutes uphill walk among woods and haunted houses, with almost no traffic.

If the sky is uncovered, I recommend you get to the lighthouse doors and enjoy the perspective.

Bellagio

This small village is located at the apex of the inverted Y formed by Lake Como.

It is one of the most visited in the area, for a reason!

Here you can visit the Villa Melzienjoy the gardens, watch the boats enter and leave the dock, admire period palaces and taste a plate of fish caught in the lake itself.

Varenna

It is located on the eastern shore of Lake Como, the less touristic and sunny , not necessarily in that order.

I must say that this was the town I liked the most of all the ones I visited.

I don't know what made me fall in love with Varenna:

Its melancholic air, the walk along the shore, the stone houses, its narrow and steep streets, the twisted trees next to the fishermen's pier, a couple of swans at the doors of a restaurant closed for the season, opening the umbrella when it started to rain or the pleasant coffee with homemade pastries and lake view that we had at the Caffe Varenna.

It also houses the only famous villa open to the public almost all year round that I was able to find: Villa Monastero.

So, if, like me, you visit Lake Como in low season and you can't miss the opportunity to see a period residence from the inside, take note of this address (marked on the map at the bottom of this page). Its garden is considered one of the most beautiful in the area, together with the one at Villa Carlotta. Full admission is 8€ (5€, gardens only).

Cadenabbia/Griante

More than the village, I enjoyed like a child the panoramic views of the lake that you get as a reward at the end of the path that climbs to the church of San Martino.

I assure you, this trek, whose only difficulty lies in the fact that the outward journey is uphill, is so worthwhile...

If you don't believe me, take a look at the post I wrote about the hiking route to San Martino, and be amazed by the pictures... What a spectacle!

Other towns

Of course, in four days I wasn't able to discover as much as I would have liked about Lake Como. And, if you know me, you know that I'm a slow-traveler. slow-travel... no running from one place to another.

It is much better to enjoy a little than to be overwhelmed by too much. I've seen that for myself.

In any case, you may have more time, other interests, or a different pace of visiting than I do. So, here are the destinations that stayed on my wish list:

• Nesso. It must be spectacular to see it from the boat.
• Lenno. Here you will find another famous residence, the Villa BalbianelloThe gardens have been used for scenes from Casino Royal and Star Wars (Episode II). Yes, I know, the latter is not considered very good. Even the sequence filmed in this villa is one of the worst of the movie (the most "pastry." and not very credible, at least). But, you can't deny that the gardens were beautiful!

  

   I will say no more so as not to make spoilers.
• Tremezzo. This destination is one of the most visited of the area, thanks to the presence of the Villa Carlottathe most celebrated of Lake Como. It takes its name from a Prussian princess who received this palace as a wedding gift. Both the residence itself, as well as the wonderful woods and gardens that surround it, are a real wonder. If you have the chance, do not miss it.

How to move

This depends very much on your tastes and the time of year you visit Lake Como.

Here are some simple guidelines. But, remember, this is your adventure, so enjoy it as you wish.

By car

The nice thing about touring the perimeter of the lake in your own vehicle is that:

Traveling by car allows you to stop wherever and whenever you feel like taking pictures, enjoying the town you've arrived in or entering the restaurant that has just caught your eye.

The downside of this method of transportation:

In high season, the roads around the lake are congested to infinity.

Therefore, using your own car to discover all the nooks and crannies of Lake Como in the middle of summer is not a good idea.

An alternative for you:

How does renting a motorcycle sound?

By boat

If you use the ferry to move from one place to another across the lake:

You will have to adjust to their schedules and pay the fare.

However, with this option,

Not only will you save yourself the traffic on wheels in high season, but you will gain a unique perspective of the towns you visit, both entering and leaving the port.

This is, in my opinion, a fantastic alternative during the summer. In case you opt for this method of transportation to discover the lake, I recommend using Bellagio as a base camp.

Where to stay

The Lake Como area is full of hotels, residences, bed & breakfasts and summer apartments. In general, prices are quite high; although they drop a little in winter.

If you feel like sleeping in Como, one of the most comfortable cities to move by car on both shores of the lake, I have the perfect accommodation for you: the Cesare Cantù Apartment.

• It has a more than reasonable price for the ranges that are handled in the area. We paid 195€ for three nights (32,5€/night/person).
• Its location, on one of the main streets of the historic center of Como , is perfect for strolling around the city at all hours. One of the positive qualities of this area is that motorized traffic is restricted to residents only.
• They offer a private parking included in the price very convenient , in the free circulation area, less than 200 meters from the house.
• The apartment is spacious, bright and very comfortable; suitable to spend from a weekend to a month of vacation, if you wish.

If you want to stay overnight in Como, I recommend it.

Where to eat

For dinner, I encourage you to try the restaurant Natta Café.

It is a charming place, perfect for a romantic dinner.

Their sausages are very well known, and I can attest that they have earned their fame.

Do you know the lardo?

Warning: If you are vegetarian, vegan or on a diet, please forgive me for what follows.

Lardo is a typical sausage from northern Italy, based on a simple slice of pork loin fat with pepper, cut very thin . I, in general, am not a big fan of eating fat on its own, without any meat. And, although I had tried it on several occasions, it had never caught my attention.

Until I discovered the lardo they serve in this restaurant... what a delight!

Imagine the highest quality Iberian ham you have ever tasted. Now, elevate it to the tenth power, leaving only the fat, but with a very subtle cut.

That is what you will be tasting, authentic pata negra lardo. If you have the opportunity and you usually like sausages, try it, take my advice. You will be amazed...

During our stay, we also tried the Hosteria del PlatanoThey have some great fresh pasta dishes, although the prices are a bit high, in my opinion. However, this is common in the Lake Como area.

And to put the icing on the cake, if a gray, cold and rainy day dawns in Como, nothing better than having a hot chocolate in one of the most frequented chocolate shops by the inhabitants of Como: CioccolatItaliani.

Budget

• Lodging: 195€ (32,5€/night/person).
• Meals: 161,5€ (20,5€/person/day).
• Transportation: 11€ (funicular) + 80€ (gasoline and highway).

In total, in the 4 days we spent at Lake Como, we spent a total of 447,5€ (56€/person/day).

Conclusion

If you are looking for a romantic destination, visit Lake Como.

Whatever the time of year, you will fall in love with it. And don't forget to climb the path that leads to the San Martino church for unique views of the area.

Soon, I plan to tell you about the other lakes of northern Italy: Garda and Maggiore , in particular. So, if you are going to plan a route in this area, do two things:

• Let me know by email or in the comments at the end of this article that these destinations interest you, so that I can move these articles forward as much as possible.
• Sign up for my newsletter so I can let you know when I publish them, so you don't have to stay tuned.

It's that easy!

Useful Links

• Transport by boat on Lake Como.
• Villa Erba.
• Villa Monastero.
• Villa del Balbianello.
• Villa Carlotta.
• Villa Melzi.
• Apartment Cesare Cantù.
• Flights to Italy:Trabber,eDreams,Momondo, andVueling.
• Get 5% off your IATI travel insurance.

And if you are traveling in Italy, you might also want to take a look at the articles dedicated to Tuscany, Umbria, the Amalfi Coast or the capitals of Rome, Florence or Venice.

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