Como is a city in Lombardy, in northern Italy, at the southwest tip of Lake Como. The old town runs down to the water, and the cathedral, a Gothic building with later Renaissance work, stands near the center. Silk weaving shaped the city's economy for generations.
Most visitors come for the lake. Ferries leave the waterfront for Bellagio and Varenna, and the funicular climbs to Brunate, a village above the city with views over the water. Trains run from Milan, so Como works well for a short lake stay. Many people sleep here and then move to smaller villages farther up the lake. Choose Como for an easy train link and more restaurants; choose a village up the lake for quieter evenings. A day or two covers the city and one lake trip.
Como in five
- Take the train from MilanFast trains from Milano Centrale reach Como San Giovanni in roughly 40 to 60 minutes, and a separate line runs from Milano Cadorna to Como Nord Lago by the water. Use the regional ticket; no pass is needed.Milan travel guide
- Ride the funicular to BrunateA short funicular climbs from the lakefront to Brunate for views over the lake and Alps. Go early on a clear day, and check the operator's timetable for service breaks.
- Plan lake boats from the timetableHydrofoils are quicker than ferries to Bellagio and other towns, and the slow boats take much longer. Check the lake operator's current timetable and buy the ticket you need.Lake Como
- Walk the old town in a morningThe cathedral, Piazza Cavour and the lakefront promenade fit in half a day. Leave the afternoon for Brunate, a boat ride or a villa garden.
- Go in spring or autumnJuly and August bring heat and boat queues. April to June and September to October keep the lake lively and rooms easier to find.Best time to visit Italy
Things to do in Como
See all attractions in ComoNeed to know
- Airport
- Milan Malpensa (MXP) about 1 hr; Linate and Bergamo via Milan
- Getting there
- Train from Milan, roughly 40–60 min
- Getting around
- Walkable center; ferries, buses and a funicular
- Best base
- Como for trains; Bellagio or Varenna for lake views
- Time needed
- 1–2 days
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Snowy days
- Days with storms
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- JanuaryClear7 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh7°Low1°Cold, quietJanuaryClear
Mixed
- High
- 7°
- Low
- 1°
- Precipitation
- 62 mm
- Rainy days
- 7
- Snowy days
- 1
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, quiet
- FebruaryPartly cloudy8 rainy daysHigh10°Low3°Cool, quietFebruaryPartly cloudy
Good
- High
- 10°
- Low
- 3°
- Precipitation
- 78 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, quiet
- MarchPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh13°Low5°Spring, magnoliasMarchPartly cloudy
Good
- High
- 13°
- Low
- 5°
- Precipitation
- 123 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Spring, magnolias
- AprilRain12 rainy daysHigh16°Low8°Gardens openAprilRain
Good
- High
- 16°
- Low
- 8°
- Precipitation
- 149 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Gardens open
- MayRain18 rainy daysHigh20°Low12°Warm, lushMayRain
Good
- High
- 20°
- Low
- 12°
- Precipitation
- 216 mm
- Rainy days
- 18
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, lush
- JuneRain16 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh26°Low17°Boat seasonJuneRain
Best
- High
- 26°
- Low
- 17°
- Precipitation
- 190 mm
- Rainy days
- 16
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
Boat season
- JulyRain14 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh28°Low19°Hot, busyJulyRain
Best
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 19°
- Precipitation
- 177 mm
- Rainy days
- 14
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
Hot, busy
- AugustRain14 rainy daysHigh27°Low19°Peak crowdsAugustRain
Best
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 19°
- Precipitation
- 188 mm
- Rainy days
- 14
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Peak crowds
- SeptemberRain12 rainy daysHigh22°Low15°Warm, calmerSeptemberRain
Best
- High
- 22°
- Low
- 15°
- Precipitation
- 156 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, calmer
- OctoberRain11 rainy daysHigh17°Low11°Autumn colorOctoberRain
Good
- High
- 17°
- Low
- 11°
- Precipitation
- 208 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Autumn color
- NovemberPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh11°Low6°Misty, quietNovemberPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 11°
- Low
- 6°
- Precipitation
- 149 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Misty, quiet
- DecemberClear7 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh8°Low2°Cold, marketsDecemberClear
Mixed
- High
- 8°
- Low
- 2°
- Precipitation
- 83 mm
- Rainy days
- 7
- Snowy days
- 1
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, markets
Average daily high and low in Como, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Como
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
9
- Feels like
- 8°
- Humidity
- 48%
- Wind
- 6 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 0%
Como
09:36 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today15°5°0%Monday: Clear. High 15°, Low 5°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Tue14°6°5%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 14°, Low 6°. Chance of rain 5%.
- Wed12°8°10%Wednesday: Rain. High 12°, Low 8°. Chance of rain 10%.
- Thu12°9°5%Thursday: Cloudy. High 12°, Low 9°. Chance of rain 5%.
- Fri10°8°17%Friday: Rain. High 10°, Low 8°. Chance of rain 17%.
- Sat12°8°18%Saturday: Rain. High 12°, Low 8°. Chance of rain 18%.
- Sun12°6°39%Sunday: Rain. High 12°, Low 6°. Chance of rain 39%.
Updated 09:35 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Day trips by train
- Bellagioabout 40 min by hydrofoil, longer by ferryThe postcard town at the lake's fork, best by boat.Read the guide
- Brunateabout 10 min by funicularA hillside village with a long view over the lake and Alps.
- Milanabout 40–60 min by trainCathedral, shopping and food, an easy return trip.Read the guide
Before you go to Como
We may earn a commission. It never decides our picks.
Rules for Como, checked
- Non-EU visitors can usually stay up to 90 days in any 180-day period in the Schengen area. Check the current rules on the Italian visa site before booking.Source
- Dial 112 for police, fire or an ambulance across Italy.
- Cover shoulders and knees before entering churches, including the Duomo in Como.
- Restaurants often add a cover charge (coperto) per person. Check the bill before you add a tip.
Plan around Como
Regions, rail, entry rules and money
Read the guideLake ComoTowns, ferries and where to base
Read the guideBellagioThe lake's best-known town, by boat
Read the guideMilanCity base 40–60 min by train
Read the guideLake MaggioreA larger lake to the west
Read the guideIs a Eurail pass worth it?Whether a pass beats point tickets
Read the guideComo FAQ
Is Como worth visiting?
Yes, for a day or a night. The old town and lakefront are pleasant and the lake views are good, though the main villages with villa gardens lie on the other shores. Como is the practical gateway.
How do you get from Milan to Como?
By train, in roughly 40 to 60 minutes depending on the line. Two stations serve the city, one near the old town and one by the lake, so check which one your ticket uses.
Should I stay in Como or Bellagio?
Como for trains, restaurants and lower prices; Bellagio for lake views and a village feel at higher cost. If you only have a night, pick Como and take the boat for the day.
How many days do you need in Como?
One day covers the old town, Brunate and a short boat ride. Two days give time for Bellagio and a villa garden. Three suit slow lake stays.
Do you need a car on Lake Como?
No. Trains, ferries and buses connect the main towns, and the roads along the shore are narrow and busy in summer. A car only helps for hill villages.

