Lake Como

Travelers come for villa gardens, lakeside villages and ferry rides across a Y-shaped lake at the foot of the Alps.

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Lake Como lies in Lombardy at the edge of the Alps, roughly 50 km north of Milan, and it is a glacial lake. Its outline is an inverted Y, with three arms meeting at Bellagio, the most visited resort on the lake. The shores are lined with villas and gardens. Villa Carlotta is known for its azaleas, rhododendrons and sculptures by Antonio Canova, and Villa del Balbianello has terraced gardens on a wooded peninsula. Villa del Balbianello is also a filming location.

Milan is the nearest major city. Malpensa, Linate and Orio al Serio airports serve the area, and Lugano airport in Switzerland is also close. Como sits at the tip of one branch and Lecco at the tip of another. Boats run by Navigazione Laghi link the main towns, and trains run along the eastern shore from Lecco to Colico. Summer is the busiest season and brings thunderstorms, while spring and autumn are mild.

Lake Como in five

Take Navigazione Laghi boats between townsBoats run by Navigazione Laghi link the main towns, and the longest cruises leave Como in the morning and return in the evening. The lake roads are scenic but often congested.Getting around
Check visitor caps at Villa del BalbianelloVisitor caps apply at popular sites such as Villa del Balbianello, and some smaller villages now charge entry. Check the site's official access rules before you travel.Tours and tickets
Swim only in designated lidos or beachesSwimming is restricted in Como and many villages except in private lidos or authorised public beaches. The lake drops off sharply near shore and the deep water is cold, so diving can cause thermal shock.
Check the breva and menaggino before boatingThe breva, a southerly breeze, blows in the afternoon, and the tivano, a northerly breeze, blows in the morning. The menaggino, a sudden wind from Val Menaggio, can endanger boats in July and August.
Avoid the summer peak on the lake roadsThe area recorded about 4.8 million overnight stays in 2023, and roads and public transport are most crowded in peak season. Visiting outside the summer months reduces crowds.

Things to do in Lake Como

See all attractions in Lake Como

Museum · Lake ComoVilla del Balbianello

black metal fence near body of water during daytime

Museum · Lake ComoVilla CarlottaBuy tickets online ahead of time. Advance booking is recommended, though it may not be needed on quieter days.

Castle · Lake ComoCastello di Vezio

Free trip plannerPlan a trip to Lake ComoPut the places you like in Lake Como on a map, give them days, and let one button order each day. Free, with no account.Plan a trip

Need to know

Currency: Euro (EUR)
Entry: Schengen short-stay rules; many passports need no visa for up to 90 days in 180 Read more
Emergency: 112 general emergency, 113 police, 115 fire, 118 ambulance
Tipping: Not expected; rounding up is common. A coperto may appear on the bill
Time: UTC+1, UTC+2 from late March to late October (daylight saving)

Weather by month

Rainy days
Days with storms

Best
Good
Mixed

JanuaryPartly cloudy8 rainy daysHigh8°Low1°Mild, quiet
FebruaryPartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh10°Low3°Mild, quiet
MarchPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh13°Low4°Mild, rainy
AprilRain13 rainy daysHigh16°Low7°Mild, spring
MayRain20 rainy daysHigh19°Low11°Mild, green
JuneRain18 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh25°Low15°Warm, storms
JulyRain18 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh26°Low17°Hot, peak crowds
AugustRain17 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh26°Low17°Hot, peak crowds
SeptemberRain15 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh22°Low14°Warm, mild
OctoberRain13 rainy daysHigh18°Low10°Mild, autumn
NovemberRain12 rainy daysHigh12°Low5°Cooler, rainy
DecemberPartly cloudy8 rainy daysHigh9°Low3°Festive, cool

Average daily high and low in Lake Como, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.

Right now in Lake Como

Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.

-1

Feels like: -3°
Humidity: 66%
Wind: 7 km/h
Chance of rain: 3%

Bellagio

12:24 AM

Tuesday, November 3

GMT+1

Today11°6°3%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 11°, Low 6°. Chance of rain 3%.
Wed10°7°8%Wednesday: Cloudy. High 10°, Low 7°. Chance of rain 8%.
Thu11°8°3%Thursday: Cloudy. High 11°, Low 8°. Chance of rain 3%.
Fri11°8°13%Friday: Cloudy. High 11°, Low 8°. Chance of rain 13%.
Sat8°7°15%Saturday: Rain. High 8°, Low 7°. Chance of rain 15%.
Sun10°6°34%Sunday: Rain. High 10°, Low 6°. Chance of rain 34%.

Updated 09:25 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com

Money

Mid-market rate1 USD = 0.8961 EUR

Amount

Converted to

EUR · Euro

Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API

Day trips by train

Milanabout 1 hour by trainThe regional capital, with three airports serving the lakes.
Luganoabout 40 min by trainA Swiss lakeside city reached across the border, with EuroCity trains calling at Como San Giovanni.
Leccoabout 1 hour by carThe city at the tip of the south-eastern branch, linked to the Piani d'Erna cableway and to Manzoni's novel.

Before you go to Lake Como

eSIM for Lake ComoOffline maps for lake roads and ferriesRead the guide

Insurance for lake day tripsCover for falls and missed boatsRead the guide

Money and costsCosts for beds, meals and boat faresRead the guide

Stays on the lakeBases in Como, Bellagio and VarennaRead the guide

Rules for Lake Como, checked

Many non-EU visitors can stay up to 90 days in any 180-day period across the Schengen area. Check entry rules on the Italian visa site before you book.Source
Declare cash over the EU threshold when entering or leaving the EU, and check the customs rules with the Agenzia delle Dogane before you travel.Source
Cover shoulders and knees before entering churches on the lake, including Santa Maria del Tiglio in Gravedona.

Plan around Lake Como

All of Italy

The lakes within a wider Italian trip, with entry and travel basics

Read the guide The Italian Lakes

Como alongside the other lakes of northern Italy

Read the guide Getting around

Boats, trains, buses and car hire for the lake

Read the guide Tours and tickets

Tickets and guided visits to the lake's villas and gardens

Read the guide Where to stay

Bases in Como, Bellagio and Varenna, with boat links

Read the guide Money and costs

What beds, meals and boat fares typically cost on the lake

Read the guide

Lake Como FAQ

How do you get to Lake Como from Milan?

The lake is about 50 km north of Milan. Trains run from Milan to Como San Giovanni, and the A9 motorway runs close to the lake. Malpensa, Linate and Orio al Serio airports all serve the area.

Is Lake Como worth a day trip from Milan?

Yes, for one boat ride and one villa, though travel from Milan takes up part of the day. Staying overnight leaves time to see more than one branch of the lake.

Which villas on Lake Como are worth visiting?

Villa Carlotta is known for its azaleas and rhododendrons and for sculptures by Antonio Canova. Villa del Balbianello has terraced gardens on a wooded peninsula, is run by FAI, and has visitor caps.

Can you swim in Lake Como?

Only in designated areas such as private lidos or authorised public beaches, since swimming is restricted in Como and many villages. Water quality is rated excellent in the upper lake and the Lecco branch, and sufficient in Como city.

When is the best time to visit Lake Como?

Spring and autumn are mild, with more rain and daytime temperatures near 17 °C. July and August bring heat, thunderstorms and the most visitors, and summer heatwaves can reach 38 °C.

Is Bellagio or Varenna better as a base?

Choose Bellagio for the most visited resort on the lake, on the promontory where the three branches meet. Choose Varenna for a village on the eastern shore, with the Castello di Vezio above it and the Fiumelatte waterfall nearby.