Lake Como is one of the most beautiful destinations in Lombardy, with steep mountains dropping straight into the water and villages tucked along the shore. Once Como and Lecco are out of the way, the real charm sits in the smaller places, home to some of the best towns on Lake Como that are well worth a visit.
A quick tour of the best towns on Lake Como
Each town on Lake Como has its own personality, with some easy to reach by train and ferry, and others feeling more remote.
- Bellagio – best for first‑timers and classic Lake Como views
- Varenna – best for train access from Milan
- Menaggio – best for families and lakeside walks
- Tremezzo – best for villas and gardens
- Cernobbio – best for luxury stays near Como and Switzerland
- Brienno – best for quiet, authentic atmosphere
- Palanzo – best for medieval charm and mountain hikes
- Nesso – best for waterfalls and photography
Top 8 towns to visit on Lake Como
Bellagio
Bellagio sits right on the fork where the two branches of Lake Como meet, so everywhere you look, there’s water and mountains. The old centre climbs up the hill in a tangle of cobbled stairways, with pastel façades, little boutiques and wine bars squeezed in between. Down by the lake, you’ve got the promenade and Punta Spartivento.
If you like a bit of grandeur, Villa Melzi’s lakeside gardens and the park of Villa Serbelloni are gorgeous for slow wanders. Plus, the Church of San Giacomo and the Church of San Giovanni give you a sense of how long people have been living well here.
How to get to Bellagio: Ferries run from Como, Varenna and Menaggio or drive along the lakeside road from Como.
Best time to visit: May–June and September–early October, when it’s warm enough for gelato and lake views but not quite peak‑season.
Is Bellagio a good base to stay? It's great if it's your first time on Lake Como and you want plenty of restaurants, hotels and boat connections.
Varenna
Varenna is smaller and a bit calmer than Bellagio, but just as photogenic. It has houses in faded reds and yellows stacked up above a narrow lakeside walkway. You can easily lose an afternoon following the waterfront “Walk of Lovers”, then diving into side alleys to find cute little trattorias.
Villa Monastero stretches along the shore with a long, slim garden full of terraces and viewpoints, while Castello di Vezio looms above the village. Hike up there and you get those classic wide‑angle lake views.
How to get to Varenna: Direct trains from Milan and Lecco stop at Varenna‑Esino; from there, it’s a short downhill walk to the lake.
Best time to visit: Late spring to early autumn, with May–June and September the sweet spot.
Is Varenna a good base to stay? Especially if you’re travelling by train and want to hop around the central lake by ferry.
Menaggio
Menaggio feels a bit more “everyday” than some of the polished resorts, in a good way. There’s a proper town square right on the lake – Piazza Garibaldi – where locals and visitors mix over coffee and aperitivi, and a long promenade lined with trees and benches.
Behind the waterfront, the streets climb towards old villas and residential areas. If you keep going, you’re into proper walking country with trails up into the hills and towards Val Menaggio. In summer, lidos and small beaches along the shore give you easy spots for a dip, so you can actually get into the lake rather than just looking at it.
How to get to Menaggio: Easiest with a car or bus along the western shore; ferries run across the lake to Bellagio and Varenna.
Best time to visit: June and September are lovely – warm, lively, and a bit less intense than the high July–August season.
Is Menaggio a good base to stay? It's a solid choice for families or anyone who wants walks, swims and decent services without too much glitz.
Tremezzo
Tremezzo strings itself along the western shore in front of some very grand real estate. The headline act is Villa Carlotta, with its sculpture‑filled rooms and big landscaped garden that turns into a jungle of camellias and rhododendrons in spring.
A little further along, Parco Teresio Olivelli gives you lawns, old trees, a small beach area. Above the road, there are old hamlets and panoramic paths that wind through woodland and terraced slopes.
How to get to Tremezzo: Reachable by car or bus from Como along the western shore.
Best time to visit: Spring for the gardens in full bloom, or September–October for quieter lanes and soft, hazy light over the lake.
Is Tremezzo a good base to stay? It's a great choice if you’re into historic villas and like the idea of staying right in the central stretch of the lake.
Cernobbio
Cernobbio sits just up the shore from Como, so it’s one of the easiest spots to get to if you’re coming in by train or from Switzerland. The waterfront has a slightly grand, old‑hotel feel.
Behind the promenade, the old streets climb gently with a mix of everyday shops and more polished restaurants and bars. Villa Erba brings a bit of aristocratic drama, and if you’re up for a workout, there are footpaths climbing into the hills that separate Lake Como from Lake Lugano.
How to get to Cernobbio: Quick bus or taxi ride from Como, which itself is well connected by train to Milan and Switzerland.
Best time to visit: From April to October – weekends can feel busy thanks to locals from Como nipping up for a stroll and a drink.
Is Cernobbio a good base to stay? It's good for short breaks, nicer hotels and anyone who wants easy access to Como and cross‑border day trips.
Brienno
Brienno is where you go when you’ve had enough of crowds and coach tours. The historic core is a knot of narrow passageways, steep staircases and stone houses perched right above the water. Down by the lake, there’s a small marina and green area that feels very low‑key – more locals walking dogs than Instagram shoots.
The Church of San Vittore and a handful of oratories add to that village‑in‑the‑mountains mood, and old mule tracks lead inland if you fancy stretching your legs and finding some of the best viewpoints of Lake Como.
How to get to Brienno: Best by car or bus along the lakeside road between Como and Argegno.
Best time to visit: Late spring to early autumn works well.
Is Brienno a good base to stay? If you want quiet evenings and a local feel, it's the place for you.
Palanzo
Palanzo sits high above the lake on the eastern side, so it feels more like a mountain village that just happens to have Lake Como as its backdrop. The centre is a weave of stone houses, vaulted passageways and little squares, with the odd viewpoint where the houses suddenly part and you get a big sweep of water and peaks.
It’s the kind of place where you hear church bells and footsteps more than traffic. Paths leave the village in several directions, climbing up towards the higher mountains or dropping down towards other hamlets and the lakeshore.
How to get to Palanzo: Usually by car or local bus from Como, following steep, twisty roads up from the lakeside.
Best time to visit: Spring and autumn, when it’s cool enough for hiking, and the views are crisp.
Is Palanzo a good base to stay? Ideal for walkers and people who enjoy a sleepy, high‑up village.
Nesso
Nesso feels dramatic the moment you arrive: the village clings to a steep slope, cut in two by a deep gorge that funnels a waterfall down into the lake. At the bottom, the stone Ponte della Civera arches over the water with a cluster of old houses around it.
The rest of the village is a network of stairways and alleyways, with washing lines, potted plants and small balconies giving it a very lived‑in feel. From the little harbour and terraces, you get great views across to the opposite shore, with the sound of the water always in the background.
How to get to Nesso: Reachable by car or bus on the lakeside road between Como and Bellagio.
Best time to visit: Spring and early summer, when there’s usually plenty of water in the gorge, and the falls are at their most impressive.
Is Nesso a good base to stay? It works well if you’re happy with steep paths and a small choice of bars and restaurants in exchange for big scenery and quieter evenings.
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