I still remember my jaw dropping when I first saw Lake Como from above Varenna. I’ve been all over Italy, but the most beautiful places in Lake Como hit different notes—this place is just ridiculous. Standing in the gardens of Villa Carlotta, watching the sunlight dance off the water with Bellagio in the distance… it’s the kind of view that makes you forget to take photos because you’re too busy staring.
Real talk: I thought people were using some crazy filters in their Lake Como photos until I saw it myself. Those pastel villages and mirror-like waters backed by the Alps? Actually better in person. From the totally wild Villa del Balbianello to my favorite sunrise spot on Varenna’s waterfront, these 12 views show why this slice of Italy is pure magic.
Must-See Attractions in Lake Como
Looking for the coolest things to do in Lake Como? Enjoy stunning panoramas from Bella Vista, explore the charming streets of Bellagio, and take a scenic funicular ride to Brunate. Visit the elegant lakeside town of Cernobbio and discover the picturesque villages of Laglio and Moltrasio. Whether you’re interested in breathtaking views, luxury, or charming Italian villages, here are the top attractions to visit in Lake Como.
1. Bella Vista
You know what? Bella Vista really lives up to its name – the views here are actually ridiculous. I spent a whole morning just watching the ferry boats zigzag across the lake like little toys from up here. The panoramic shots you get of the entire lake are the kind that make your phone camera work overtime, and honestly, they’re even better than what you see on Instagram.
The town itself has this authentic Italian vibe that bigger tourist spots sometimes lose. I grabbed my morning espresso at Caffè Panoramico where the owner told me which celebrity just bought another villa (apparently it happens monthly). The narrow cobblestone streets wind up from the waterfront, and every corner reveals another postcard view. Don’t miss the hidden viewpoint behind the old church – it’s where locals go to avoid the crowds, and the Alpine backdrop creates those perfect golden hour shots.
Spring through early summer gives you the best weather, but I actually loved visiting in September when the crowds thin out and you can really appreciate the peaceful atmosphere. Ferry connections from Como run regularly, making it super easy to hop between towns. Pro tip: the morning light here transforms the lake into liquid gold, so set that alarm early.
2. Bellagio
Let’s be real – Bellagio absolutely deserves its “Pearl of Lake Como” reputation, even if it can get crazy busy during peak season. I’ve been here probably a dozen times and still get that little thrill walking down those stepped stone streets lined with boutiques and cafés. The whole town just oozes elegance without being pretentious about it.
Villa Melzi Gardens are hands down the best reason to visit (more on that later), but don’t sleep on just wandering the waterfront promenade. I love grabbing gelato from Gelateria del Centro and people-watching from the main square – you’ll see everyone from honeymooners to locals walking their dogs. The stepped alleys that climb up from the lake are where you’ll find the real gems: tiny artisan workshops where families have been crafting leather goods for generations.
Ferry connections here are excellent – you’re literally at the junction where the lake splits, so you can easily reach Varenna, Menaggio, or head back to Como. Current ferry prices in 2025 run about €4.60 for short hops between the central triangle towns, or grab a day pass for €23.30 if you’re doing multiple stops. Just arrive early in summer because the ticket lines can stretch around the block.
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3. Brunate
Taking the Como-Brunate Funicular is honestly one of those tourist things that’s actually worth the hype. The antique cable car climbs 500 meters in just 7 minutes, and watching Como shrink below you never gets old. I was skeptical about spending €6 for a round trip ticket, but the views from up here stretch to five countries on clear days.
Brunate itself feels like a mountain village that time forgot, with Art Nouveau villas scattered between pine forests and locals who still tend hillside gardens. The real payoff comes from hiking to Volta Lighthouse – it’s about a 30-minute walk from the funicular station through charming streets and forest paths. The lighthouse charges just €2 to climb to the top, and on clear days you can actually spot planes taking off from Malpensa Airport.
I recommend visiting early morning or late afternoon to avoid the funicular lines, which can stretch for 30+ minutes during peak summer. The lighthouse is open daily 10:30 AM to 6:30 PM except non-holiday Wednesdays, though it sometimes closes for maintenance. Pro tip: Brunate has way better restaurants than you’d expect for a tiny mountain town – Capolinea Bistrot serves killer pasta with those million-dollar views.
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4. Cernobbio
Cernobbio is where old money goes to stay classy, and you can feel it the moment you arrive. This town doesn’t try to impress you – it just quietly demonstrates what centuries of wealth and taste look like. Villa d’Este, the legendary hotel, sits like a Renaissance jewel with gardens so perfect they make regular millionaires feel inadequate.
Even if you’re not staying at Villa d’Este (where rooms start around €800), you can still appreciate the town’s refined atmosphere. Piazzetta Risorgimento comes alive during evening passeggiata when locals emerge for their traditional social hour. I love watching this ritual play out – it’s like stepping into a movie about Italian life. Villa Erba, once director Luchino Visconti’s home, hosts prestigious events and adds to the area’s cultural credibility.
The lakefront promenade connects easily to hiking trails if you want to escape into nature, and it’s just 6 km from Como city if you need transportation connections. Harry’s Bar serves excellent truffle pasta with lake views, and you might spot the occasional tech billionaire or film star who considers this stretch their private playground. The atmosphere here is sophisticated but not stuffy.
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5. Laglio and Moltrasio
These twin villages remain refreshingly authentic despite Laglio‘s fame as George Clooney’s Italian address. I actually love how normal everything feels here – cats nap on sun-warmed stone walls, laundry flaps in the breeze, and the only sounds are fishing boats putting along the shoreline and the occasional church bell.
Bar del Porto in Moltrasio serves local wine with views of Torrente Pizzallo waterfall cascading down stone steps toward the lake. The terraced layout climbing up the mountainside connects via ancient stone staircases called montée, creating this amazing vertical village experience. Boat rides past Villa Oleandra offer glimpses of hidden boathouses with wooden doors weathered by decades of lake spray.
What I appreciate most about these villages is their complete lack of pretense. This is actual Lake Como life without the tourist performance. You can walk between the two towns along the shoreline in about 15 minutes, passing tiny harbors where locals still keep their fishing boats. The Grand Hotel Imperiale from the 1920s provides upscale accommodations if you want to base yourself here, and you’re still connected to the broader lake via regular ferry service.
6. Monte San Primo
Monte San Primo offers the complete opposite of lakeside luxury – this is wilderness and adventure at 1,682 meters above sea level. I’ve hiked up here in both summer and winter, and honestly, both seasons deliver completely different but equally amazing experiences. Summer brings wildflower meadows and paragliding launches, while winter transforms it into a compact ski area perfect for families.
The Bocchetta di Terrabiotta viewpoint is where paragliders launch over both lake branches simultaneously – watching them float silently over that blue expanse below is pretty magical. I’ve tracked chamois through alpine meadows here and filled my water bottle from streams that eventually reach the lake. The afternoon light filtering through beech forests creates those Instagram-worthy moments nature photographers dream about.
Trail difficulty ranges from gentle meadow walks to challenging rocky ascents, so there’s something for every fitness level. Hotel Villa Aurora down in Lezzeno makes a good base camp with easy lake access. Winter skiing here isn’t Cortina, but it’s perfect for learning or enjoying a chill day on the slopes. The mountain rewards you with that rare commodity around Lake Como – genuine solitude and pristine nature.
7. Orrido Di Bellano
Orrido Di Bellano plunges you into a different world entirely – a dramatic limestone gorge where suspended metal walkways cling to vertical walls with thundering water echoing all around you. The cool mist on your skin and roaring waterfall creates this intense sensory experience that’s honestly unlike anything else on the lake.
The locals call it “orrido” meaning “horrid,” but there’s nothing unpleasant about this natural wonder. I recommend visiting early morning when you’ll likely have it mostly to yourself. The suspended walkway experience only takes about 30 minutes, but the dramatic rock formations and powerful waterfall create vibrations you can feel through the metal grating. It’s like nature’s own theme park ride.
After emerging from the gorge, Bellano‘s sunny piazza offers excellent coffee and gelato to reset your senses. The village provides authentic charm with a waterfront promenade and train connections that make it easy to explore further north or head back south. Current entrance fees are modest, and the experience offers perfect relief from summer lakeside heat with its natural air conditioning effect.
8. Parco Valentino
Parco Valentino delivers Lake Como’s best panoramic views for absolutely zero euros – you can’t beat that value proposition. This green sanctuary sits high enough above Menaggio to catch refreshing mountain breezes while offering the perfect vantage point to watch ferries crisscross between shorelines like a living map.
I love coming here with fresh focaccia from town bakeries to enjoy a proper Italian picnic with million-dollar views. Local families gather in early evenings, creating this lively, authentically Italian atmosphere that feels way more genuine than tourist attractions. The playground keeps kids entertained while adults can appreciate the scenery and maybe catch up on that novel you’ve been carrying around.
Visit at sunset when changing light transforms the lake into molten gold and mountains cast long shadows across the water. The steep path down to Menaggio‘s waterfront is well-lit after dark, making evening returns safe and atmospheric. You’re just minutes from excellent dining options with views across to Bellagio, and the walk gives you time to work up an appetite for some serious Italian food.
9. Pigra
Getting to Pigra is half the adventure – the tiny cable car from Argegno climbs 650 meters in 4 minutes, swinging over treetops with panoramic views expanding below your feet. This stone village feels wonderfully untouched, with sun-weathered locals who still hang laundry against mountain backdrops and cats that own the sunny corners.
The silence up here hits different than lakeside towns – you’ll hear distant cowbells, your own footsteps, and not much else. I hiked the ridge trail toward Monte Pasquella for even more spectacular vistas that most tourists never see. The path offers several panoramic points perfect for photographs of both lake arms stretching north and south without another soul in sight.
The village’s only bar serves excellent local wines with stunning sunset views. As lights twinkle on around the lake below, you’ll understand why those who discover Pigra often become repeat visitors. It’s the kind of place that reminds you what authentic Italian mountain life looks like, complete with stone houses and locals who wave from their gardens.
10. Villa Carlotta and Gardens
Villa Carlotta absolutely explodes with color during spring when over 150 varieties of azaleas and rhododendrons bloom simultaneously – it’s honestly overwhelming in the best possible way. The botanical masterpiece spans 70,000 square meters with over 500 plant species, and I got lost for hours following paths through bamboo groves, fern valleys, and that incredible Japanese garden.
The villa itself houses an impressive art collection including works by Canova, offering cool relief from summer heat with those high ceilings and marble floors. What I love about this place is how the gardeners actually interact with visitors, often sharing historical tidbits about the aristocratic families who planted these specimens. The Napoleon-era pieces inside provide fascinating glimpses into when European nobility vacationed here.
For 2025, Villa Carlotta opens March 21st through October 19th, daily 10 AM to 7 PM (last entry 6 PM). Adult tickets cost €15, with reduced rates for seniors (€13) and students (€10). Kids under 6 enter free. The gardens are mostly accessible for people with disabilities, with two elevators and gravel-saving paths. Spring visits during azalea season (April-May) require arriving early to beat crowds, but the payoff is spectacular.
11. Villa del Balbianello
Villa del Balbianello occupies the most dramatically positioned peninsula on Lake Como, and arriving by boat delivers the full cinematic impact that made this place famous in Star Wars and James Bond films. Those triple arches of the famous loggia provide the most photographed spot on the entire lake, and honestly, every angle looks like a movie set.
Explorer Guido Monzino‘s fascinating collection fills the interior with artifacts from his expeditions, creating more of a lived-in feeling than typical museum atmosphere. The meticulously maintained gardens use only hand shears to create perfect shapes, resulting in tranquil atmosphere throughout the grounds. I spent an entire afternoon just sitting in different garden spots, watching boats navigate around the peninsula.
For 2025, park-only tickets cost €13 (garden access without villa interior), while full villa and park tickets cost €24. Kids 6-18 pay reduced rates, and children under 6 enter free. Advance booking is essential, especially for summer visits. You can reach the villa by 20-minute walk from Lenno or take the shuttle boat (€8 round trip, operating every 20 minutes). The boat approach provides the most spectacular arrival experience and those classic villa-from-the-water photos.
12. Villa Melzi Garden
Villa Melzi Gardens offer Lake Como’s most romantic waterfront stroll, where English-style landscaping creates surprises at every turn rather than formal Italian symmetry. Those Egyptian statues emerging from behind Japanese maples feel like discovering hidden treasures, and the massive cedar canopies provide perfect shade while keeping constant water views.
The water garden becomes absolutely magical during summer when lotus flowers create Monet-worthy scenes with mountains reflected in still ponds. I found the hidden bench beneath the Lebanon cedar for the perfect view framing Bellagio‘s promontory and both lake branches. The Moorish-inspired blue pavilion creates excellent photo opportunities with its reflection in the adjacent pond.
For 2025, Villa Melzi Gardens open March 22nd through October 31st, daily 10 AM to 7 PM (last entry 6:30 PM). Adult admission costs €10, with kids under 12 entering free. Students pay €6.50, and group rates (15+ people) cost €8. The gardens are easily accessible from Bellagio‘s center via a 5-minute walk, and you can enter from either the Bellagio side or the Loppia entrance. Early morning visits provide the most tranquil experience and those ethereal misty shots.
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