Milan to Lake Como: the ultimate day trip itinerary

How to get there by train

Your best bet is probably catching the train from Milan to Como town itself, which is a great starting point for taking the ferry to other destinations. Trains run frequently to Como town and take anywhere from 40 minutes to an hour, for about €5.

Breathtaking Varenna on the eastern shore of the lake is also easy to reach by train – about an hour from Milan at €7.50. Varenna is well positioned for visiting nearby Bellagio, which is just across the lake, where the two ‘arms’ of the inverted Y-shaped Como meet, and is known for its romantic charm and cute little alleyways. From Varenna, it’s just a 15-minute ferry ride to Trenitalia (the ‘pearl’ of Lake Como, as it’s known).

How to get there by car

Lake Como is only 29 miles in length and two-and-a-half miles in width, but given the small roads and hairpin turns in some areas – not to mention the traffic – it could take a several hours to cover the entire lake by car (remember we said it was shaped like an upside-down Y?).

While having a car allows for a great deal of independence, it can be difficult to park and some of the towns are limited-traffic zones of narrow alleyways so if you only plan to visit for a few days, the train and ferry will probably be enough to get you where you want to go. 

How to get there by ferry

The ferries that crisscross the lake provide an easy way to explore different towns, but if you visit during low season (November to March), they tend to make fewer stops and run less frequently. Rapid-service hydrofoils to the middle of the lake take about 45 minutes while other ferries can take up to three hours. 

How to get there by plane

Probably not the vibe for a day trip, but possibly for a longer stay, you can catch a flight to Milan Malpensa (MXP), which is about 55km from the southern tip of the lake. That’s the largest one in the area with the most international connections, but other options include Milan Linate (LIN) and Bergamo Orio al Serio (BGY), which are both a bit smaller and further away but still pretty convenient. 

There is more to the lake than strolling the ever-lovely promenades and cobbled streets (and possibly spotting a celeb or two). 

Get stuffed on local goods

Traditional food from the Lombardy region – such as polenta, ossobuco, and risotto – can be heavy, but the Rive Enoteca (a wine bar and restaurant) on a cute cobbled block in Como town offers updated takes on some of the region’s most famous dishes, served alongside excellent local wines in a bright, modern setting. 

Walk the Greenway

The Greenway is a 10km path that winds its way through an array of lovely little villages on the western shore of the lake. It follows part of an ancient Roman road and also makes its way through fields and olive groves, offering panoramic views along the way.

Much of the Greenway is paved, making for an easy walk (though be warned: there are uneven stones and a fair few hills, so wear good shoes). There’s no need to attempt the whole thing; the trail can be joined in and around the towns of Colonno, Sala Comacina, Ossuccio, Lenno, Mezzegra, Tremezzo, and Griante.  

See the sights

We’d recommend seeing Lecco, which is far less rammed full of tourists than Como itself but still mighty beautiful. Check out Villa del Balbaniello, one of Como’s most beautiful villas, full of vast gardens and dramatic views (it was even in Star Wars once). 

For a serious view, take the funicular from the centre of Como town up to Brunate to enjoy amazing views of the lake. On a clear day, you can see well into Switzerland. If you are up for a hike, make your way to the Volta Lighthouse, which was built in the late 1920s to honour the physicist Alessandro Volta. The panorama from here can’t be beat. 

If money is no object, the Mandarin Oriental, Lake Como is a true oasis of luxury on the eastern shores of the lake in the 19th Century Villa Roccabruna, with a world-class spa, floating pool, gourmet restaurant and seriously good views. 

The NH Lecco Pontevecchio on the Lecco branch of the lake is a great four-star option that often has good deals. It’s modern, clean and bright with excellent amenities and very nice lake views, plus it’s close to Lecco train station, along a lakefront running and biking path, and has very easy access to the ferries. 

On a budget? The Ostello Bello hostel is in a great location and much cheaper. Within walking distance of the two train stations in Como town, the hostel offers both private and shared rooms, and a surprising number of amenities. Guests are given shampoo and soap, there’s Wi-Fi throughout the property, and upstairs there’s a terrace with a BBQ.