Everyone has their favourites in Italy. From artistic cities, impressive monuments, and breathtaking landscapes to medieval towns. Then there is another world within the country, that is the splendid Lake Como. The deepest lake in Italy with villages and villas strung along its shore. The private homes of huge neoclassical designs rising out of the gilded palaces of princes and bishops come as magnificent hotels and vacation stays.
The luxurious villas featuring gorgeous fountains and sprawling gardens are also home to celebrities like Richard Branson, Madonna, and George Clooney. The rich navigate the waters in private boats, and yachts and even to this day, Lake Como continues to sparkle. But if you think that Lake Como is only for the rich and famous then I would urge you to reconsider. There are plenty of things to do and see, each draws you to a world that's wrapped between a dream and reality.
1. Explore the city of Como
Like any other Italian city, the Duomo or the marble-clad cathedral draws attention at first-go. Built between 14th - 18th century, the architecture combines that of Baroque, Romanesque and Renaissance designs. Though one can never miss scouring the bars, cafes, and souvenir shops, remember to pay a visit to the silk museum that showcase the history of Lake Como's silk industry, also one of the main reasons for its worldwide popularity. Villa Olmo, the sprawling cream facade facing the lake is the introduction to Como's grand Villas, occasional venue for art exhibits.
Top Tips
Every Saturday, antiques flee market fills the Piazza tucked aside the Basilica di San Fedele from 9am - 7pm. Stock up your shoppers with silk fine porcelains to high-quality blue potteries.
2. Take a funicular ride to see the city's best views
Just imagine the serene retreats that don't lose the view of the dazzling shoreline and all viewed from the top suck you into the magic. Walking north east along the waterfront lead to the Como-Brunate cable car or what the Italians love to call, funicular which was built in 1894. It takes seven minutes to the hilltop Brunate, a village that offers scenic walks and stunning views of the lake and its other frills.
Top Tips
Best even hike (143 steps) about a mile uphill until you reach the lighthouse where you'll even be able to see the snowcapped Alps in the distance.
3. Take day hikes among mountains
Formed by glaciers receding over 10,000 years ago, Lake Como is also home to stunning mountains and valleys. The best-kept secrets are their mountain trails, today designed as walking trails by many adventure -travel companies. Traverse through forest trails, stumble upon the local cheese making village factories, hear fascinating stories and enjoy lunch at a nestled away mountain restaurant who champion local ingredients and regional dishes. Grab your daypack, a bottle of water and wear those sneakers and trek up on trails leading up to the crest of the hill.
Cost: 4000- 7000 INR (group hikes)
Top Tips
Begin the trek from the medieval hilltop town of Varenna and take on the challenging ridge lines that take towards, the Grigna Massif—on the wishlist of high altitude hikers.
4. Go boating on the lake
There is nothing better than gliding your way through the lake waters taking in the views. You can enjoy the most amazing sightseeing of Lake Como cruising on a private boat, with or without a driver, or can go on a budget-friendly way riding down on the ferries. Some of the must stop-over lakeside towns are Varenna, midway up to Menaggio, spotted by travellers for the ancient relics and gorgeous lake promenade and then south to Bellagio, regarded as the pearl of Lake Como. Also stop in Laglio, the lakefront town where George Clooney and Donatella Versace own villas.
Cost: 1800 - 12000 INR (ferry rides to private boat excursions)
Top Tips
For an authentic lake Como experience, take a boat trip around the lake to learn about the history of the villas which are also impressive feats of architecture. Barindelli Taxi Boats are the go-to ride to take in as many glorious vistas as you can in style. They also arrange hour-long sunset rides. Make your day with a special boat ride like never.
5. Speng time in Bellagio
A trip to Lake Como is incomplete without a hop into the enchanting village of Bellagio. The village sits in the middle of the lake, right at the point where the water forks in two directions. Maze of cobble streets, steep stairs, waterfront cafes, vintage stores and charming family-run restaurants are its major draws. Most attractions are within walking distance. The Bellagio peer is a major departure and arrival point for many luxury private boats and also the daily pickup and drop location for ferries and water taxis.
Top Tips
1. Don't miss the magnificent 20 hectare gardens at Villa Serbelloni, an iconic holiday villa raised for a noble family from Bergamo. Later converted to the Grand Hotel Bellagio — favourite playground of Hollywood stars and international politicians with the likes of Sir Winston Churchill, Roosevelt, the Rothschilds, J. F. Kennedy, Mary Pickford, Clark Gable, and Al Pacino. Tickets sold in advance are available at Promo Bellagio. Also stroll the garden of Villa Melzi, next to the beach that looks out to the opposite shore standing, Villa Carlotta.
2. To get the feel of the Hollywood glamour take the seaplane ride experience, from Aero Club, the oldest seaplane organization in the world. They can plan the ride to Bellagio. A 30-minute ride would cost 12000/- INR for 2 people.
3. Don't miss sitting down by a lakeside cafes and restaurants of Bellagio. Cafe Rossi is a charming art nouveau bar that offers the best of Italian coffees to breakfast plates.
Kayaking on Lake Como
The tranquil bay waters surrounded by mountains makes it ideal for many water sports, one of which is kayaking. You’ll paddle along Pescallo Bay, passing the Rockefeller cliffs and the Grand Hotel Villa Serbelloni and other lakeside sights. Those lovers of water sport also wear in their wet suit and waterski or wakeboard on the beautiful lake waters.
Cost: 5000 INR
Top Tips:
Kayaking tours: Viator organises some of the best kayaking excursion from Bellagio.
6. E-Bike to the mountains that offer another set of views
If you're the outdoorsy type, the terrain around Lake Como will provide plenty of of opportunity to e-bike along the mountain roads and forest trails. There are a wide variety of trails but the most beautiful is that from the small village of Cardano, in the valley behind Menaggio. The road trudges up towards Monte Grona and more uphill in the village of Breglia the team head towards a hidden sanctuary to break in for lunch. Keeping the e-bikes behind the tour takes you to a 10-minute walk into the forest that leads to a tiny church perched on the edge of a cliff with stunning views across the lake.
Cost: 9000 INR
Top Tips
Go for this e-biking tour organised by viator.
There are plenty of activities, including fishing trips, skiing the Italian Alps, wine tasting and cooking classes organized to get in-depth of the Lake Como region. This side of Italy as in the northern frontier is way different from other parts of the country. The classiness of this pocket of Northern Italy, which Wordsworth described as a 'treasure which the earth keeps to itself', comes from the unspoilt little villages that hug the shore, the beautiful villas nestled in their lush gardens, the mountainous hinterland reward breathtaking hikes just like the views and the well-dressed, courteous locals who seem to measure progress by keeping up with vintage fancies, define Lake Como. It's time to break the myth that Lake Como is always for the rich and the famous, you can still get to know the whole of Lake Como and the hidden treasures without getting bankrupt post holiday.
How to get to Lake Como
Take a train down from Milan to Como San Giovanni station that costs only 400/-
Consider staying at airbnbs rather than heritage hotels. You have lovely airbnb's that doesn't deprive you off the stunning views. Lake Como Airbnb cost ranges from Rs 3,000 to Rs 20,000.
Love Italy and want to explore the food and the surreal landscape? Plan your holidays with the help of Tripoto.
