Best Day Trips from Lake Como

Highlights:

Known for its natural beauty, Lugano offers stunning views from the Monte San Salvatore overlooking the local Lake as well as the magnificent Swiss Alps. A quicker alternative could also be atop the Monte Bre with restaurants offering great views and tasty food during your quick stop. Another highlight is the Piazza Della Riforma – the bustling city centre known for being busy with festivals, markets or concerts!

For those looking to dive into the town’s fauna, a short dive into the Olive Grove Trail could be a promising insight into Olive Trees while the Parco Civico-Ciani could captivate visitors through its walking trails and vibrant flowers and trees from around the world while the children would love visiting the SwissMiniatur presenting the best of Switzerland in miniature versions.

Transportation:

The city of Lugano is well-connected through its very own airport that offers connecting shuttle bus services while also being accessible from the Zurich airport requiring an intermediary train presenting breath-taking scenery of Switzerland.

Visitors may even reach Lugano by car from either of Milan or Zurich through the A2 motorway linking Northern Europe and the Mediterranean.

Bellagio

Popularly titled as the Pearl of Lake Como, Bellagio is a true gem upholding the Italian charm. Known for its scenic views amongst the streets along its picturesque alleys; the town is a perfect mix of glamorous backdrops, gorgeous views and quaint shops providing the Italian feel. 

Highlights:

Amongst the most idealistic things to do in Bellagio, is to wander the local streets filled with narrow cobblestoned-streets and picture-perfect views of Lake Como. Another prominent attraction is the Basilica of San Giacomo portraying the town’s Roman influencers and architecture. The Melzi Gardens are also a prime location to captivate the beauty of Bellagio through its pleasant walking paths, exotic range of plants and picturesque views of Lake Como filled with refreshing breezes of the city expanse.

Transportation:

The gorgeous town of Bellagio is well connected with the Milan Malpensa airport and the Bergamo orio al serio airport which offer shuttle bus services connecting the Airport to the cities of Como and Varenna through which you can reach Bellagio using a ferry.

Depending on where you travel from; Bellagio can only be accessed through a ferry compiling the best views of the lake and the surrounding towns but be sure to check schedule and make reservations in advance!

Highlights:

An epitome of Italian Comfort and architecture, the Villa Monastero is an ideal representation of the Italian luxury and architecture coupled with the refreshing collection of its flora in its botanical garden. For a romantic backdrop, visit the Secret Steps – a 200 step excursion offering breath-taking views of Lake Como or take the walk of Lovers – Passeggiata degli Innamorati for a romantic walk alongside the lakeside promenade of the city.

While you could immerse yourself into the enchanting views of Lake Como and the popular legend of the Loch Ness monster; Bellagio also offers panoramic views of the Lake from several popular locations and allows you to relish the beauty of a laid-back town while also promising rich insights into the Mediterranean culture and artistic history.

Transportation: 

The town of Varenna is connected through various modes of transport with the train being the most convenient way with direct trains connecting Varenna to Milan with stunning views along the journey. The city is also well-connected through a seamless range of boat and ferry services from all nearby main towns like Como, Lecco and Bellagio. 

While you can even reach Varenna using a car or the roadways, you can only access Bellagio through a ferry and hence may need to park your vehicle at the connecting city you are taking a ferry from!

Highlights:

With an ecstatic fusion of natural scenery and Romanesque and Gothic style churches; Como is a stunning city in itself with various attractions. The most popular being the Piazza Duomo– the city centre situated just near the Como Cathedral presenting an impressive blend of various architectural styles.

The city’s very own museum- the Volta Museum and its adjacent garden Giardini del Tempio Voltiano also provide breath-taking views and immersive insights into the town’s history. Como also offers stunning views of Lake Como through its Lakeside Promenade which surely cannot be missed! 

Further the city of Bellagio presents an artistic blend of natural beauty and simplistic living packed into its narrow streets overlooking the scenic water expanse while the City of Lugano presents a significant insight into the city’s culture and history along sweet chocolaty delights. 

Transportation:

The cities of Como, Lugano and Bellagio are all well-connected with seamless modes of transport and offer connectivity to various important towns and cities as well. The town of Como can be accessed through either a train or a ferry from the city of Milan or can even be reached through a car or the roadways using a bus and a shuttle service using the national motorway. 

While Bellagio can only be accessed through the ferry, the town of Lugano is also well-connected through a network of transport including connection to the Zurich airport and station through its bus and shuttle services while being connected on the roadways through the A2 motorway.

Highlights:

An artistic fusion of breath-taking landscapes and stunning medieval architecture, Lake Como provides an endless range of activities for its visitors. A blend of historical landmarks and natural beauty, the shoreline is adorned with villas like Villa del Balbianello inviting visitors into the region’s rich history and elegant views. Bellagio’s waterfront and promenades are also testament to the region’s scenic beauty that is sure to captivate its visitors!

Lake Como also invites visitors to dive into the region’s history through the narrow streets of Bellagio’s Old town and The Como Cathedral representing the significant influences in the region while also catering to your taste buds with the authentic Gelato in Como from La Fabbrica Del Gelato while overlooking the peaceful Lake Como. 

Transportation:

The towns of Como and Bellagio are both well-connected with each other and nearby towns and cities through their seamless water networks in the form of Cruises and Ferry. Visitors can even reach Como from Milan through a train or bus between the two destinations while also choosing to drive for the stunning scenery along the way. The town of Bellagio however, only offers the opportunity for reaching the charming town through a ferry or a boat ride upholding a unique charm like none other!

Highlights:

The Villa Balbianello offers an authentic and immersive experience into the Italian culture through its guided tour inside the many rooms, stunning gardens and scenic terraces of the gigantic villa narrating countless stories and fascinating tales of its rich history. Visitors can even dive into the savoury cuisine of the Italians at various nearby restaurants!

The town of Bellagio invites you to a walking tour captivating you through its vibrant culture and awe-inspiring backdrops of the lake expanse and mountain views along a dive into the city’s history at the Basilica of San Giacomo or the region’s beauty at the Melzi Gardens. 

Transportation:

The Villa Balbianello, being on a hilly expanse of land and surrounded by water from its three ends; can only be accessed by either taking an excursion on foot from the Lenno Town centre or by taking a quick ride in a boat shuttle to the villa providing a curated experience of its unique location along its breathtaking beauty.