Lake Como Travel Guide: Top Things to Do & Best Photo Spots

Andrew on a Vespa at a Lake Como viewpoint with the lake and mountains behind

Andrew on the Vespa aboard the lake car ferry at sunset

How we did it01

Ride in by Vespa

📍 Milan → Lake Como, and all around the shore

If you can ride, do this. We picked up a Vespa in Milan and buzzed up to the lake, then spent our days weaving along the shoreline roads from village to village, stopping at every viewpoint that caught our eye. The lake is shaped like an upside-down Y, so you'll also want the car ferry in the middle (Bellagio–Varenna–Menaggio) — rolling the Vespa on board at sunset was a trip highlight in itself.

Rent in MilanUse the mid-lake ferry

The famous stepped shopping lane in Bellagio with a hanging lantern

Most iconic02

Bellagio

📍 Bellagio · the tip of the central peninsula

"The pearl of the lake," and it earns the name. Bellagio's steep cobbled lanes climb between pastel houses draped in flowers, lined with little shops and gelaterias, and every gap between the buildings frames the water. It sits right where the lake splits in two, so the views are the best anywhere. Busy in August, yes — go early or late and it's magic.

Steep cobbled stepsBest mid-lake views

Prettiest village03

Varenna

📍 Varenna · eastern shore

Quieter and, honestly, our favourite of the villages — a little fishing town of ochre and pink houses stacked above a tiny harbour, with a romantic waterside walkway (the "Walk of Lovers") threading along the shore. It's just across the ferry from Bellagio, so we hopped over and spent a slow golden-hour evening here wandering the lanes.

Walk of LoversGolden hour

Melody on the wrought-iron villa balcony over the lake

Us kissing in an ornate villa loggia framing the lake, checkerboard marble floor

Most romantic04

The waterfront villa gardens

📍 Varenna (Villa Monastero) & Lenno (Villa del Balbianello)

Como's historic villas open their gardens to visitors, and they're pure fantasy — terraced lawns, statues, cypresses and loggias built right out over the water. Villa Monastero in Varenna has a two-kilometre garden path along the shore; Villa del Balbianello near Lenno is the film-famous one (Star Wars and Bond both shot here). Wander slowly and take the photo through every archway.

Buy tickets on siteEndless photo spots

Us in the formal garden in front of the pink Villa Carlotta

Best gardens05

Villa Carlotta

📍 Tremezzo · western shore

A blush-pink baroque villa above a botanical garden that's worth the visit on its own — clipped hedges, a water-lily pond, citrus terraces and, depending on the season, banks of colour. Climb up to the villa for the view straight back down the symmetrical terraces to the lake (in the second photo). It's an easy ferry or Vespa hop from Bellagio across the water, and a lovely, calmer counterpoint to the busy villages.

Botanical gardenAcross from Bellagio

For the film buffs06

The Casino Royale house

📍 Villa Gaeta · San Siro, western shore

Bond fans will recognise this castellated lakeside mansion instantly — Villa Gaeta is "Mr White's residence" from the closing scene of Casino Royale. It's a private home so you can't go in, but you get a perfect view of it from the water (or from the road as you ride past). A fun one to spot if you grew up on the films like we did.

Private — view onlyBest seen from the water

The ivy-covered houses and old stone bridge over the green gorge at Nesso

Hidden gem07

Nesso & its gorge

📍 Nesso · western shore, south of Bellagio

A tiny village tumbling down the mountainside to a hidden spot where a waterfall meets the lake under an ancient humpback stone bridge (the Orrido di Nesso). Ivy-covered houses, emerald water, and locals leaping off the rocks in summer. It's a steep climb down and back up, but it's one of the most photogenic corners on the whole lake.

Steep steps downBring swimwear

Red flowers in the foreground with the lake and mountains beyond

Us on a lakeside bench looking out over the water and mountains

Best experience08

Get out on the water

📍 On the lake itself

However you see Como from the shore, it's even better from the middle of it — the villas, the villages and the mountains all line up from the water in a way you just can't get from land. The loveliest way to do it is a classic wooden boat cruise, gliding past the grand villa fronts with the wind off the lake. We'd happily point you to this one.

See the villas from the waterClassic wooden boat

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