Lake Como is one of the most elegant destinations in the world.
Historic villas, extraordinary gardens, villages perched above the water.
From the moment you arrive, you understand why artists, writers and European aristocrats have been drawn here for centuries.
I've been coming to Lake Como regularly since 2021. I know which villages reward slow travel, which connections actually work, and where to go when you want to feel like you've found something the guidebooks missed.
This is what I'd tell you before you book anything.
FAQ
How many days do I need on Lake Como?
Two nights minimum. Three to four days to actually explore at a pace that doesn't feel rushed.
Do I need a car?
No. Ferries and buses cover the main routes. Everything is reachable without one.
Is Lake Como worth it if I've already seen another lake?
Yes. It's a completely different experience. They don't compete.
What's the difference between your service and a guided tour?
A guided tour gives you one fixed experience at a fixed time with a fixed group.
I give you a complete itinerary built around your dates, your pace, and your priorities, which you execute independently.
No group, no compromise.
Where to stay
As a base, I recommend Como city.
Well connected to Milan and to the rest of the lake, with enough character and personality to be worth exploring in its own right.
What not to miss
Bellagio is the most well-known village on the lake and can get very crowded.
My advice: go in the afternoon, when the morning tourist rush has died down. Don't forget the beautiful Villa Melzi.
Varenna. A personal favourite. Take the time to visit Villa Monastero and the gardens of Villa Cipressi.
Lenno, a village most tourists pass through without stopping. A mistake. It's my own quiet haven on the lake. Make sure to book in advance the ticket for Villa del Balabianello.
Villa Carlotta is one of the most beautiful villas on the lake. Its terraced gardens overlook the water and house an exceptional botanical collection, azaleas, rhododendrons, giant bamboos. In spring, it's one of the most spectacular sights on the lake.
Getting around
The ferry is the backbone of the lake. It connects the main villages, it's scenic, and it's often faster than the road.
Learn the schedule before you arrive, not all routes run all day, and frequency drops outside high season.
Buses run along both shores and cover villages the ferries don't reach. They're reliable and cheap, and can be busy sometimes.
The road along the lake is narrow and congested in high season.
Don't plan your day around driving.
What most travelers never find
Corenno Plinio.
One of the smallest medieval villages on the lake, a castle, a church, stone houses, and almost no one else. Accessible by ferry and on foot.
The kind of place that makes everything else feel over-visited.
Santuario del Santissimo Crocifisso, Como.
A sanctuary just outside Como city center, almost entirely off the tourist circuit.
The setting is extraordinary and the silence even more so.
Via Verde.
A hiking trail lesser known tha than the Greenway and Sentiero del Viandante.
About
I'm Virginie Marcolungo, founder of Italy Easy Travel.
I design custom itineraries for anyone who wants to actually experience Italy, not just visit it.
I've been traveling to Italy almost every month since 2021.
I have a professional background in tourism and 23 years of senior logistics work.
I know how to build a plan that holds up on the ground, handles the unexpected, and leaves room for the moments you didn't plan.
My fee covers your complete day-by-day itinerary, accommodation recommendations, restaurant suggestions, transport logistics,
and an interactive map.
No commissions. No sponsored recommendations. No guesswork.
If you want a trip that actually works in real life, I’ll design it for you.