Top 10 Best Towns in Lake Como You Can’t Miss

Trying to decide which are the best towns in Lake Como to add to your itinerary? You’re definitely not alone. Lake Como has been a popular destination since Roman times, and it’s easy to see why. From historic villas to colorful lakeside promenades, this part of Italy has attracted visitors for centuries.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through the best towns in Lake Como and what you can actually do in and around each one. From the northern part of the lake down to Como and Lecco in the south, exploring different Lake Como towns is one of the best ways to see the area.

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Best Towns in Lake Como You Have to Visit

1. Bellagio

If you’ve seen photos of Lake Como before, chances are Bellagio was in at least a few of them! Sitting right where the lake splits into two southern branches, it has one of the best locations on the entire lake.

Between the mountain views, elegant villas, and narrow cobblestone lanes, it easily ranks among the best towns in Lake Como.

Two of the most beautiful villas in Lake Como are located right in town. Parco di Villa Serbelloni is a 16th-century terraced garden with incredible views over the lake and mountains. Villa Melzi sits right along the waterfront and was designed by architect Giocondo Albertolli in a neoclassical style.

Because of its central location, Bellagio works really well as a base if you want to explore nearby towns and villages by ferry. The Navigazione Laghi ferry network connects Bellagio with many of the most popular spots around the lake, so getting around without a car is very doable.

The town itself is compact and easy to walk through. You can see the main highlights in half a day, but if you want to visit both villas, plan for a full day. If you’re visiting in warmer months, Lido di Bellagio is a great place to swim and relax by the water.

Other great things to do in Bellagio include walking along the waterfront promenade, wandering around Salita Serbelloni and Salita Antonio Mella, and stepping inside the 12th-century Basilica di San Giacomo.

2. Varenna

Set along the eastern shore of Lake Como, Varenna is one of those towns that instantly makes you slow down and take it all in. It’s about 60 km north of Milan and just a short 15-minute ferry ride from Bellagio, which makes it really easy to pair the two in one trip.

One of the reasons Varenna is so popular is how easy it is to reach. There’s a direct train connection from Milan, so it’s a great option if you’re planning a Lake Como day trip from Milan.

Thanks to the train and ferry connections, it’s also considered one of the best places to stay in Lake Como if you want to explore multiple towns without driving.

One of the most iconic things to do in Varenna is walking along the Passeggiata degli Innamorati, also known as the Walk of Lovers, which runs right along the water.

Another must do is the hike up to Castello di Vezio, a 12th-century castle sitting high above the lake. The walk is short but steep, and the views over the lake and mountains are worth it!

Like Bellagio, Varenna is also home to two beautiful villas you should add to your Lake Como itinerary.

Villa Monastero was once a women’s Cistercian monastery and is now a museum with long botanical gardens stretching along the lake. Villa Cipressi, built between the 1400s and 1800s, now operates as a hotel, but the terraced gardens are open to visitors.

If you want to add something a bit different to your time in town, joining an Italian pasta and tiramisu cooking class with drinks is a really fun experience.

3. Menaggio

Sitting almost directly across from Varenna on the western shore, Menaggio is one of the best towns in Lake Como if you want to mix classic lake views with outdoor activities like hiking and watersports.

There are direct ferries from Bellagio taking just 15 minutes, so it’s a piece of cake to get to, and you’ll enjoy incredible views as you cross from east to west.

One of the first things you should do upon arrival in Menaggio is to wander through the old town streets and then head down to the tree-lined promenade along the lake. The views across to the mountains and nearby towns are incredible, especially on a clear day!

Piazza Garibaldi is the heart of town and one of the prettiest spots to hang out for a bit. You’ll find cafes, restaurants, bars, and plenty of gelato shops around the square. It’s also worth stepping inside St. Stephen’s Church and Chiesa di Santa Marta, both just a short walk from the piazza.

There aren’t tons of big sights in Menaggio, but that’s honestly part of the appeal. It’s more about walking around, enjoying the lake views, and slowing down for a while. You only need a couple of hours to see the main highlights, so it’s easy to add to any Lake Como itinerary.

4. Tremezzo

About 5 km south of Menaggio, Tremezzo is best known for Villa Carlotta and its huge botanical gardens right along the lake. This 18th-century villa is easily one of the most famous sights on Lake Como and a must-stop on any trip to Lake Como!

Inside Villa Carlotta, you’ll find a museum and art gallery with works from well-known Italian artists like Francesco Hayez, plus sculptures from artists including Antonio Canova and Giovanni Migliara.

If you want to see several villas in one day, this full-day Lakeside Villas Tour is a really convenient option. It includes ferry transport and entry to three of the most impressive villas on Lake Como: Villa Monastero, Villa Melzi d’Eril, and Villa Carlotta.

Beyond the villa, Tremezzo is a relaxed lakeside town that’s nice for a slow walk along the waterfront. You can also stop by the Church of St Bartholomew, which dates back to the 12th century and was later rebuilt in the 17th century in a Baroque style with fresco details around the altar.

5. Lenno

Just a bit further south along the western shore, Lenno is smaller and quieter than many other Lake Como towns, but it’s home to one of the most famous sights on the lake: Villa del Balbianello.

Villa del Balbianello is one of those places that almost doesn’t look real in photos. It’s been featured in movies like Casino Royale and Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones, and the setting right on the tip of the wooded peninsula is incredible.

Tickets usually sell out fast, so it’s a good idea to book at least a few days in advance. If you want to visit both the villa and the gardens, you’ll need to plan even further ahead, since combo tickets can sell out weeks in advance.

Lenno itself is really nice for a slow stroll along the lakeside promenade. There are plenty of spots to stop for a drink, and Enoteca Bevibene is a great wine bar right by the water.

Other small but interesting sights include the 11th-century Baptistry with Baroque fresco details and the Church of St Stephen, which has a crypt dating back to Roman times.

6. Nesso

Tucked along the eastern side of the western branch of Lake Como, Nesso feels like a hidden little pocket of the lake. The village is split by a deep ravine where the Tuf and Nose rivers meet before dropping into a dramatic waterfall.

One of the most recognizable spots in town is Ponte della Civera, the stone bridge crossing the gorge. It was originally built on Roman foundations, but the arched bridge you see today dates back to the medieval period and is easily one of the most photographed corners of Nesso.

If you want a quieter, less crowded Lake Como stop, Nesso is a great choice. There aren’t many big sights or activities, but that’s part of the charm. It’s more about wandering through the small streets, stopping for an aperitif, and sitting down at a traditional trattoria.

Ristorante Albergo Bella Vista is a great pick for food, and as the name suggests, it comes with really nice lake and village views.

Public transport options are limited compared to bigger towns, so renting a car makes it much easier to reach Nesso. That said, you can still visit without a car. There are a few daily ferries running from Varenna to Nesso. Just make sure you don’t miss the last one!

7. Cernobbio

If you like classic Italian lakefront charm but want a town with a bit more going on, Cernobbio is easily one of the best Lake Como towns to visit. It sits on the southwestern shore of the lake, about 6 km from the city of Como, so it’s really easy to add to your plans.

There’s plenty to do in and around Cernobbio, especially if you enjoy hiking. One of the most popular trails is the Sentee di Sort, which connects Cernobbio with the small village of Rovenna. The trail is about 5.1 km and usually takes a couple of hours one way.

Another great option is hiking up toward Monte Bisbino. The trail climbs high above town through forested sections and opens up to wide views over Lake Como and, on clear days, even toward the Alps.

If hiking is not your thing, there’s still a lot to see in town. Villa Bernasconi is a beautiful Liberty-style villa you can visit, while Villa Erba is another historic property often used for exhibitions and events. Il Giardino della Valle is also worth a stop if you want a peaceful green space just outside the busy lakefront area.

8. Bellano

Just north of Varenna on the eastern shore, Bellano is one of the more unique towns in Lake Como, especially if you like places that mix history with nature. It’s about 6.6 km from Varenna, so it’s really easy to combine the two in one trip.

One of the main reasons people visit is the Orrido di Bellano, also known as the Bellano Gorge. It’s easily one of the most impressive hidden gems in Lake Como!

The River Pioverna cuts through a deep ravine that formed over roughly 15 million years of erosion, and you can walk along wooden walkways built along the sides of the gorge and over the river.

Another interesting stop in town is the 13th-century Saint Nicolao Temple. Today it’s used for cultural events and exhibitions, and you can still see restored 14th-century fresco details inside.

9. Como

Como is one of the best-known towns in Lake Como and gets especially busy during the summer months, so visiting in the off-season can be a really nice experience. If you want more of a city feel with nightlife, restaurants, and easy transport connections, Como is a great choice.

The city sits about 55 km from Milan, with frequent trains and buses running between the two. Trains from Milano Centrale take around 40 minutes to reach Como, and if you book early, tickets can be surprisingly affordable.

One of the best things to do in Como is to visit the Gothic Como Cathedral. The design combines styles from different periods, including Gothic, Baroque, Rococo, and Neoclassical elements, which makes it really interesting to see up close.

You can also spot statues of Pliny the Younger and Pliny the Elder, both originally from Como. Pliny the Younger is known for documenting the eruption of Mount Vesuvius that destroyed Pompeii and Herculaneum in AD 79.

Villas are a huge part of Lake Como, and Villa Olmo is one of the easiest ones to visit near the city. It has a museum inside and large lakeside gardens that are open to the public.

Another must-do is riding the Como-Brunate Funicular, which takes you up the mountainside to the small town of Brunate. The views over Lake Como from the top are incredible, and it’s a really easy trip to add to your day in Como.

10. Lecco

Lecco sits at the southern tip of the eastern branch of Lake Como and is about a similar distance from Milan as Como, depending on where you’re starting in the city. With the Alps rising right behind it, Lecco is a great pick if you like lake views mixed with mountain scenery.

The city also has a strong cultural side and is closely linked to Alessandro Manzoni’s famous novel The Betrothed. Walking around the historic center, you’ll notice a mix of Baroque architecture, lakeside views, and dramatic mountain backdrops.

One of the top things to do in Lecco is to take the cable car up to Piani d’Erna. From the top, you get wide views over the lake and surrounding mountain peaks, and there are also hiking trails if you want to stay up there longer.

In town, make time to see the Bell Tower of San Nicolò, one of Lecco’s most recognizable landmarks. If you’re interested in literature, Villa Manzoni is also worth visiting. It was once the summer residence of Alessandro Manzoni and now works as a museum dedicated to his life and work.