Lake Como is a beautiful and peaceful area surrounded by picturesque villages and mountains. Located only 50 km from Milan and an hour of local train ride away, it is the perfect place to visit either for a day escape to the nature from city hustle of Milan, as well as an ideal place to spend a relaxing and charming holiday.

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Start right off the bat

The easiest to start your journey on you lake Como escape is to take the regional train from Cadorna in the morning and arrive to Como Nord Lago around 10 am. Don’t worry about missing the stop- its the final station of this ride and the train stops right in front of the lake. Como and its lake are a very stunning area, you’ll notice as soon as you arrive.

After exiting the train station, immediatly take the street on the right along side of the lake and find the Funicolare entrance- a small train that goes up the mountain to the picturesque village of Brunate. Your first adventure of the day will be hiking up from there to the lighthouse on top of the mountain and enjoy a breathtaking view over all Como.

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↬ Note : Unfortunately for us, on the day of our visit, the funicular was sadly closed for maintenance, so we couldn’t do the hike… ?the disappointment was real!

If you like the extra thrill, on the way back down from Brunate, try to get the spot right by the window. Its both fun and a bit scary sliding down the mountain- specially when you see train coming from the opposite direction of a single rail…?

Lunch Break & Afternoon Plans

Back in Como stop for lunch at one of the restaurants in front of the lake. You will find typical Italian food and delicious fresh lake fishes, there’s a few different spots you can try, for different price range. Food in Italy is rarely a bad experience anyways thanks to their fresh products from local farms.

↬ TIP : Restaurant Fontana D’Oro has the best seafood spaghetti we ever had ?

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After lunch make your way towards the port and board a ferry to the Bellagio- astonishing village where where the Lake’s three arms meet. Take a gelato and walk on the romantic lakeside Lungo Lario Manzoni, until you reach the world famous Villa Serbelloni, a luxury hotel built in the 15th century or take Via Eugenio Vitali and arrive to Punta Spartivento- the exact spot where three branches of the lake meet and where locals’ boats are moored. Here you can relax and take some amazing pictures.

↬ Note : One-way ticket Como-Bellagio regular ferry costs €10.40 and €14.80 for fast service. Boats leave every 20min on average from Como to Bellagio, from 7:30 AM to 7:30 PM for the last Bellagio-Como return. But just to be sure, please check the return-boat that suits you the best before hand.

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Back for the Finale

Back in Como continue the tour around the lake all the way to Villa Olmo, a 18th century villa that’s currently a museum (opposite side of the funiculare)

↬ TIP : To finish you amazing lake Como escape with an extra thrill, take a 30 min seaplane tour departing from Aero Club Como. Not cheap, but you will definitely cherish the memories. The cost is 190 Euro for 2 people.

At the end of the day stroll through the beautiful old town, passing next to Cathedral of Como, gothic church built in the 15th century.

↬ Note : Don’t forget to stamp your ticket at one of the machines before entering the return train. There aren’t any barriers so lots of people forget about it. Most of conductors forgive the tourists, but there is no point of risking a fine when you have a valid a ticket.

How to get there:

The regional trains Trenord leave from Cadorna train station in the centre of Milan, every half an hour. Its the easiest, cheapest and most convenient way to arrive to Como- the train stops right in front of the lake in the centre.

↬ TIP : You can book your ticket online here.

Or buy it at one of the machines at the station

Ticket price 5,50 Euro 2nd class one way (do not opt for the first class ticket, there is almost no different between 1st and 2nd class on those small trains)

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What to take

Comfortable shoes as you will walk a lot.

Dress accordingly to the weather. Remember that in the summer the lake will bring a desired freshness, but in the winter it might get extra cold as you are higher in altitude.

When is the best time to go

A lake Como escape can be done pretty much whenever as Como is beautiful all year long. But the most ideal time if during the spring or early autumn- when the season is still low and its not too hot.

↬ By the way, have you read our Food & Exploration Guide of Milan?