Lake Como is one of those places that never gets old for me. I’ve visited more times than I can count, and every trip reminds me why it’s one of my favorite places in Italy. Between the dramatic mountains, elegant villas, lakeside villages, and incredible food, it’s somewhere I find myself returning to year after year.
On this trip, I was staying with family, so I didn’t book a hotel. But if I were planning my own Lake Como vacation, there are a few towns I would recommend over and over again.
In this guide, I’m sharing where I’d stay, the easiest ways to get around, my favorite boat tour, exactly how I visited Villa del Balbianello, where I ate, and a few restaurants I think are genuinely worth adding to your itinerary.
Although I stayed with family during this visit, I would recommend staying in one of these four towns if you’re visiting Lake Como for the first time.
Como for the easiest transportation from Milan and plenty of restaurants.
Varenna if you want postcard views and easy ferry connections.
Bellagio if you want to stay in one of the lake’s most famous villages.
Cernobbio if you’re looking for something elegant, quieter, and close to Como.
All four are easily accessible by car, ferry, or bus, making them great bases for exploring the lake.
If you plan on seeing multiple towns, I still think renting a car is the easiest option.
That said, you definitely don’t need one.
There are direct trains from Milan to Varenna, frequent buses connecting many of the villages, and ferries running throughout the day between the main towns. Honestly, taking the ferry is one of the best parts of visiting Lake Como because so many villages are easier to reach from the water than by driving around the lake.
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