Lake Como in a nutshell
Lake Como lies in the north of Lombardy, about an hour by train from Milan. The towns that visitors know best sit on or near the middle of the lake: Bellagio on its peninsula, Varenna on the eastern shore, Menaggio on the western shore and Tremezzo and Lenno with their villas. Como, the city at the southern end, is a separate base with its cathedral and a funicular.
For every ferry, villa and lakeside town in more detail, see our separate Lake Como guide.
This is an independent guide. It is not run by a ferry company, a villa, a municipality or a tourism board. Prices are in euros as listed for 2026, and they change, so check the operator before you go.
Where to start
Each town has its own guide. These are the places most trips are built around.
Our picks: Lake Como tours
A day trip from Milan, a villa boat tour and a boat ride from Varenna.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in euros (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Lake Como day trip to Bellagio and Varenna by bus and boat
Bus from Milan, a boat ride, time in Bellagio and Varenna and a guide. Food, drinks and personal expenses are extra.
Check availability →
Varenna boat tour with entry to the Balbianello gardens
A panoramic boat trip, entry to the gardens of Villa del Balbianello and an audio guide app. The villa interior, headphones, tips and hotel pick-up are not included.
Check availability →Lake Como boat tour past the villas with prosecco
A boat trip with a local guide, prosecco and soft drinks. Hotel transfer is not included.
Check availability →Lake Como tours and day trips
Boat trips, villa visits and day trips from Milan, with live prices and availability.
Villas, gardens and castle compared
Adult prices for 2026 as listed by each operator.
| Place | Adult ticket | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Villa Melzi gardens, Bellagio | €10 | No reservation. The villa building is closed to visitors. |
| Villa Monastero, Varenna | €15 | Garden and museum. The museum is closed on Tuesdays in October. |
| Castello di Vezio, above Varenna | €7 | No reservation. The falconry has ended for good. |
| Villa del Balbianello, Lenno | €15 park, €25 villa and park | Reservation required. No car access. |
| Villa Carlotta, Tremezzo | €17.50 | Bus C110 stops at Tremezzo-Villa Carlotta. |
Opening hours shorten from late October. Villa Carlotta closes at 6 p.m. from 19 October to 8 November 2026 (last ticket 5 p.m.), and Villa Melzi lists 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. from 25 October and 1 November as its closing date. Always check the current season before you plan a day around one villa.
Menaggio and the western shore
Menaggio sits on the western shore, directly across from Varenna and Bellagio. It is a ferry hub: the public ferry network links it with both towns, and each pier has its own departure list. Check the current bus and ferry times for your arrival.
The town is a good base if you like to walk. The route to La Crocetta starts at Piazza Garibaldi and climbs through the old centre. The published route data give 4 km and about 1 hour 20 minutes one way, with 430 metres of climbing and a top height of 498 metres. It is not a flat lakeside stroll, so wear proper shoes.
Getting around Lake Como
Ferries are the easiest way to link the towns. The car is rarely an advantage.
Public ferries
Navigazione Laghi runs ferries and fast boats from Como to Colico, a separate Bellagio-Lecco link, and a car ferry between Bellagio, Cadenabbia, Varenna and Menaggio. Adult single fares are €3, €4.50, €5.50, €8, €9.50, €12, €13.50 and €14.50 for fare bands 1 to 8, valid from 1 April 2026. Bellagio to Varenna and Bellagio to Menaggio fall in band 3, listed at €5.50 single. Direct crossings in the middle of the lake take about 15 minutes.
Ferry guide →Day passes
Adult day passes for bands 1 to 8 cost €8, €11.50, €17.50, €18.50, €22.50, €27, €29.50 and €32. A pass is personal and covers only the area printed on it. Fast boats cost a surcharge. A passenger day pass does not include a car.
Car ferry
A car up to 3.50 metres with its driver costs €10.10 one way. Cars over 3.50 and up to 4.50 metres cost €12.70, and longer cars €16.80. Passengers need their own tickets. A bicycle with rider costs €6.70.
Train from Milan
Trains run from Milano Centrale to Varenna Esino in about 64 minutes, roughly every hour. From Milano Cadorna to Como Lago takes about 60 minutes, roughly every half hour. Trenord regional fares changed on 1 September 2026, so older prices in guidebooks may be out of date.
Day trips from Milan →Boat tours
A shared one-hour round trip from Varenna costs €60 per person at one operator in 2026. Villas are seen from the water, and entry is not included. Private boats start at €300 for one hour.
Boat tours →What to know in autumn 2026
Timetables, closures and changes.
Autumn ferry timetable
The operator lists autumn timetables until 1 November 2026. The start date appears as 4 or 5 October, depending on the page. No winter timetable for the lake is published yet, so check the current timetable before you plan a late-season trip.
Notices for Musso and Faggeto Lario
Notices dated 2 and 6 October 2026 report a temporary stop of service at these piers. Check the notice before you plan to use them.
Bad weather
Sailings can be cancelled in bad weather or heavy waves. Follow the staff at the pier and on board.
Winter opening
Villa Carlotta lists extra openings on 14 and 15, 21 and 22, and 28 and 29 November and from 5 to 8 December 2026, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Villa Monastero lists Tuesday and Wednesday as closing days from November, with hours of 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Lake Como sights in one place
A short list for a first visit.
Things to do in Lombardy
Fifteen experiences, from the Villa Melzi gardens to Mantua and Cremona.
Lake Como ferry
Fare bands, day passes and the car ferry.
Best time to visit
Month by month temperatures and what changes by season.
For the nearby Lake Iseo, see the Lake Iseo guide. Lake Garda and the Valtellina valley are outside this guide.
Lake Como: frequently asked questions
How many days do I need at Lake Como?
Two or three days cover the middle of the lake: Bellagio, Varenna and one villa. Add a day for Como and the funicular, and another for Villa del Balbianello, which needs a reservation.
Do I need a car at Lake Como?
No. Ferries link Bellagio, Varenna, Menaggio and Cadenabbia, and trains reach Como and Varenna from Milan. A car is useful only for places away from the piers. In Bellagio, zones with traffic limits require a municipal permit.
How much does the Lake Como ferry cost?
Adult single fares start at €3 in the lowest fare band and reach €14.50 in band 8, valid from 1 April 2026. Bellagio to Varenna is listed at €5.50. Children aged 4 to 11 pay lower fares, from €1.80.
Can I buy a ferry ticket on board?
For the car ferry, an on-board surcharge of €1 per vehicle or traveller is listed. The operator also lists free on-board purchase at piers without a ticket office. Arrive about 20 minutes before departure.
Is Villa del Balbianello worth a reservation?
Entry is only by reservation, with €15 for the park or €25 for villa and park. The villa interior is visited on a guided tour of about 50 minutes. The booked time is the entry to the grounds, and the tour can start up to an hour later.
Which town is the best base?
Varenna suits visitors without a car, as it has a direct train and ferries. Bellagio and Menaggio sit in the ferry network, with one more leg after the train. Como suits the cathedral and the funicular.