What to Eat on Lake Como: Missoltini, Polenta and Lake Fish
The complete Lake Como food guide: missoltini, perch risotto, polenta uncia, pizzoccheri, the alpine cheeses and Valtellina wines, and where each dish is done best.
The Lake Como Blog
Everything below is organised the way people actually plan a trip here: start with the essentials, pick what interests you, then browse the villages or dig into the latest articles further down.
Start planning Lake Como
The essentials, in the order most first-time visitors need them.
- Lake Como Travel GuideWhere to start if this is your first trip.
- Ferry GuideTimetables, routes and how tickets actually work.
- From Milan & AirportsMalpensa, Linate and Bergamo to the lake.
- Where to StayWhich town to base yourself in, and why.
- Best Time to VisitSeason by season, what to expect.
- Parking GuideDriving in, ZTLs and where to leave the car.
Choose what interests you
Jump straight to the kind of trip you’re planning.
- Villages & TownsAll 50, mapped and filterable.
- Villas & LandmarksThe grand houses and gardens worth the detour.
- Walking & HikingTrails, viewpoints and how strenuous they really are.
- FamiliesFerries, strollers, heat and what actually works with kids.
- Solo TravelIndependent planning without overplanning.
- Rainy-Day PlanningA practical backup plan when the weather turns.
- Film LocationsStar Wars, Casino Royale and other screen sites.
- Culture & FoodHistory, tradition and the character behind the postcard.
Explore the villages
A small selection to start with — the full map covers all 50.
- ComoFirst-time visitors and day-trippers from Milan wanting a city base with shops, restaurants and transport.
- CernobbioVilla and garden lovers after old-world glamour on the western shore, without the crowds.
- VarennaCouples and garden lovers wanting a calmer base than Bellagio once the day boats leave.
- NessoPhotographers and walkers hunting the quieter, dramatic side of the eastern shore.
- GravedonaRomanesque architecture and open-water swimming on the upper lake, without the crowds.
- LeccoA genuine Italian city over a resort — literature, mountains and lower prices.
Practical planning
Transport, timing and getting around without stress.
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Lake Como in Autumn and Winter: What Is Open, Month by Month
What is open on Lake Como from October to March: villa closing dates, the winter ferry timetable, which villages stay alive, Christmas in Como and a three-day winter plan.
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Lake Como Itinerary: 1, 2, 3 and 5 Days, Planned by Ferry
Four ready-to-use Lake Como itineraries for 1, 2, 3 and 5 days, built around real ferry legs, villa opening days and where to sleep, with a rainy-day swap for every day.
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Lake Como Villages: Map & Guide to Every Town and Hamlet
Explore every village and hamlet on Lake Como with an interactive map and filterable guide — organized by shore, transport access, and what each place is best for.
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Vercana, Lake Como: The Terrace Village Above Domaso
Panoramic views, quiet hillside atmosphere and walkers exploring beyond the waterfront.
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Vassena, Lake Como: The Harbour Heart of Oliveto Lario
A quiet harbour, olive landscapes and a less-visited base on the Lecco arm.
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Tavernola, Lake Como: The First Village Beyond Como
Transport connections, boat enthusiasts and travellers staying between Como and Cernobbio.
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Sorico, Lake Como: Where the Lake Opens Into the Alps
Birdwatching, easy nature routes and travellers curious about the lake’s transition into the Alps.
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Piona, Lake Como: The Abbey Peninsula of the Upper Lake
Romanesque architecture, quiet landscapes and a reflective half-day on the upper lake.
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Perledo, Lake Como: The Hill Villages Above Varenna
Hiking, hill views and travellers who want to explore beyond Varenna’s waterfront.
