Top Things to Do in Como — Complete Guide 2026
From Gothic cathedrals and panoramic funiculars to Renaissance villas, lake ferries, silk heritage, and Alpine hiking trails — the 15 best things to do in Como and Lake Como.
Como is one of northern Italy's most complete destinations: a historic city with a magnificent cathedral, a gateway to one of the world's most beautiful lakes, and a base for exploring Renaissance villas, Alpine trails, and lakeside villages that have enchanted visitors since Roman times. Whether you have a single day or a full week, this guide covers the essential experiences — starting in the city of Como itself and radiating outward to the villas, mountains, and ferries that make Lake Como unforgettable.
1. Duomo di Como — The Cathedral
Como's Duomo is one of northern Italy's most remarkable cathedrals, a masterpiece of Gothic and Renaissance architecture that took nearly 400 years to complete. Construction began in 1396 and finished in 1770, and the resulting building is a harmonious blend of styles: the façade is a triumph of Lombard Gothic, with intricate marble carvings, rose window, and a series of statues of Pliny the Elder and Pliny the Younger — Como's most celebrated Roman citizens — flanking the entrance. Inside, the soaring nave is lined with 16th-century tapestries, the wooden choir stalls are intricately carved, and the Baroque organ is a work of art in its own right. The cathedral is free to enter and sits on Piazza Duomo, the heart of Como's historic centre, surrounded by cafés and gelaterie. Allow at least 30 minutes to absorb the interior, longer if you want to study the details.
2. Como-Brunate Funicular — The Balcony of the Alps
The Como-Brunate funicular is the single best thing you can do in Como for views. In just seven minutes, the bright red carriage climbs 500 metres from the station on Via Plinio (a 10-minute walk from the centre) to the village of Brunate, known as the 'Balcony of the Alps'. At the top, the panorama unfolds: the full sweep of Lake Como's western branch stretches south towards Milan, the wooded hills of Brianza rise to the east, and on clear days the distant massifs of Monte Rosa and the Bernina Range crown the northern horizon. The Faro Voltiano, a lighthouse built in 1927 to honour Alessandro Volta on the centenary of his death, sits a 30-minute walk uphill from the funicular station. From the lighthouse terrace, the 360-degree view is jaw-dropping — the entire lake, the city of Como below, and the Alpine arc in full glory. The funicular runs year-round, every 30 minutes in winter and every 15 minutes in summer. Round-trip tickets cost a few euros and can be purchased at the station.
3. Villa Olmo
Villa Olmo is Como's grandest lakeside palazzo, an 18th-century neoclassical masterpiece that sits directly on the western shore of the lake, a 15-minute walk from the centre along the Lungo Lario promenade. Commissioned by the Odescalchi family, the villa has hosted an extraordinary roll call of historical figures: Napoleon Bonaparte, Empress Maria Theresa of Austria, and Giuseppe Garibaldi all slept here. The villa itself hosts temporary art exhibitions and cultural events throughout the year, but the real draw is the English-style gardens, which are free to enter and among the most beautiful green spaces on the lake. Mature cedars, magnolia trees, and manicured lawns frame views across the water, and the lakeside path continues past the villa towards the village of Cernobbio. The Lido di Villa Olmo, adjacent to the villa gardens, offers swimming pools, sun loungers, and direct lake access in summer.
4. Tempio Voltiano — Alessandro Volta Museum
Como's most famous son, Alessandro Volta (1745–1827), invented the electric battery in 1800 and gave his name to the volt. The Tempio Voltiano, a striking neoclassical temple built in 1927 on the lakefront to mark the centenary of his death, houses a museum dedicated to his life and work. Inside, you will find original scientific instruments, Volta's manuscripts, the first voltaic piles (the original batteries), and a reconstruction of his laboratory. Even for non-scientists, the museum offers a fascinating window into the Enlightenment world of Como in the late 18th century, when Volta corresponded with the greatest minds of Europe. The temple itself, with its domed roof and Ionic columns, is a photogenic landmark on the lakeside promenade. Entry is inexpensive and takes about 45 minutes.
5. Take the Ferry to Bellagio
Bellagio, often called the 'Pearl of Lake Como', sits at the tip of the promontory where the lake's three branches — Como, Lecco, and Colico — converge. The ferry journey from Como's pier at Piazza Cavour is an experience in itself: the boat glides past wooded hillsides dotted with villas, each bend revealing a new composition of water, mountain, and sky. The fast ferry (aliscafo) takes about 50 minutes; the slower car ferry, which stops at villages including Tremezzo and Lenno, takes about 2 hours and is the better choice if you want to absorb the scenery. In Bellagio, wander the stepped stone lanes (salite), window-shop in silk boutiques, take an aperitivo on a terrace overlooking the lake, and visit the gardens of Villa Melzi, a neoclassical villa whose English-style gardens slope down to the water's edge. Ferries run frequently in summer; winter schedules are reduced but still operational.
6. Villa Carlotta — Tremezzo
Villa Carlotta, in the village of Tremezzo on the lake's western shore, is home to arguably the most beautiful botanical gardens on any Italian lake. The 17th-century villa was given by a Prussian princess to her daughter Carlotta as a wedding present in 1843, and the 70,000 square metres of gardens she created are a masterpiece of landscape design. In spring, the camellia, azalea, and rhododendron displays are world-famous; by summer, the rose gardens and citrus terraces take over; and in autumn, the mature specimen trees turn spectacular colours. The villa interior contains sculptures by Canova, including his celebrated 'Cupid and Psyche', and frescoed rooms that offer a glimpse of aristocratic life on the lake. Reach Tremezzo by ferry from Como (about 1 hour) or combine with a visit to Bellagio, which is a short ferry connection across the lake. Allow 2–3 hours for Villa Carlotta.
7. Villa Balbianello — Lenno
Perched on a wooded promontory jutting into Lake Como, Villa Balbianello is one of the most photogenic villas in Italy — and Hollywood knows it: the villa appears in Star Wars: Episode II (as the lakeside retreat where Anakin and Padmé marry) and Casino Royale (as the hospital where Bond recovers). The villa was the final home of Guido Monzino, an explorer who led the first Italian expedition to summit Mount Everest, and its interior is filled with his collection of maps, artefacts, and expedition memorabilia. But it is the gardens — a series of terraces cascading down to the water, shaded by holm oaks, with a loggia offering the most-photographed view on Lake Como — that steal the show. Access is via a 20-minute walk along the lakeshore from Lenno, or by water taxi from Lenno's pier. Ferry from Como to Lenno takes about an hour. The villa is open mid-March to October; book ahead in peak season, as visitor numbers are limited.
8. Museo Didattico della Seta — Silk Museum
Como has been a centre of silk production since the 15th century, when Ludovico Sforza, Duke of Milan, encouraged the planting of mulberry trees and the importation of silkworms. By the 19th century, Como's silk mills were supplying fashion houses across Europe, and today the city remains a global centre for high-end silk textiles — the ties, scarves, and fabrics produced here supply the world's leading fashion brands. The Museo Didattico della Seta (Educational Silk Museum) tells this remarkable story from silkworm to finished fabric, with working looms, dyeing demonstrations, and exhibits on the social history of Como's silk workers. It is housed in a former silk mill that operated until the 1970s, and the machinery — from handlooms to 20th-century power looms — is fascinating. The museum is a 15-minute walk from the centre; allow 1–1.5 hours.
9. Porta Torre & Como's Medieval Walls
In 1127, Como was destroyed by the Milanese after a decade-long war. When the city was rebuilt, it was encircled by formidable stone walls punctuated by gates and towers, of which the Porta Torre is the most impressive survivor. This 40-metre-high tower, built in 1192, stands at the southern edge of the historic centre on Via Cesare Cantù. Its massive rusticated stone base and slit windows speak to its original military purpose, though today it presides over a pleasant square lined with shops and cafés. The surviving stretches of medieval wall, particularly along Viale Varese on the eastern side of the centre, are worth a walk: they frame a quieter, more residential Como that most visitors miss. Nearby, the Castello Baradello — an 11th-century fortress on a hill overlooking the city — can be reached by a 45-minute hike or a short drive, and rewards with panoramic views over Como and the southern end of the lake.
10. Greenway del Lago di Como
The Greenway del Lago di Como is a 10-kilometre walking trail along the western shore of the lake, running from Colonno to Cadenabbia via Sala Comacina, Ossuccio, Lenno, Mezzegra, Tremezzo, and Griante. The trail follows ancient mule tracks, village streets, and dedicated footpaths, passing olive groves, Romanesque churches, and lake-view terraces along the way. It is not a strenuous hike — the terrain is mostly gentle, with some uphill sections — and can be walked in either direction in about 3–4 hours. The Greenway connects directly to Villa Carlotta (in Tremezzo) and passes close to Villa Balbianello (in Lenno), making it possible to combine walking with villa visits. Spring and autumn are the ideal seasons; summer can be hot in the exposed sections. To reach the trailhead at Colonno from Como, take the C10 bus (about 40 minutes) or the ferry. There are cafés and restaurants in each village along the route.
11. Orrido di Nesso — The Nesso Gorge
The village of Nesso, roughly halfway between Como and Bellagio, is home to one of the lake's most dramatic natural features: the Orrido di Nesso, a deep gorge carved by the Tuf and Nosè streams as they plunge into Lake Como. The highlight is a powerful waterfall that cascades over moss-covered rocks beneath an ancient stone bridge — the Ponte della Civera, a Romanesque bridge that arches gracefully over the gorge. The scene is particularly spectacular after rain, when the water thunders into the emerald pool below. Nesso itself is one of the lake's most photogenic villages, with pastel-coloured houses clinging to the hillside and stepped lanes leading down to a tiny harbour. Reach Nesso by car (about 20 minutes from Como), bus, or ferry — some ferry services stop at Nesso on the Como-Bellagio route.
12. Basilica di Sant'Abbondio
A 15-minute walk from Como's centre along Via Sant'Abbondio, this Romanesque basilica is one of Lombardy's most important medieval churches and a UNESCO-listed site. Built between 1050 and 1095 in the Lombard Romanesque style, the basilica has a remarkably austere, pure aesthetic: the façade is plain brick and stone, the nave is flanked by twin bell towers, and the interior features extraordinary 14th-century frescoes in the apse depicting scenes from the life of Christ. The basilica was originally a Benedictine monastery church, and its cloister and chapter house, adjacent to the church, now belong to the University of Insubria. Sant'Abbondio feels a world away from the tourist bustle of the lakeshore — it is one of Como's most peaceful and moving spaces, and admission is free. The 11th-century church of San Carpoforo, even older and simpler, is nearby.
13. Explore Cernobbio & Villa d'Este
Cernobbio, the first village west of Como along the lake, is a 35-minute walk from the centre along the Lungo Lario or a short bus ride. It is known above all for Villa d'Este, one of the world's most famous luxury hotels, set in 10 hectares of Renaissance gardens that were laid out in the 16th century for Cardinal Tolomeo Gallio. The villa hotel itself is only accessible to guests, but the gardens are occasionally open to the public on select dates — check in advance. Even without access, Cernobbio is worth visiting for its elegant lakefront piazza, its concentration of excellent restaurants, and the walk to the viewpoint at the Pizzallo mountain chapel above the village. In December, Cernobbio's Christmas market is one of the lake region's best.
14. Day Trip to Varenna
On the eastern shore of Lake Como, facing Bellagio across the water, Varenna is one of the lake's most romantic villages. Its stepped lanes, painted in warm ochre and terracotta, descend to a small harbour where the ferry docks. The lakeside Passeggiata degli Innamorati (Lovers' Walk) connects the harbour to a pebble beach and the ferry stop, all under a canopy of olive and cypress trees. Villa Monastero, a former Cistercian convent turned noble residence, has beautifully terraced gardens that slope down to the lake and a museum tracing the villa's history. The Castello di Vezio, a medieval castle on the hill above Varenna, offers panoramic views and is known for its falconry displays. Reach Varenna from Como via ferry (a change at Bellagio, or direct on some summer services) or by train from Como San Giovanni to Varenna-Esino station (about 1 hour, then a 10-minute downhill walk to the village).
15. Hike to Monte Boletto & Monte Bolettone
For walkers seeking more than the Greenway, the mountains above Como offer some of the best hiking in the Prealps. The twin peaks of Monte Boletto (1,236m) and Monte Bolettone (1,317m) form the ridge rising immediately behind Brunate and are accessible via a well-maintained network of trails. Take the funicular to Brunate, then follow trail markers for the Dorsale del Triangolo Lariano — the ridge of the Larian Triangle, the mountainous peninsula between the Como and Lecco branches of the lake. The hike to Boletto takes about 2 hours from Brunate and rewards with a 360-degree panorama encompassing Lake Como to the north, the Brianza plains to the south, and on clear days, the Apennines on the horizon. Bolettone adds another 45 minutes and offers views of both branches of the lake simultaneously. In spring, the trails are lined with wild orchids and gentians. The Rifugio Bolettone mountain hut serves simple food and drink at weekends. Proper footwear and water are essential; snow can linger on the ridge into April.
Lake Como Ferry Network — A Practical Guide
The ferry and hydrofoil network on Lake Como is run by Navigazione Laghi and is essential for getting the most from your visit. Como's main pier is on Piazza Cavour, immediately in front of the Hotel Barchetta Excelsior. From here, you can reach Bellagio, Varenna, Tremezzo, Lenno, Menaggio, and most villages on the western and central lake. The fast ferry (servizio rapido, or aliscafo) is significantly quicker but costs more; the slower traghetto (car ferry) is cheaper and wonderfully scenic. Tickets can be purchased at the pier ticket office or at tabaccherie displaying the Navigazione Laghi sign. In summer, ferries run frequently; in winter, the schedule is reduced and some villages are served only by bus. The official timetable is available at navigazionelaghi.it — download it before travelling, as printed schedules at the pier can be out of date. For exploring the western shore villages and the Greenway, the C10 bus (ASF Autolinee) runs from Como to Colico along the lakeside road and is a reliable alternative when ferry times do not align.