Situated in northern Italy, Lake Como has been attracting travelers for over one hundred years now. Being a part of the Italian Lake District, Lake Como offers a grandiose combination of spectacular landscapes, mountainous vistas, beautiful weather, wonderful towns and picturesque waterbodies. It is the third largest lake in all of Italy, and it was termed as the most beautiful lake in the world by The Huffington Post! Surely you can understand, a Lake Como vacation will not only be extraordinary, it will be something so beautiful that you will cherish the memories of this vacation throughout your whole life. And if you are trying to plan a vacation to Italy for your next holiday, but you don’t want to visit the obvious destinations, then Lake Como is surely the perfect destination for you.

When to go

The weather around Lake Como is truly a delight for travelers. The Mediterranean sun blesses the area near this lake with beautiful sunshine. There are very little clouds, and the area enjoys over 200 days of sunshine every year. That is why the temperature near Lake Como stays really warm and comfortable, despite its location near the mountains. July and August are considered to be the peak season to visit Lake Como, as the area enjoys the best weather during this time. However, with great weather, comes a greater number of tourists. That is why it is recommended to visit this beautiful place is anytime during the months of March and November, barring the peak season. The weather will be nice for the maximum part and you will get to explore this beautiful place with all its serenity, without having to run into a ton of crowd.

Where to go

Bellagio

Located at the junction of the two legs of Lake Como, the town of Bellagio is probably the most popular town of this area. It is one of the favorite places in this region among the tourists. The town is beautiful with cobbled streets and stunning buildings. The winding streets are lined with numerous restaurants, shops and cafes where you can spend hours. It is one of the boat hubs in this area and you can go for a boat ride through the beautiful Lake Como while you are here. The gorgeous lakeside stays busy with tourists during summer, bustling with shops, restaurants and many more. You can go for a lazy stroll in the picturesque villas with gardens which are present here, Villa Melzi and Villa Serbelloni. You can also hop on the tourist train and go for a scenic train ride around the town while you are here.

Varenna

Located right opposite Bellagio, on the Eastern shore of the lake is Varenna, another really attractive town which is very popular among travelers. It is truly one of the best places you can visit in this parts of Italy. The beautifully colored houses located surrounding the small harbor gives this town a unique look. Although it is popular, the amount of crowd in this town is less than Bellagio. And if you’re someone who doesn’t like too much crowd, then this is the place for you to be. Take a trip to Castello di Vezio, situated just above the village. This beautiful walled castle still has a genuine drawbridge and restored battlements. You can experience some wonderful vistas of the lake from here. Like Bellagio, this town has its share of magnificent villas with gardens too, namely Villa Cipressi and Villa Monastero, where you can take a relaxing walk.

Menaggio

If it is natural beauty that you are searching for, then visiting the town of Menaggio should be a must for you. Located on the western shore of the lake, this wonderful-looking town is never as crowded as the previous two towns, but the town won’t disappoint you in terms of attractiveness in any way. The paved public pathway along the lakeside is one of the prettiest promenades you can find in this region. You can spend your time shopping, eating some beautiful Italia food at the roadside restaurants, visit the huge public swimming pool which even has a private beach or plays some golf to spend your time here.

What to do

Go for a cruise through the lake

One of the things which you must experience when you visit Lake Como is to go for a cruise ride through the lake. You can easily book a cruise from any popular town like Bellagio or Varenna. The picturesque vistas of the wonderful towns and villages situated beside the shore of the lake are best viewed when you are in the middle of the lake. It is also a great way to see the lakeside houses of various famous celebrities.

Visit the picturesque villas and their gardens

The towns situated beside Lake Como are ladled with beautiful villas which have wonderfully maintained and designed parks and gardens. Visiting some of these villas when you are in this area is a must. Villa Melzi and Villa Serbelloni at the town of Bellagio, and Villa Cipressi and Villa Monastero at Varenna should be on your must-visit list while you spend your days here at Lake Como.

See the view of the lake from Colico

Located at the top of the lake, Colico is a small town which is not really popular among tourists. However, the gorgeous view of Lake Como which you can see from this town is simply incomparable. Even if you don’t stay in this small little town, still you must take a day trip to Colico to experience the beautiful view of the lake for yourself.

Eat some Italian food

The streets of the towns beside Lake Como are lined with numerous small cafes, restaurants, gelaterias and coffee shops. You will find some of the most delicious Italian food here. The recipes are authentic and the ingredients are fresh, which is why eating at some of these restaurants is a must-do thing while you are here.