Best Places to visit in Lake Como

Located at the southern tip of Lake Como this city is known for its architectural wonders and a flourishing silk industry. This city features well maintained gardens, picnic spots, and museums. Famous for its treasures of art which can be seen in churches, museums, and parks this city is a delight to spend time in. 

• Highlights:

• Cattedrale di Santa Maria Assunta (Como Cathedral)
• Basilica di Sant’Abbondio.
• Villa Olmo.
• Broletto and the Civic Tower.
• Museo Didattico della Seta (Como Silk Museum).

A beautiful and picturesque lakeside village jutting out into Lake Como, Bellagio is known for its small cobble stoned lanes, elegant buildings and posh Villa of historical significance. Its shoreline and the mesmerizing view of the Alpine mountains ahead makes it a scenic location fit for enjoying a vacation in peace and calm in the lap of nature with a number of things to do. Its well maintained gardens, grand architectural churches and villas and stunning views have earned it the title of “The Pearl of Lake Como!”

• Sites to see:

• Villa Melzi Gardens ( Picnic spots amongst Melzi Villa Complex).
• Bellagio Historic Center. ( Town Center)
• La Punta Lighthouse. (Scenic spot at the northern tip of Bellagio)
• The Melzi Chapel. ( Chapel of the Melzi Villa Complex with stunning architecture)
• Lido di Bellagio. ( Beach Club)

With a pleasant temperature of 22°/15°C this small commune lies in the province of Como in Italy. This thinly populated region is known for its natural beauty and peaceful surroundings. Nesso is one of the most characterized villages on Lake Como, with waterfalls and romantic bridges this place nurtures various sites for visitors and natives to enjoy and relax. Its natural beauty combined with a historical charm and tranquility makes it an ideal tourist destination.

• Tourist Sites:

• Orrido di Nesso: This is a picturesque Gorge with a waterfall dramatically cascading down the cliffs and flowing into Lake Como. 
• Ponte Della Sivera: It is a double arched romantic Roman Bridge spanning over the Nesso Gorge providing a mesmerizing view of the waterfall. 
• Castello di Nesso: The Nesso Castle from the medieval time who’s ruins today offer a glimpse of the history of Nesso.
• Careno Hamlet: This is a quaint hamlet with traditional houses in Nesso providing a charming atmosphere with the historic ancient washhouse. 

A beautiful Lakeside village along Lake Como, Varenna is famous for its fishing activities. Easily accessible and full of enjoyable options with bustling beaches, scenic hiking trails, fine dining restaurants Varenna is a power packed place for tourists to enjoy a blissful vacation. Offering a rich blend of natural beauty, and historic significance this place has a lot to offer when it comes to tourism. 

• Highlights: 

• Villa Monastero: A historic villa that is open to visitors has been turned into a sophisticated Museums offering a botanical garden with panoramic views. 
• Castello di Vezio: Located on a hill overlooking Verenna, this medieval Castle holds exhibitions of local history and culture including a display of falconry.
• Church of San Giorgio: This ancient stone structure dating back to the 14th century incorporates a beautiful interior and a display for Varenna’s religious culture. 
• Varenna Old Town: Featured by narrow cobbled stone streets, alleys and marketplaces. This historic center of Varenna includes cafes, local boutiques and several colorful buildings. 

Surrounded by magnificent mountain trails, Lecco is a city located on the southeastern shore of Lake Como.  Rich in culture and cuisine this place is of utmost historical significance. Famous for being an athletic hub, the city is bestowed with unparalleled natural beauty and possesses a spectacular collection of parks, museums and monuments. 

Lecco is also known for its reference set in Alessandro Manzoni’s The Betrothed. 

• Highlights:

• Villa Manzoni: Converted today into a museum, this grand Villa was once the residence of famous Italian writer Alessandro Manzoni. Here we get a glimpse of his life and works including some specimens of art and history.
• Ponte Azzone Visconti: It is a bridge of historic significance dating back to the 14th century that connects Lecco to its neighboring areas. This architectural marvel offers a scenic view of the river adda and the mountains. 
• Basilica of St.Nicholas: This amazing church dedicated to St. Nicholas is a beautiful structure incorporating neo-classical style of architecture. It has a belltower which offers stunning views of the landscape ahead and its interior showcases a stunning altar.
• Piazza XX Settembre: The main town square of Lecco, this is a hub of cultural activities that go on in Lecco. Adorned with colorful buildings, small shops, curvy lanes and and bustling cafes this place also has a medieval aged tower, Torre Viscontea that now hosts exhibitions and cultural events. 

With a meager population of about 1300 only, this town is located on the western shore of Lake Como. This well known tourist resort belongs exclusively to the club of  most distinct Hamlets in the whole of Italy. Tremezzo has some of the most beautiful gardens, grand villas and stunning lake views making it an ideal vacation place. 

• Highlights:

• Villa Carlotta: This grand villa dating back to 1745 has today been converted into a museum displaying artistic works by the likes of Antonio Canova and Francesco Hayez. This Villa also has a spread out botanical garden with a variety of pretty flowers in bloom. 
• Parco Teresio Olivelli: This public park in Tremezzo lies along the lakeshore of Lake Como, featuring lush green gardens, beautifully sculpted fountains, offering a place to relax and enjoy amidst the beautiful lakeside views.
• La Punta Spartivento: This is a scenic point at the tip of Tremezzo promontory where we can catch amazing views of the spectacular scenery and indulge in photography. This also makes a great spot for relaxation and long walks. 
• Lido di Tremezzo: This is a popular beach club along the shore of Lake Como  offers various activities like swimming, partying, sunbathing and a relaxing atmosphere with the beautiful and calm lake views. 

Located on the Western shore of Lake Como the town of Menaggio stands at the mouth of river Senagra. With spectacular views of the lake and wonderful services this small and peaceful town is a perfect fit for vacation in tranquility. It has been found to be a favorite recreational resort amongst tourists that have visited Italy. 

• Highlights:

• Piazza Garibaldi: This is the main town square of Menaggio which is found bustling with daily cultural activities. This place is surrounded with traditional cafes, restaurants and shops.
• Villa Mylius Vigoni: A stunning masterpiece of Italian-German style of architecture, this historic villa with beautifully trimmed gardens, offering spectacular scenery and guided tours. 
• Castello di Menaggio: Today what remains of this grand Castle are some ruins reflecting the ancient times. This place is also fit for a short hike. 
• Santuario della Madonna: It is a sanctuary dedicated to Madonna of Peace located on a hillside providing a serene view of the landscape ahead with a beautiful pristine lake and town. 

Witness the eight centuries worth of Historical upheavals at Villa Monastero located in Varenna. This rich testament of culture includes some of the beautifully trimmed gardens, has an impressive style of architecture and scenery like no other!

• Highlights:

• Gardens: Its well manicured terraced gardens contain some of the beautifully sculptured fountains, a massive botanical collection and spectacular views of the panoramic landscapes and lake ahead. 
• Villa: The interiors of the villa are sure to leave anyone in awe with its elegance, a blend of medieval elements from Renaissance period with Baroque style. Its grand hall used for conferences, a beautiful display of posh furniture and excellent decor are totally worth your time. 
• Museum: A significant part of the Villa has been converted into a museum which showcases the history of the Villa through the display of its antique furniture,collection of art, and instruments that give us a glimpse of the life of its residents. 

This magnificent site holds the title of being one of the most iconic Villas on the banks of Lake Come. Located in Lenno it offers a rich blend of exquisite architecture, stunning views of the lake and the landscape ahead of it with a charm of history.

• Highlights:

• Magnificent Gardens: The gardens of the villa are well maintained and contain a wide variety of exotic plants, cobbled pathways, and spectacularly carved statues and fountains. Its terraces offer a picturesque view of Lake Como.
• The Villa: The interiors of the villa incorporate a spectacular style of architecture with a grand library containing a vast and impressive collection of books and valuable manuscripts. It also has a museum displaying a collection of artifacts and a cartographers room adorned with maps and navigation instruments. 

Whilst this was just the sneak peek into what an amazing location Lake Como is, we believe that words cannot do justice to the charm and beauty of this natural retreat where we can explore history, fun and adventure all at once. 

With this we come to an end of our virtual explanatory tour of best places to visit in Lake Como and hope to see you plan your vacation soon.