Lake Como sits between Milan and the Alps, which makes it an excellent base for day trips. Some of the best excursions go to Switzerland, some climb into the mountains by train, and some stay on the lake itself. This guide sets out the options, how long each takes and who each suits.
Lugano, Switzerland
The most popular excursion is to Lugano, a Swiss lakeside city with arcaded streets, a long promenade and mountains rising from the shore. From Como you can take a train, and from Menaggio a bus runs via Porlezza, or you can join a guided day trip that combines Lugano with Bellagio and a boat cruise. Spend your time in the old centre around Piazza della Riforma, walk the lakeside park and, if the sky is clear, ride a funicular or cable car up Monte San Salvatore or Monte Brè. Carry a passport or identity card, expect higher prices than in Italy and have a simple lunch in a side street to save money.
The Bernina Express and St. Moritz
For mountain scenery, take the Bernina line, a narrow-gauge railway over the Alps that is part of a UNESCO World Heritage landscape. The train climbs from Tirano past a spiral viaduct at Brusio, the high lake of Lago Bianco and glacier views to St. Moritz. A full-day guided trip from Lake Como handles the connections. It is a long day, often twelve hours or more, but it is among the great railway journeys of Europe and works in every season, with snow-covered landscapes in winter.
Milan
The city is about 40 minutes by train from Como, which makes it the easiest large-city excursion. Take the train from Como San Giovanni to Milan, and spend the day on the cathedral and its roof, the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, the Castello Sforzesco and the shops. Milan is a good choice for a wet day, when the lake is grey, and it is a convenient place to finish a trip because the main airports and rail connections are there. Avoid trying to do too much, and plan to return to the lake by early evening.
Hiking the Sentiero del Viandante
For a quieter day on foot, walk part of the old wayfarer’s path above the lake’s eastern shore. The guided hike from Lierna to Varenna covers one of the prettiest sections, with lake views, stone villages and a finish in Varenna, from where a train or ferry takes you home. Spring and autumn are the best seasons. Wear walking shoes with grip, carry water and check the weather, because the path can be wet or icy in winter.
Villages and villas by ferry
The lake itself offers a day trip for every mood. A ferry from Como to Bellagio, Varenna and Menaggio lets you link the villages at your own pace, and a day ticket for the central lake covers Menaggio, Varenna, Bellagio, Cadenabbia, Tremezzo and Lenno. From Menaggio, Villa Carlotta and Villa del Balbianello are close, and the walk to Balbianello from Lenno takes about 25 minutes. Many visitors spend one day on the west shore and another on the central lake, and check the timetable and the last boat back before crossing.
On the water
If you prefer to be afloat, a small-group boat tour from Como shows the villas from the water, a boat rental near Bellagio lets you steer yourself and a kayak tour from Bellagio gives the quietest view of the shore. Morning departures are calmest, because the afternoon wind can make the lake choppy.
Choosing between them
For variety and a second country, choose Lugano. For mountains and a train ride, choose the Bernina Express. For shops and culture, choose Milan. For fresh air and quiet, choose the Viandante hike. For classic lake scenery with no long travel, choose the ferry and villa days. Pair a long excursion with a slow day at the lake afterwards, and keep one day in reserve for weather. Whichever you pick, check opening patterns and timetables before you go, because seasonal changes affect boats, villas and mountain services alike.
