Ringed with palatial villas, manicured gardens and snow-capped Alps, Lake Como is one of the most popular day-trip destinations from Milan, and a star of the Italian lake district.
Most visitors come to Lake Como via the attractive resort town of Como. Take a wander through the town’s arcaded streets and shops, then buy a gelati ice cream and cool your heels under the trees in the lakefront gardens.
While you’re here, don’t miss the chance to go for a lake cruise – who knows, you might even see local resident George Clooney relaxing in his garden! Alight at Bellagio, an even prettier town than Como, with impressive terraced gardens and lakeside walks.
Lake Como is 45 km (28 miles) north of Milan. The lake forms an inverted ‘y’ shape, with the town of Como on the tip of its south-western arm. Other scenic towns on Lake Como include Bellagio, Bellano, Menaggio and Lecco.
Trains run regularly from Milan to Como, the trip takes just an hour, and you need to alight at the Como Lago stop. High-speed hydrofoil ferries cross the lake from Como to Bellagio (around 45 minutes), and on to the lake’s northern tip at Colico.
