Visiting Lake Como
Lake Como sits within the Prealps of Lombardy, in northern Italy, about 45 kilometers north of Milan. Frequented since Roman times, it is one of the top destinations in Italy, having drawn numerous royal families alongside literary and musical figures like Stendhal and Liszt, and more recently Hollywood stars like George Clooney. Numerous villas framed by gardens reflect this enduring appeal, such as the villa del Balbianello, which has served as a filming location, and the villa Carlotta, an expansive neoclassical residence built in honor of Charlotte of Prussia.
Como, capital of the lake
Como is the largest town in the area and one of the oldest. Founded in 59 BC, it preserves a charming pedestrian historic center dominated by the Duomo, a striking Gothic cathedral built between the 14th and 17th centuries. In Como, check out the Silk Museum, which highlights the region's storied textile craft. From Como, you can ride a funicular up to the summit of Mount Brunate for panoramic views of the lake.
The towns and villages of Lake Como
On the western shore, do not miss Cernobbio and its grand villas, nor Ossuccio, home to two UNESCO sites: the Santa Maria Maddalena church and the Sacro Monte della Beata Vergine del Soccorso.
On the eastern shore, head to Bellano to explore the Orrido canyon, carved into the rock 15 million years ago. Make sure to visit the cliffside town of Varenna as well. The uphill walk to the Castello di Vezio, perched on its rocky promontory, is well worth the effort. Finally, in Lecco, take the cable car up to the summit of Mount Resegone, sitting at an altitude of 1300 meters.
While Bellagio has struggled somewhat with heavy tourism, this town, perfectly positioned at the tip of the promontory splitting Lake Como into three branches, remains an essential base for exploring the region.
Lake Como is a must-see among the Italian lakes! Among all the beauties that catch the eye, I especially appreciated the variety of landscapes between the walls plunging into the lake, the semi-tropical vegetation, and the unreal blue-green of the water. Here, the charming villages seem to be placed as if by magic in this movie-like setting. It is a traveler's dream not far from France!