Varenna is the quiet, painterly side of Lake Como. My guide to the lovers’ walk, Villa Monastero, the train from Milan, where to stay and eat.
Lake Como
Victoria’s Guide to Bellagio, Lake Como
Bellagio, the pearl of Lake Como. Victoria’s guide to Villa Melzi, the stepped lanes, Punta Spartivento, ferries, hotels and where to eat.
The Best Towns on Lake Como
A calm, honest guide to the best towns on Lake Como, from romantic Bellagio to painterly Varenna, and how to choose the one that suits you.
The Best Time to Visit Lake Como
When to visit Lake Como, from the spring blooms and quiet June to golden September and the winter closures. A season by season guide to timing your trip.
Where to Eat on Lake Como
A calm, opinionated guide to eating on Lake Como, from missoltini and perch risotto to Michelin terraces, Bellagio trattorias and lakeside aperitivo.
Where to Stay on Lake Como (by Town and by Budget)
Where to stay on Lake Como, sorted by base town and budget, from iconic five-star villas to family-run hotels and honest value in Menaggio.
The Best Photo Spots on Lake Como
Where and when the light works at Lake Como’s most photogenic spots, from Villa del Balbianello’s balustrade to Varenna’s lovers’ walk at sunset.
The Villas and Gardens of Lake Como
A calm, practical guide to Lake Como’s four essential villas and gardens, with hours, tickets, seasons, and how to plan a villa-hopping day.
The Best Things to Do on Lake Como
From the classic boat day and the Greenway walk to Brunate, Vezio castle, lidos and Isola Comacina, a calm, practical guide to Lake Como.
Getting Around Lake Como by Boat (and the Ferries Explained)
How to use Lake Como’s ferries, from the slow battello to the hydrofoil and car ferry, plus day passes, private boats, buses and the funicular.
How to Get to Lake Como (and Which Station to Use)
How to reach Lake Como by train from Milan and the airports, which station to use, and why arriving by rail beats driving every time.
Lake Como – How You Leave a Place You Love
The last morning of anywhere has a particular light to it, and Como saved its best for me. I woke before the house did and did not get up. I lay across the bed with the shutters half open and…
