Milan to Lake Como: How to Get There And What to See
Lake Como is a glacial lake in Lombardy, Italy and is ranked one of the most beautiful lakes in the world due to its microclimate and picturesque towns.
Sitting at the base of the Italian and Swiss Alps, the banks of Lake Como are lined with amazing mountain views and colorful Italian villas -- it truly is a scene out of a James Bond movie.
Lake Como is only a short train ride from Milan making it the perfect day trip destination to escape the hustle and bustle of the city.
The lake is shaped like an inverted Y offering different access points. The most popular destinations along the lake are the towns of Como, Varenna and Bellagio. Como and Varenna can be reached by train while a ferry ride is required to explore the ritzy town of Bellagio.
Depending on your interests there are a few popular itineraries for the perfect day of exploring Lake Como:
Best for a quick visit to the lake
Itinerary 2: Milan → Como → Bellagio
Best for spending time on the lake itself
Itinerary 3 (Recommended): Milan → Varenna → Bellagio
Best for exploring quaint lake towns
Como
Population: 84,876
Coordinates: 45°49′0″N 9°5′0″E
Travel time from Milan: 37 min via train
Tourist level: Third most visited town in the Lombardy region behind Milan with 1.4 million visitors in 2018
Top things to see: Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, Funicolare Como - Brunate, Villa Olmo
Cost (round trip per person): 9.60€ (Regionale Trenord) or 30.0€ (Eurocity)
Bellagio
Population: 3,820
Coordinates: 45°59′N 09°15′E
Travel time from Milan:
Via Como 1 hr 22 min / 2 h 37 min: 37 min via train & 45 min hydrofoil ride or 2 hour ferry ride
Via Varenna 1 h 18 min: 1 hour 3 min via train & 15 min ferry ride
Tourist level: Referred to as the Pearl of Lake Como, Bellagio is probably the most famous town located on Lake Como with photogenic cobblestone streets and brightly colored villas overlooking the lake
Things to see: Basilica of San Giacomo, Punta Spartivento, Villa Melzi
Cost (round trip per person):
Via Como: 9.60€ (Regionale Trenord) or 30.0€ (Eurocity) & 37.60€ (hydrofoil) or 20.80€ (motorship)
Via Varenna: 13.40€ (Regionale Trenord) & 9.20€ (ferry)
Varenna
Population: 770
Coordinates: 46°1′N 9°17′E
Travel time from Milan: 1 h 3 min via train
Tourist level: Quaint little town with a more relaxed atmosphere making it a perfect retreat away from the other touristy places around Lake Como
Top things to see: St. George’s Church, Castello di Vezio (featured on Amazing Race), Lover’s Walk, Hamlet of Fiumelatte (shortest river in Italy)
Cost (round trip per person): 13.40€ (Regionale Trenord)
The city of Como is only 50 km north of Milan and is easily accessible by train. Como is best serviced by the Como S. Giovanni train station and is a 37-40 minute train ride from Milano Centrale.
We recommend taking a train between 9-10 AM to maximize your day at Lake Como. Here are a few options found on Google Maps Schedule explorer:
Schedule explorer on Google maps helps show all trains on a given date/time. If you are traveling without cellular data, use the send directions to your phone feature — this allows you to view train schedules and directions offline.
A round trip from Milan to Como will cost 9.60€ (Regionale Trenord) or 30.0€ (Eurocity). There is no need to upgrade your ticket to first class. Standard regional trains in Italy only have one first class cabin with limited seating. The first class experience is very similar to that of the second class cabin but with less space! We upgraded our ticket to first class on the way to Lake Como and made sure to avoid the same scenario on the return trip.
Additionally, there is no need to purchase train tickets in advance. Tickets typically do not sell out and are easy to buy at the train station 20 minutes prior to departure via self serve kiosks.
The most popular return times to Milan are 5:36PM, 6:10PM, 6:36PM, 7:39PM, 8:10PM & 8:36PM so make sure to plan accordingly.
Must See in Como
Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta
Also known as Como Cathedral, this Gothic cathedral is a must see in Como. Built between the 14th and 18th centuries, the cathedral is dedicated to the Virgin Mary. The cathedral is located in the Piazza Duomo which is a 13 minute walk (1.1 km) from the Como S. Giovanni train station. Admission to the cathedral is free of charge.
Funicolare Como - Brunate
Take the funicular (mountain cable car) to the village of Brunate sitting above Como which offers incredible views of Lake Como and the Alps. The steep gradient allows the cable car to trek the mountain in only 7 minutes. The funicular departs every 30 minutes. A round trip ticket on the funicular is 5.50€ per person.
The Funicolare Como - Brunate is located at Piazza Alcide de Gasperi which is a 18 minute (1.5 km) walk from the Como S. Giovanni train station.
Villa Olmo
The Villa Olmo is located at the end of a 500 meter lakeside walk that connects this spectacular villa to the Aeroclub and Rationalist neighborhood.
The entrance to the villa and surrounding gardens are free. Located at Via Simone Cantoni this stunning residence is a 19 minute walk (1.6 km) from the Como S. Giovanni train station. Note that the villa is closed on Mondays.
Top Restaurants in Como
Toast & Roll - great for breakfast and lunch
Passion Como - great for fresh salami and cheese
Piazza Roma Ristorante - great sit down option for lunch/dinner or drinks
Follow the same steps mentioned above in the Milan → Como itinerary to get to Como by train.
Once you have arrived at the Como S. Giovanni train station, make the short 11 minute walk (850 m) to the ferry terminal located at Lungo Lario Trento.
There are two main options to get to Bellagio:
Hydrofoil: A quick 45 minute boat ride to Bellagio with fewer stops. This is the best option is you are looking for a fast journey to Bellagio from Como. A round trip ticket costs 37.60€.
Depart Como 7:33AM, arrive in Bellagio 8:13AM
Depart Como 11:10AM, arrive in Bellagio 11:55AM
Motorship: A 2.5 hour leisurely boat ride stopping 10-16 times throughout the journey across the lake. This is the best option if you are looking for a causal day cruising on the lake and soaking up all its beauty. A round trip ticket costs 20.80€.
Remember to visit the official website of Navigazione Laghi for the most accurate schedule and timetables based on season. Please refer to winter schedule for the hydrofoil below:
Hydrofoil schedule is in red
Must See in Bellagio
The early afternoon is the perfect time to arrive in Bellagio. This gives you plenty of time to explore the small town, cobblestone streets and shops before feeling hungry for lunch (and gelato of course!).
Basilica of San Giacomo
The Basilica of San Giacomo is the town of Bellagio’s landmark church that can be seen from the surrounding area. Built in the 12th century, the church is Romanesque style with three narrow naves using the stone of Moltrasio. The church is located on the hillside in the Piazza della Chiesa, a 7 minute walk (500 m) from the ferry terminal.
Punta Spartivento
This park is situated on the tip of the Bellagio peninsula, about a 10 min walk uphill from the ferry terminal. It provides breathtaking views of the lake where Lake Como and Lake Lecco meet. This is a great spot to just take it all in!
Villa Melzi
A national monument and private gardens, this magnificent villa is one of the most emblematic examples of neo-classicism in Lombardy, Italy. The Villa Melzi was built in 1808 for the Duke Francesco Melzi d’Eril, assistant to General Napoleon. The gardens are open March to October from 9:30 AM to 6:30 PM daily. The entrance fee is 6.50€ for adults and 5.00€ for children.
Top Restaurants in Bellagio
After an afternoon of exploring the ins and outs of Bellagio, you are bound to be hungry for some lunch. Jeremy and I were on a mission to find the best salumeria in town and enjoy a picnic lunch by the lake.
da Caio Alimentari Gastronomia Salumeria - fresh salami, cheese, wine and bread for a picnic lunch (Via C. Bellosio, 1)
Aperitivo Et Al - excellent for wine exploration and reasonably priced small bites (Salita Serbelloni, 34)
Gelateria del Borgo - perfect spot for gelato (Via Giuseppe Garibaldi, 46)
da Caio Alimentari Gastronomia Salumeria: Place was an amazing little find. The salami was delicious. Cheese was amazing and fresh. The staff was incredible and spoke great English, helping us to pick out the right meats and cheese for our taste.
A bunch of salami, prosciutto, bread, and cheese. It was only $8.50. We ate a picnic lunch on a bench by the lakefront. Could not have been a more beautiful spot and highly recommend a picnic instead of a sit down restaurant.
In our opinion, itinerary 3 is the best option to maximize your day on Lake Como. The train ride from Milan is slightly longer but you spend less time and money on the quick 15 minute ferry ride to Bellagio compared to the alternate route through Como. The train follows along the eastern part of the lake and the scenery is absolutely incredible. Definitely one of the most scenic train rides we have ever been on!
Varenna can be accessed via the Varenna Esino train station and the regional train makes only three stops before arriving for a total travel time of 1 h 3 min.
We took a 10:20 AM train out of Milan and arrived in Varenna at 11:23 AM. This gave us ample time to catch a ferry to Bellagio and also explore what Varenna has to offer.
As mentioned earlier, there is no need to purchase train tickets in advance. Tickets typically do not sell out and are easy to buy at the train station 20 minutes prior to departure via self serve kiosks.
The most popular return times to Milan are 4:37 PM, 5:37 PM, 6:37 PM, 7:37 PM, 8:37 PM so make sure to plan accordingly.
The Varenna Esino train station stops right before crossing below the Italian Alps as the train makes its way towards the Switzerland border offering incredible lake and mountain views.
After disembarking the train, the lakefront and ferry terminal are only a 4 minute walk (Via Imbarcadero Piazza Martiri Libertà) from the station. Follow the signs that point you toward the lake.
Once you arrive, you should head directly to the ferry ticket office if interested in heading across the lake to Bellagio. The ride is only 15 minutes and costs 9.20€ per person round trip.
If taking the 10:20 AM train from Milan, the optimal ferry departure time from Varenna to Bellagio is the 12:15 PM ferry. Remember to visit the official website of Navigazione Laghi for the most accurate schedule and timetables based on season.
Weekday Ferry Schedule from Varenna to Bellagio:
Weekday Ferry Schedule from Bellagio to Varenna:
Must See in Varenna
Varenna is a slow-paced destination where most visitors come to relax by the lake. However, there is still quite a bit to explore in this sleepy town.
St. George’s Church
Located at Piazza S. Giorgio, 25 (a 10 minute walk from the Varenna Esino train station) this church is a cultural landmark nestled in between colorful houses on the shore of Lake Como. A great spot to stop and escape the warm summer sun. The bell tower of the church is stunning as you approach the town by ferry/boat.
Castello di Vezio
On the bluff overlooking Varenna stands the one thousand year old Castello di Vizio. This castle is an medieval military outpost built by the Lombard Queen Theodelinda to defend and control the lake and surrounding villages.
The castle was a destination in the popular CBS travel reality show, The Amazing Race and offers amazing views of Lake Como. The Castello di Vezio is open from March until November from 10 AM - 7 PM and the entrance fee is 4.00€. The address for the castle is Via Del Castellano, 23828 Perledo LC, Italy. Check the castle’s website for additional details on hours and prices.
Lovers’ Walk
Beginning at the ferry terminal, the beautiful Passeggiata degli Innamorati (Lovers’ Walk) runs along a promenade above the lake's edge leading into the heart of the town, which is lined with restaurants, cozy bars, and artisan shops. This truly is an enchanting walk through a storybook Italian lakeside town and a must do when in Varenna.
Kelly at the beginning of the Lovers’ Walk in Varenna - our favorite town in Italy!
Top Restaurants in Varenna
After a full day of exploring, you are bound to be hungry for dinner before making your way back to Milan. We recommend stopping at one of the restaurants in Varenna before catching your train home:
Il Cavatappi - great spot for a sit down dinner featuring Italian and Mediterranean options
Al Prato - perfect for lunch or dinner with outdoor seating
Varenna Caffe Bistrot - awesome for take out and a quick bite to eat
Key Takeaway
Lake Como is the perfect day trip from Milan and was one of the highlights of our two week tour through Italy.
There are multiple different ways to explore all Lake Como has to offer. We personally recommend the 3rd itinerary as is it the most economical and efficient way to explore Lake Como and see some of the most picturesque towns in all of Italy along the way.
Winner: Itinerary 3: Milan → Varenna → Bellagio