The Perfect Lake Como Itinerary for All Types of Travelers

Nestled in the foothills of the Italian Alps, Lake Como is the perfect destination for a group getaway. Whether you’re traveling with family, friends, or a mix of both, this breathtaking region offers something for everyone. Planning a trip with a group can be challenging, but with the right itinerary, you can maximize your time and create unforgettable memories together. This guide will take you through the ultimate Lake Como itinerary, ensuring a seamless and enjoyable experience for your entire group.

If you’re looking for an idyllic vacation spot all ages can enjoy, this is it. Lake Como offers picturesque towns with cute gelaterias and opulent villas. Enjoy fun boat rides with 360-degree views of the surrounding mountains. It’s perfect for families with older kids and teens. Here’s how to plan a great Lake Como trip with your group!

The Ultimate Lake Como Itinerary for Groups - Groups Are a Trip

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Where to Stay in Lake Como

  1. Albergo Terminus Hotel in Como
  2. Hotel Belvedere in Bellagio
  3. Hotel Royal Victoria in Varenna

Lake Como Tours We Recommend

Where is Lake Como, Italy?

Lake Como (known in Italian as Lago di Como) is located in the Lombardy region of northern Italy. Due to its proximity to the Swiss border, it’s part of the Italy-Swiss Lakes Region. The lake has an upside-down “Y” or extended wishbone shape. The area’s rich history dates back to the Roman Times. Via Regina, a road on the western shore, was a trade route. 

There are dozens of beautiful lakeside towns in the Lake Como area. The most popular towns are Bellagio, Varenna, and Menaggio. The city of Como is the largest town and rests on the southern tip of the lake on the west side.

Como, Bellagio, and Varenna are the best bases for this Lake Como itinerary. You will have access to a ferry port, restaurants, and shops in all three places.

4-Day Lake Como Itinerary for Groups

Day 1 in Lake Como (Como)

If you have limited time or are visiting on a day trip, this could easily be a one-day itinerary for Lake Como. It will allow your group to spend a little time in the Como town center and take a sail across the lake.

Morning

Breakfast: Italy doesn’t have the same breakfast or brunch culture as other areas in Western Europe and North America. Traditional breakfasts here are rarely more than a pastry washed down with an espresso or cappuccino. If your teens won’t get out of bed for anything less than a pancake, book a hotel that includes onsite breakfast!

Lake Como with family

Lake Como Food & Walking Tour – Don’t overeat at breakfast, as the first activity on your Lake Como itinerary is a food walking tour. This comprehensive 3.5-hour guided tour will show you the highlights of Como town and its gastronomic delights.

Meet your local travel guide at 11:00 AM in the main square near the cathedral (Piazza del Duomo). They will take you to five eateries where you can sample polenta dishes, cheese, coffee, and more. It’s the perfect introduction for a first time in Como.

Afternoon

After your lunchtime food tour, arrange a boat tour or a private boat rental. This private boat rental from Carate Urio is the perfect place for beginners to sail from. It’s just a 15-minute taxi ride from Como town. Since up to seven people can board the boat, it may be the best option for your group to see the lake.

Choose a two-hour, three-hour, or half-day boat rental. You will receive all the instructions you need to drive this boat yourself. Visit charming towns and villas resting on the side of the lake. Don’t forget to let the boat company know where you would like to visit, as they will be able to give you tips on how best to navigate the lake.

One villa you should check out is Villa Carlotta. It isn’t far from the Carate Urio port or Como town. Napolean commissioned the building of Villa Carlotta which now boasts a museum and beautiful gardens. Although it’s not open to the public, sail slowly past the ornate 19th-century Villa Erba. It featured in a prominent scene in Ocean’s Twelve (2004) which might interest your kids.

Evening

Dinner: La Vita è Bella – Located by the lake, this upmarket yet relaxed restaurant features an extensive menu. Even vegan options!

Gelato: Gelateria Lariana – Gelato (similar to ice cream but denser and richer) is an essential daily treat on any Italy vacation. It’s a good option for dessert since many stay open late. This gelateria serves highly rated, artisanal gelato near Fontanelle di Piazza Cavour.

Day 2 in Lake Como (Bellagio)

Spend the second day of your Lake Como itinerary in Bellagio! It’s known as the “Pearl of Lake Como” and has picturesque pastel-colored buildings and high-end boutiques. Ferries take between 40 minutes to two hours, so make sure you book an express service.

Morning

Active families will have so much fun kayaking along the shores of the Bellagio. This one-hour kayaking tour runs at 10:00 AM or 11:00 AM. Pick whichever fits in with your schedule and the ferry timetable. Don’t forget to pack a beach bag with swimsuits, dry bags, and other gear you might need!

Corner Shop Bellagio is a great place for vintage jewelry if your family is more interested in shopping than kayaking.

Afternoon

Lunch: Ristorante Bilacus – Dine on local risotto or handmade pasta on their vine-covered terrace. It’s in the heart of town, just a 4-minute walk from the Bellagio ferry stop.

Bellagio Italy Lake Como itinerary

Follow the lakeside path for around 20 minutes to Giardini di Villa Melzi. These botanical gardens are laid out in an elegant, neo-classical style with symmetrical lawns. Don’t miss the Chiosco Moresco pavilion; it’s one of my favorite spots with the best view across the lake.

Evening

Dinner: La Grotta – This cozy tavern with vaulted ceilings serves wood-fired pizzas and local wines in a casual dining room. Wine Bar Aperitivo Et Al is another good option for a lighter dinner, but it’s better for older teens and adults.

Gelato: Gelateria del Borgo – You won’t find any crazy flavors or toppings at this gelateria. They serve simple, traditional homemade Italian gelato and it’s utterly delicious!

Day 3 in Lake Como (Lenno and Como)

The third day of your Lake Como itinerary includes a trip to one of the most famous villas in the area. It also includes a fun, cultural activity in Como town.

Morning

The main attraction today is Villa del Balbianello (often referred to as just Villa Balbianello). It sits on a rocky cliff overlooking the lake (look out for it as your ferry will sail around it!) in the little town of Lenno. 

Hop on an early ferry because it’s one of the top things in Lake Como! Why? Well, it’s a dreamy fairytale villa dating back to the 12th century, but the main reason is its appearance in movies. 

Villa del Balbianello Lake Como

Villa del Balbianello appeared as a venue for Anakin and Padme’s secret wedding in Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones. It was also where Daniel Craig’s James Bond convalesced in Casino Royale.

It takes around 30 minutes to walk here along a pretty hillside path from the ferry. Factor in the walk or you won’t have much time to explore the villa. It deserves more than a quick visit!

Afternoon/Evening

Lunch: Gastronomia Tremezzina Deli – This seasonal deli serves a delicious, light lunch by the lake just a short walk from the ferry stop.

Gelato: La Fabbrica Del Gelato – One of the best places for gelato in the region, hands down. The Nutella flavor is sensational. Opt for an ice pop if you’ve overindulged on gelato.

Take the ferry back to Como and book this fun premium pizza-making class. Sure, pizzas are traditionally Neapolitan but your kids won’t care! It takes place from 3:00 PM-5:30 PM so you can enjoy your creation as an early dinner.

Day 4 in Lake Como (Varenna)

If you have extra time in your itinerary, a great way to spend a fourth day in Lake Como is to visit the small village of Varenna. While Bellagio and Como are beautiful places, most of the charm of Lake Como is in the smaller towns. 

Don’t worry, there is a ferry port so you’ll have easy access no matter where you stay!

Morning

For such a little town, Varenna has so many spectacular, historical buildings. Take a short walk from the port through town to Villa Monastero. While it’s not the shortest route, the best way to reach the villa is along the scenic lakeside path.

Varenna Italy

Villa Monastero was originally built in the 12th century as a women’s monastery. The wealthy Mornico family took over the building and transformed it into an opulent mansion. The 19th-century decor inside Villa Monastero has been preserved. 

Walk through the beautiful gardens where you’ll find palm trees and an incredible view from this waterfront property. Head inside to witness the most extra emerald-green marble bathtub you’ve ever seen.

Afternoon

Lunch: Il Portichetto Ristorante – This restaurant is ideally located between Villa Monastero and Castello di Vezio. Or, you might prefer to pick up sandwiches in Como town before hopping on your morning ferry. Il Vicolino del Paninaio is the best option.

Walk back through town and up the hillside path to Castello di Vezio called Via per Vezio. It should take you around 30 minutes to reach it.

This ruined castle was first built in the late 11th century as a protective fort. It used to connect to the small town of Varenna below by city walls. Although it’s not intact, there are plenty of stairs so you can explore what’s left of the castle and the views from above. 

If you have kids fascinated by dinosaurs, don’t miss the permanent exhibition in the tower. It’s dedicated to Lariosaurus, an extinct sea reptile from the Middle Triassic period. This species was first discovered in Lake Como in 1830.

Evening

Dinner: Ristorante La Vista – There’s a good reason why it’s called “La Vista!” This restaurant has one of the best views of the lake. Don’t mistake it for a romantic bistro; kids of all ages are very welcome. 

Gelato: La Passerella – Finish your group trip to Lake Como with one last gelato. Varenna’s signature dessert shop is known for its fresh, seasonal flavors. Fruity flavors like peach, lemon, and melon are delicious in summer. These options have no milk so they’re perfect for dairy-free diets.

When is the best time to Visit Lake Como?

Lake Como is a seasonal destination. Unlike big cities such as Milan or Rome, many attractions close during the off-season. You can find cheap hotel deals over the winter break and the main towns will be blissfully quiet. However, most benefits stop there. Cold fog often obstructs scenic lake views and public transportation is less frequent.

Travel to Lake Como during these times instead!

Lake Como in Spring Break

Average Temperatures: 48°F-68°F (9°C-20°C)

Many of the best things to do in Lake Como reopen during Easter. Almost everything has reopened by mid to late April. If your kids’ spring break aligns, it’s a great time to visit Lake Como as a family!

The weather is still chilly, especially in the mornings and evenings, but pleasant during the day. It will still be busy but far fewer crowds than in summer and flights/accommodation might be cheaper.

Lake Como in Summer

Average Temperatures: 68°F-72°F (20°C-22°C)

Lake Como summer lake view

There’s no denying that Lake Como shines in the summer months. The mountains have varying hues of lush green and all restaurants and attractions are open. Lake Como in the high season offers sunny, dry weather without the unbearable heat of the southern Italian regions.

Prepare for the crowds by booking tickets and making restaurant reservations in advance. It’s more difficult to be spontaneous in the peak season, so be sure to plan ahead!

How to Get to Lake Como

Lake Como has been a favorite place for vacationers for decades. Here’s how to travel to the town of Como through various transportation options. It’s super easy to reach!

By plane

Milano Malpensa Airport is the closest international airport to Lake Como. Luckily, it’s a fairly large and well-connected airport. These North American cities offer direct flights: New York (JFK), Los Angeles (LAX), Miami (MIA), Boston (BOS), Washington (DCA), San Francisco (SFO), Charlotte (CLT), and Dallas (DFW).

There’s no better or closer airport option in Switzerland.

By car

Lake Como would make an excellent addition to a France-Switzerland-Italy road trip. It’s 5 hours and 10 minutes (485 km/301 miles) from Lyon and 2 hours and 45 minutes (235 km/146 miles) from Zurich.

From Milan Malpensa Airport, Como is only a 35-minute drive (46 km/28.5 miles). When you learn how long it takes to get from the airport to Como via public transport, you may want to book a private transfer! Especially if your group has a lot of luggage.

By public transport

There are no direct trains from Milan Malpensa Airport to Como San Giovanni train station. However, the train from the airport to Milano Centrale station takes around an hour. From there, you can get a connection to Como train station which takes just less than 40 minutes.

There are frequent, regional services so you usually don’t need to buy train tickets in advance. Seats usually don’t need to be reserved on these trains. Plus, if your plane is delayed then you won’t lose money.

Getting Around Lake Como

This Lake Como itinerary for groups mostly relies on public transport. A ferry is the easiest way to get around the different towns on the lake! 

You don’t need to buy your ferry tickets in advance, but it might save you waiting in line. It’s often better that you don’t if fast services are available. Express service tickets can only be bought from the ticket office at the ferry terminal. Trust me, you’ll want to take the fastest ferries possible! Just make sure you arrive well before your departure time, as there is often a line.

Find up-to-date ferry ticket and timetable information for Lake Como here. Generally, the first ferry from Como to Bellagio departs at 7:33 AM. The last ferry to leave the town of Bellagio to Como departs around 6:35 PM.

Ask your hotel reception or concierge for advice and assistance! They will know everything about traveling around Lake Como.

Don’t hire a rental car in Lake Como. While the road along the side of the lake is scenic, the little villages have small roads. You will spend all day trying to park! Opt for the ferry or taxis  (when necessary) instead.