Como is the lake's urban centre: a proper city with 80,000 residents, ferry hubs, shopping, and culture alongside a waterfront and alpine backdrop. We recommend Como for travellers seeking a base with city amenities who also want water and mountain access. Unlike Varenna or Menaggio, Como has museums, galleries, cinemas, and restaurants spanning every price point. The waterfront is elegant rather than intimate; the atmosphere is more Milan suburb than sleepy village. Como suits couples who value dining variety, shopping, and culture; families seeking beach relaxation or village authenticity might prefer the smaller lake towns.
Why Stay in Como
- Urban amenities with water access. Como offers city life (proper restaurants, cinemas, shops, galleries) without feeling touristy. You can swim, take ferries, and hike, but you also have quality dining diversity, nightlife, and culture. It's Lake Como for people who like cities.
- Fashion and design shopping. Como is a centre for silk production and Italian fashion. Shopping is first-rate and cheaper than Milan. Outlet stores nearby (Fidenza, 45 minutes north) offer designer brands at discounts. Non-shoppers may find this irrelevant, but for many it's a major draw.
- Frequent and diverse ferries. Como is the ferry hub; fast and slow ferries connect to all lake villages hourly. This makes day trips spontaneous. No village in the lake system is more than 60 minutes away by ferry.
- Temperature and comfort trade-off. Como can feel less romantic and more functional than smaller villages. The urban energy suits some travellers and alienates others seeking village escape. Summer heat lingers longer in the city than cooler villages like Ravello or Varenna.
Things to Do in Como
Como Cathedral and Waterfront Walk. The cathedral (Cattedrale di Santa Maria Assunta) is a Gothic-Renaissance masterpiece, free to enter (impressive interiors, worth 30–45 minutes). The waterfront walk east to the Tempio Voltiano and beyond is scenic, tree-lined, and takes 30 minutes at leisurely pace. This is essential Como experience and requires minimal effort or cost.
Silk Museums and Shopping. The Como Museum of Silk documents the region's industry (€8, 1 hour). Showrooms and boutiques line the main streets selling scarves, ties, fabrics, and finished items (€30–200+). If you care about textiles or fashion, this justifies a full morning. For the uninterested, it's easily skipped.
Ferries to Lake Villages and Hiking. Fast ferries depart multiple times daily to Varenna (25 minutes), Bellagio (45 minutes), Menaggio (50 minutes), and smaller villages. Each village warrants 3–4 hours. Combine two villages in a day if ambitious. Combined with hiking trails accessible from each village, ferry-hopping creates varied itineraries. Slow ferries (scenic but 50% longer) cost half as much.
Mountain Hikes and Funicular. A funicular (€5.50, 7 minutes) climbs to Brunate, a hillside village with lake views and walking trails. From Brunate, trails descend 2–3 hours to villages on the lake's western shore or climb further into foothills. Brunate has a café and is a pleasant hour's excursion. For serious hiking, the western shore (Menaggio and beyond) offers longer trails.
Dining and Nightlife. Como has restaurants spanning €15 (pizza) to €100+ (upscale dining). The variety is the draw: Thai, Japanese, Italian, fusion available. Bars and late-night cafés are more prevalent than smaller lake towns. If nightlife beyond wine bars matters, Como delivers more than villages.