Early Morning to Late Afternoon — Excursion to Lake Como
Often cited as the most picturesque lake in Europe, Lake Como has enchanted artists and travelers for centuries and it's easy to see why. Tucked away in the foothills of the northern Italian Alps, Lake Como is the perfect day trip destination from Milan, offering the perfect chance to escape the hustle and bustle of city life. Discover some of the picturesque lakeside villages, take a thrilling boat ride across the lake, or explore the many grand villas and beautiful gardens.
Cathedral of Como
Admire the wonderful details of this grand Duomo which incorporates architectural styles from across five centuries.
The imposing cathedral (Duomo) is located in the heart of Como's medieval walled city. Built between 1300 and 1744, the cathedral brings together elements of several architectural styles, including the late Gothic structure, the Renaissance facade, and the imposing Baroque dome. The front façade boasts an abundance of ornate stonework and stone statues, and is topped with a series of small decorative towers. The interior is also lavishly decorated. The standout feature is a central dome covered with gold artwork and other beautiful decor.
Villa Melzi
Wander through the magnificent lakeside gardens which surround this beautiful white villa in Bellagio.
The town of Bellagio was fought over in wars between Como and Milan, but most of the time, it has been a destination of pleasure and leisure since late Roman times. For this reason, Napoleon decided to reward one of his generals, Francesco Melzi, with the white neo-Classical Villa Melzi. Located to the south of the Bellagio, it is visited primarily for its spectacular gardens, embellished with ancient artefacts such as an Etruscan urn that dates back to the 3rd Century BC and two ancient Egyptian sculptures.
Villa Monastero
Visit a villa that began as a peaceful lakeside convent and was later transformed into a luxurious residence.
Built-in various styles (Baroque, Classic and Moresque), the origins of the Villa Monastero in the town of Varenna stretch back to the 12th century, when it was founded as a Cistercian convent. The estate was purchased by Paolo Mornico in 1569, using his fortune amassed through iron mining. He then transformed it into a very elaborate aristocratic residence, while retaining some beautiful elements from the convent. These days the villa is now used as an international conference center and wedding venue. Luckily for visitors, the gardens are open to the public and there is also a House Museum, which features 14 lavish rooms filled with period furniture, refined decorations, and luxurious furnishings.
Villa Cipressi
Explore the lush gardens surrounding this villa and enjoy stunning lake views from its terraces.
Just a short distance from Villa Monastero, you'll find the Villa Cirpressi, a grand villa built between the 15th and 19th century which offers great architectural elements of late Renaissance and fine Neoclassical features. Aside from the villa which is now a 4-star hotel, it is home to another manicured lakeside garden. Smaller in size, the centuries-old gardens are open to the public to visit, offering a journey of perfumes and magical sensations that go beyond a normal botanical garden. The terraced garden overlooking the lake deserves a visit, especially for anyone interested in nature.
Lake Como Funicular
Ride a 19th Century funicular up the mountainside above Como to enjoy beautiful views over Lake Como.
Lake Como is surrounded by beautiful hills and mountains, and while it’s definitely possible to hike up the steep incline on foot, most people opt to ride on the Brunate Funicular, which brings riders to the small town of Brunate in just 7 minutes. The Funicular Railway has linked Lake Como and Brunate since 1894 and is still the quickest way of travelling between these two towns. A trip on the railway offers stunning views and an opportunity to see panoramic views of rural Como, all whilst having an enjoyable jaunt on a train!
Cruise on Lake Como
Take a liesurely private sail, enjoy a lake cruise, or villa hop by ferry.
One good way to combine a lake cruise with visits to the best villas and prettiest towns is to use the lake ferries. Just take the train from Milan to Varenna and then when you're done there, catch a ferry across the lake to Bellagio. From Bellagio you can take another ferry to Como, where you can catch a train back to Milan.
If you go straight to Como, from April to October there are leisure boats offering 30-minute journeys along the nearby shoreline. With a high number of tourists, boats leave quite frequently and are very affordable at around 5 Euros per person. The better boats will point out sites of interest along the way, including spots where famous movies were filmed.
If you want a truly special experience, you can also hire a private tour on a sail boat or small motor yacht. You'll feel like a real movie star as the you glide across the blue waters of the lake and wave to your fellow celebrities in the passing boats.
Bellagio
Visit Lake Como's most famously beautiful lakeside town.
It is impossible not to be smitten by Bellagio's picturesque waterfront, bobbing boats and its maze of stone staircases, alleys, and cypress tree groves, and you may want to spend the most time during your day trip here. Bellagio has been a favored summertime resort since the Roman Times, and very little has changed, with Italians and tourists heading to the lakes for a cooler (but still incredibly warm) climate, away from the sweltering heat of the cities.
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