3 Days in Lago di Como, Italy!
Nicole Ladonne Blair
Available for hire
Varenna is the perfect spot to stay in while exploring Lake Como, Italy. It is easy to reach by train, has an active port for ferries as well as private boat tours, great food, and amazing sites to see.
19 Places • 19 Saves • ago
Free

Getting There

Lake Como, while looking like a fairy tale land, is actually quite easy to reach! Fly into Milan Malpensa airport, and then from Milano Centrale station get a ticket to Varenna Esino. See how easy?! This is one of the reasons I recommend staying in Varenna while you’re on the lake.

On the day of your arrival, take time to explore the town. Walk along the waterfront, get amazing gelato at La Passarella, and an aperitif or a casual dinner at Caffe Varenna.

La Passerella
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Caffe Varenna
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Day 1 - Boats Boats Boats

Start your day the Italian way with caffè e cornetto! Then get a ticket for the ferry to Bellagio. When you arrive at port in Bellagio, head south.

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You’re going to I Giardini di Villa Melzi, or the Melzi Gardens. These are amazing botanical gardens, with sculptures, a villa, and waterfront views of the lake.

I Giardini di Villa Melzi
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After you get your fill of gardens and beauty, walk back over to Bellagio town for il pranzo (lunch). Depending on what your vibe is I would recommend a couple of options.

For pizza:

Antico Pozzo Ristorante - Pizzaria
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For Views:

Restaurant de l'hotel Florence
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For a Splurge:

Ristorante Alle Darsene di Loppia
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After lunch, take a passeggiata through Bellagio and do some shopping! Italy is known for leather goods. Treat yourself to a new leather bag at Bellagioseta, or just wander around and take in all of the beautiful items.

Bellagioseta
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When you’re ready, hop back on the ferry and head back to Varenna.

Book ahead for a sunset cruise on the lake to cap off your first evening. There are many options for private boat tours. Here are a couple.

Lake Como Boat Varenna
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Taxi Boat Varenna
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On the boat tour you will see many villas surrounding the lakes, the different local towns, and even a few hidden sights, such as the waterfall and ancient bridge at Nesso.

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When back in Varenna, enjoy a lovely dinner at Il Prato.

Al Prato Restaurant
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Day 2: The Views

Before the sun gets too strong, climb up to Castello di Vezio. Wear sensible shoes as the hike can get steep! The castello was once connected to the walls of Varenna, and now offers a gorgeous view of the lake and city below. The castle grounds also contain plaster cast “ghosts” that add to the atmosphere, and make great photo ops!

Castello di Vezio
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After you make your trek down, grab your bathing suits and head to the train station. Take the train one stop north, to Bellano. You’re going to Lido di Bellano, a pristine beach on the lake shore, private pool, restaurant and bar. It’s best to book ahead for sun umbrellas and beach chairs if you plan on spending the afternoon at the beach. If it’s too cold for sunning and swimming, the restaurant on the terrace is still worth it for the great seafood, pasta and pizza, and sweeping lake views.

Lido di Bellano
@nicoleladonne
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After lazing the afternoon away on the beach, train or ferry back to home base and get ready for dinner.

For dinner, you’re going to need to book ahead before your trip, but it will be well worth it! Ristorante Il Caminetto is a family run restaurant. You can arrange to be picked up in Varenna, most likely by the chef’s wife, and taken up the windy hill to their family home. If there’s still some daylight left, take in a moment to enjoy the views!

The pasta is all hand made and the atmosphere is intimate and inviting. At the end of the evening, you’ll be ferried back down, no need to worry about transport after all the wine you’ll enjoy.

Il Caminetto
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Day 3: Life in Luxury

Live it up in luxury on your last full day on Lake Como. Your first stop will be Villa Monastero. This villa has a huge, lush botanical gardens, sculptures, and a museum holding four centuries of history.

Villa Monastero
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From here, take the ferry over to Villa Carlotta in Tremezzina. Before touring the villa, though, enjoy lunch at the aptly named Belle Isole Ristorante.

Ristorante Belle Isole
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Villa Carlotta
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When you’ve tired of your tours of extravagant villas, get ready for an extravagant dinner. The view from Ristorante La Vista at Albergó Milano is not to be missed.

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* * *
CURATED BY
Nicole Ladonne Blair
Available for hire
Hello! I’m Nicole! I’m a nomadic artist, writer, and photographer and have lived in Texas, Michigan, London, Hawaii, and now Virginia. I have travelled extensively through Europe, the US, and Mexico, and am the vacation planner and tour guide for everyone I know. I love everything about travel, and can not wait to share my favorite spots (especially my favorite places to eat!!) with you. Take a look through my guides and get in touch with me for custom planning services!
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3 Days in Lago di Como, Italy!
Nicole Ladonne Blair
Available for hire
Varenna is the perfect spot to stay in while exploring Lake Como, Italy. It is easy to reach by train, has an active port for ferries as well as private boat tours, great food, and amazing sites to see.
19 Places • 19 Saves • ago
Free

Getting There

Lake Como, while looking like a fairy tale land, is actually quite easy to reach! Fly into Milan Malpensa airport, and then from Milano Centrale station get a ticket to Varenna Esino. See how easy?! This is one of the reasons I recommend staying in Varenna while you’re on the lake.

On the day of your arrival, take time to explore the town. Walk along the waterfront, get amazing gelato at La Passarella, and an aperitif or a casual dinner at Caffe Varenna.

La Passerella
@nicoleladonne
Add to
Details
Caffe Varenna
@nicoleladonne
Add to
Details

Day 1 - Boats Boats Boats

Start your day the Italian way with caffè e cornetto! Then get a ticket for the ferry to Bellagio. When you arrive at port in Bellagio, head south.

Add to
Details

You’re going to I Giardini di Villa Melzi, or the Melzi Gardens. These are amazing botanical gardens, with sculptures, a villa, and waterfront views of the lake.

I Giardini di Villa Melzi
@nicoleladonne
Add to
Details

After you get your fill of gardens and beauty, walk back over to Bellagio town for il pranzo (lunch). Depending on what your vibe is I would recommend a couple of options.

For pizza:

Antico Pozzo Ristorante - Pizzaria
@nicoleladonne
Add to
Details

For Views:

Restaurant de l'hotel Florence
@nicoleladonne
Add to
Details

For a Splurge:

Ristorante Alle Darsene di Loppia
@nicoleladonne
Add to
Details

After lunch, take a passeggiata through Bellagio and do some shopping! Italy is known for leather goods. Treat yourself to a new leather bag at Bellagioseta, or just wander around and take in all of the beautiful items.

Bellagioseta
@nicoleladonne
Add to
Details

When you’re ready, hop back on the ferry and head back to Varenna.

Book ahead for a sunset cruise on the lake to cap off your first evening. There are many options for private boat tours. Here are a couple.

Lake Como Boat Varenna
@nicoleladonne
Add to
Details
Taxi Boat Varenna
@nicoleladonne
Add to
Details

On the boat tour you will see many villas surrounding the lakes, the different local towns, and even a few hidden sights, such as the waterfall and ancient bridge at Nesso.

Add to
Details

When back in Varenna, enjoy a lovely dinner at Il Prato.

Al Prato Restaurant
@nicoleladonne
Add to
Details

Day 2: The Views

Before the sun gets too strong, climb up to Castello di Vezio. Wear sensible shoes as the hike can get steep! The castello was once connected to the walls of Varenna, and now offers a gorgeous view of the lake and city below. The castle grounds also contain plaster cast “ghosts” that add to the atmosphere, and make great photo ops!

Castello di Vezio
@nicoleladonne
Add to
Details

After you make your trek down, grab your bathing suits and head to the train station. Take the train one stop north, to Bellano. You’re going to Lido di Bellano, a pristine beach on the lake shore, private pool, restaurant and bar. It’s best to book ahead for sun umbrellas and beach chairs if you plan on spending the afternoon at the beach. If it’s too cold for sunning and swimming, the restaurant on the terrace is still worth it for the great seafood, pasta and pizza, and sweeping lake views.

Lido di Bellano
@nicoleladonne
Add to
Details

After lazing the afternoon away on the beach, train or ferry back to home base and get ready for dinner.

For dinner, you’re going to need to book ahead before your trip, but it will be well worth it! Ristorante Il Caminetto is a family run restaurant. You can arrange to be picked up in Varenna, most likely by the chef’s wife, and taken up the windy hill to their family home. If there’s still some daylight left, take in a moment to enjoy the views!

The pasta is all hand made and the atmosphere is intimate and inviting. At the end of the evening, you’ll be ferried back down, no need to worry about transport after all the wine you’ll enjoy.

Il Caminetto
@nicoleladonne
Add to
Details

Day 3: Life in Luxury

Live it up in luxury on your last full day on Lake Como. Your first stop will be Villa Monastero. This villa has a huge, lush botanical gardens, sculptures, and a museum holding four centuries of history.

Villa Monastero
@nicoleladonne
Add to
Details

From here, take the ferry over to Villa Carlotta in Tremezzina. Before touring the villa, though, enjoy lunch at the aptly named Belle Isole Ristorante.

Ristorante Belle Isole
@nicoleladonne
Add to
Details
Villa Carlotta
@nicoleladonne
Add to
Details

When you’ve tired of your tours of extravagant villas, get ready for an extravagant dinner. The view from Ristorante La Vista at Albergó Milano is not to be missed.

Add to
Details
* * *
CURATED BY
Nicole Ladonne Blair
Available for hire
Hello! I’m Nicole! I’m a nomadic artist, writer, and photographer and have lived in Texas, Michigan, London, Hawaii, and now Virginia. I have travelled extensively through Europe, the US, and Mexico, and am the vacation planner and tour guide for everyone I know. I love everything about travel, and can not wait to share my favorite spots (especially my favorite places to eat!!) with you. Take a look through my guides and get in touch with me for custom planning services!
Send A Tip
Support Nicole Ladonne Blair’s work.
Select your tip amount
$5
$10
$20
$50
Or type in other amount
Feeling overwhelmed?
Thatch can help.
Send a request and we'll handpick a list of Thatch-verified travel creators who would love to help with your trip.
No request is too big or small...
"Research places for beach trips this winter."
"Help me plan a romantic getaway to Milan."
"Find and book kid-friendly activities in Paris."
"Curate a walking tour of historic Berlin."
"Suggest wineries worth visiting in Napa."
You can relax now :)
Person laying on a bed relaxing
Powered by Thatch
The home for unique & authentic travel
Powered by Thatch: Where great trips are made.
© Nicole Ladonne Blair Privacy Terms