I bet the title already caught your eye, because after all, who would not want to explore this stunning destination and see as much as possible of it? The secret though, is not to rush, but to savor it slowly, at your pace, in the dolce farniente style.
Guarded by the Alps and surrounded by picturesque villages, Como winds its way like a dark blue ribbon through emerald hills and snow-dusted peaks. This living painting, infused with the unmistakable charm of Italy, is definitely one of the most romantic travel destinations.
Correct me if I am wrong, but in my opinion, there are two types of travelers: those who base themselves in Milan and squeeze in a day trip to Como, and those who choose to do the exact opposite and spend a few days on the lake’s shores and pay Milan a quick visit for the main attractions and maybe a shopping session.ðŸ¤
In this post, I’ll speak to the latter. I’ll admit, I’ve tried the one-day version too and it was really fun, but I would trade the chaos of a metropolis, no matter how sfarzoso Milan may be, for the authentic charm of a small Italian town by the water, any day.
Are 3 days really enough?
Three days may sound too short—and it is. I, for one, didn’t want to leave that little bench where I sat watching boats sway gently on the lake, gelato in hand. But even dolce far niente eventually comes to an end, and the return home becomes inevitable. That’s why I decided to share my own mini-itinerary with you, in hopes it might inspire your own adventure on this one of a kind place.
If you read my very first blog post, about Sorrento, you know I can get carried away with storytelling (congratulations if you made it to the end). This time I promised myself I’d write a short, practical guide. Ironically, for someone a bit chaotic like me, that turned out to be even harder!🙈
Day 1 – Lenno
Sorry to disappoint, but our journey doesn’t start in Bellagio or Varenna. Don’t worry, we’ll get there. We chose Lenno because it’s small, quiet, and much more budget-friendly when it comes to accommodation.
We had Residence Lenno as home base which is run by the hotel Albergo Lenno. The hotel also has a nice restaurant with a great view over the lake and delicious Italian food.
How to get here? We rented a car from the airport since Lake Como was just one stop on a longer Italian road trip. But if you’re only here for three days, I wouldn’t recommend it. You’ll mostly rely on ferries anyway. The easiest option is to take the train from Milan Centrale to Como San Giovanni, then hop on a ferry to Lenno.
Make sure to check both the train and ferry schedules in advance so your transfer goes smoothly.
Yes, half a day might be lost on the road, but the good news is you can spend the rest of it strolling along the lakeside promenade or sipping coffee at a terrace overlooking the water. The view is so stunning you’ll wonder whether it’s real or just a painting.
Take a short walk to the central square and you’ll find the lovely Chiesa di Santo Stefano.
But since you’ll likely be tired, I’d save Lenno’s main attraction, Villa del Balbianello, for the next day. Built in the 18th century on the ruins of a monastery, this villa is a perfect blend of Italian elegance and lush gardens cascading down to the water. Winding paths, blooming flowers, and romantic terraces offer some of the best panoramas of the lake.
We didn’t manage to visit the interior, but the gardens alone are worth it, not just for their beauty, but also for their fame. Villa del Balbianello has been featured in Star Wars: Attack of the Clones and James Bond: Casino Royale!
Day 2 – Varenna and Bellagio
The visit to Balbianello won’t take more than two hours. After that, and a quick breakfast at Bistro il Golfo, you can catch a ferry to Varenna. Although the first stop would usually be Bellagio, we went to Varenna first, simply because it made the return easier.
Smaller and less crowded than Bellagio, Varenna still has plenty to offer: a romantic lakeside walkway, cozy little restaurants, and enchanting botanical gardens like those of Villa Monastero.
Castello di Vezio
But for us, the real highlight was Castello di Vezio—a medieval fortress perched above the village, with sweeping views of the lake and the surrounding mountains. You can climb the towers, wander cobbled paths, and if you’re lucky, even catch a falconry demonstration. We didn’t see a show, but we did meet a shy, but extremely sweet owl we instantly fell in love with.
Tip: The hike up to the castle isn’t the easiest, it’s steep and uneven, so good shoes are a must. (Although I did spot a girl in high heels, so technically, it’s possible if you want to stay alla moda.)
After a light lunch, we took the ferry to the famous Bellagio, where we spent the rest of the day wandering the charming streets. Cobbled stairways, colorful houses, tiny piazzas, artisan shops—you can easily get lost here, in the best possible way. We didn’t visit any official landmarks, but chose instead to simply enjoy the energy of the place.
Bellagio is called the pearl of Como for a reason!
The best advice I can give you? End your evening with a dinner at La Lanterna, right in the heart of Bellagio. The fresh homemade pasta was divine, but the star of the show was, without a doubt, their tiramisu. And trust me, I’ve tried tiramisu in every Italian city I’ve visited, and none came close to this one. Not to mention they serve it in these beautifully designed bialetti espresso makers, that make the presentation so unique and authentically Italian. The atmosphere also makes the experience special, with handwritten menus and hand-painted bottles by the owner’s grandfather.
Day 3 – Bellano (and a touch of Bellagio again)
We usually dedicate the last day of a trip to relaxation or revisiting favorite spots. Many travelers choose Milan for this, but we decided to explore Bellano instead—a less famous village, but with an authentic charm and peaceful vibe.
The main reason we went there was to see Orrido di Bellano, a spectacular gorge carved by the rushing waters. It was breathtaking, and absolutely worth the detour.
We then spent the rest of the day back in Bellagio and yes, you guessed it, we returned to La Lanterna for another round of pasta and tiramisu😋
That’s how our little Lake Como adventure came to an end, as the next day we headed toward San Marino (a story for another post). It wasn’t a perfect itinerary, but it fit us perfectly: a mix of must-see attractions, hidden gems, and, most importantly, time to truly soak in the lake’s authentic charm.
What would your own 3-day Lake Como itinerary look like?