Beyond Milan
Lake Como: the back story
The back story
Photo Credit
Image courtesy of © Zairon · CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia CommonsAbout Lake Como: the back story
Lake Como lies an hour north of Milan by train. Como itself sits at the south-western tip; Navigazione Laghi’s boats link the lake towns, from Bellagio on its point to Varenna and Tremezzina, where the FAI’s Villa del Balbianello stands on its peninsula.
Getting there
By Trenord regional train from Milano Centrale or Cadorna to Como, or from Centrale to Varenna-Esino; check trenord.it.
Photo Credit
Image courtesy of © Ray in Manila · CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia CommonsThe lake
Navigazione Laghi runs the boats between Como, Bellagio, Varenna and the lake towns (navigazionelaghi.it).
Trenord trains run from Milano Centrale or Cadorna to Como, and from Centrale to Varenna.
The villas
The Villa del Balbianello at Tremezzina, run by the FAI, and the gardens of the Villa Carlotta.
Our advice: take the train to Varenna and the short ferry to Bellagio.
Why it's on our list
- Getting there
- The lake
- The villas
Opening hours, prices and seasonal openings change, so please check with Lake Como: the back story before you go.
What’s nearby
Distances from Lake Como: the back story are approximate, measured in a straight line (as the crow flies). Times are approximate too: walking at about 80 metres a minute, cycling at about 14 km/h and driving at typical city-traffic speeds. Traffic and routes vary.
Key sights
- Malpensa Airport34 kmCar or taxi 120 min
- Pinacoteca di Brera39 kmCar or taxi 134 min
- Castello Sforzesco39 kmCar or taxi 135 min
- The Last Supper39 kmCar or taxi 135 min
- La Scala39 kmCar or taxi 136 min
- The Galleria40 kmCar or taxi 137 min
- The Duomo40 kmCar or taxi 137 min
Main railway stations
- Milano Porta Garibaldi37 kmCar or taxi 130 min
- Milano Centrale38 kmCar or taxi 130 min
- Milano Lambrate38 kmCar or taxi 133 min
- Milano Cadorna39 kmCar or taxi 135 min