v2.webp){kind=logo}
- Villa del Balbianello (Lenno) — A dramatic 18th-century villa perched on a wooded promontory with terraced gardens that drop into the lake. You reach it by a short walk or a boat landing; the combination of architecture, sweeping views and those intimate garden paths feels very Lake Como — personal favorite for sunsets and quiet corners.
- Villa Carlotta (Tremezzo) — Famous botanical gardens and an art collection tucked into a grand villa; in spring the rhododendrons and azaleas explode into color. It’s a classic Como experience without being a generic plaza — great for leisurely exploration and photography.
- Varenna & Villa Monastero — A narrow, authentic lakeside village with a long botanical promenade. Villa Monastero’s lakeside gardens and historic house museum make for a pleasant stroll
- Villa del Balbianello (Lenno) — A dramatic 18th-century villa perched on a wooded promontory with terraced gardens that drop into the lake. You reach it by a short walk or a boat landing; the combination of architecture, sweeping views and those intimate garden paths feels very Lake Como — personal favorite for sunsets and quiet corners.
- Villa Carlotta (Tremezzo) — Famous botanical gardens and an art collection tucked into a grand villa; in spring the rhododendrons and azaleas explode into color. It’s a classic Como experience without being a generic plaza — great for leisurely exploration and photography.
- Varenna & Villa Monastero — A narrow, authentic lakeside village with a long botanical promenade. Villa Monastero’s lakeside gardens and historic house museum make for a pleasant stroll that’s characteristically Comasco — less flashy than Bellagio but more atmospheric.
- Castello di Vezio (above Varenna) — Small medieval castle on a hill with stone battlements, raptor displays and walking trails overlooking the lake. Locals love the short hike up for the views and the small, rugged-feeling site — often overlooked by day-trippers.
- Brunate & Faro Voltiano viewpoint — Take the short funicular from Como and wander up to the Faro (lighthouse) for one of the best panoramas of the inverted Y of the lake. It’s a quick escape from the city bustle and feels distinctly local when you see families picnicking on the ridge.
- Orrido di Bellano — A narrow, dramatic gorge with walkways and waterfalls carved into limestone; it’s an easy, cool nature fix on a hot day. The gorge’s wild energy and splashy cascades give a different, raw side of the lake most people miss.
- Abbazia di Piona (Piona Abbey, Colico) — Hidden gem: a peaceful Cistercian abbey on the long northern peninsula with a quiet cloister and walking trails into reed beds. It’s a spiritual, low-key place where you can feel the distance from the tourist throngs at the midsummer peak.
- Pian di Spagna & Riserva Naturale (Lake Mezzola) — Hidden gem: a broad wetland and birding reserve at the mouth of the Mera river that separates the main lake from Lake Mezzola. Great for walking, cycling and spotting migratory birds — a surprisingly wild contrast to the villas and boats.
- Nesso Gorge & Ponte della Civera — A tiny village with a picturesque stone bridge and a waterfall that drops into the lake through a narrow gorge. It’s compact, photogenic and exactly the kind of local scene you remember — often passed by but rarely explored.
- Greenway del Lago di Como (selected sections) — A low-effort walking route that threads through small towns, old villas, chestnut groves and riverside cafés. Pick a short section (e.g., Colonno → Tremezzo) for genuine lakeside life: locals, markets and ordinary streets you won’t find from a boat tour.
Spotted a mistake or missing something? Contact us.
Lake Como Private Boat Tour from Bellagio with a Local
Ghisallo Pilgrimage - Road and E-bike Tour
Private Cruise on Lake Como with Luxury Motorboat from 1H to 4H
Lake Como Motorbike - Motorcycle tour around Lake Como and the Alps
Premium Pizza Making Class at a Pizzeria in Como
Lake Como Boat Tour - Villas, Bellagio & Scenic Highlights
Private Wooden Boat Tour on Lake Como: Villages and Villas
Lake Como Private Boat Tour : The Wooden Venetian Limo Escape
Exclusive Private Guided Boat Tour on Lake Como 1H - 4H
Best Backpacking
.jpg)
Hi, I’m Johan (Netherlands 🇳🇱), the creator of TakeYourBackpack. Over the past decade, I’ve backpacked through 80+ countries across six continents, gaining extensive experience with independent travel, long-term trips, and overland routes.