Things to Do in Lake Como in July
July weather, activities, events & insider tips
July Weather in Lake Como
Is July Right for You?
Advantages
- Lake swimming is genuinely perfect - water temperatures hit 24°C (75°F), warm enough that you'll actually want to stay in for more than five minutes. The locals are all in the water by 11am, which tells you everything you need to know.
- Gardens are at peak bloom without the scorching heat of August. Villa Carlotta's azaleas and rhododendrons are still showing color in early July, and you can actually walk the terraced gardens at Villa Balbianello without melting. Best visited 9-11am before the heat builds.
- Evening aperitivo culture is in full swing with extended daylight until 9pm. The waterfront bars in Bellagio and Varenna fill up around 6:30pm when the temperature drops to a comfortable 24°C (75°F) and the lake turns golden. This is when Como actually feels Italian rather than touristy.
- Ferry schedules run at maximum frequency - boats depart every 15-20 minutes between major towns versus hourly in low season. You can be spontaneous with your itinerary, hopping between Bellagio, Varenna, and Menaggio without checking timetables obsessively.
Considerations
- Peak season pricing hits hard - accommodation costs roughly 40-60% more than April or October, and you're looking at minimum 3-night stays at most properties. Hotels in Bellagio that go for 180 euros in May jump to 320 euros in July. Book by March 2026 for anything approaching reasonable rates.
- Afternoon thunderstorms roll in 10 out of 31 days, typically between 2-5pm. They're dramatic - the kind where the sky goes dark green and you're genuinely soaked if caught out. Not ideal if you've planned a Sentiero del Viandante hike or have a boat tour booked for 3pm. Locals just accept this and plan morning activities.
- Tourist density in Bellagio's centro storico gets genuinely unpleasant between 11am-4pm. The narrow Salita Serbelloni becomes a shuffling queue of day-trippers from Milan. If crowds make you irritable, you'll hate July in the main towns. Early mornings and evenings are fine, but midday is rough.
Best Activities in July
Early Morning Lake Swimming at Lido Beaches
July water temperatures at 24°C (75°F) make this the best swimming month. Hit the lidos in Menaggio, Varenna, or Lenno between 8-10am before tour groups arrive. The morning light on the mountains is spectacular, and you'll share the water with locals doing their daily swim rather than selfie-stick crowds. By 11am these spots are packed. Entry typically 5-8 euros for changing facilities and lake access.
Villa Garden Tours in Morning Hours
Villa Balbianello, Villa Carlotta, and Villa Melzi are best visited 9-11am in July before heat and crowds peak. The formal Italian gardens are still lush, and the 8-10°C (14-18°F) temperature difference from midday actually matters when you're climbing terraced gardens. Villa Balbianello's position on Punta di Lavedo catches morning breezes off the water. Entry fees run 10-20 euros per villa.
Sunset Kayak or Paddleboard Rentals
The 6-8pm window offers calm water, comfortable temperatures around 25°C (77°F), and that golden light everyone comes to Como for. Rental spots in Bellagio, Varenna, and Menaggio offer 2-hour sessions. You'll paddle past waterfront villas that cost 40 million euros while spending 25 euros on a kayak. The contrast is amusing. Water is warmest in July, so falling in is actually pleasant rather than shocking.
Mountain Hiking Above the Lake
Escape the lakeside heat and crowds by heading up. Trails above Brunate (accessible by funicular from Como town) or the Sentiero del Viandante between Varenna and Dervio offer 5-8°C (9-14°F) cooler temperatures at 600-800 m (1,970-2,625 ft) elevation. Start by 8am to finish before afternoon storms roll in. Views over the lake are absurdly photogenic, and you'll encounter maybe a dozen other hikers versus hundreds of tourists below.
Cooking Classes in Traditional Kitchens
July brings peak season produce - zucchini flowers, lake fish, summer tomatoes. Multi-hour cooking classes (usually 10am-2pm to avoid afternoon heat) teach you to make fresh pasta, risotto with perch, and regional dishes you won't find in restaurants. You're cooking in actual Italian homes or agriturismos in the hills, not tourist demonstration kitchens. Classes include lunch with local wine, which makes the afternoon heat more tolerable.
Evening Aperitivo Boat Tours
The 6:30-8:30pm slot captures the best of July Como - comfortable temperatures, golden hour light, and the Italian ritual of aperitivo on water. Small group boats (8-12 people) cruise past villas like Villa Oleandra while you drink Aperol spritz and eat focaccia. It's touristy, yes, but actually enjoyable in July when being on the water at sunset is genuinely the best place to be. Beats sitting in a hot restaurant.
July Events & Festivals
Festa del Lago (Lake Festival)
Various lakeside towns host evening festivals throughout July with live music, local food stalls, and fireworks over the water. Menaggio and Tremezzo typically hold theirs mid-month. These are genuine local events, not tourist productions - you'll eat porchetta sandwiches and drink Valtellina wine while standing shoulder-to-shoulder with Italian families. Fireworks usually start around 10:30pm when it's finally dark.
Como Città della Musica
Classical music concerts held in historic venues around Como town throughout July. Performances in cathedral cloisters and villa courtyards offer excellent acoustics and atmosphere. Tickets run 15-35 euros and rarely sell out except for headline performances. Worth checking the program if you're spending an evening in Como town anyway.