Things to Do in Lake Como in June
June weather, activities, events & insider tips
June Weather in Lake Como
Is June Right for You?
Advantages
- Lake swimming is actually comfortable - water temperatures reach 20-22°C (68-72°F) by June, warm enough for proper swimming without the August crowds fighting for dock space
- Gardens hit peak bloom without the scorching heat - Villa Carlotta's azaleas and rhododendrons are still showing color, and you can tour the terraced gardens in the morning without melting by 11am like you would in July
- Restaurant tables are available - you can still get lakeside dining reservations 3-5 days out in most towns, whereas July-August requires 2-3 weeks advance booking at decent spots
- Hiking the high trails is ideal - the Dorsale path above Bellagio and trails around Rifugio Menaggio sit at 1,400-1,600 m (4,600-5,250 ft) where it's 5-7°C (9-13°F) cooler than lakeside, perfect for midday hiking when the lake gets sticky
Considerations
- Afternoon thunderstorms disrupt plans - those 10 rainy days tend to hit between 2-5pm, and when storms roll down from the Alps they're dramatic enough to shut down ferry service for 1-2 hours, which throws off your village-hopping schedule
- Some lake facilities open late - smaller beach clubs and seasonal restaurants in quieter villages like Lezzeno or Careno don't fully open until mid-June, and even then might run limited hours until July 1st
- Water levels can be unpredictable - June 2026 follows a winter we don't know yet, but recent years have seen either too-high levels flooding some docks or low levels exposing rocky shorelines that make swimming spots less appealing
Best Activities in June
Villa garden tours in morning hours
June hits the sweet spot where Villa Carlotta, Villa Melzi, and Villa Monastero still have blooming displays but temperatures stay comfortable until noon. The 70% humidity makes midday touring genuinely unpleasant, but 8-11am you're walking terraced gardens with lake views in 20-23°C (68-73°F) temperatures. Villa Balbianello's loggia doesn't get direct sun until afternoon, making morning tours particularly nice. Crowds are maybe 40% of August levels, so you can actually photograph the famous cypress-lined paths without strangers in every shot.
Lakeside hiking between villages
The Wayfarer's Path sections and greenway trails are legitimately perfect in June before summer heat makes them miserable. The Greenway del Lago route from Colonno to Cadenabbia covers 10 km (6.2 miles) through olive groves and medieval hamlets, takes 3-4 hours, and stays mostly shaded. Morning starts mean you finish before afternoon storms. Trail surfaces are dry by June after spring rains, and wildflowers along the paths are still blooming. The Sentiero del Viandante higher route offers cooler temperatures - every 100 m (328 ft) of elevation drops temps about 0.6°C (1°F), so trails at 400-500 m (1,310-1,640 ft) above the lake are noticeably more comfortable.
Early morning or evening water activities
Kayaking, paddleboarding, and small boat rentals work beautifully in June if you time them right. Mornings before 11am the lake is often glass-smooth before thermal winds pick up, and you avoid the afternoon thunderstorm window. Water temperature of 20-22°C (68-72°F) means if you fall in, it's refreshing rather than shocking. Evening paddles from 6-8pm after storms clear offer incredible light on the mountains. Rental spots in Bellagio, Varenna, and Menaggio have full inventory available in June, unlike August when everything's booked by 9am.
Mountain refuge lunches above the lake
June is the one month you can comfortably hike up to rifugios like Rifugio Menaggio at 1,400 m (4,593 ft) or Rifugio Martina at 1,350 m (4,429 ft) for lunch without dying of heat exhaustion. These mountain huts serve polenta, local cheeses, and salamis with sweeping lake views. The 2-3 hour hikes up gain 800-1,000 m (2,625-3,281 ft) elevation, which sounds brutal but June temperatures make it manageable if you start by 8:30am. You're hiking through beech forests that stay cool, and lunch at elevation means you're eating in 18-20°C (64-68°F) comfort while the lake below swelters at 26°C (79°F).
Ferry-hopping architectural tours
June's moderate crowds mean you can actually use ferries as a touring tool rather than a sardine can experience. The central lake ferry system connects Bellagio, Varenna, and Menaggio every 30-60 minutes, and you can hop off to explore Romanesque churches, medieval cores, and lakeside promenades without the shoulder-to-shoulder August masses. The ferry rides themselves offer the best villa views - you see Balbianello, Villa Carlotta, and dozens of private villas from water level. A day pass costs 15 euros and lets you hop unlimited times. Morning ferries are quieter, afternoon runs might delay 15-30 minutes if storms hit.
Market and food shopping mornings
June brings peak produce to Lake Como's weekly markets - cherries from Valchiavenna, early peaches, asparagus, and local cheeses. The Saturday market in Menaggio and Tuesday market in Como run 8am-1pm, and shopping in June means you're browsing in comfortable morning temperatures rather than August's oppressive heat. Markets are genuinely local affairs in June, not tourist traps yet. You can assemble incredible picnic supplies - fresh focaccia, salumi, cheese, fruit - for 12-15 euros per person, then ferry to a quiet cove for lunch. Morning shopping also lets you meet vendors who actually talk rather than just transact during peak season.
June Events & Festivals
Sagra di San Giovanni - Midsummer Festival
June 24th is San Giovanni feast day, celebrated in Como and several villages with evening processions, fireworks over the water, and outdoor dinners. Como's waterfront hosts the largest celebration with traditional boat blessings and a fireworks display around 10:30pm that reflects off the lake. Smaller villages like Ossuccio and Tremezzo have their own versions with more intimate celebrations. It's one of the few genuinely local festivals where tourists are present but not the focus.
Tremezzina Music Festival
Classical music concerts held in historic villas and churches around Tremezzo throughout June. Performances range from chamber music in Villa Carlotta's gardens to organ concerts in medieval churches. The outdoor garden concerts are particularly special when weather cooperates - bring a light jacket as evening temperatures drop to 17°C (63°F). Tickets typically 15-25 euros, some church concerts are free.