Where to Stay in Lake Como
Your guide to the best areas and accommodation types
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Best Areas to Stay
Each neighborhood has its own character. Find the one that matches your travel style.
Known as the 'Pearl of Lake Como,' Bellagio sits on the promontory where the lake splits into two branches. This postcard-perfect village features cobblestone streets, elegant gardens, and some of the lake's most prestigious hotels. Its central location makes it ideal for exploring the entire lake via ferry connections.
- Most scenic and iconic location on the lake with panoramic views
- Excellent ferry connections to all major towns
- Charming historic center with boutique shopping and fine dining
- Home to famous Villa Melzi and Villa Serbelloni gardens
- Most expensive accommodation on the lake
- Extremely crowded with day-trippers from 10am-6pm during peak season
- Limited parking and difficult vehicle access through narrow streets
The largest town on the lake and the main transportation hub, Como offers urban amenities combined with lakefront charm. The historic center features the impressive Duomo, shopping streets, and a pleasant lakeside promenade. This is the most accessible area with direct trains to Milan.
- Direct train connections to Milan Centrale and Malpensa Airport
- Widest range of accommodation options from budget to luxury
- Best dining variety and local restaurants with reasonable prices
- Year-round services and hotels that remain open in winter
- More urban and less picturesque than smaller lake villages
- Waterfront can feel touristy and commercialized
This enchanting fishing village on the eastern shore offers authentic Italian charm with colorful houses cascading down to the water. Less developed than Bellagio but equally beautiful, Varenna provides a more relaxed atmosphere while maintaining excellent ferry connections and direct train service from Milan.
- Direct train station with connections to Milan and Switzerland
- More affordable and less crowded than Bellagio
- Charming lakeside walkway (Passeggiata degli Innamorati)
- Beautiful villas including Villa Monastero and Villa Cipressi
- Limited hotel options compared to larger towns
- Fewer restaurant choices, especially off-season
A practical and pleasant mid-lake town on the western shore with a working-town atmosphere alongside tourist amenities. Menaggio offers good value accommodation, a long lakefront promenade, and serves as an excellent base for hiking in the surrounding mountains and exploring nearby villages.
- Good selection of mid-range hotels and apartments
- Less pretentious atmosphere with authentic local life
- Excellent hiking trails including the Greenway del Lago path
- Central ferry location with easy access to Bellagio and Varenna
- Less architecturally stunning than Bellagio or Varenna
- Can feel somewhat ordinary compared to more picturesque villages
An upscale residential town just 5km north of Como, famous for hosting one of Europe's most prestigious hotels. The town maintains an elegant, refined atmosphere with beautiful villas and gardens lining the shore, attracting affluent travelers and celebrities seeking privacy and luxury.
- Home to legendary Villa d'Este, one of the world's finest hotels
- Close proximity to Como town while maintaining exclusive atmosphere
- Beautiful lakefront promenade and elegant villa architecture
- Easy access to Milan via Como's train connections
- Very expensive accommodation with limited budget options
- Small town with limited restaurants and nightlife
- Can feel quiet and residential outside luxury hotel properties
The Tremezzina area encompasses several small villages including Tremezzo, Cadenabbia, and Griante on the western shore. This stretch is famous for Villa Carlotta and its stunning botanical gardens, and enjoys the best sunshine on the lake with magnificent views across to Bellagio and Varenna.
- Home to Villa Carlotta, the lake's most spectacular villa and gardens
- Excellent sun exposure with afternoon light on the water
- Several historic grand hotels with belle époque charm
- More peaceful than Bellagio with similar scenic beauty
- Spread out area requiring walking or bus between villages
- Fewer dining options compared to larger towns
Located at the southeastern tip of the lake's eastern branch, Lecco is a working city with authentic Italian character and dramatic mountain scenery. Less touristy than western shore towns, it offers excellent value and serves as a gateway to the Grigna mountains and Valsassina valley.
- Significantly cheaper accommodation than popular lake towns
- Direct train connections to Milan and Bergamo
- Authentic Italian city life with local markets and restaurants
- Spectacular mountain backdrop and access to hiking trails
- Industrial areas detract from scenic beauty
- Limited lakefront charm compared to other villages
- Fewer tourist amenities and English-speaking services
These adjacent villages between Como and Cernobbio offer exclusive, residential tranquility along a particularly beautiful stretch of shoreline. Laglio gained fame as George Clooney's lakeside retreat, attracting visitors seeking celebrity connections and intimate village atmosphere away from tourist crowds.
- Peaceful, authentic village atmosphere with minimal tourist crowds
- Stunning lakeside setting with dramatic mountain backdrop
- Several luxury villas available for rent
- Close to Como town services while feeling remote
- Very limited hotel options and restaurants
- Car essential as ferry service is infrequent
- Can feel isolated without vehicle access
Accommodation Types
From budget-friendly hostels to luxury hotels, here's what's available.
Lake Como's legendary belle époque hotels like Villa d'Este, Grand Hotel Tremezzo, and Grand Hotel Villa Serbelloni offer unparalleled luxury with period furnishings, manicured gardens, private boat docks, and Michelin-quality dining. These properties typically date from the late 1800s and maintain their original grandeur.
Best for: Special occasions, luxury travelers, and those seeking iconic Lake Como glamour
Family-run properties in converted villas and historic buildings offer personalized service and local insights. These typically have 8-20 rooms with breakfast included, often featuring terrace dining and homemade regional cuisine. Many are located in village centers within walking distance of ferries.
Best for: Couples, travelers seeking authentic experiences, and those who value personal service
Self-catering apartments and entire villas range from simple studios to luxurious multi-bedroom properties with private pools and boat access. Concentrated in Menaggio, Como, and smaller villages, these suit longer stays and provide kitchens for preparing meals with local market ingredients.
Best for: Families, groups, extended stays of a week or more, and self-catering travelers
Working farms in the hills above the lake offer rustic accommodations with home-cooked meals featuring farm products. Located 10-20 minutes uphill from lakeside towns, these provide mountain views, swimming pools, and peaceful settings away from tourist areas, though a car is essential.
Best for: Families with children, nature lovers, food enthusiasts, and budget-conscious travelers with cars
Como town and Lecco offer the lake's most affordable accommodations including chain hotels, simple family-run hotels, and a few hostels. While lacking lake views and historic charm, these provide clean, functional bases with good transportation connections for exploring the lake.
Best for: Budget travelers, solo travelers, younger visitors, and those prioritizing location over luxury
Exclusive historic villas with multiple bedrooms, private staff, boat docks, and infinity pools cater to ultra-high-end travelers. Properties in Laglio, Cernobbio, and Bellagio's hills offer complete privacy with concierge services arranging private chefs, boat tours, and experiences.
Best for: Large groups, families seeking privacy, celebrities, and milestone celebrations
Booking Tips
Insider advice to help you find the best accommodation.
Rooms with direct lake views cost 30-50% more than garden or town-facing rooms, but the views are genuinely spectacular and central to the Lake Como experience. If budget allows, prioritize lake views over hotel category—a simple room with a balcony overlooking the water beats a luxury room facing a courtyard. Upper floors typically offer better views over waterfront promenades.
If staying in smaller villages without train stations, verify ferry schedules before booking as service is limited off-season and ends by 7-8pm even in summer. Towns with both ferry and train access (Como, Varenna, Lecco) offer more flexibility for evening activities. The central ferry (Bellagio-Varenna-Menaggio triangle) runs most frequently.
Many lakeside hotels have limited or expensive parking (€25-40 per night), and narrow village streets make driving stressful. If staying in one location and using ferries for day trips, skip the car rental and arrange a private transfer from Milan. Cars are valuable for exploring hillside agriturismos and accessing multiple villages, but unnecessary if based in well-connected towns.
Many properties enforce 2-3 night minimums during summer weekends and 5-7 night minimums in peak August weeks. Midweek arrivals (Monday-Wednesday) often have more flexibility. Shoulder season (May, early June, September) offers the best balance of good weather, lower prices, and relaxed minimum stay policies.
Lake Como's family-owned hotels and B&Bs often provide better rates, free upgrades, and flexible cancellation when booking directly by email or phone rather than through booking platforms. Many include complimentary boat transfers, welcome drinks, or late checkout for direct bookings. Larger hotels may offer 'best rate guarantees' on their official websites.
Hotel breakfast buffets typically cost €15-35 per person if purchased separately. Properties including breakfast offer better value, especially in smaller villages where breakfast cafes are limited. However, in towns like Como or Menaggio, skipping hotel breakfast and enjoying cappuccino and cornetto at a local bar saves money and provides authentic experience.
Late April through mid-June and September through mid-October offer 30-40% lower rates than peak summer with excellent weather, blooming gardens in spring, and golden light in autumn. Most hotels and restaurants are open, ferries run full schedules, and crowds are manageable. Avoid November-March when many properties close entirely.
Lake Como is one of Europe's most popular wedding destinations, with ceremonies peaking on Saturdays from May-September. Hotels in Bellagio, Varenna, and Tremezzo often book out completely for wedding blocks. If you encounter sold-out weekends, check neighboring towns as availability is usually a highly localized issue affecting only the wedding venue's immediate area.
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When to Book
Timing matters for both price and availability.
For July-August stays, book 6-9 months in advance, especially for lakefront rooms in Bellagio, Varenna, and Tremezzo. Top-tier hotels like Villa d'Este and Grand Hotel Tremezzo sell out their best rooms nearly a year ahead. June weekends also require 4-6 months advance booking.
May, early June, and September bookings should be made 3-4 months ahead for good selection. This period offers the best value-to-weather ratio, with rates 25-35% below peak summer and excellent availability if booking by February for spring or April for autumn stays.
October-April bookings can be made 4-6 weeks ahead, though many properties close November-March. Hotels remaining open offer significant discounts (40-60% off summer rates), though weather is unpredictable and ferry schedules are limited. Christmas/New Year is an exception requiring advance booking.
Book as early as possible for specific properties in Bellagio and Varenna, which have limited inventory. Towns with more hotel options (Como, Menaggio, Lecco) allow more flexibility. Cancellation policies are typically more flexible when booking directly with hotels rather than through third-party platforms.
Good to Know
Local customs and practical information.