19 Incredible Day Trips from Lake Como You’ll Love

Introduction

Surprising fact: you can reach Bellagio, Varenna or the Swiss border in about 45 minutes from Como by fast ferry or train, which makes this list of the best day trips from lake como highly practical for first timers.

This guide matters if you’re a first-time visitor, a family with kids, or based in Milan and want clear, time-smart choices that fit a 6 to 12 hour day.

Each trip notes the best transport: use a ferry for scenic lake routes, the train for quick links to Tirano and the Bernina Express, a car when you need flexibility, and the funicular for steep viewpoints near Como.

You’ll get realistic travel times, passport tips for crossing into Switzerland, seasonal notes, and one honest trade-off: some mountain trips can be tiring for small kids or anyone with motion sickness.

Como town day trip

You arrive after a morning in Bellagio or Varenna and want an easy, scenic first stop that feels like Lake Como in one walk. The **best day trips from lake como** often start here because Como is quick to reach and packed with charm.

From central Lake Como locations take a **10, 30 minute ferry** or a **40 minute train** to Como town. The lakeside promenade, the vaulted Como Cathedral and the funicular ride to Brunate are the top highlights for a short visit.

• Sample 6-hour itinerary: 09:30 arrive by ferry, 10:00 stroll promenade and market, 11:15 visit Como Cathedral (€5 entry), 12:15 funicular up to Brunate, 13:30 lunch by the lake, 14:30 quick museum or Villa Olmo gardens, 15:30 return.
• Accessibility notes: Promenade and cathedral are stroller friendly. Funicular has step access and limited wheelchair space.
• Estimated cost: €20, €50 per person for transport, funicular, a light lunch and modest entry fees.

Bellagio day trip

Want a classic Lake Como stop that feels like a postcard? Yes. Bellagio is an easy, scenic pick and is often listed among the best day trips from lake como.

From Como town expect a 20 to 60 minute ferry depending on the route; from Varenna ferries are usually about 20, 30 minutes and frequent in summer.

• Villa Melzi gardens , allow 45 minutes to stroll the lakeside sculptures and citrus trees.
• Cobbled lanes , narrow streets full of shops and cafes for 60 to 90 minutes of wandering and photos.
• Lakeside views , main promenade photo spots facing Bellagio porto and the Alps.

Timed ferry suggestion: catch a 09:00 ferry from Como, arrive ~09:45, follow the 5-hour self-guided plan: 10:00 Villa Melzi, 11:00 lunch, 12:00 promenade, 13:30 quick shopping, 14:00 return ferry.

Seasonal note: winter ferry service drops and some cafes close, so check schedules and expect fewer connections; single fares start around €10 in low season.

Varenna day trip

Some say Varenna is just a postcard stop. In reality it’s one of the best day trips from lake como for easy pace, pretty views, and short travel times.

Take the ferry from Como town in about 15, 40 minutes for a scenic ride or a local train in roughly 1 hour; a one-way ferry ticket often costs around €8.

Top highlights are Villa Monastero with its gardens, the compact riverside café scene, and simple cliffside strolls that take under 2 hours end to end.

• Family notes: most main streets and the lakeside promenade are stroller-friendly, with a gentle slope and benches every 200 m.
• Sample midday plan: arrive by 10:30, visit Villa Monastero 11:00, 12:00, lunch at a lakeside trattoria around 12:30, then a relaxed walk or gelato before catching a 15:30 ferry back.

Ferry lake cruise

I still remember stepping on a ferry at Como with my camera ready and not wanting the ride to end. A scenic round-trip ferry lets you visit Bellagio, Varenna and Como in one day, so it’s one of the best day trips from lake como.

Take the regular carena or fast hydrofoil routes to stitch towns together; a typical loop Como, Bellagio, Varenna and back takes about 6, 8 hours including stops and photos.

• Timetables: ferries run roughly every 30, 90 minutes in summer, check the official timetable and buy tickets from the kiosk or online for the exact time.
• Ticket tips: single rides start near €6, day passes about €20, choose economy for budget or “open return” for flexibility.
• Costs and comfort: pick lower decks if you get seasick, sit midship and take wrist meds; ferries cut back in winter, so plan train or funicular alternatives for off-season.

Villa del Balbianello visit

Quick tip: catch the public ferry to Lenno and save time by walking the marked path up to the villa; the walk is steep but only 10 minutes from the dock.

Travel: from Como town the journey is usually 20, 45 minutes by ferry or car, and from Milan expect 1 hour 15 minutes to Como plus the short ferry hop if you start from Como town.

Highlights: the terraced gardens are the star for photos, especially from the west terrace at golden hour, and the villa interiors show historic furniture and maps that fans of cinema love.

Time: plan 90, 120 minutes on site so you can stroll gardens, peek inside, and take photos toward the lake and Alps backdrop.

Booking: tickets cost around €15 for entry; guided tours add context but self-guided gives more photo time.

Accessibility: note there are steep stone paths and several steps, so it is not fully wheelchair friendly.

Villa Carlotta visit

Spring is the best season to see the azaleas and rhododendrons in full bloom, when Villa Carlotta feels like a living painting and makes many lists of the best day trips from lake como.

Take a short ferry from Como town to Tremezzo or the midlake stop; the ride is about 20 minutes. You can also reach it by train or bus from Como or by car from Milan in roughly 1 hour 15 minutes.

• Highlights: 8 hectares of botanical gardens and a 17th century art collection including Canova and Hayez. Plan 2 to 3 hours inside the villa and gardens.
• Tickets: entry ranges from €8 to €15 per adult, more for guided tours; buy online in high season to skip lines.
• Season advice: peak blooms in April and May; ferries run more often then. In winter some garden areas close.
• Stroller notes: paths are gravel and have steps in parts, so a lightweight stroller or carrier is best for families.

Menaggio day trip

Ferry fares run about €6, €12 one way while driving plus parking usually costs around €10, €20, so the ferry often saves money and time. Menaggio is 30, 50 minutes from Como depending on route and is one of the best day trips from lake como.

Start with a stroll along the long lakeside promenade to the viewpoint above town, ideal for photos of Bellagio and the central lake fork.

• Morning: catch a ferry from Como town at 9:00 for a 40 minute scenic ride, arrive by 9:45.
• Midday: lunch at a waterfront trattoria, expect about €15 for a main dish, then relax in the family-friendly park with playgrounds and toilets.
• Afternoon: choose a short hike to the Castello di Vez viewpoint or a 30 minute walk along the lakeside path toward Villa del Balbianello views.

This trip works well from Milan as a quick Lake Como day trip and pairs easily with Bellagio or Varenna if you want more towns.

Isola Comacina visit

Only 1 small island sits in the middle of western Lake Como, and a short boat makes it feel like a secret escape.

Take a 15-minute boat transfer from Ossuccio or Lenno; seasonal ferry schedules apply so check times in spring and autumn when services drop.

The island offers small island ruins and about a 1 km loop of simple trails and viewpoints that take 30, 60 minutes to explore.

Lakeside dining is best after you return to Lenno where Villa del Balbianello sits nearby and cafes serve fresh fish and risotto.

• Accessibility: uneven stone paths and steps, not ideal for wheelchairs or strollers.
• Cost: budget about €8, €20 round trip for the ferry plus €10, €20 for a meal.
• Timing: combine with a morning in Ossuccio and an afternoon Bellagio or Varenna ferry hop for one of the best day trips from lake como.

Milan day trip from Como

Picture stepping off a 40, 50 minute direct train from Como town and into a day of art and shopping in Milan.

Take the morning train to Milano Centrale, arrive by 09:30, walk to the Duomo and Galleria, then follow a quick 6, 8 hour city loop that fits museums, a lunch market stop and a coffee break.

Highlights include the rooftop Duomo terraces, the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, and a short funicular ride for skyline views.

Practical tip: catch a 08:20 or 09:00 train and return around 18:00 to avoid rush hour. Timed train suggestions work best with a 1 to 2 hour buffer for lines.

Luggage tip: store bags at Milano Centrale for about €6 per item so you can move fast.

• Best for culture and shopping on the list of best day trips from lake como.

Tirano day trip

Want a scenic cross-border day that starts from Lake Como and ends in the Swiss Alps?

Tirano is a 2 to 2.5 hour train ride from Como or Milan and works as a perfect gateway for the Bernina Express and other Lake Como to Switzerland day trips.

• Why go: ride the historic Bernina Express to St. Moritz, enjoy alpine views, or explore Tirano’s old town and markets.
• Travel note: trains run about €30 one way if booked in advance; check timetables for connections to the Bernina Express platform.
• Passport tip: you cross the Swiss border, so bring your passport and a few Swiss francs for snacks or local buses.
• Sample day plan: take an early train at 8:00, spend 90 minutes in Tirano, then join the Bernina Express mid-morning for the Alps; return by late evening to Como.

Bernina Express ride

Many think a Swiss mountain train is a quick detour. In reality the Bernina Express from Tirano to St. Moritz is an iconic scenic train that needs a full day, about 8, 10 hours round trip from Lake Como.

The route crosses the Alps, showing glaciers, red viaducts and hairpin curves with views you remember. The best viewing spots are the rear panorama carriage or the right-hand seats heading north for the highest peaks.

• Highlights: glaciers and dramatic alpine viaducts near the Swiss border, tiny mountain villages, and St. Moritz lakeside.
• Practical: book seat reservations in advance on the Bernina Express; many tickets sell out, especially in summer and autumn.
• Take motion-sickness meds if you get queasy on curves, dress in layers for altitude changes, and carry a passport for the Lake Como to Switzerland day trip.

Lugano day trip

I loved how Lugano feels like Italy with Swiss order the first time I walked its lakeside promenade.

By car it takes 1, 1.5 hours from Como, and by train plus bus expect about 1.5, 2 hours via the Swiss border , this makes it one of the best day trips from lake como for a quick cross-country taste.

• Highlights: 1 km lakeside parks, elegant shopping on Via Nassa, and a lively arts scene with modern galleries and classical concerts.
• Food: mix of Swiss-Italian food, try risotto and a saffron gelato or a hearty polenta for about €15, €25 in a mid-range trattoria.
• Activities: short funicular ride to Monte Brè for views of the Alps and Lake Lugano, or a relaxed ferry hop to Gandria.
• Border notes: carry your passport, buy Swiss train tickets separately or use a cross-border ticket, and expect to use CHF though cards work widely; cash tip: keep 20 CHF for small purchases.
• Accessibility: central promenade and ferries are stroller and wheelchair friendly, though Monte Brè paths are steeper.

St. Moritz day trip

Quick tip: leave early from Como town or catch the train to Tirano by 7:30 for a smooth day. The full trip is a 6, 10 hours commitment depending on connections.

Travel by Bernina Express from Tirano for the best alpine scenery, or drive about 2 hours by car across the Swiss border for more flexibility.

• Highlights: sweeping alpine panoramas, turquoise lakes, and optional cable cars up nearby peaks for short hikes and views.
• Logistics: you’ll need a passport at the border and to check train timetables; summer timetables pair well with ferry day trips from Lake Como or an early car start from Milan.
• Costs and safety: expect higher prices in Switzerland, with transport and a meal running around CHF 50, 120 per person. Bring layers, sunscreen and heed altitude advice for sudden weather and thinner air.

Lake Maggiore day trip

Best in spring or fall for cooler light and smaller crowds, Lake Maggiore sits about 1, 2 hours by car or train from Lake Como ports like Bellagio or Como town.

Highlights include the Borromean Islands, sweeping grand villas and markets, and easy photo stops on Isola Bella and Isola dei Pescatori.

• Getting there: train via Milan then local ferry, or drive directly; total travel typically 1 to 2 hours depending on origin ports on Lake Como.
• Ferries: use hop-on/hop-off ferry lines, single crossings from Stresa start around €20.
• Passport note: no passport needed within Italy, but bring one if you plan a side visit to Lugano or St. Moritz over the Swiss border.
• Sample 10-hour day: 08:30 train to Stresa, 10:00 Isola Bella tour, 12:30 lunch on Isola dei Pescatori, 15:00 villa garden walk, 17:30 ferry back, 19:00 return to Como.

Pigra village visit

For about €3 by funicular from Argegno, Pigra is far cheaper than a ferry to Bellagio yet just as scenic for a half-day escape.

Take the short funicular from Argegno then a 30, 60 minute walk, depending on where you start, to reach the village core and viewpoints.

Pigra’s high ridge gives , with clear sightlines toward Bellagio, Varenna, and the Swiss border peaks near Lugano and St. Moritz.

The village keeps a with stone lanes, one café, and few tourists compared with Como town or ferry day trips.

Note the accessibility: steep steps and narrow lanes mean limited stroller or wheelchair access, so plan for short hikes or rest stops.

Pigra makes one of the simplest entries on any list of the best day trips from lake como, and it’s perfect for a low-cost sunset photo plan after a morning in Como or a train day from Milan.

Monte San Primo hike

Surprising fact: the peak sits at 1,682 m summit, giving views that reach the Alps and Lake Como on clear days.

Drive or take a bus to the trailheads in 30, 60 minutes from Como, Bellagio or Varenna, so it ranks as one of the best day trips from lake como you can do from town or from Milan on a day trip.

The route is a 2, 4 hour moderate hike round trip, with rocky sections and a final steep push to the ridge; allow 3 hours for hiking plus breaks.

Safety: watch for seasonal trail closures in winter and spring; wear sturdy boots, bring layers for altitude change, and carry water and a map or GPS.

• Sample day schedule: 08:30 leave Como, 09:15 trailhead, 09:30 hike start, 12:00 summit lunch, 13:00 descend, 15:00 back in town.
• Notes: passport not needed for this Italian peak, but if you plan a Swiss stop (Lugano or St. Moritz via Bernina Express) pack your passport and extra travel time.

Greenway walking route

You step off a ferry in Colonno, pull on comfortable shoes and follow a shaded path toward Cadenabbia, watching villas and lake views pass like a slow movie.

• How to get there: accessible segments run between Colonno and Cadenabbia with frequent ferry and local bus links from Como town and Bellagio. A short ferry leg costs around €5 one-way.
• Why walk: this is an easy multi-stop stroll through small villages, historic villas like Villa del Balbianello glimpsed from viewpoints, and relaxed food stops in Varenna-style harbors.
• Suggested section: plan a 4, 6 hour walk covering about 3.5 km of trail plus coffee and villa stops, perfect for including in lists of the best day trips from lake como from Milan or Como town.
• Logistics: public restrooms are in villages, stroller accessibility is limited on uneven paths, and shoes with good grip help on rocky stretches.

Local markets visit

Want a local taste first thing? If you want one of the best day trips from lake como, plan a morning at town markets in Como, Colico or Menaggio for cheese, olives and crafts.

Most markets start around 8:00 AM and finish by 1:00 PM, so take an early ferry or train from Como (town) or a short drive from Milan to catch the freshest stalls.

Ride a ferry to combine a scenic boat trip with shopping, or use local buses for Colico if you want fewer tourists.

• Bargain: fresh fruit, local bread and €3 snacks to eat on a bench.
• Mid-range: jars of pesto or olive oil, artisan soap, about €15 to €40 each.
• Splurge: handmade leather from Como or a 1 kg wedge of aged cheese, €60+ to bring home.

Pack a folded tote and small cooler for perishables, and check ferry schedules or train timetables before you go.

Family-friendly ferry trip

Myth: boat trips are long and tiring. Reality: a short ferry hop keeps walking low and views high, perfect for the best day trips from lake como with kids and grandparents.

Pick short routes between Como (town), Bellagio and Varenna for 20 to 30 minute crossings that include onboard restrooms and easy seating.

For another perspective, this detailed piece on Adventure Is Calling: 9 Day Trips From Lake Como is worth a read.

• Why choose: minimal walking, flexible hop-on stops, and gentle pacing that works for toddlers and seniors.
• Best routes: Como to Bellagio, Bellagio to Varenna, and Como to Varenna on regular ferries with restrooms and indoor cabins.
• Practical tips: lift strollers aboard at the ramp, arrive 10 minutes early for space, use wrist seasickness bands or 25 mg dimenhydrinate for motion-prone kids.
• Costs: expect about €10 to €20 per person per crossing; children under 6 often ride free or reduced.

FAQ

I always pack a small notebook for timings because a half-day plan that actually works feels like a small victory on holiday.

Which trips fit a 6, 12 hour window with timed itineraries?

You can do many of the best day trips from lake como in 6, 12 hours. Example: Como town round trip by funicular and lakeside walk: 09:00 ferry to Como, 10:00 funicular up, 11:30 cafe and walk, 14:00 return ferry. Bellagio or Varenna by ferry works too: catch an early 09:00 ferry, explore for 4 hours, grab lunch, 15:00 ferry back and you’re done by 17:00.

Do I need a passport or special tickets for Swiss day trips?

Yes. For Lugano, St. Moritz or a Bernina Express day trip you must carry a passport at all times since you cross the Swiss border. Train tickets like Bernina Express often need advance reservations and cost about €25+ for regional segments, while scenic trains may be pricier.

How do ferry and train ticketing and costs work?

Buy ferry tickets at the dock or online; single rides start around €5 for short hops and a full day of mixed trains and ferries often totals €25 to €60. Trains use timetables, so check connections from Como or Milan and validate paper tickets when required.

Which trips suit winter or bad weather?

Pick Como town, Villa del Balbianello indoor tours, or Lake Maggiore towns in winter because ferries run less and mountain lines may close. Mountain options like Bernina Express are scenic in snow but check rail operation first.

Are these trips family-friendly and accessible?

Many lakeside towns are stroller friendly and have public toilets, but steep streets in Bellagio and some villas have steps. Ferries and main trains are wheelchair accessible, while small mountain trains or trails can be steep and not suitable for wheelchairs.

You might also like: 15 Reasons Lake Como Is Worth Visiting in 2026

Key Takeaways

Pack light, check ferry and train timetables the night before, and start by 8:00 for full days.

• Easiest trips: Como town, Bellagio and Varenna by ferry or funicular, each 20, 60 minutes from central piers and great for family-friendly walks.
• Moderate trips: Milan or Lake Maggiore by train or car, plan 1, 2 hours travel and budget about €20 for a return train ticket.
• Long Swiss options: Lugano, Tirano and the Bernina Express are doable but need passports and 2.5, 4 hours travel each way for some itineraries.
• Season and logistics: Ferries reduce service in winter, mountain trains can close; pick shore towns in bad weather and alpine routes in summer.
• Final checklist: passport, comfy shoes, printed ferry/train times, snacks, small cash and a day itinerary for the best day trips from lake como.

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