The Perfect Lake Como Day Trip – What to See and Do in Lake Como
Located deep within the Italian Alps and almost bordering Switzerland, Lake Como is a uniquely picturesque destination. Add colorful, medieval aged architecture and you’ve got the city of Como, reflecting beautifully off of the blue waters. Como is the namesake city of Lake Como in North-Western Italy, located in the Lombardy region. (Also known as The lake Region). What’s more, Lake Como is only about 2 hours from Milan. So what are you waiting for? Get inspired and plan your own Lake Como Day Trip!
Milan is the largest Italian city near Lake Como. Additionally, it is the most popular home base for any Lake Como Day Trip. Let’s discuss how to get to Como from Milan.
Only a 2 hour train ride separates Milan and Lake Como . TRENORD is the regional and suburban railway system serving the Lombardy region. Additionally, TRENITALIA is Italy’s national railway company and is one option to be used. For my personal Lake Como day trip I used Trenord because I was staying in Saronno and it was only €3,20!
First, in the train station, approach the TrenItalia ticket machine, Trenord ticket machine, or the ticket office. Second, request a ticket on the regional line to Como. With Trenord it will cost €7,20. Get off at Como S. Giovanni or Como Nord Lago, depending on where you want to begin your Lake Como Day Trip. Both stations are located inside the city of Como and near the lake and other sights. Now, find your platform and catch your train! Tip: look up the train schedule and arrive about 30 minutes before your preferred departure to buy the tickets.
The View from “Life Electric”
What to Do During your Lake Como Day Trip
Grab Rick Steve’s guide to the lake district of Italy! Including Lake Como!
Explore Medieval Streets and Piazzas
Visit Brunate by Funicular – “The Balcony of the Alps” with Art Nouveau villas and incredible views
The first thing to do, quite obviously, is run to the lake! Soak in the sunlight reflecting off the waters and the sounds of people enjoying the lakefront.
Take a Boat to Other Lake Towns
There is one main boat service that offers frequent departures from Como. This boat stops at all of the cities located on the lake. Therefore, you can treat it as a ‘hop-on-hop-off boat’ and hop from city to city. There are two ‘zones’ available for purchase, the smaller of the two also being the cheapest. Keep in mind that the larger zone may be more difficult to discover on just one Lake Como day trip.
First and foremost, when visiting the lake you will notice a huge abstract sculpture in the middle of the waters and surrounded by visitors. Life Electric is a modern sculpture that you can visit by way of a very long pier. It was installed by Studio Libeskind in 2015. It’s meaning is to pay tribute the famous scientist Alessandro Volta, who is from Como. In fact, it is the first contemporary work ever to be installed in Como!
You can see the funicular railway linking Como and Brunate?
Want more photography of Italy? Check out my previous photo collection: Gorgeous Cinque Terre Photos to Stir your Traveler Heart
This museum is another site dedicated to Alessandro Volta! Offering the best views of the lake and the best place to take them in is Tempio Voitlano. To illistrate, visit on any sunny day (or cloudy one for that matter). You can count on any number of people, old and young, enjoying time beside this museum near the water. Perhaps even other tourists like us on a Lake Como Day Trip!
2. Explore Medieval Streets
Via Vitani is the most intact Medieval aged street in Como remaining today. Consequently, it is an almost perfect representation of what a medieval street in Como would have looked like. Do you want to explore Como’s rich history during your Lake Como day trip? Thankfully, the tourism office has created a medieval walking tour which is posted on maps all around town.
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Piazza San Fedele and Ubik Librerie
This beautiful Piazza bustles as hungry tourists and locals chose it’s cafes for their lunches with a view. That is, the view of the Basilica de San Fedele! Moreover, this piazza boasts the Ubik Librerie book store. As for the book store, it’s located in one of the oldest standing buildings in Como! Therefore, Piazza S. Fedele can’t be missed on any Lake Como day trip. Of course for book nerds, the book store is a must stop destination.
View of Piazza San Fedele from Ubik Library
Ubik Library on the Right!
Similarly to Piazza San Fedele, Piazza Cavour is an unmissable sight. Together with gelato shops, terrace restaurants, bright colored buildings, and a view of the lake, this might be my favorite stop on my Lake Como day trip.
Basilica Cattedrale Di Como (Como Cathedral)
The tourism office is located in a small building extending from the Como Cathedral. However, I didn’t go inside the church. For my clothing did not cover my legs or arms. In fact, most churches in Italy have a dress code. With this in mind, I encourage you to bring a scarf to wrap around your shoulders if you want to enter in the summer time!
More Ideas for your Lake Como Day Trip:
Walk by the ancient medieval walls that still stand on the opposite side of town from the Lake.
Visit the various markets offered by Como. Check schedules here!
Get 2 free audiobooks for the plane ride home!
3. Brunate – “The Balcony of the Alps”
On top of Como lies a community for the wealthy. Considering it’s elaborate Art Nouveau villas and incredible views, Brunate is defiantly worth a stop on your Lake Como Day Trip. In order to explore the mountain top community, take the Funicular Como-Brunate to the top.
Furthermore, you can chose to take a half hour walk or shuttle to an amazing lighthouse. The Faro Voltiano light house is also dedicated to the city’s famous scientist Alessandro Volta (just as the Life Electric installation and Tempio Voltiano museum).
Can you see the Villa on top of the mountain?
What do you think? Maybe you will need more than just a one day Lake Como trip. Perhaps two or three? Let me know in the comments!
Want more of Italy? Read my other articles:
How to Use Your Roma Pass to Roam Rome
Gorgeous Cinque Terre Photos to Stir your Traveler Heart
My Grape Escape Wine Tour of Tuscany, Italy
How to see the Best of Tuscany on a Time Budget
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The Perfect Lake Como Day Trip - What to See and Do in Como! #LakeComo #DayTrip #Europe #Travelblog #Italy #travelphotography #Como The Perfect Lake Como Day Trip – What to See and Do in Lake Como Located deep within the Italian Alps and almost bordering Switzerland, …
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