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Lake Como: the most beautiful spots, quiet villages, and hiking trails
The Most Beautiful Spots on Lake Como: Nature, Villages, and Hiking Trails Away from the Crowds
The beautiful Lake Como in northern Italy is known for its many stately villas and colorful villages. But the lake also offers stunning nature, peaceful spots, shaded forest trails, and dark-sky nights in the mountain valleys. What don’t you want to miss at Lake Como? We’ve compiled the highlights, including lesser-known villages and the most beautiful hiking areas. Read more here and check out our Insider tips.
The towns surrounding the lake are just as beautiful as the lake itself. Colorful historic villages with the most beautiful villas. Unfortunately, the towns around the lake can get crowded, especially during the summer season. Read on to find out which spots you won’t want to miss.
Best Viewpoint: Brunate & the Cable Car from Como
The cable car connects Como with Brunate. In about 7 minutes, you’ll be about 500 m higher. Up at “the balcony,” you’ll have a view of Como, the lake, and—on a clear day—the Alps, including Monviso and Monte Rosa.
Tip: Take the cable car up and hike (part of the way) back to Como along mountain trails. For example, via the Strada Regia. The cable car is open almost every day.
Quiet villages on Lake Como
If you want to avoid the crowds in Bellagio and Varenna:
Faggeto Lario (Riva, Molina, Lemna, Palanzo). In the Triangolo Lariano (the triangle between Como and Lecco) lie four villages, connected since the Middle Ages by the Strada Regia. This is my favorite area for peace and quiet, shady beech forests, and ancient villages. It offers surprising natural beauty and scenery, including archaeological sites from Roman times.
Laglio – Torriggia: best known for George Clooney, but the hills behind it are even more interesting, featuring, among other things, the Buco dell’Orso cave (a cave with an underground lake; guided tours available) and Monte Colmegnone.
Ossuccio: views of Isola Comacina and access to the Sacro Monte (UNESCO).
Peace-and-quiet hack: take the trails up into the hills—it gets quieter right away.
Tip: Behind Laglio lie beautiful hills and vineyards, and even higher up you’ll find Monte Colmegnone, which offers wonderful walking trails and hikes.
Things to do: hike from Brunate to Bellagio (in sections), Molina Flower Festival (May).
Accommodations: small-scale stays in Molina or Lemna; book direct with the host.
The flower festival in Molina takes place in May.
Accommodation tip: Villa Le Ortensie in Molina. A cozy, small-scale retreat surrounded by nature.
Villa Le Ortensie is a beautiful, authentic villa in Molina on the southeastern shore of Lake Como. It features six rooms in a welcoming setting and natural surroundings with hiking trails right outside the door. Ideal for those seeking peace and quiet and nature lovers.
Book direct: contact the host directly (transparent pricing, local tips).
Varenna – Dervio (approx. 10 km): views of Castello di Vezio and Roman rock tombs
Public Transportation Tip: Take the train between the villages to get on or off along the way.
• Strada Regia(Como–Bellagio, west side)
A medieval trail through beech forests and small villages between Como and Bellagio.
Well-signposted
Perfect for spring or fall
Getting Started Tip: Take the cable car to Brunate and hike toward Torno or Lemna.
• Monte Colmegnone (behind Laglio)
A challenging day hike with panoramic views. Start from Laglio or the villages higher up.
Must-See Towns on Lake Como (and How to Avoid the Crowds)
Cernobbio
Elegant, but touristy. Beautiful promenade, Villa d’Este, and access to a challenging hike up Monte Bisbino.
Travel Tip: Spend the Night in the Hinterland
Take an early walk along the promenade.
Public transportation tip: Take the train to Como S. Giovanni. Then take the bus to Cernobbio.
Villa d’Este is a beautiful 16th-century villa—now a luxury hotel—with a stunning garden and views of the lake.
Varenna
Colorful, romantic, and centrally located. Unfortunately, that also means it’s busier. Visit Villa Monastero and take a stroll along the “Passeggiata degli Innamorati” (a 500-meter boardwalk along the lake). It’s spectacular at sunset and even more romantic.
Tip: Combine this with a section of the Sentiero del Viandante.
How to get there: train from Milan to Varenna-Esino and ferry.
Public transportation tip: Direct train from Milan to Varenna-Esino; ferries to Bellagio/Menaggio.
Historic center with narrow alleys
The Cipressi Villas (now a hotel/restaurant) and the Monastero (botanical garden).
TIP: Varenna is easily accessible from Bellagio and the other towns along the lake by ferry, as well as from Milan via direct trains.
Bellagio
Picturesque and charming, situated at the fork of the lake. Crowded during peak season. Bellagio lies at the tip of the promontory that divides the lake into two branches. Here, too, the wealthy Lombard nobility had the most beautiful villas built between the 18th and 19th centuries.
Things to Do: Visit Villa Melzi, Villa Serbelloni Park (guided tour).
Tip for a good night’s sleep: go to bed early or stay just outside the city center.
Public transportation tip: Take the ferry from Varenna/Menaggio.
Rent a bike or take a guided bike tour in Bellagio.
Rest hack: Go early (8:30–10:30) or later in the day; sleep outside the city center.
Tremezzina & Isola Comacina
Across from Bellagio: Lenno, Ossuccio, Mezzegra, and Tremezzo.
Visit: Villa del Balbianello & Isola Comacina (a small green island).
How to get there: ferry from Bellagio, bus from Menaggio (10 minutes).
Things to Do: Isola Comacina, a green island featuring archaeological sites, small churches, and summer residences of Italian and foreign artists. Guided walking tour (fee required) (note ferry services).
Highlight: Villa del Balbianello on the Lavedo Peninsula near the village of Lenno, with beautiful gardens and panoramic views.
Practical information: ferry from Bellagio; bus from Menaggio.
Swimming & Water Sports on Lake Como
You can swim in Lake Como at various rocky and pebble beaches. The water is deep and cool, so stay close to the shore.
Water shoes recommended
Things to Do: Rent a kayak, SUP, or e-foil from local providers
Safety tip: Wear a high-visibility swim buoy and avoid the channel.
Mountains, forests, and sacred mountains
Sacro Monte di Ossuccio: A UNESCO pilgrimage route overlooking the lake
Triangolo Lariano: Over 500 km of hiking trails up to an altitude of 1,600 meters
Brembana Valley (a little further on): mountain valleys and ancient mountain villages
Practical & Sustainable Travel on Lake Como
Without a car: train to Como, Varenna-Esino, or Lecco + ferries
Best time to visit: April–June & September–October
Bike Rental (e-)bike inBellagio; check routes and service points in advance. From e-bikes to road bikes and mountain bikes.
Avoid: July–August, or plan your visit early in the day or later in the day
Sustainable: book direct, don’t leave any trash behind, stay on the trails
Waterfalls & Gorges of Lake Como
Orrido di Bellano: a spectacular gorge trail along the Pioverna River with footbridges leading to the waterfall (approx. 20-minute hike).
Orrido di Nesso: a gorge and waterfall near the Ponte della Civera; most beautiful in the morning light. The gorge can also be seen from Piazza Castello.
Organized Walking Tour of Lake Como and the Lugano Area
Are you interested in an organized hiking tour that connects Lake Como and Lake Lugano? Then take a look at this 8-day hiking tour of Lake Como and Lake Lugano. You can book direct with the local specialist. Accommodations, transfers, and luggage transport are included.
With a passion for travel and photography and over 30 years of experience in the travel industry, I love to share my special nature travel tips. Travel is wonderful and important, you meet new people and cultures and it opens your view of the world.
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Peloponnese Hiking Tour
A really beautiful six-day hike from Bologna to Florence. Communication with NatureTravelLab and the local agent was excellent. The information packet was waiting for us at the hotel in Bologna, and the app with the route worked great. Luggage transport was well organized every day, and our bags were waiting for us each time we arrived at our new room! We covered more than 1,400 meters of elevation gain, but unfortunately didn’t always get the views we’d hoped for due to cloud cover and some drizzle. Most days had great hiking weather. It was wonderful to walk into Florence on foot and stay there an extra day.
We experienced the Walk of the Gods as a great adventure. Our start in Bologna didn’t go quite as planned because our app wasn’t working yet and we couldn’t find a single sign for Via degli Dei in the square. Fortunately, we were quickly able to join two young hikers from Florence who were also doing the hike. After a wonderful night’s stay at the beautiful Rio Verde agritourism farm, Day 2 went much better with the help of the hiking app. Along the way, we enjoyed stunning views, met some great fellow hikers, and sampled delicious local dishes. Unfortunately, the weather wasn’t always on our side, and we had a day of heavy rain, which made the trail very slippery and required us to be careful. It’s a real treat when, on the last day, you can already see Florence in the distance and walk into this beautiful city a few hours later. Thank you so much for your quick and friendly responses to all our questions.
We enjoyed the trip. We also made some changes to our itinerary, and the email correspondence went very smoothly. We started in Mantera; the next day, our first and only hike was a really beautiful one. The taxi picked us up right on time. Unfortunately, the second day’s route was almost the same when we cycled to Ostuni. The bikes were well-maintained, including panniers and helmets (these were simply included). You could even bring your own water bottle!!! We found the route very scenic and varied. There were charming little villages where we could stop for lunch or coffee. The app worked great. All the hotels ranged from good to excellent, though we didn’t think the hotel in Leuca was worthy of 4 stars. We followed your advice for the two nights we stayed there. We found Leuca a bit underwhelming for a two-day stay. We would have preferred to stay in Gallipoli or Lecce for two days. We took this trip in April and were very lucky with the weather. It’s still a quiet time of year, but we didn’t mind that. We definitely recommend it!!!
Thanks to a great tip from Nature Travel Lab, we had a wonderful week in Italy. Fattoria di Maiano, just outside Florence, was a beautiful and peaceful place. And the suggested road trips were a great guide for exploring the region. We’ll definitely check here for tips for our next vacation, too. Highly recommended!
We spent a divine week in Italy: we walked the Path of the Gods, from Bologna to Florence—about 135 km spread over 6 days of hiking. Challenging distances and climbs, amazing views, nature, and a warm welcome every time we arrived at the agriturismo or albergo/hotel. All of this was perfectly organized by the Italian company Slow Active Tours, entirely in line with Nature Travel Lab’s itinerary proposal: upon arrival in Bologna, an information packet was waiting for us, complete with a hiking map, a booklet, and passports for the stamps. And the hiking app was very practical for along the way! Our luggage was transported every day and was always waiting for us when we arrived at the next location. Communication was smooth and clear. In short, highly recommended, well worth it, and well-organized.
In September, I walked the Cammino Materano. Communicating with Madelon about the booking was a pleasure. To be honest, I was quite nervous because it was my first time doing a multi-day hike—alone and in a region I wasn’t familiar with—but I thoroughly enjoyed it. The hike to Matera was beautiful, and I was able to complete it without any trouble thanks to the clear on-site signage and the routing and advice provided by the GPS app. The rest of the organization was top-notch as well. My luggage always arrived on time at the right destination, and the hotels and B&Bs were of high quality. In addition, the organizers were easy to reach via WhatsApp if I had any questions. Highly recommended!
Slovenia was absolutely amazing. A beautiful country, friendly people, lovely hiking trails, and truly top-notch hotels. The staff at the local organization were also very easy to reach and helpful. The hiking was manageable. As Dutch people, we’re not used to high altitudes, of course, so it was pretty tough at times. But it was also a lot of fun.
We had a wonderful trip. Everything was well organized. Due to an unfortunate fall, I ended up traveling with my luggage for a day, but that was handled well, too. We really liked all the accommodations. Only the Hotel Hebe in St. Piero a Sieve was a little less impressive, but it was still okay.
Looks fantastic! I'm definitely going to book a trip with this company... they're committed to sustainability and personalized advice. Definitely worth it.
Madelon and her team are true experts. Thanks to their years of experience and passion for travel, they manage to surprise us time and time again.
Beautiful hikes, the most picturesque spots—it’s a real treat.
I highly recommend them!
Nature Travel Lab provided us with very helpful and honest assistance!
If you’re looking for travel itineraries, the most beautiful hikes, and destinations, you can find it all here. You’ll find endless inspiration for your next trip. Beautiful cities are interspersed with nature. You’ll find everything you need to know about practical matters. Plus, there are plenty of tips for sustainable travel. That way, you’ll get the most out of your trip.
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