Lake Como

Background

Lake Como, also called Lario, lies at the southern foot of the Alps in Italy's Lombardy region, about 45 km north of Milan, shared between the provinces of Como and Lecco. With an area of about 146 km², it is Italy's third largest lake after Lake Garda and Lake Maggiore, and at over 400 metres deep it is one of the deepest lakes in Europe. The movement of the ancient Adda glacier gave it its inverted-Y shape; Bellagio sits where the three arms meet, and the cities of Como and Lecco lie at the ends of the two southern arms. Since Roman times the lake has been a retreat for aristocrats and the wealthy. Its shores are dotted with villas and palaces, such as Villa Carlotta, built in 1690 and known for its azaleas and sculptures by Canova, as well as Villa Serbelloni and Villa Olmo. In the 19th and 20th centuries the area's silk industry became world-famous and brought prosperity; today tourism, manufacturing and craftsmanship are the mainstays of the local economy.

Local customs

• Take a ferry between the three arms of the lake and see the Bellagio peninsula and the lakeside villas from the water
• visit the gardens of Villa Carlotta
• stroll along the shore, or ride a funicular or cable car up for a view over the lake.

Rules that apply here

Travel tips

• The lake's sights are spread out, and the ferry is the classic way to link them
• timetables and fares are subject to the official information. Summer brings the most visitors, so visit the Bellagio area at off-peak times if you can. Lakeside paths are often sloping, so wear comfortable shoes. Trains run from Milan to the city of Como, and ferries and buses link the towns around the lake
• the lakeside road is scenic to drive but winding and narrow.
• Late spring to early autumn is best for the lake, when the gardens and water are at their finest. Summer is peak season, with occasional thunderstorms. Winter is quiet, and some villas and gardens shorten their opening hours, as officially announced.