If you’re trying to decide where to take your family on your next vacation, why not go on a Lake Como vacation with your loved ones! Lake Como also known as “Lago di Como” in Italian is a popular vacation destination located in the Lombardy region in Northern Italy.
Our family spent 2 months in the little town on Lake Como Italy called Lierna and enjoyed ferries, boating, and gelato! It’s honestly one of the most relaxing places I’ve ever been to.
We visited in the Spring when the weather is just perfect and it’s not too crowded yet with summer tourists. If you’re not already convinced, check out these 5 reasons to visit Lake Como or even make it as your next family vacation.
1. Lake Como is Breathtakingly Beautiful
If you’ve ever seen pictures of Lake Como, this needs no explanation. There’s a reason George Clooney and other celebrities have chosen to buy homes on Lake Como.
2. Lake Como has Amazing Food
Pizza, pasta, fish, gelato…I’m not sure I need to say much more! There are tons of amazing restaurants to go to when visiting Lake Como
3. Lake Como has Great Water Transportation
One of our favorite things about Lake Como is the fantastic water transportation available. There are several ferries that run across the lake several times a day and you can also take water taxis or charter your own boat. We did all of these and our favorite thing to do was to rent a boat for a few hours and cruise up and down the lake, looking at all the amazing homes! We found water transportation as the best way to experience Lake Como and also appreciate the surrounding mountains and beauty of the island. There are even private boat tours and day trips in Lake Como to check out so you can make the most of your Lake Como vacation!
4. Lake Como has Culture, History, Art, and Architecture
From museums to old villas, Lake Como has so much to offer for culture addicts and history buffs. Also for Star Wars Fans, you can visit Villa del Balbianello, a film location of Princess Amidala and Anakin Skywalker’s wedding from Attack of the Clones. Find more Star Wars locations here.
5. Lake Como is Surprisingly Affordable
Most people don’t really think of Lake Como as being an affordable destination for a family vacation, but it is surprisingly affordable, especially if you’re using Airbnb. We stayed for 2 months and paid $1300/month for a huge 4 bedroom house, with a beautiful yard and enormous balcony overlooking the lake! You can rent a house that sleeps 6 for about $60-$100/night. Get a $55 Coupon for Airbnb here! And to learn more about Airbnb, go here.
Groceries and restaurants, as well as getting to Lake Como were very affordable. The closest international airport is Milan, which always has fantastic deals. You can take the train from Milan for about one hour, to several stops around Lake Como. Go here for more information on how to find the best deals on flights.
If not, you can take Lake Como vacation packages, though it might cost more it would take away the stress of booking your Lake Como hotel and creating your itinerary.
If you’re not into relaxing walks on the lake, good food, and fast boat rides, this may not be the place for you. But our family loves it and it’s one of the top places we want to return to! Have I talked you into going? Have you already been? I’d love to hear what you loved/didn’t love! Where else would you want to go for your next vacation?
Lake Como Vacation FAQ
April to October is the best months to visit Lake Como area. With the weather being mild and the blooming of bright colored flowers, this is the high season for tourists. The peak months are July and August.
Unlike Italy’s major cities, Lake Como is a peaceful getaway where tourists can relax and soak up the scenic beauty of nature. With charming lakeside towns, historical villas, great food and wine, it’s definitely worth visiting for a tranquil vacation experience. Plus, here lies the third largest Italian lake (after Lake Garda and Lake Maggiore) offering breathtaking views and plenty of water activities.
Experiencing Lake Como for two months with my family says a lot that there’s simply a lot to do here. A week is enough to hit all the main towns of Bellagio, Varenna and Menaggio. If you want to spend your days hiking and boating, two or three days might be enough.
It doesn’t have to be expensive, like other popular places in Italy. You can find budget hotels and restaurants for your stay and meals. However, there are exclusive villas and Michelin-starred restaurants for those who want to splurge on a luxurious vacation.
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