*pictures by Emily Figurelli Photography*
Lake Como was the very first stop on our Italian honeymoon, and we couldn’t have picked a more magical place to kick things off. Tucked in the northern region of Lombardy, just a short drive from Milan, Lake Como feels like a postcard brought to life—majestic mountains, charming villas, and the prettiest little towns dotting the shoreline. Whether you’re planning a honeymoon, girls’ trip, or once-in-a-lifetime getaway, here’s everything we did—and what we’d recommend if you’re visiting for the first time!
Travel Day
We took a direct flight from Chicago to Milan! When we landed in Milan and got our bags my husband found us a private driver to drive us the 45 minutes to our Airbnb. I believe it was about 125 euros and if you can book a driver beforehand it would most likely be cheaper. You can also take the train from the Airport to Como which would save you quite a bit of money. Once in Como there are buses that go between the towns.
Where We Stayed
We booked a lakefront Villa just north of Como town, which was a great home base for exploring the lake by boat or taxi. The town itself is about a 10 minute taxi away but easy enough once you are in Como it is walkable, filled with cafes, and has a laid-back charm that’s hard to beat. This is where the hop on, hop off ferry will pick up and drop off as well as where we spent most of our meals.
Our AirBNB was a Villa on the Sheraton Lake Como property so we could still enjoy all of the hotel amenities but feel more at home in a house vs hotel environment. It had 5 bedrooms, 6 beds, 4 bathrooms. It was more like 2 apartments in one rather than 1 large villa, but both are easily accessible and shared by a staircase! The first floor apartment had 3 bedrooms, a kitchen and living room and then the second floor had 2 more bedrooms. Great for multiple families or couples. Very charming and spacious with a HUGE outdoor patio. The Sheraton isn’t what you think of when you think of an American Sheraton either- it’s so picturesque, houses a Michelin star restaurant and a beautiful pool with views of Lake Como.
Where to Eat & Drink
Aperitivo Hour: Every evening felt like a celebration. Spritz in hand, we’d find a cozy spot on the water to watch the boats come in as the sun went down.
Food & Drink Favorites: We of course loved indulging in all of the handmade pasta and local wines. Honestly, you can’t go wrong—just follow the twinkle lights and the smell of truffle butter. Some of our favorite spots:
Ristorante Di Loppia (Bellagio) – Michelin rated, we stopped here on our private boat day and did the tasting menu with wine pairing and it was OUT OF THIS WORLD. If you want to do the tasting menu experience I definitely recommend for dinner as it was a lot of food! Still a great stop for lunch but would do ala carte.
Ristorante Trattoria del Glicine (Cernobbio)– Our favorite restaurant the entire trip! Very ma and pa feel with the best pastas.
Figli Dei Fiori (Como)– a MUST for brunch or lunch. So cute as it’s attached to a garden and interior design shop + the food was amazing!
Piazza Roma Ristorante Como (Como)
Cava Turacciolo Wine Bar (Bellagio)
Cafe Varenna (Varenna)
Diavolo l’Acque Santa (Como)
Gelato: It’s a rule in Italy to eat gelato every day, and let’s just say we happily followed that rule. There are gelato shops all over but we stopped into Gelateria Lariana many times on the trip!
Tip: Book ahead for dinner reservations—spots in Bellagio and Varenna fill up fast!
What to Do
1. Ferry Hop Between Towns
Take the ferry (or hire a private boat if you’re feeling fancy!) to explore all of the quaint towns around the lake. We used Lake Como Experiences to rent a private wooden boat for the entire day (7 hours). Since we had 8 people and a specific itinerary of where we wanted to go, this worked perfect for us.
Bellagio – The most iconic, with cobblestone alleys, boutique shops, and classic villas.
Varenna – A romantic dream with pastel buildings and lakeside wine bars.
Menaggio – A little quieter, perfect for slow mornings and easy strolls.
2. Villa Visits
Tour stunning spots like Villa del Balbianello (famous from Star Wars and James Bond) or Villa Carlotta with its dreamy gardens. If you do a private boat tour, they will point out tons of other iconic villas including some celebrity Villas too!
3. Stroll the Promenades
Whether it was lakeside paths or steep hills with insane views, we walked a lot—and every step was worth it.
Outfits + What to Pack
Think linen, light layers, neutral outfits, and comfy shoes for exploring. A chic cover-up, oversized sunnies, and a woven tote will take you from boat day to wine hour effortlessly. Linking you to the shoppable capsule wardrobe that I shared recently. All of these outfits would be perfect for Europe! I suggest pressing the negative button to make the images a little smaller and easier to see. If you want to shop anything, simply click the image and it will take you to the retailer site! If you are looking for links to outfits in this post I’ve linked them all here.
Final Tips
*the famous Nesso Waterfall- make sure to stop by. you can even take a dip if you’d like*
How to Get There: Fly into Milan, then take a train or car to Lake Como (about 1.5 hours).
When to Go: Late spring or early fall is perfect—less crowded but still warm and beautiful.
Travel Must-Have: Download ferry schedules and bring cash for small shops and cafes.
Lake Como was every bit as magical as we dreamed it would be. From slow mornings on the dock to golden hour ferry rides, it’s a place that leaves a mark. We already can’t wait to go back.
Want more Italy inspo? Check out our dreamy Tuscany Wedding here.
