Como, Italy: Essential Travel Insights & Local Trends

The town of Como (Italy) is the most compelling year-round destination on the lake, and where to go in Como for an authentic Italian urban experience is the city itself. Mid-lake villages (Bellagio, Varenna, Tremezzo) are quieter and postcard-picturesque, but many tourist-oriented hotels, restaurants and attractions close or reduce their hours in winter. Como gives you something none of them can: a genuine working Italian city with a cathedral that would anchor a major European capital, well-preserved medieval walls, a legacy silk-manufacturing industry and the full infrastructure of a town that actually functions. For a first Lake Como visit, or a return trip that digs deeper, this distinction matters considerably.

The headline things to do in Como city begin at the Duomo di Como: a Gothic-Renaissance hybrid whose west facade combines marble statuary, rose windows and decorative stonework in a combination unlike almost any other Italian cathedral. Its construction began in 1396 and continued in stages for three and a half centuries, with the dome completed in 1744. From the Duomo, walk south to Piazza Cavour, a grand waterfront square directly overlooking the first ferry berths. The medieval city walls, incorporating remains of earlier Roman fortifications, encircle the oldest district, with the imposing Porta Torre (a 12th-century fortified gateway) marking one of the main entrances to the historic centre. These landmarks represent what to see in Como in a single morning, and the core things to do in Como (Italy) for any first-time visitor.

In Como, activities that rank highest for first-time visitors both involve leaving street level. The Como-Brunate Funicular (a historic mountain railway) departs from Piazza Alcide De Gasperi (the funicular’s Como station) and climbs to Brunate in about 7 minutes. From the top, it offers panoramic views of the city, the lake below, and the Alps and surrounding mountains. The original funicular opened in 1894, making it one of Italy's oldest. For what to do in Como for a day, take the funicular in the morning (book early in summer). Brunate, a hilltop village above Como, is worth visiting for its elevated views over Lake Como, the city and the surrounding Alps, as well as its quiet walking trails. From the village, follow the ridge path for about an hour before returning to Como. Back in the city, follow the lakeside promenade west from Piazza Cavour to reach Villa Olmo, an elegant 18th-century neoclassical villa set beside the lake. Its manicured gardens, grand façades and sweeping water views offer a quieter contrast to Como’s busy historic centre. The villa’s historic park is free to visit, although access can be restricted during exhibitions and events.

Direct, frequent trains from Milan reach Como in under an hour, arriving at either Como San Giovanni (the city’s main railway station) or Como Lago (the lakeside station, steps from the ferry terminal and Piazza Cavour, Como's main lakefront square). Trenord, regional train operator in Lombardy, runs the regional services linking Como with Milan throughout the day. The first thing many visitors discover about what to do in Como is how little they actually need transport: the historic centre is compact, flat, and almost entirely pedestrianised. Piazza del Duomo (Como’s main cathedral square), the lakefront promenade and the funicular departure point are all within 15 minutes on foot of Como Lago station. And most Como’s things to do are within walking distance of the city centre, so there’s no need for a car or bus.

Como hotel options divide into 3 zones by character and price point:* Centro Storico (Historic Centre) provides the most walkable stays. Hotel Metropole & Suisse, a historic four-star on Piazza Cavour, puts guests within two minutes of the cathedral and the main shopping streets. Best for boutique comfort and traditional dining proximity.* The Waterfront (Piazza Cavour) suits luxury stays with direct lake views. Barchetta Excelsior is a classic lakefront property on the square itself, with rooms overlooking the ferry terminal and the mountains beyond.* Near Como San Giovanni suits budget-conscious itineraries. Hotel Terminus sits within a short walk of Como San Giovanni station, practical for early-morning train connections to Milan or Switzerland.Compare accommodation options in Como on KubikTrip, with prices, locations and traveller reviews all in one place.

Como has more to offer than its lakefront views, and what to see in Como, Italy, includes both its food traditions and long history of silk production. The Museo della Seta (Silk Museum) is a good place to learn about the industry that shaped the city. Como has been known for silk production for centuries, and the museum has antique looms, tools and machinery used at different stages of the process. Visitors can see how silk was spun, woven and turned into finished fabrics, giving a clearer picture of the work and skill behind the textiles Como became known for. Seeing the machinery up close shows just how much craftsmanship and technical skill went into producing the silk that made Como famous around the world. Two local dishes deserve a place on your itinerary. Risotto con filetti di pesce persico (risotto with lake perch fillets) is one of Lake Como’s signature dishes: creamy risotto is paired with delicate perch fillets, typically lightly floured and fried until golden before being placed over the rice. Served at waterfront trattorias throughout the season, it is a chance to taste fish caught from the lake while looking out over the same waters that inspired the dish. For dessert, try Miascia, a rustic, dense cake made from bread and enriched with milk, eggs and seasonal fruit. Citrus zest, raisins and pine nuts add sweetness, chewiness and a subtle nutty flavour, while its humble bread-based origins reflect the traditional home cooking of the Lake Como area.

Alpine weather brings sudden afternoon rain to Como in summer, and the best things to do in Como, Italy, on a wet afternoon are all within the historic centre. First: the Tempio Voltiano, a domed neoclassical museum on the lakefront built in 1927 to house instruments and documents from Alessandro Volta, the Como-born physicist who developed the first electric battery and presented it to the world in 1800. What to do in Como (Italy) when the funicular is running in cloud: allow 90 minutes here, then move to the Silk Museum. Both are easily reachable from the historic centre. Another option for a rainy afternoon is a leisurely lunch in one of the trattorias in the Centro Storico (Como’s historic centre). Take your time over several courses and try local specialities such as risotto, fresh pasta, lake fish or polenta, accompanied by a glass of regional wine. For a traditional setting, Osteria del Gallo on Via Vitani is a good choice, while Latteria San Fedele focuses on the traditional cuisine of Como and Lombardy.

Como is one of the most practical bases on Lake Como for multi-destination itineraries, and the reason is transport, not scenery. The city has direct train connections to Milan (under an hour) and convenient rail connections to Lugano and other destinations in Switzerland, making Como one of the most practical Lake Como bases for day trips to Milan, Switzerland and the wider Lombardy region. Things to do in Como on day two and three can extend beyond the city to Lake Como's central attractions. From Como, Navigazione Laghi (Italy’s lake ferry operator) runs scheduled boat services to Bellagio, with connections to Varenna, Tremezzo and other destinations around the central lake. The slower boats take around two to two and a half hours to reach Bellagio, while faster services can make the journey considerably shorter. Once you are on the lake, you can reach many of the main villages by boat rather than driving.