Villa del Balbianello
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Lake Como Day Trip from Milan: One Day Itinerary

Lake Como, or Lago di Como in Italian, has been a popular retreat for the wealthy since Roman times. Several cities, towns, and villages line the upside-down-Y-shaped lake. They each offer different combinations of unreal views, swoon-worthy villas, and picturesque streets. But luckily, the most “must-see” sights are conveniently clustered in the middle area of the lake. This makes a day trip from near-by Milan very doable. Sure, it’d be ideal to spend as much time on Lake Como as possible. But whether you’re pressed for time, or pressed for cash, a day trip to Lake Como from Milan is still a worthwhile way to experience this magical place. Keep reading for a step-by-step itinerary on how to visit Lake Como on a Day Trip from Milan.

View of Varenna from the water of Lake Como.

Varenna

Salita Serbelloni street in Bellagio, Lake Como, Italy.

Bellagio

Villa del Balbianello in Lenno, Lake Como, Italy.

Villa del Balbianello

Here’s a quick preview of the day trip: Milan > train to Varenna > ferry to Bellagio > ferry to Villa > ferry to Varenna > train to Milan. Suggestion: This is a super-detailed and somewhat lengthy post, with entry prices, direct links to ferry schedules, etc. I’ve provided a condensed summary at the bottom, but you’ll definitely want to bookmark or Pin this page to return to later if you’re planning a visit to Lake Como.

Take the Train From Milan to Varenna

Varenna in front of mountains in Lake Como, Italy.

Start the day bright and early in Milan. Make your way to Milano Centrale (pronounced chen-tral-eh) train station, and purchase a round-trip ticket to Varenna-Esino for €13.40 (€6.70 one way). Do this from a TrenItalia ticket machine. You’ll select a departure time, but you can actually use the tickets for any same train journey that day. The train station at Varenna has NO ticket machines, (seriously? Yes seriously! I was very peeved…) so everyone wanting to buy a ticket needs to line up and buy it from a person with a computer and paper printer behind a desk inside the station. You definitely want to already have your ticket purchased beforehand. AND ALWAYS MAKE SURE TO VALIDATE YOUR TICKET BEFORE ENTERING YOUR TRAIN.


Recommended reading: Top Five (Super-Easy) Day Trips from Milan (by Train)


Pro tip 1: Milano Centrale is a large station, so give yourself at least 20 minutes before your train leaves to buy your ticket, get upstairs, and find a seat. There’s nothing more stressful than getting to the station with just enough time, only to find long queues or a confusing train platform! 

Pro tip 2: Check the train schedule the night before on the TrenItalia website. Pay attention not only to the time of the train you want, but also the time of the next train incase you miss it! Trains from Milan to Varenna leave once an hour, but every now and then, it’s a two hour gap. I missed my train by 5 minutes and was stuck sitting two hours at Milano Centrale for the next one. *face palm*

Pro tip 3: Buy your ferry ticket once you arrive at the ferry station. Example: When you ferry over from Varenna to Bellagio, get a ferry ticket from Bellagio to the next spot before leaving and heading off to explore Bellagio. This way, you keep on schedule for the day.

Take the Ferry From Varenna to Bellagio

Sunset in Bellagio, Lake Como, Italy with mountains in the background.

An hour after your train leaves Milan, you’ll be in beautiful Varenna. But you’ll actually save Varenna for last and head straight to Bellagio first instead. Why? Three-fold.

Firstly, Bellagio is arguably the most touristy destination in the area, so the earlier you get there, the better. Secondly, if you explore Varenna first, you won’t have time to complete the rest of the itinerary before the last ferry back to Varenna. By already being in Varenna before your train ride back to Milan, things will be a lot less stressful! Thirdly, at this time in the morning, Varenna will be entirely covered in the shadow of the mountains behind it for a few hours still, while the other side of the lake will be receiving the direct sunlight. By the time you get back to Varenna, the opposite will be true. This way, you get great lighting all day. Perfect, right?

Anyways, once you get off the train, follow the crowd down from the train station down to the shore. Stop at the ferry station and catch the next one to Bellagio for €4.60. You can double-check with the ferry staff that you’re on the right ferry as you get on. The journey takes 15-20 minutes, and ferries depart two or three times an hour.

As previously mentioned, Bellagio is very touristy. Many call it the crown jewel of Lake Como. But personally, it was my least favorite. *gasp* It felt like a very pretty, very crowded, outdoor shopping mall to me. American pop songs were seriously blasting from some restaurants. Yes, seriously.

Though if I try to picture what it would be like without the tourists and souvenir shops, I must agree that Bellagio is the most beautiful town on Lake Como. From the Disney-like lanterns dotting the cobblestone alleyways, to the cute benches lining the park near the ferry station, Bellagio truly is a beautiful little place. Try to focus on little details like these, and it might just increase your tolerance level for the tourist crowds, souvenir shopping, and pricey food.

Things to Do in Bellagio

Lakefront yellow building in Bellagio, Lake Como, Italy.
Piazza in Bellagio, Lake Como, Italy.
People shopping on Salita Serbelloni street in Bellagio, Lake Como, Italy.

Spend two to three hours in Bellagio, making sure to see Punta di Spartivento (a scenic viewpoint at the far northern tip of the peninsula) and where Via Guiseppe Garibaldi and Salita Serbelloni streets meet (for the famous, cliche Bellagio street view in the right-most photo above).

If you’re like me and welcome a chance to escape the crowds, also consider a walk to Pescallo. It’s a small, quiet village on the other side of the same peninsula as Bellagio, but with no shops or crowds. One kind local lady even popped her head out over her balcony and struck up a conversation with me in Italian! She noticed me snapping pics of her grapes hanging underneath the balcony, and cut off some grapes for me to catch. No exaggeration: they were the single tastiest grapes I’ve ever had in my life!

Take the Ferry From Bellagio to Lenno or Tremezzo

Villa del Balbianello, Lenno, Lake Como, Italy
Leafy staircase in Villa del Balbianello, Lenno, Lake Como, Italy
Arches with vines in Villa del Balbianello, Lenno, Lake Como, Italy
Statue in Villa del Balbianello, Lenno, Lake Como, Italy

Don’t dwindle too long though, as there’s still more to see! Catch a ferry heading to either Lenno for Villa del Balbianello or Tremezzo for Villa Carlotta. Both villas are equally popular, equally must-sees, and everyone has different opinions on which to see if you can only choose one. I recommend simply searching some images online beforehand and choosing what appeals to you more. Villa Carlotta is the more convenient one to visit on a day trip from Milan, but I provide details on how to see either.

Depending on which you choose, I have two different itineraries for this part of the day trip:

Visit Villa Carlotta

Option 1: Villa Carlotta – Take the ferry from Bellagio to Tremezzo for €4.60. This takes 15 – 20 minutes. Once at Tremezzo, head left/south towards the center of town and explore for a bit. This is one of the less-“must-see” towns on the lake, so appreciate the calmer vibe. If you haven’t eaten lunch yet, find a place to eat. Doing so here will be cheaper than in Bellagio. After you’re finished eating, head back north, towards the ferry, and continue walking along the promenade past the ferry stop. Five-minute’s walk north from the ferry stop will be the luxurious Grand Hotel Tremezzo, and five-minute’s walk north of that is Villa Carlotta. Entry costs €10 for both the villa and gardens. View seasonal hours at the villa website. After between one and two hours of exploring the villa and gardens, walk back ten minutes to the ferry stop at Tremezzo (or Cadenabbia further up north). Take the roughly-forty-minute ferry to Varenna for €4.60.

Visit Villa del Balbianello

Option 2: Villa del Balbianello – Take the ferry from Bellagio to Lenno for €4.60. This takes 25 – 30 minutes. Once at Lenno, head left/south towards the center of town and explore for a bit. Like Tremezzo, this is another one of the less-“must-see” towns on the lake, so appreciate the calmer vibe. If you haven’t eaten lunch yet, find a place to eat. Like Tremezzo, doing so here will be cheaper than in Bellagio. After you’re finished eating, it’s time to see the villa. Continue walking along the rim of the water, until you reach Lido di Lenno (ten minute walk from the Lenno ferry stop). From here, you can take a taxi boat right up to Villa del Balbianello. I did not do this, but others say it is something like €5 one way and around €7 roundtrip, and takes under ten minutes one way. If you’re on a budget, a free walking path to villa begins from the street behind the Lido (called Via degli Artigiani). This walk takes thirty minutes and mostly slightly uphill. Entry is €10 for the garden, and €20 for the villa plus gardens. You may only view the villa via hour-long guided tour, which cannot be booked in advance. (If you opt for the tour, make sure you have enough time to still get back before the last ferry from Lenno to Varenna!) Visit the villa website to view seasonal hours. After between one and two hours of exploring the villa and/or gardens, get back to the Lenno ferry stop. Take the roughly-hour-long ferry to Varenna for €4.60.

Personally, I’m a gardens person and not a palace/villa person, so I only explored the gardens of Villa del Balbianello. They did not disappoint. Though smaller than the gardens at Villa Carlotta, Villa del Balbianello’s gardens have been featured in Star Wars and Casino Royal. So come prepared with a bit of patience if you’re keen on perfect photos without other people in them.

Take the Ferry From Lenno or Tremezzo Back to Varenna

Sunset in Varenna, Lake Como, Italy with mountains in the background.

Regardless which villa you decide to explore, be sure to get back for the last ferry to Varenna in time! This changes depending on the season (but tends to be between 4:00 – 4:30pm), so definitely purchase on arrival in town. If you can’t, carefully look up the schedule ahead and arrive with buffer time in case of a line to purchase.

Pro tip: You can look up ferry schedules online! There are a few ways to do this:

  • You can download PDFs of ferry timetables. Visit this website, change language to English if needed, click “Timetables and Lines,” and click Bellagio-Menaggio-Varenna-Cadenabbia under the season you need. You can also just use the search bar function and even purchase in advance if you’d like. You can then use the ticket on any boat on the purchased route for the day.
  • You can use Google Maps straight from your cell phone in real time if you have internet while traveling Lake Como.

Once you’re back to Varenna, it will be around 5pm, and you’ll be done with ferries for the day (yay!). Spend a few hours exploring as you please. Later on, grab some dinner with a sunset view over the lake. 

Things to Do in Varenna

Piazza in Varenna, Lake Como, Italy.
Lakefront cafe in Varenna, Lake Como, Italy
French cafe in Varenna, Lake Como, Italy.

While you explore town, be sure to stop by the square outside San Giorgio Church. Also be sure to see Villa Monastero. If you are visiting in April or October, Villa Monastero closes at 6:30pm and 6:00pm, respectively, so I recommend heading straight here from the ferry!

Adult entry into the garden is €6, while a combined villa and garden ticket is €11. Personally, having seen both, I recommend entering the garden and forgoing the villa. But if you are short on cash, time, or interest, you can just take a peak at the garden (and snap some pics!) from the beautiful entry area for free. 

Take the Train From Varenna Back to Milan

I know it will be hard to leave lovely Varenna, and Lake Como in general, but soon it will be time to head back to Milan. Don’t forget to validate your ticket before getting on the train from the Varenna-Esino station. Wouldn’t want a hefty fine to ruin an otherwise lovely day trip!

Lake Como Itinerary Summary

Phew! That was a lot of information – I know! It might be hard to visualize it all, so I’ve created this nifty overview schedule below. If you still have questions, definitely comment below. I spent four nights boating, busing, and walking around Lake Como, so I’ll respond with any itinerary help I can provide.

  • 8:00ish – arrive Milano Centrale Station
  • 8:20ish – train leaves Milano Centrale Station
  • 9:25ish – arrive Varenna
  • 9:40ish – ferry to Bellagio
  • 10:00ish – arrive Bellagio, cafe/snack Bellagio
  • 12:30ish – depart Bellagio
  • 12:50ish – arrive Lenno/Tremezzo, lunch Lenno/Tremezzo
  • 2:00ish – leave for villa
  • 2:30ish – arrive villa
  • 3:30ish – leave villa
  • 4:00ish – depart Lenno
  • 5:00ish – arrive Varenna, dinner Varenna
  • 8:00ish – train back to Milan

This is NOT an exact schedule, but rather a rough schedule to provide an idea of what your day trip to Lake Como from Milan will be like. This rough schedule is only valid from the last days of March to first days of October.

What Do You Think?

Have you done a Lake Como day trip from Milan before? Did you hit up the same places I recommend? I love talking travel, so let me know in the comments below!

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How to Visit Lake Como from Milan. Easy day trip by train. Click through for full travel guide and itinerary.
How to Visit Lake Como from Milan. Easy day trip by train. Click through for full travel guide and itinerary.
How to Visit Lake Como from Milan. Easy day trip by train. Click through for full travel guide and itinerary.

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91 Comments

  1. What a fantastic itinerary! I’ve always wanted to visit Lake Como, and this guide makes it seem so doable in just one day. Can’t wait to try the suggested activities and enjoy the beautiful views! Thank you for sharing!

  2. Thank you so much for this blog post! This is the exact itinerary I’ve been looking for. My family of 5 adults will be based in Milan the last week in March. We were hoping to take a day trip to Lake Como and visit these same sites you have listed. My only concern is the weather that time of year. Do you think this itinerary is reasonable given the season we will be traveling in? Will the ferries be running? Thank you for your insight.

    1. Hi Jennifer,

      I’m glad to know this has been of help!

      As for weather, it’s going to come down to personal preference. I tend to save destinations like this for warmer seasons, because I really don’t enjoy cold or rain at all. That being said, on my first full day in Lake Como, in the first days of Sept, I was in my hostel common area all day long because it was storming so hard. So you can look at the March temps they had there this year as an idea, but with regards to precipitation, you can always just get lucky or unlucky.

      The ferries will be running, just a bit less frequently than in the high season. You can check the schedule here. The other thing to consider would be that you will have a bit less daylight within which to fit all the ferry journeys and walking around, since sunset will be around 6:30pm that time of year.

      Villa del Balbianello will open in mid-March, but Villa Carlotta will open March 21st (so, should be fine, since you said last week of March, but just wanted to point out in case your plans change and that was the villa you preferred).

      Hope that helps!

      – Em

    1. Hi Mike,

      As I write in the itinerary, the rough schedule/summary at the bottom is only valid from the last days of March to first days of October. After this season, the ferry schedules change to be less frequent, so you might not fit as much into one day or have to be stricter with the transfer times between the villages. You can to look up the ferry schedules on the site.

      Hope that helps!

      – Em

  3. This itinerary looks perfect for a day trip to Lake Como! I love how you’ve included both the scenic highlights and practical tips. I can’t wait to explore Bellagio and take that ferry ride you suggested. Thanks for sharing such detailed information!

  4. Hello.

    Thank you for this amazing and detailed itinerary.

    Just two questions:
    Are the ferries and attractions around lake como credit card friendly?
    Which restaurants or cafes would you recommend for lunch?

    Many thanks

    1. I also have a follow-up: Would it be advisable if we went straight to Lenno then ferry to Bellagio, until Varenna Esino?

      Because we would be taking the 9:20 am train, which is an hour over your recommendation. We would arrive just in time to have lunch in Lenno + a 2-hour tour of the villa and gardens.

      How would you go about your itinerary if you took the 920 am train instead?

      1. Hi Robert,

        I think that should be fine. Depending on the day of the week, there seem to be ferries to Bellagio from Lenno around 3:00pm – 3:30pm. And then there are ferries ’til quite late-ish from Bellagio to Varenna.

        You could do what you suggest of Varenna > straight to Lenno > Bellagio > Varenna.

        I unfortunately can’t remember with certainty whether I paid for the ferry tickets with cash or card… On the timetable sheet, it says you might be asked to pay in cash, so I would always just have some handy in Italy, in case a machine isn’t working or something. (If you could double-back here after your trip and let us know whether you end up paying with card or not, that’d be amazing!) I definitely paid for the attractions with card, though.

        I also don’t really have restaurant recs, as I based myself in Menaggio, and the meal I had in Bellagio was way too overpriced for me to particularly recommend lol.

        Hope some of that helps!

        – Em

  5. Hello,

    First of all thank god for your blog ! Me and my fiancee are going on our honeymoon in Italy (Milan-Venice-Florence and Rome). From Milan we are planning to visit Como of course (for just day) and that’s why I looked at this blog. Just one question: We also want to visit Villa del Balbianello Gardens, after which of the place it will be better to make a stop? What you suggest?

    1. Hi Tako,

      I’m glad you like the blog!

      I’m not sure I’m understanding your question right, so let me know if not, but that villa is included as an option in this itinerary. It’s Milan > Varenna > Bellagio > Villa (I give two options, but you only have time for one on a day trip, so for you it will be Balbianello) > Varenna > Milan.

      Hope that helps, but let me know if not!

      – Em

  6. Helpful information, we mixed locations up and around but got to enjoy most of the little towns around Lake Como.
    Thank you

    1. Hi,

      Thanks so much for taking the time to let me know this post was helpful for your trip! I’m glad to know you had a nice time!

      – Em

  7. I just wanted to leave a comment stating my appreciation for this post! I followed it almost exactly to the letter this week and had the most amazing time around Lake Como.

    I did the Tremezzo-Villa Carlotta option as Villa Balbianello was closed on the day I planned to go – I must say to people that if you do the same, ensure you do the full itinerary of the Villa Carlotta garden walk. I ended up in the olive grove practically on my own and it led to the most beautiful view of the lake that I saw all day, and I would have missed it had I rushed through and followed the garden’s ‘short itinerary’.

    Thanks so much for putting this guide together – it made my trip to a dream destination absolutely perfect!

    1. Hi Marc,

      Thanks SO much for taking the time to let me know this! I’m so happy you had a nice time and I was able to help!

      Thanks also for the tip about Villa Carlotta. I know readers of this comment section will find it helpful, and I’ll definitely be sure to follow your advice, too, during my next trip to Lake Como!

      – Em

  8. Thank you so much for taking the time to write out this amazing itinerary! My husband and I are planning our trip to Italy in mid-February. Would you still recommended squeezing in a day trip to Lake Como, or will everything be closed because it is the off season? We would love to see this area, but would rather spend more time in the larger cities if Lake Como will be mostly closed. Thanks again!

    1. Hi Megan,

      You’re welcome!

      I’ve never been to Lake Como in winter, but when I went in early September, I had a conversation with a shopkeeper. She was saying how she was from another city in Italy and just moves to Lake Como for the summer to work her shop. She was going to be closing it up the next week (so mid-Sept!) until the next season. So it’s just one anecdote, and I’m sure other shops and restaurants stay open past September, but it gives you an idea of what these types of seasonal destinations are like.

      You also have to consider that the ferry schedule will be different (less frequent ferries) in the off season. So it might be difficult to time everything just right to fit it all into one day (especially with less daylight time giving you a shorter “day” already).

      So I personally always save these types of places for their proper seasons or shoulder seasons, but it’s up to personal preference.

      Hope that helps!

      – Em

  9. Thank you so much for this detailed day tour. Very helpful! I just tried to buy tickets for the ferry online for tomorrow. However, online was sold out. Do I need to worry and can I buy the ticket upon arrival in Varenna without a problem? Also how do you validate the train tickets? Thanks so much for your help!

    1. Hi Rox,

      I’m glad to know this itinerary is helpful to you!

      Based on my experience and those of some recent commenters on this guide, you should be fine to buy the ticket in person upon arrival.

      To validate the train tickets, stick the paper ticket into the “mouth” of the machine on the platform of your train. You will hear a noise, which is the machine stamping the date and time onto the paper. If you have any trouble locating the little machines, ask train staff (or fellow travelers nearby if you hear them speaking your language).

      Have a great day trip!

      – Em

  10. Hiii! Your blog was such a life saver, all the details were on point and so helpful. We followed it to the tee and had the best time! Keep up the good work. I’ll definitely follow all of your blogs from now on!

    1. Hi Tanushree,

      Thanks SO much for taking the time to let me know that! I’m glad to know you had a great time in Lake Como and that my itinerary was able to help! 🙂

      – Em