Lake Como has become one of the most sought-after wedding destinations in Europe, and if you’ve been invited to celebrate by the water, congratulations – you’re in for a spectacular weekend. But weddings rarely fill an entire trip. Between the rehearsal dinner, the ceremony itself, and the morning-after brunch, you’ll likely have a little downtime to explore this corner of northern Italy. The good news? You don’t need to blow your budget on Clooney-adjacent villas to make the most of your visit.
Take The Ferry Between Towns
The most affordable way to see Lake Como is also the most scenic. Rejoice! The public ferry service, operated by Navigazione Laghi, connects all the major towns around the lake, with day passes allowing unlimited travel within designated zones. A day pass for the central lake area costs €15, covering the Bellagio-Varenna-Menaggio triangle, while a full-lake pass extending from Como town to the northern basin costs €23.30.
You’ll get the same views as those private water taxis charging hundreds of Euros, just with a few more stops along the way. The regular ferries take around two hours from Como to Bellagio, whilst the faster hydrofoil service completes the journey in about 45 minutes but costs an extra €4.40.
During summer, ferries run roughly every 30 to 60 minutes. Services reduce significantly in winter, and timetables vary by route, so check the Navigazione Laghi website before finalising your plans.
If you’re travelling during peak season, arrive at the ticket office early, as queues at major stops like Varenna and Bellagio can stretch to several hours. If your hosts have hired a wedding planner in Lake Como, they’ll likely have warned you about this and may have arranged group transport to avoid the ferry chaos.
Wander Bellagio’s Salita Serbelloni
This steep, narrow street climbs from Bellagio’s waterfront up through the old town, lined with stone houses, gelaterie, and small shops selling locally-made silk scarves. It’s free to explore, and the higher you climb, the better the views across the lake become.
Near the top, you’ll find the Basilica di San Giacomo, a 12th-century Romanesque church with original frescoes still visible on the interior walls. The climb takes about 15 minutes at a steady pace, considerably longer if you stop for photos or to catch your breath – and you will want to stop, both for the views and because the incline is genuinely challenging.
Early morning or late afternoon are the best times to make this walk. Midday sun makes the climb uncomfortable, and the narrow street offers little shade.
Hike To Castello di Vezio
Above Varenna sits this ruined medieval castle, reached by a 20-minute uphill walk through olive groves and the tiny hamlet of Vezio. Entry costs €6 for adults, with reductions to €3 for over-65s, groups of more than 12 people, and students aged 7-18. You’ll have panoramic views over the central lake and surrounding mountains – many visitors rate this as the single best vantage point accessible without serious hiking equipment.
The castle dates back to the 11th century, though much of what remains is from later medieval periods. The tower contains a permanent exhibition about the Lariosaurus, a prehistoric reptile whose fossils have been found around Lake Como. The surrounding gardens include one of the northernmost olive groves in the world, though the trees here produce fruit rather than commercial quantities of oil.
Wear proper shoes – the path from Varenna is steep, paved with uneven stones, and can be treacherously slippery after rain. There are parking spaces near the village of Vezio if you’re driving, costing €2 per hour, though most visitors make the walk from Varenna’s waterfront.
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Eat Lunch Away From The Waterfront
The restaurants right on the lake promenades charge a premium for those views. Walk two streets back from the water and you’ll find trattorias serving the same regional dishes – pizzoccheri (buckwheat pasta with cabbage and cheese), risotto al pesce persico (with local perch), polenta concia – for half the price.
In Como town, the area around Piazza Volta has several good options where locals actually eat. In Varenna, head up into the residential streets behind Via XX Settembre. In Bellagio, anything away from Piazza della Chiesa will be more reasonable. A full lunch with wine shouldn’t cost more than €25-30 per person at these places, compared to €45-60 at waterfront establishments.
Many restaurants offer a fixed-price pranzo that includes a primo, secondo, and quarter-litre of house wine for €18-22. It’s aimed at Italian workers rather than tourists, so portions are substantial and the cooking tends to be straightforward and honest.
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Visit Villa Monastero’s Gardens
In Varenna, the botanical gardens of Villa Monastero stretch for almost two kilometres along the lakeshore. Entry to the gardens costs €8, whilst a combined ticket for the gardens and the House Museum costs €10. Reduced admission of €7 or €5 applies to visitors over 65, groups of more than 20 people, and students, with free entry for children under 14.
The gardens were established in the 19th century and contain plants from around the world – citrus trees, magnolias, cypresses, and exotic species from Asia, Africa, and the Americas that thrive in Como’s mild microclimate. The walking path offers continuous lake views and several shaded benches if you need a rest.
The villa itself, once a Cistercian convent, now serves as an academic conference centre. The House Museum displays 14 rooms of period decoration and furniture from the late 1800s. Last admission is 45 minutes before closing, so don’t arrive too late if you want to see the full extent of the gardens.
Explore Como’s Centro Storico
Como town at the southern end of the lake often gets overlooked by tourists rushing to Bellagio, but the historic centre deserves an afternoon. The Duomo, completed in 1770 after centuries of construction, is free to enter and combines Gothic and Renaissance architecture. Behind it, narrow medieval streets lead to Piazza San Fedele, the old market square, where local life continues largely unbothered by tourism.
Como was a major silk production centre, and you can still find shops selling silk goods, though prices have crept up as the industry has declined and production moved elsewhere.
The funicular to Brunate costs €6.10 for a return ticket, or €3.30 for a single journey. The journey takes seven minutes and operates every 15 minutes throughout the day, climbing 496 metres. At the top, you’ll have views over the entire southern basin of Lake Como. There’s a bar and restaurant at the summit, and several walking trails lead to further viewpoints including the Volta Lighthouse, about 30 minutes’ walk from the funicular station. Queues can be substantial during peak season, particularly by midday.
Swim At A Lido
If you’re visiting in summer, the local lidos offer lake access with changing facilities and sunbeds. These are popular with Italian families rather than tourists, giving them a more authentic atmosphere than you might expect. Be aware that several major lidos around the lake are currently closed for renovation, so it’s worth checking ahead.
Lido di Bellagio, positioned near Villa Melzi, charges around €50 for two people including sunbeds and umbrellas, with gazebos available and direct lake access. For a more affordable option, Lido di Argegno offers a grassy beach with pool, sunbeds, and a bar at lower rates. There are also free public beaches in several towns – Bellagio’s San Giovanni beach is about 15 minutes’ walk south of the ferry docks, whilst Bellano has a sandy public beach next to its lido.
The water temperature peaks around 24°C in July and August – refreshing rather than warm, but perfectly swimmable. Early morning is the best time for swimming if you want calm water and fewer people. Most lidos open around 10:00 and operate from May or June through to September.
Do remember that many restaurants close on Mondays, particularly in smaller towns, and that August sees many Italian businesses shut for annual holidays. Public ferry timetables change seasonally, so check the Navigazione Laghi website before planning your day trips. If you’re visiting for a wedding, ask the couple about any group transportation they’ve arranged – it’s often easier to coordinate with other wedding guests than navigate the area independently, particularly if the wedding venue is in a more remote location.
