Great Vacation Spots
Lake Como Italy
Vacation Spots In and Around Como Italy
One of Italy’s great vacation spots, the city of Como Italy is located at the south western tip of Lake Como, approximately 45 kilometres (or 28 miles) north of Milan.
Como is also near the Swiss towns of Chiasso and Vacallo.
The location of Como on Lake Como and its location near the Alps have made this one of the best places for romantic vacations.
For family vacation ideas, Como Italy may be a good choice to use as home base for your visit to Lake Como, as here you can find all the necessary amenities such as grocery stores, drug stores, great shopping and many unique places to visit.
Take time to discover the numerous churches, gardens, museums, theatres, and works of art, parks and palaces located in and around Como.
Como has many wonderful restaurants, many of which overlook Lake Como.
Have a casual stroll along the promenades of Como Italy and select a terrace of your choice.
There are so many other great vacation spots that you can visit as day trips.
The charming villages on Lake Como can be reached either by ferry, hydrofoil, and car rental or by taking the local bus.
Ask for a Day Pass (Biglietto Giornaliero) which will allow you to stop at any village throughout the day.
Views Around the Harbourfront of Como Italy
Things to See in Como One of Italy’s Great Vacation Spots
Duomo (Cathedral)
Duomo (Cathedral) – Construction started in 1396 on the site of a previous church and was completed over a long period of time by 1740.
It is characterized by the rose window, two Renaissance statues in its facade, Gothic nave, transept wing and relative apses from the Renaissance age.
Holy Conversation
Among the works of art is the “Holy Conversation” a processional banner by Morazzone and nine tapestries of the 16th century.
Broletto
Broletto – Next to the Duomo of Como Italy is the ancient town hall, built in 1215 and made of three colours of marble stones.
Teatro Sciale
Teatro Sciale – The Opera House was built 1811 -1813 on the site of the old castle of the Round Tower. It features a neoclassic facade and a pronao (portico or entrance) with six Corinthian columns.
Palazzo Terragni
Palazzo Terragni ( formerly Casa del Fascio) – Considered to be a masterpiece of modern European architecture, built between 1932 – 1936 by Giuseppe Terragni's and may be his most famous work.
Basilica of San Fedele
Basilica of San Fedele – This Romanesque church was built around the 6th century and rebuilt in the 11th century. The famous Door of San Fedele, carved with medieval decorations, is the main feature and the bell tower was rebuilt in modern times.
Basilica of Sant'Abbondio
The Romanesque Basilica of Sant'Abbondio – An important example of Romanesque architecture in Como Italy. Inside the church, the apse contains 11th century paintings and frescoes by a Lombard painter of the 14th century. The church was founded by the Benedictine monks in 1013. It has a nave and four aisles. Its most remarkable feature is its two bell towers.
Medieval Towers
Porta Torre and Castello Baradello – Among the medieval towers, the central one is Porta Torre, built in 1192 as part of the defensive system that included the Baradello Castle, a small medieval castle overlooking the town, which is all that remains of the fortress constructed by Barbarossa in 1158.
Silk Museum
The Silk Museum – This museum was opened in 1990 with an area of 800 square meters, showing the process of making silk over the centuries and displays a collection old silk manufacturing machinery.
Tempio Voltiano
Tempio Voltiano – The neoclassical Temple of Volta was built in 1927 and contains Alessandro Volta’s instruments and relics, and other famous “battery”.
Villa Olmo
Villa Olmo – Construction began in 1797 in neo-classicist style by the Odescalchi family. A number of prominent figures lived here including Napoleon, Ugo Foscolo, Prince Metternich, Archduke Franz Ferdinand I and Giuseppe Garibaldi.
The villa is now hosts conferences as well as big art exhibitions. In front of the villa is a lovely Neoclassical English style landscape garden.
Sant'Agostino
Sant'Agostino – Built in the early 14th century by the Cistercians, the interior and adjoining cloister have 15th-17th century frescoes, although most of the decoration is Baroque.
Spectacular Vacation Spots – Visit Brunate the Mountain Top Village above Como Italy
Be sure to take the Funicular up the mountain to the charming village of Brunate, high above Como, and give yourself plenty of time to walk around and explore the spectacular villas and lush gardens and also to enjoy a hearty meal in a tranquil setting in the sky.
You Can See the Funicular Going Up the Mountain
History indicates that the hills around Como have been inhabited since the Bronze Age or earlier.
There are many wonderful restaurants and bistros in secluded, romantic settings on the mountain top as well as on the cliffs of Brunate.
If you want to be close to Como but tucked away from the traffic below, consider Brunate as one of the getaway vacation spots for your romantic vacations.
There are many spectacular views of Como and Lake Como. You can see for miles.
In Brunate above Como, there are many winding streets, lovely homes, gates and gardens.
There are charming restaurants overlooking the views and also tucked away under canopies of grape vines or in rustic settings. If you are staying in Como, your hotel may be able to provide with advice about the restaurants.
Although the easiest method of reaching Brunate is by taking the Funiculare, there are wonderful roadways to the mountain top town.
More Pictures of Brunate Vacation Spots
The Funicular has been connecting Como to Brunate since 1894, runs every 30 minutes and allows visitors to enjoy breath-taking views of the city of Como below and South Lake Como.
The Funiculare office is located at piazza Alcide de Gasperi, 4, 22100 Como Italy:
Como Brunate FuniculareTransportation to Great Vacation Spots in Como Italy
Trains to Como Italy
The Servizio Ferroviario Regionale (Regional Railway Service) connects Como by train to other major cities in Lombardy.
Services are provided by Trenitalia and LeNORD through two main stations: Como S. Giovanni (Trenitalia) and Como Lago (LeNORD).
Is Only a 5 Minute Walk from the LeNORD Train Station
There are other urban stations served by LeNORD, but to get to the heart of Como and to catch a ferry or hydrofoil to reach your destination villages and vacation spots on Lake Como, the Como Lago (LeNORD) station is the closest to the ferry and hydrofoil office, which are about a seven minute walk and not too difficult to haul your luggage if you choose to walk over.
Is Only a 10 Minute Walk (or less) from the LeNORD Train Station
Como S. Giovanni train station, on the main North-South line between Milan Centrale, Zurich and Basel services the Intercity and Eurostar trains, making Como very accessible from the European express train network.
For that route, you can purchase your tickets online from Rail Europe. Trains from Zurich Airport to Como San Giovanni take four to five hours.
Como S. Giovanni station is on the west end of Como and you will need a taxi to get to the ferries.
If you are taking a train from Milano Malpensa airport, take the Malpensa Express to the transfer point, a town called Soronno. You can purchase your return tickets for that short trip at Milan Malpensa if you do not have a Rail Europe Pass.
From Soronno, the LeNORD will take you to the end of the line, which is Como Lago (LeNORD) station. The commute will only take around 45 minutes to 1 hour, but is a pleasant ride.
I have attached a LeNORD map to help you with your travel plans:
Train From Milano Malpensa to ComoAirports Providing Scheduled Flights Near Como Italy
- Milano Malpensa
- Lugano Agno (in Switzerland)
- Milano Linate
- Orio al Serio Airport near Bergamo
Local Transportation around Como Italy
There is a great bus service that will take you around the lake, and is equally as exciting as the boat rides, with winding roads and fantastic scenery.
I usually advise planning ahead when it comes to transportation, but information about ferries and buses are easily obtained whether from your hotel or the ferry office in the main harbour and bus station in the city center of Como.
Easy access, good transportation, beautiful lush scenery and semi-topical climate are what make Como Italy one of the most popular vacation spots in Italy.
If you plan to use the local public transport network it is the (C) lines the go beyond the city limits, connecting Como with most of surrounding villages and vacation spots. They are provided by ASF Autolinee.
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