Nestled in northern Italy, Lake Como is a stunning travel destination renowned for its breathtaking scenery, elegant villas, and charming villages. Surrounded by the towering Alps, the lake is framed by lush greenery and picturesque landscapes. The deep blue waters of the lake contrast with the verdant hillsides, creating a scene of unparalleled beauty. Many charming towns and villages surround Lake Como that are perfect for exploring. Deciding where to stay in Lake Como could be an impossible task with the numerous options! Thankfully, I’ve got you covered here! Find out where to stay in Lake Como including the best towns and hotels for all budgets.
How to Get to Lake Como
The nearest major airport to Lake Como is Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP), located approximately 50 kilometers southwest of the lake. From the airport, you can take a direct train to Como or use other transportation options such as buses, taxis, or rental cars to reach your desired destination on Lake Como.
I highly recommend taking the train from Milan to the town of Como. From Como, you can take local trains or buses to reach various towns and villages around the lake. For more details on the exact way to get to different towns on Lake Como, check out my complete guide on Lake Como.
Best Towns to Stay in Lake Como
There are numerous towns on Lake Como, but the best towns to stay at are those easily accessible and well connected to other Lake Como attractions. If you’re looking at where to stay in Lake Como without a car, then these are also the ideal towns to stay!
Here are the top towns to consider for accommodation based on my experience:
Como: The largest town on Lake Como, Como offers a mix of history, culture, and modern amenities. Como can be reached by a direct train from Milan! Visitors can explore attractions such as the Como Cathedral, the historic center with its charming squares and shops, and the scenic waterfront promenade. Como also has a wide selection of hotels, restaurants, and shops, making it a convenient base for exploring the lake and surrounding area.
Varenna: Varenna is another picturesque town on Lake Como that can easily be accessible by train as well. Nestled on the eastern shore of Lake Como, Varenna features narrow alleys, historic churches, and villas. There are stunning views of the lake and mountains from Varenna! Varenna offers a range of accommodation options, including hotels, guesthouses, and vacation rentals, with many properties overlooking the lake.
Bellagio: Often referred to as the “Pearl of Lake Como,” Bellagio is one of the most popular towns on the lake. It’s known for its narrow cobblestone streets, colorful buildings, and stunning views of the surrounding mountains. Bellagio offers a range of accommodation options, from luxury hotels to cozy bed and breakfasts. It’s also a great base for exploring other parts of the lake, with regular ferry services to and from nearby towns such as Varenna and Menaggio.
As mentioned earlier, if you’re looking at where to stay in Lake Como without a car then these are your best towns! You won’t need a car to get to navigate any of these towns and you can easily use public transport to get to other attractions on Lake Como.
Best Hotels to Stay in Lake Como
Lake Como offers a range of accommodation options, including luxury hotels, boutique hotels, historic villas, and charming bed and breakfasts. Here are the best hotels for all budget ranges in Lake Como!
Best Hotels in Como
As mentioned earlier, Como is one of the most accessible towns on Lake Como and can be reached within an hour’s train ride from Milan. From Como, you can easily reach any other town on Lake Como using the public ferry, train, and bus. Find out where to stay in Lake Como in the town of Como.
Luxury: Vista Palazzo
Vista Palazzo is a high-end hotel that is within a 5-minute walk of both Lago Como train station and Como Cathedral. It is the only five-star luxury hotel in the city center of Como and is also just steps from the shores of Lake Como. You have the best of both worlds at Vista Palazzo!
Midrange: Hilton Lake Como
Hilton Lake Como is a polished hotel that is 1 km from both the Como San Giovanni train station and Villa Olmo, an 18th-century manor with lakefront gardens. It is the first Hilton hotel in the Lake Como region and a great option if you’re a Hilton Honors member to earn and/or redeem points! It features a rooftop infinity pool and several restaurants and bars.
Budget: Ostello Bello Lake Como
Ostello Bello Lake Como is a laid-back hostel that is a 3-minute walk from the banks of Lake Como, an 8-minute walk from Como San Giovanni train station, and a 10-minute walk from Como Cathedral. It features basic private rooms, and mixed-gender and female-only dorms. A breakfast buffet, dinner, and tea and coffee are all included, and there’s free food in a communal kitchen. Other amenities consist of a roof terrace and a garden with hammocks.
Budget: Residence Diaz
Residence Diaz is a small 15th-century building in Como’s historical center. It offers apartments with a kitchen and free WiFi. All air-conditioned, apartments feature a living area with a flat-screen TV, an equipped kitchenette with a microwave, and a kettle. Diaz Residence is just a few steps from Como’s many historic and cultural attractions.
Best Hotels in Varenna
Varenna is another town that is connected by train from Milan! This makes Varenna a great place to stay as you can transfer here by train if you’re flying into Milan. Varenna is also connected by ferry to the rest of the lake! Check out where to stay in Lake Como in the town of Varenna.
Luxury: Hotel Villa Cipressi
Hotel Villa Cipressi is set in a historic villa surrounded by lush gardens and offers a tranquil retreat with panoramic views of Lake Como. The hotel features elegantly furnished rooms and suites, some with lake views and balconies. Guests can enjoy the hotel’s botanical gardens, outdoor swimming pool, terrace overlooking the lake, and direct access to the lakefront promenade.
Midrange: Hotel Olivedo
Hotel Olivedo is a family-run hotel on the shores of Varenna. Overlooking Lake Como, this hotel is in a 19th-century building that is a 5-minute walk from the Varenna-Esino train station. The casual, warmly decorated rooms offer lake views and a lake-view terrace restaurant serves traditional dishes from the Lombardy region. In summer, breakfast is served on the panoramic terrace.
Budget: Albergo Beretta
Albergo Beretta is located near Varenna’s train station and ferry terminal and offers budget-friendly rooms with private bathrooms. The hotel provides a convenient base for exploring Varenna and other towns around Lake Como.
Budget: B&B Il Bolentino
B&B Il Bolentino is a cozy bed and breakfast located in a historic building in the heart of Varenna, just steps away from the lakefront promenade and ferry terminal. B&B Il Bolentino offers comfortable rooms with private bathrooms and includes breakfast in the room rate.
Best Hotels in Bellagio
Bellagio is located in the heart of Lake Como and is easily accessible by the public ferry. To get to Bellagio, you can take a train from Milan to Varenna and then take the ferry from Varenna to Bellagio. From Bellagio, you can take the public ferry to other Lake Como towns. Here’s where to stay in Lake Como in the town of Bellagio!
Luxury: Grand Hotel Villa Serbelloni
Grand Hotel Villa Serbelloni is a 5-star hotel on Bellagio that features multiple gardens, indoor and outdoor pools, and a luxury spa. This impressive hotel features grand staircases, frescoed ceilings, and splendid chandeliers in Murano glass. Perfect for a romantic getaway, this hotel will take your breath away!
Luxury: Hotel Belvedere
Hotel Belvedere is a lakeside paradise dreamt of by a woman in 1880. Since then, five generations of mother and daughter have – with determination and love – perfected, protected, and passed down this dream. This luxury hotel is located on Bellagio and has private gardens, a swimming pool with a hot tub, a new spa with a Turkish bath, and a panoramic restaurant that has a beautiful terrace with a superb view of the lake and mountains!
Luxury: Grand Hotel Tremezzo
Grand Hotel Tremezzo has one of the best locations on Lake Como! The luxury resort faces directly onto Bellagio, where the two branches of the lake meet, against the rose-tinted backdrop of the Grigne mountains. Thus art nouveau mansion features a modern wellness center, exquisite gardens, numerous dining options, 3 swimming pools (one with a view of the lake), a private beach, and a marina.
Midrange: Hotel Bellagio
Hotel Bellagio is a boutique hotel in the heart of Bellagio that offers comfortable accommodations and boasts lovely views over Lake Como. The hotel is accessed directly from Bellagio’s main square and is within walking distance from the town’s shops, cafés, and restaurants. A continental breakfast is also offered every morning.
Budget: Bike & Active Hotel II Perlo Panorama
Bike & Active Hotel Il Perlo Panorama offers the best view of all of Bellagio! This family-owned hotel offers spacious and clean rooms and an unforgettable view! This hotel is located on the top of the hill facing the lake 1.9 mi from the center of Bellagio. You can request a shuttle pickup from the Bellagio port to the hotel. This hotel is a comfortable and quiet place to spend your holiday with a garden, a balcony, and a terrace. Complimentary breakfast is served every morning!
Here you have it!
If you’re looking at where to stay in Lake Como, then hopefully this guide helped you narrow down the many different towns and hotels! The towns of Como, Varenna, and Bellagio offer great hotel options while being accessible even without a car through public transit. I would choose to stay in these towns each time that I visit Lake Como.
LIKE THIS POST? SAVE IT ON PINTEREST!
