Lake Como is the definition of La Dolce Vita

The Hotel: I stayed at the Hilton Lake Como, which is located in the city of Como itself. It is perfectly situated, quiet and remote yet easily accessible from Como San Giovanni train station (20 min walk/5 min bus). Its stand-out factor is its rooftop pool and terrace bar. The views over the lake are unbeatable. It is the perfect place to relax in the summer sun. I stayed in a Twin Guest room, which starts from €583 ($632). Although these rooms don’t offer a view of the lake, it overlooks greenery and makes you feel like you truly are somewhere tropical. To top it all off, the staff are lovely, especially those at the rooftop bar who are always up for a friendly conversation.

What to do: Like me, most people assume that Lake Como consists of one town and the rest is just rural. However, that is the furthest from the truth. There are many towns with their own unique attractions alongside the lake. I would highly recommend taking a day trip to the town of Bellagio, on a promontory jutting out into the lake. It has panoramic views, accompanied by narrow streets and classic architecture. Grab some gelato and wonder around the hill-steeped town, taking in all its beauty. If you’re like me and prefer somewhere quiet and not rammed full of people, the best place to go is the Pescallo Swimming steps on the east side of town. To get there, you have to walk along tiny little streets that lead you right onto the water. It is the most exquisite place to swim and is not crowded with people, which seemed bizarre to me as it is the best spot in the town.

Another activity I highly recommend is paddle boarding at Lake Como Water Experience Center. It is located in another small town called Faggeto Lario, which is on the way to Bellagio. The prices are very reasonable and it is a chill place to paddle on the lake safely. There is no better way to experience the lake than being on it!

Restaurant: A restaurant in Como city that I would recommend is Osteria Figli dei Fiori. It is small and intimate, offering traditional Italian cuisine. The cannelloni and arancini were delightful and you could feel it had been made authentically. As insinuated in its name, it is surrounded by floral designs and houses a relaxed atmosphere. I walked away knowing that it was the best meal I had during my trip.

Terrazza 241, located on the rooftop of Hilton Lake Como is my other recommendation. The food is immaculate and offers brilliant views over the lake. They have an extensive cocktail menu inspired by its surroundings, meaning there is something for everyone.

Transport: Getting to Lake Como via train is the easiest and quickest way to do so from Milan. A train from Milano Centrale to Como San Giovanni takes a mere 40 minutes and only costs €5.20! It takes you straight to the center of Como city, where you can easily get a taxi, bus or ferry to another town along the lake. The ferry is also a great way to experience the lake itself, however the timings are not always accurate and often. If you choose to take advantage of the ferry service, make sure to check at one of the ports and buy tickets there as compared to the timings online, they do not often match.

Lake Como really is somewhere spectacular and should be added to your bucket list. It is stunning and is the definition of La Dolce Vita. However, as expected, it is on the pricy side, so do bear that in mind. For a remote location, the transport, in my opinion, is good and should be utilized as taxis are extremely expensive. It is a relaxing environment and there is a lot bigger, and therefore a lot more to explore, than I initially expected.

This trip report is part of our ongoing series on travel to Lake Como. In need of further inspiration? Check out Chiara Viganò’s guide, Site Inspection at Posta Design Lake Como.