Lake Como Day Trip Guide and Itinerary: Como, Bellagio & Varenna from Milan

Lake Como is one of the best day trips from Milan. With a dramatic alpine backdrop, sparkling blue waters, and charming pastel towns, it offers a refreshing escape without the need to stay overnight. Many itineraries cover one or two stops, but with good planning, you can visit Como, Bellagio, and Varenna all in one day.

This guide leads you through a scenic and efficient route and provides practical tips you’ll want to know. Get ready for the most perfect day trip ever!

Also read: The Ultimate Guide to Budget Travelling in Europe: Smart Ways to Explore for Less

A quick itinerary overview

Start with a regional train from Milan to Como, followed by a fast ferry to Bellagio, then a short ferry to Varenna. Finish with a train ride back to Milan from Varenna-Esino station.

To keep things running smoothly, buy your ferry tickets as soon as you arrive in each town. Ferries run on fixed schedules and seats fill up quickly, especially in summer. Securing your tickets early means less waiting and more exploring.

Travel to Como: Milan to lake life

Catch a regional train from Milano Centrale to Como S. Giovanni. The direct ride takes just under 50 minutes. Trains run often, and tickets cost about €5.50 to €6.00. While seat reservations aren’t required, booking in advance via Trainline or Trenord will save time during busy periods.

From the station, walk downhill for about ten minutes to the Navigazione Laghi ferry terminal, located just beyond Piazza Cavour on the lakefront.

Here, buy your fast ferry ticket to Bellagio, which costs roughly €14.80 and takes 50 to 60 minutes. Since same-day ferry tickets aren’t sold online, buying them on arrival is essential, especially for the fast routes that sell out quickly.

Morning in Como

Como is a lively lakeside city with elegant neoclassical villas and narrow alleyways leading to sunlit piazzas. With the time you have before your ferry departs, stroll along the Lungolago di Como promenade for wide views of the lake and distant mountains.

Explore Piazza Cavour, the historic heart of Como, and grab a coffee at a café spilling onto the square. If time allows, visit the Duomo di Como, a striking cathedral blending Gothic and Renaissance styles, or browse nearby boutiques and wine shops.

Travel to Bellagio by fast ferry

The ferry from Como to Bellagio offers some of the day’s best scenery. The fast ferry (aliscafi) makes few stops along the western shore, passing towns like Cernobbio, Moltrasio, and Tremezzo, while cruising on wide stretches of deep blue water framed by dramatic hillsides. As you near Bellagio, you’ll see the lake split into three arms, with Bellagio poised elegantly on the central promontory.

Upon arrival, head to the ferry ticket counter to buy your next ticket, a 15 to 20-minute crossing to Varenna, costing about €6.00. Even though this leg is short, tickets sell out at peak times, so buying early lets you relax while exploring.

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Midday in Bellagio

Bellagio is one of Lake Como’s most popular towns, and it’s easy to see why. With its photogenic staircases, lakeside promenades, and polished charm, it looks like a postcard come to life.

Wander Bellagio’s steep cobbled lanes, especially Salita Serbelloni, lined with artisan boutiques, cafés, and flower boxes, perfect for a slow climb and photo stops.

Visit Punta Spartivento, a panoramic viewpoint at the northern tip of town, where you can see the lake’s three arms stretch out. For a quieter break, stroll to Villa Melzi d’Eril’s lakeside gardens, about ten minutes away. These beautifully landscaped gardens are often less crowded than the main streets.

Enjoy lunch by the water, choosing local dishes like risotto al pesce persico, creamy risotto topped with lightly fried lake perch. Service tends to be relaxed, so allow at least an hour before heading back to the ferry.

Travel to Varenna

The ferry from Bellagio to Varenna takes just 15 to 20 minutes and offers stunning views of the mid-lake region, with mountains rising sharply and colourful villas dotting the shoreline. Smaller boats operate on this route, so seats fill quickly.

As you arrive, you’ll see Varenna’s ochre and terracotta houses stacked on the hillside above the harbour. Compared to Bellagio, Varenna feels quieter and less touristy, a peaceful way to end your day.

Afternoon and sunset in Varenna

Varenna’s charm lies in its calm, romantic atmosphere. Start with the Passeggiata degli Innamorati (“Lover’s Walk”), a narrow lakeside path winding from the ferry terminal to the old town. It’s one of the lake’s most scenic walks.

Stroll through flower-lined streets and small piazzas where local cats nap and laundry flutters between balconies. Don’t miss Villa Monastero, a lakeside villa and museum with an extraordinary botanical garden stretching nearly two kilometres along the water. Entry costs around €10. Its elegant terraces and fountains make a perfect spot for a late-afternoon stroll.

As evening falls, find a spot along the harbour or up a hillside path to watch the sunset. Varenna’s west-facing location offers one of the best lake views for the sun dipping behind the hills, turning the water golden and casting long shadows on rooftops.

Allow time to walk uphill to Varenna-Esino station, about 10 minutes from the ferry terminal. Trains to Milan run regularly, taking under an hour. Tickets cost €7 to €8. Buying in advance helps ensure you catch your preferred train, especially if travelling late.

Alternative routes and overnight ideas

Reverse the route for a quieter start

Try starting your day with a morning train to Varenna instead of Como. Varenna tends to be quieter early on. From there, ferry to Bellagio for lunch and sightseeing, then finish in Como before heading back to Milan.

This option avoids peak crowds in Bellagio and balances your travel times.

Take the slow ferry

If you prefer a relaxed pace, take the slow ferry (battello) from Como to Bellagio instead of the fast hydrofoil. This two-hour trip makes multiple stops at villages like Tremezzo, Lenno, and Menaggio. It’s ideal if you want to soak in the scenery or hop off in smaller towns. Just plan your schedule carefully to avoid losing time.

Stay overnight

For a more leisurely visit, consider staying a night in Varenna or Bellagio. You’ll have more time to explore villas, enjoy long dinners, and experience early mornings without crowds. Book accommodations early, especially in summer.

Practical tips for a smooth day

Book trains ahead

Regional trains don’t require reservations, but booking your return from Varenna in advance helps avoid queues and guarantees your timing. Use Trenord or Trainline.

Buy ferry tickets early

Since ferry seats are limited and same-day online booking is rare, buy your next ferry ticket as soon as you arrive in each town to avoid missing your preferred sailing.

Wear comfortable shoes

All three towns have steep lanes, uneven staircases, and cobblestones. Wear sturdy walking shoes. Even in summer, mornings and ferry rides can be cool, so bring layers, a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen.

Plan meals around Italian timings

Lunch usually runs from 12:30 to 14:30, and many restaurants close in late afternoon before dinner. Cafés and gelaterias are good for snacks between meals. Lunch in Bellagio and an aperitivo (Italy’s early evening ritual of drinks and light bites) in Varenna work well with this itinerary.

Check schedules, but stay flexible

Ferries and trains run punctually but less frequently outside summer and on Sundays. Check timetables beforehand but leave room for slight delays. Part of Lake Como’s charm lies in spontaneous wandering.

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Go on a beautiful adventure

With a well-planned loop through Como, Bellagio, and Varenna, you’ll experience the lake’s most beloved towns, scenic ferry rides, and a golden sunset, all without rushing or splurging.

What makes this day special is how each town shows a different side of lake life: Como’s lively buzz, Bellagio’s polished elegance, and Varenna’s quiet romance. You’ll savour the variety and still have time to relax. By the time you return to Milan, you’ll be tired in the best way, full of lakeside memories and maybe already planning your next visit. And who could blame you?