Como and surroundings
Como
In Como, you will find high society flair and turn-of-the-century villa charm! The city, with a population of just under 86,000, is the capital of the province of Como and gives its name to Lago di Como at the southern end of the left arm of Lake Como. This beautiful place is surrounded by the last foothills of the Alps.
The magnificent city centre dates back to the Roman Empire and features the typical grid pattern of urban planning at that time. Here you will find many historic buildings, such as the world-famous Como Cathedral with its gleaming dome. The city has historical roots in pre-Christian times and was considered a trading city in the Roman Empire.
In and around the town centre, there are many historic villas and museums with a wide variety of exhibitions of archaeological and craft objects. Art from the Middle Ages to the modern era can also be found here. The Silk Museum, with its documentation of silk processing and objects of ancient weaving art, is particularly recommended.
The extensive pedestrian zone in the old town centre is home to many small shops selling Italian fashion, shoes, handbags, souvenirs and much more. There are also plenty of small grocery shops (alimentari), bakeries, restaurants and trattorias serving typical local cuisine.
Just outside the city, you will find opportunities for outlet shopping and factory direct sales.
The villa suburb of Brunate, located at the top of the local mountain, is a great starting point for beautiful hikes. The village can be reached by rack railway near Villa Geno.
Cernobbio
Cernobbio is a suburb of Como and is known for its famous villas. Villa Erba and the legendary Villa d’Este, which now serves as a luxury hotel and venue for important events, are always worth a visit.
Moltrasio
Moltrasio is also a suburb of Como and is located just under 9 kilometres northwest of Como. A popular destination for tourists here is Villa Oleandra in Laglio, between Moltrasio and Argegno on the lake road. It is owned by actor George Clooney and therefore often attracts fans who want to see the property for themselves. The small community also exudes its own unique charm with its medieval streets leading up the mountain.
Argegno
Argegno is a picturesque little holiday resort with a beautiful fishing harbour, a boat landing stage for excursions in all directions, popular restaurants and a beautiful church by the lake. The municipality, with just under 700 inhabitants, is located almost exactly halfway between Como and Menaggio. The stylishly decorated bars, restaurants, a wine bar and an ice cream parlour around Piazza Roma invite you to linger.
Argegno marks the beginning of the Val d’Intelvi, which connects Lake Como with Lake Lugano. Here you will find sunny villages surrounded by greenery and stunning panoramic views. A paradise for nature lovers and active sports enthusiasts.
Places of interest:
- – Church of SS Nazaro & Celso in Scaria/Lanzo
- – Small church of St. Zeno above Cerano
- – SS.Quirico & Giulitta in Veglio/Cerano and numerous other churches, which have been decorated for generations by the so-called Magistri Intelvesi (architects, sculptors, painters and plasterers), who have created magnificent works of art throughout Europe.
- Sighignola above Lanzo with incredible panoramic views of Lake Lugano and the surrounding mountains, stretching as far as Monte Bianco and the Jungfrau.
- Cable car up to Pigra, with a fantastic panoramic lake view hiking and mountain bike trail to Menaggio
Cerano d’Intelvi
Cerano d’Intelvi is a small mountain village and a characteristic hamlet with lots of medieval elements, such as the portals between the houses and many wall drawings. The village is located on the slopes of Monte San Zeno, on whose summit a small church was built in the 19th century. You will also find a restaurant serving delicious specialities in the village.
Pognana Lario
Activities and highlights in and around San Siro
Transport links from Como
By car:
- Via Cerano and San Fedele, take the road to Lugano (approx. 30 km).
- Good motorway connection to Milan (approx. 50 km) with Milan Malpensa Airport
By Boat
- From Como, all the towns on Lake Como can be reached by water.
- Connected to many places around Como towards Bellagio, such as Cernobbio, Moltrasio, Carate Urio, Brienno, Carate Urio on the western shore towards Menaggio and Blevio, Torno, Faggeto Lario, Pognana Lario and Careno – ideal for holidays without a car.
By train:
- Good train connection to Milan (approx. 50 km)
Swimming opportunities, beaches & pools
- Two lidos (beach resorts) in Como:
- Lido di Villa Geno: small with a small pool for children, more suited to sunbathing and picnics
- Second lido next to Villa Olmo, right on the lake, with two large open-air pools, a large sunbathing lawn, restaurant and bar.
- Small beaches and lidos in Cernobbio and Moltrasio
- Swimming in the lake in and around Como (city) is not recommended 😉
- Indoor swimming pools in Como
- Lido beach resort in Argegno
- Pognana Lario: with natural sand and outdoor shower below the Sonia café bar/through road with natural stone steps leading into the water; (not suitable for non-swimmers). There is a small fishing harbour next to the bathing area.
- Beautiful, car-free bay of Lenno to the north with 2-3 free bathing areas and a lido with entertainment and services.
Sports
Golfing in Como
- Several golf courses around Como, above Menaggio and towards Lecco/Bergamo
- Lanzo golf course in Val d’Intelvi
- Legendary Villa d’Este golf course south of Como
By bike:
- Many touring opportunities for mountain bikers in the surrounding mountains
- Cable car from Argegno up to Pigra, with panoramic hiking and mountain bike trail to Menaggio
- Beautiful hiking and mountain bike tours in the Intelvi Valley (San Fedele d’Intelvi), including the impressive Balcone d’Italia in Sighignola, with views of the Swiss side and Lake Lugano, from where a cable car takes you down to the famous casino in Campione d’Italia.
Horse riding in Como
- Horse riding in ComoIn Val d’Intelvi, e.g. in San Fedele (main street next to Landi wine shop) or in Lanzo at the Rondanino riding school
Tennis
- Tennis court in Cerano
Hiking, walking, mountaineering & climbing:
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- Numerous mountain hikes with magnificent panoramic views of the surrounding mountains
- Panoramic trail from Como to Sorico at the other end of the lake
- Rack railway in the villa suburb of Brunate (Como) = starting point for beautiful hikes towards Bellagio (high-altitude hiking trail)
- Cable car from Argegno up to Pigra, with panoramic hiking trail to Menaggio
- Beautiful hiking tours in the Intelvi Valley (San Fedele d’Intelvi), including the impressive Balcone d’Italia in Sighignola, with views of the Swiss side and Lake Lugano, from where a cable car descends to the famous casino in Campione d’Italia.
- High-altitude trail with springs and restaurants from Lezzeno to… Blevio/Como
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Culture, Events & Entertainment
- Many museums and villas in Como with changing exhibitions ranging from archaeological and craft objects to art from the Middle Ages to the modern era.
- Silk museum in Como with documentation of silk processing and objects of ancient weaving art, beginning in the 13th century, as well as world-famous silk manufacturing
Markets
- Weekly market in Como Tuesday and Thursday from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m., Saturday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., every first Saturday of the month sale of antiques, stamps, coins, books, second-hand goods, etc.
- Weekly market in Cernobbio every Wednesday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- Weekly market in Torno every Wednesday and Friday from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Weekly market in Moltrasio every Friday from 8.30am to 11.30am
- Wochenmarkt in Argegno jeden Montag von 8-12.30 h
- Weekly market in Pognana Lario every Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. with fresh fruit, vegetables, cheese, sausage, etc.
Shopping & Dining
- Many restaurants in all locations
- Many small shops in the extensive pedestrian zone in Como’s old town centre selling Italian fashion, shoes, handbags, souvenirs, etc. – as well as small grocery shops (alimentari), bakeries, restaurants and trattorias serving typical local cuisine.
- Outlet shopping and factory direct sales just outside Como city centre
Winter attractions in Como
- Ski touring and snowshoeing on Lake Como
- Christmas markets and nativity scene exhibitions