How To Spend A Weekend In Lake Como
Where to stay, and play this summer around Italy’s most iconic lake.
Contributing editor Lauren Taylor indulges in a weekend of grand hotels, historic lakeside villas, charming villages, and spritzy orange cocktails.
Where to Stay
Passalacqua, Moltrasio
Born in the 18th-century Rococo era, Passalacqua was conceived as a celebration of Italian life – friendship, love, leisure – and the rich cultural heritage of Northern Italy. Transformed by the De Santis family, owners rooted on the shores of Lake Como for generations, this unique hotel offers 24 characterful guest accommodations spread across magnificently restored buildings and seven acres of landscaped gardens that descend to a private jetty.
Guests are invited to immerse themselves in the delights of villa life, enjoying a panoramic swimming pool, an open-air gym in the olive grove, lakeside tennis courts, movie nights under the stars, and much more, all nestled among park terraces, burbling fountains, and centuries-old trees.
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Grand Hotel Tremezzo, Tremezzina
A renowned name on Lake Como, the Grand Hotel Tremezzo (sister property to the Passalacqua) is an iconic Art Nouveau masterpiece. Guests are treated to sumptuous accommodations, three pools, a private lakeside beach, and a lavish private park, all accompanied by warm Italian hospitality and breathtaking views of Bellagio and the Grigne mountains.
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Villa d’Este, Cernobbio
Villa d’Este, arguably the most iconic hotel in Northern Italy, boasts a rich history as a residence for aristocracy – princesses, marquises, sultans, and tsars – for decades. Since its opening as a luxury hotel in 1873, it has remained a favored retreat for modern royalty and discerning guests. While privacy and discretion are paramount, it's not uncommon to encounter loyal patrons such as Queen Beatrix of Holland, Bruce Springsteen, Barbra Streisand, Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones, and neighbor George Clooney enjoying the hotel's stunning gardens and floating pool on Lake Como.
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Villa Lario, Pognana Lario
Villa Làrio is an exclusive property spanning over 2 acres of private gardens directly on Lake Como. Our suites are nestled within four distinct buildings: Villa Bianca, housing four Suites, the reception, and the Restaurant; Pavilion, an independent villa featuring two bedrooms en suite, a large salon, and a private terrace with exceptional views; and the Garden Suite, a secluded retreat in the historical gardens. Directly by the lake, Il Palazzo, a 19th-century classical villa, impresses with its loggia and terrace.
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What to Do
Beyond waterskiing, boat rides, and swimming, Lake Como offers thrilling ways to experience its beauty. For an extraordinary adventure, rent a seaplane and discover the lake's stunning scenery from above.
What to See
Take a boat trip to Varenna - the most picturesque village on the lake. Have an aperitivo (one of those spritzy orange cocktails you’ll see everywhere around the lake) at Bar Il Molo, right by the water.
A visit to Villa La Cassinella, a stunning lakeside property with an impressive garden on the western shores of the lake, is essential. And, of course, no Lake Como experience is complete without a glimpse of George & Amal Clooney's Villa Oleandra in Laglio.
When to Go
The season typically begins around Easter and extends through September. For optimal temperatures, with daytime highs reaching the high 20s and warm waters perfect for swimming, we recommend visiting in June, July, or September.
How to Get There and Navigate the Lake
The nearest airport is Milan Malpensa, roughly an hour by (rental) car. Most of the hotels can organize a shuttle.
Getting around the lake can be stressful by car. Water taxis are often best and quickest, however many usually only operate during daytime hours unless privately arranged.
84 Rooms recommends: A Guide to Milan, and How To Spend A Weekend In Lake Garda.