Best Day Trips from Lake Como

Being the birthplace of the rich and famous, there are many things to do in this hidden paradise, but your visit is also an opportunity to go on excursions to other towns and villages near the lake, to see other landscapes and incredible sights.

Without a doubt, signing up for an excursion to see some of the towns around the lake and its outskirts is one of the best things to see and do in Como. In fact, from this region you can take the time to visit important cities such as Milan or even take a tour of Lugano, if you want a quieter plan.

The tour will be by speedboat and you will depart from Como to Bellagio, where you will stop for a guided walking tour and get to know the most interesting facts about the old town. You will visit the interior of the Basilica of San Giacomo and Punta Spartivento. Afterwards you will get to know Varenna.

In the middle of the experience you will be able to visit and take pictures in very interesting and romantic places such as the spiral staircases and the famous Walk of Lovers, making it clear that this is definitely one of the best excursions to do from Lake Como.

Interesting details

• Price: you can expect to pay around 220 euros per person for this experience.
• Duration: it will take you about 8 and a half hours to complete this experience.
• Means of transport: the whole tour is done by boat, but you will have to get to the meeting point on your own.
• Advantages of this option: you will have a tour guide and all the necessary safety measures.
• Disadvantages of this option: transport to and from your accommodation is not included. It is also not a suitable experience for travellers with heart conditions or other medical problems.

On this full day tour you will not only see the most beautiful sights of Lake Como, but your tour guide will also take you to see and learn about the ancient dry stone walls that were built as terraces for the grape bushes. You will get to know this place with a small group of people, so it is an almost personalised tour.

One of the best Lake Como tours, it also helps you get to know how the Italian Alps landscape blends with the nuance of the Mediterranean climate. In addition, you will get to see the very picturesque villages that are scattered around the area.

Throughout the experience your guide will bring you up to date with all the historical details of Italy' s wine culture and how the dry stone walls became a World Heritage Site.

Details of interest

• Price: you will have to pay around 105 euros per person.
• Duration: the tour takes on average 11 to 12 hours.
• Means of transport: you will board a bus and also complete the experience on foot.
• Advantages of this option: Transport to and from your accommodation is included. The English speaking guide is also included, although you can also request a guide in Spanish.
• Disadvantages of this option: meals and drinks are not included, so for lunch you will have to eat in a local restaurant, the price of which can vary between 30 and 40 euros per person. Tips are not included in the price. Children under 12 years old are not allowed to participate.

On this full day tour you will see not only the most beautiful villages of the Italian Alps, but also the villages of Switzerland, all from Lake Como. Lugano, Cadenabbia and Bellagio are just some of the places you will see on this experience, just before boarding the panoramic cruise on the lake.

The Como to Lugano experience is completed by coach. Once there, you'll have free time to sample some Swiss chocolate and, of course, wander around the city centre. After strolling around Lugano, you will have the opportunity to walk through the village of Cadenabbia, famous because it was once a frequent haunt of Queen Victoria of England and Tsar Nicholas of Russia.

After learning some history of the region, you will take a boat ride on Lake Como, or rather, a scenic cruise that will take you to Bellagio, the next destination on your journey, where you will also have time to wander the streets and learn a bit about its culture and history.

Details of interest

• Price: you can find this experience for around 120 euros per person.
• Duration: it will take you about 8 hours to complete the whole experience.
• Means of transport: the whole tour is completed by bus with all the comforts.
• Advantages of this option: air-conditioned bus transport to and from your hotel or accommodation is included. Also included is the tour guide during your experience.
• Disadvantages of this option: It is not a wheelchair friendly tour.

This is undoubtedly one of the best bike tours in and around Lake Como, where you can enjoy the countryside around the lake. You will enjoy the rolling hills, pretty alpine villages and huge vineyards. A tour guide will take you on this stress-free ride.

On top of that, you'll have the chance to cross the border between Italy and Switzerland to see the most Instagrammable places in both countries. One thing you'll love about this tour is that your guide will give you an almost personalised treatment thanks to the fact that you'll go with small groups.

Interesting details

• Price: this tour costs approximately 120 euros per person.
• Duration: it will take you around 3 hours to complete the experience.
• Means of transport: the whole tour is done by bike, but you will have to get to the meeting point on your own.
• Advantages of this option: it is an almost personalised experience with around 8 participants. The tour guide is included.
• Disadvantages of this option: Bike rental is not included in the price, so you will have to pay for it separately.

In this experience of at least seven hours on Lake Como, you will be able to clearly see the beautiful alpine and Mediterranean landscape that merge in this place. In this experience your guide will show you mainly the most incredible places to visit in this kind of Italian resort.

The tour will start with a visit to the historical centre of Como, then you will go directly to the exit by the lake, from where you will board the panoramic cruise that will take you for two hours to enjoy the weather and the scenery until you reach the island of Bellagio. Without a doubt, this experience is one of the best things to do in Lake Como.

Also, if you travel to Lago di Como during the winter, the excursion also offers you the possibility to take the funicular in Bellagio to admire the views from the heights. The photos you will take from there are sure to be remembered for the rest of your life.

Interesting details

• Price: to participate in this tour you will have to pay around 65 euros per person.
• Duration: this is a full day tour and will take you around 7 hours to complete.
• Means of Transport: the tour is done by boat and on foot. You will have to make your own way to the boat departure point.
• Advantages of this option: entrance to the funicular in winter season is included. The tour guide is also included during the whole experience and during the boat trip you will be accompanied by the crew and the captain.
• Disadvantages of this option: meals and drinks on board are not included, but you will have the possibility to buy them. Transfer to and from the accommodation is not included. Not suitable for people with reduced mobility.

Despite lasting an hour and a half on the water, this kayak tour from the beach at Pescallo di Bellagio will take you to admire the impressive Rockefeller cliffs and see the Grand Hotel Villa Serbelloni from the water. As this is an afternoon tour, you will return to the start of the excursion before sunset.

During this tour you will circle the Bellagio peninsula and then head north towards the Alps. In the middle of your ride you will see the coast of Varenna and the well-preserved wooded park of the Rockefeller Foundation.

Interesting details

• Price: this kayaking experience costs approximately 125 euros per person.
• Duration: You will spend around one and a half hours kayaking.
• Means of transport: the whole tour is completed by kayak, but you will have to get to the embarkation point on your own, either by private car or public transport.
• Advantages of this option: you will have a local guide who will tell you everything you need to know about the region. The use of a life jacket is also included.
• Disadvantages of this option: Not recommended for people over 65 years old. Transport to and from the accommodation is not included. Meals and drinks are not included.

This is a private experience that takes you to St. Moritz in Switzerland aboard the Bernina Express, for a full day of sightseeing in these Alpine landscapes. Your private guide will show you places like Valtellina and the Engadin Alps.

You'll have plenty of opportunity to take photos of the scenery and on the way back, you'll visit a winery where you'll learn more about the traditions that characterise southern Europe.

This is a tour that you will love to include in your list of things to do in Lake Como in winter because you will be able to see incredible panoramic views of the frozen lakes and the snow-capped Alps.

Interesting details

• Price: this experience costs approximately 660 euros per person.
• Duration: it can take between 8 and 10 hours to complete the whole tour.
• Means of transport: this experience is completed partly by car and partly by train.
• Advantages of this option: you can carry your tickets on mobile devices. In addition, wifi is offered on board the Bernina Express.
• Disadvantages of this option: lunch is not included in the price, but you have the option to buy it on board.

On this tour you will challenge the trails and your guide will invite you to take the funicular to Brunate and then back to Torno. You will be able to appreciate the beautiful views and have a traditional Italian lunch before continuing on.

Some of the places you will visit along the way are Pietra Pendula and Massi Avelli, which are sites that are located along the route.

Details of interest

• Price: you will be able to enjoy this tour assuming an approximate price of 135 euros per person.
• Duration: this experience can last around 6 hours approximately.
• Means of transport: this tour is completed by private transport and funicular.
• Advantages of this option: the tour guide and transport are included throughout the tour. Also included is the ride up in the funicular.
• Disadvantages of this option: Transport to and from the accommodation is not included. It is not a wheelchair friendly experience.

On this panoramic tour you will be able to see the most beautiful landscapes of two countries, and you will also have the opportunity to enjoy the views of two lakes. The tour is a full day excursion, so you'll be delighted to enjoy the informative commentary of your guide throughout.

The tour is completed by a comfortable bus that will take you from Como to Lugano in no more than an hour. You'll have time to wander around the city centre and if you're going as a couple, I recommend a romantic stroll along the lakeshore.

Interesting details

• Price: you will have to pay around 120 euros per person.
• Duration: the tour lasts between 8 and 9 hours approximately.
• Means of transport: the whole experience is completed by bus.
• Advantages of this option: child seats and child seats are provided. It also includes the company of a tour guide and entrance to the places that require it.
• Disadvantages of this option: Not wheelchair friendly. Meals and drinks are not included, but you will be able to find places to buy them.

This adventure is ideal for you if you love challenges and amazing experiences. It is a bike and kayak tour that will take you to explore the Natural Reserve of Pian di Spagna, from where you can get to know and admire the mountains of Valtellina and Valchiavenna.

You will love to stay and rest in the middle of a beach for a picnic lunch, which you have to bring on your own. Before leaving you can visit the ancient temple of San Fedelino.

Interesting details

• Price: this experience costs approximately 250 euros per person.
• Duration: it will take you around 8 hours to complete the whole tour.
• Means of transport: the activity is completed by bicycle and kayak, and you will have to get to the meeting point on your own.
• Advantages of this option: the tour guide is included during the whole trip. Entrance to the places that require it is included.
• Disadvantages of this option: Tips are not included. Meals and drinks are also not included, you have to cover them on your own. Transfer to and from the accommodation is not included.

An excursion from Lake Como is recommended because you will have the opportunity to appreciate the scenery beyond the lake, see all the buildings that match the nature and marvel at the history and culture of this place.

In addition, you will be able to visit places beyond Italy, having the opportunity to get to know not only the Italian culture, but also the Swiss culture in many cases. By taking these excursions on a guided tour, you are guaranteed an experience in which you can get to know in depth the details of each of the places you will visit.