🇮🇹Lake Como

Lake Como combines elegant villas, alpine scenery, and charming villages into a destination that genuinely works for the whole family. Boats, funiculars, gorges, and great food included.

Your family guide

Lake Como with kids: villas, boats, and slow Italian days

“Where alpine mountains meet glittering water and every ferry ride feels like a little adventure.”

— San & Jo

Lake Como is one of those places that genuinely delivers for the whole family. Yes, it has a reputation for glamour and celebrity sightings, but underneath all that sparkle is a destination your kids will love just as much as you do. Think boat rides between pastel-coloured villages, funicular rides up into the mountains, and gelato eaten on sun-warmed lakeside promenades.

The lake itself is shaped like an inverted Y and stretches about 50 kilometres through the foothills of the Italian Alps. Each arm of the lake has its own personality, from the grand elegance of Como city to the cobbled charm of Bellagio and the quieter fishing villages in between. Getting around by ferry is part of the experience, and kids absolutely love it.

Spring and autumn are the sweet spot for families. The lake is less crowded than in peak summer, the temperatures are comfortable for exploring, and the light on the water is simply beautiful. Whether your family loves history, hiking, or just relaxing by the water, Lake Como has a pace and a mood that suits everyone.

Lombardy, ItalyNorthern Italy

Apr, May, Sep, OctBest months to visit

Ferry networkMain way to get around

Best things to do

Why we love Lake Como for families

Take a boat tour of the lake

Hopping on a ferry or booking a boat tour is the single best thing you can do at Lake Como. You glide past grand villas, tiny fishing villages, and dramatic alpine scenery all at once. Kids love being on the water, and it takes the pressure off walking everywhere.

Use the public ferry to save money and still get the full experience

Half day

Explore Bellagio, the Pearl of the Lake

Bellagio sits right at the fork of the lake and is undeniably gorgeous. Wander the steep cobbled lanes of Salita Serbelloni, peek into the Villa Melzi gardens, and let the kids lead the way through the narrow alleys. It is compact enough to explore in a few hours without anyone getting too tired.

Arrive early by ferry before the day-tripper crowds build up

2-3 hours

Ride the funicular up to Brunate

From Como city, a short funicular ride takes your family up to the hilltop village of Brunate, where you get sweeping views over the lake and the Alps. There is a lighthouse at the top that kids find genuinely exciting, and the ride itself is a highlight. Perfect for burning off energy with a short hike.

Go in the late afternoon for golden-hour light over the lake

2-3 hours

Visit Villa del Balbianello

This is the villa you have seen in Star Wars and James Bond films, and it genuinely looks like something out of a movie. The scenic loggia overlooking the lake is breathtaking, and the gardens are beautiful to walk through. Kids who are into films will get a real kick out of the filming history here.

Accessible only by boat or a signed footpath from Lenno

2 hours

Discover the Orrido di Bellano gorge

On the quieter eastern shore of the lake, the Orrido di Bellano is a dramatic natural gorge with walkways suspended above rushing waterfalls. It is genuinely thrilling for kids and feels completely different from the polished villa circuit. A great way to add some adventure to your itinerary.

Combine it with a stroll through the charming village of Bellano itself

1-2 hours

Spot falcons at Castello di Vezio in Varenna

Varenna is one of the most photogenic villages on the lake, with its pastel houses tumbling down to the water. Above the village sits the 12th-century Castello di Vezio, which hosts falconry shows that children absolutely love. The views from the castle walls are spectacular.

Check the falconry show schedule before you visit as times vary

2-3 hours

Learn about Alessandro Volta in Como city

Como city is the birthplace of Alessandro Volta, the inventor of the electric battery. The Volta Temple on the lakefront is dedicated to him and is a genuinely interesting stop, especially for curious kids. Combine it with a wander around Piazza Cavour and the stunning Gothic-Renaissance Duomo nearby.

The Villa Olmo park just along the lakefront is free and great for a picnic

Half day

Our verdict

How Lake Como scores for families

Kids

Boat rides, funiculars, gorges, and falconry shows give children plenty to get excited about. The relaxed pace suits all ages well.

Culture

Historic villas, a Gothic cathedral, a temple to a famous inventor, and medieval castles make this a surprisingly rich destination culturally.

Food

Hearty polenta dishes, fresh lake fish, and creamy risotto are genuinely delicious. Menus can be upscale in places, but simple trattorias are easy to find.

Nature

The alpine backdrop and the lake itself are stunning. Hiking trails, gorges, and botanical gardens add real depth for nature-loving families.

Budget

Lake Como leans premium. Accommodation and restaurants can be pricey, especially in Bellagio. Shoulder season and self-catering help keep costs down.

Planning your visit

How long should you stay at Lake Como?

1 day

Quick visit

Como city plus a ferry to Bellagio covers the essentials, but it will feel rushed.

sweet spot

3 days

Sweet spot

Enough time to base yourself in one town, explore by ferry, visit a villa or two, and actually relax.

5 days

Deep dive

You can cover all three arms of the lake, hike above Brunate, visit Varenna and Bellano, and still have slow mornings.

Fun facts

Things about Lake Como your kids will love knowing

It starred in Star Wars

Villa del Balbianello on the lake's western shore was used as a filming location in Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones, as well as in a James Bond film. So yes, you are basically walking through a movie set.

The electric battery was invented here

Alessandro Volta, the scientist who invented the electric battery, was born right here in Como. The word 'volt' as in the unit of electricity is named after him. There is an entire temple on the lakefront dedicated to his life and work.

There is only one island on the whole lake

Isola Comacina is the only island on Lake Como, and it has a dramatic history including being completely destroyed in the 12th century. Today it is a peaceful spot you can reach by boat, and it feels like your own private discovery.

Taste Lake Como

What to eat with your family at Lake Como

Polenta uncia

Kids love it

Local trattorias throughout the lake villages

Creamy polenta enriched with melted local cheese and butter, served bubbling hot. This is the ultimate comfort food of the Lake Como region and something even picky eaters tend to enjoy.

Risotto with perch

Must try

Restaurants in Bellagio

Prepared in the classic 'in cagnone' style with butter-fried perch fillets and sage, this is one of the most celebrated dishes of the lake. Particularly associated with Bellagio and a must-try for anyone who loves Italian rice dishes.

Pizzoccheri

Local favourite

Trattorias across the lake area

Buckwheat pasta cooked with potatoes, cabbage, garlic, butter, and cheese. It originates from nearby Valtellina but is widely served around Lake Como. Hearty, filling, and genuinely delicious on a cooler day.

Spaghetti with missoltini

Must try

Feel (Via Armando Diaz, Como)

Missoltini are dried and salted twaite shad, a traditional lake fish grilled and served with polenta. At Feel restaurant in Como city, they serve an elegant spaghetti with missoltini that showcases the local fishing heritage beautifully.

Miascia

Local favourite

Traditional restaurants around the lake

A traditional Lake Como bread pudding made with stale bread, eggs, and seasonal ingredients. It is a humble, no-waste dessert with a long history in the region, and kids tend to love its soft, sweet texture.

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Bellagio

Discover Bellagio on Lake Como with your family. Explore cobblestone lanes, botanical gardens, lakeside walks, and fresh local food in one of Italy's most beautiful towns.