Thursday, August 15, 2024 Explore Lake Como’s stunning scenery and celebrity charm without breaking the bank. Discover affordable ways to experience this picturesque Italian destination. Northern Italy’s Lake Como is a favorite among stars like George Clooney, but you might be surprised at how budget-friendly this stunning destination can be.
Here’s an insider’s guide to enjoying this scenic corner of Italy without breaking the bank. Lake Como is famous for its sparkling blue waters, lavish villas, and charming villages where celebrities like Taylor Swift, Travis Kelce, and Amal and George Clooney try to escape the paparazzi. However, you don’t need to be a Hollywood star or a billionaire to savor the beauty of this picturesque, mountain-framed lake.
Over the past decade, my family has spent many summers at Lake Como, uncovering numerous ways to enjoy its charm without overspending. For instance, staying farther from the lakeshore and taking advantage of free or low-cost activities such as hiking, museum visits, and cycling can help you save. Skip the High-Profile Spots Lake Como, which is a one to two-hour drive from Milan, has a distinct upside-down Y shape.
The drive from Como at the southern tip of the western branch to Colico at the northern end takes just over an hour. Popular lakeside destinations include Lecco, a small city at the southern tip of the eastern branch; the town of Bellagio, located at the Y’s fork; and Varenna, a village on the eastern shore. These spots tend to have the most expensive accommodations and dining options.
To stretch your budget, consider staying in lesser-known towns and villages instead. Opt for Guesthouses and Agritourism Stays Guesthouses, often more affordable than hotels, may not have all the luxuries, but they offer authentic experiences and welcoming hosts. About an hour north of Como, Le Radici Agriturismo provides cozy accommodations on a hillside farm, where much of the food served in its restaurant is grown.
Rooms, available from April to October, start at €90 per night, including breakfast. Near Menaggio, a farm that raises its own pork and trout offers double rooms with breakfast from €60. It’s conveniently located near Parco Val Sanagra, where you can enjoy an easy hike before returning for a lunch of freshly caught fish.
In Colico, a charming double room with a lake view starts around €98, while rooms at a chic bed-and-breakfast start at €110. Both are within walking distance of two public beaches. Escape the Crowds To avoid the bustling crowds in Como, Lecco, Varenna, and Bellagio, consider heading to a picturesque spot like Tremezzina.
A ferry ride, with fares varying by distance, offers views of the lake, mountains, and piazzas that are just as breathtaking as those from a yacht—and sometimes there’s a bar on board. Once there, stroll along the Greenway, a six-mile trail winding from the village of Colonno through farms, over streams, past gelato shops, cafes, and cobblestone alleys, all the way to Griante. Alternatively, rent a bike—regular or electric—from nearby shops and explore at your own pace.
You don’t need a five-star hotel to enjoy a five-star beach. Many towns, including Bellagio, Lenno, and Lecco, have public beaches. Simply ask locals to point you to a “spiaggia libera,” or free beach.
Spiaggia di Lierna, one of the lake’s best public beaches, is a 30-minute train ride from Lecco. Here, you can take a refreshing dip in the clear waters or rent a catamaran. Nearby, Riva Bianca Bar Pizzeria offers pizzas for as little as €6.
In Colico, Spiaggia di Piona is a tranquil, grassy beach nestled in a secluded bay. Nearby hiking trails of varying difficulty offer stunning views of the lake, the ancient Piona Abbey, and the Del Risti winery, which offers tours and tastings paired with local cheeses and cold cuts. Book online for €48 per person; the winery provides a minibus from the beach.
While the lake is the main attraction, the surrounding mountains offer hikes for all levels of adventurers. Sentiero Spirito del Bosco, or Spirit of the Woods Trail, in Canzo near Lecco, is an easy, fun trail taking about an hour. It’s lined with whimsical wooden sculptures of animals and mythical creatures like elves and gnomes.
Along the trail, two farms, Agriturismo in Valentina and Rifugio Terz’Alpe, invite hikers to enjoy rustic meals featuring homemade cheese, salami, polenta, and a unique local buckwheat pasta called pizzoccheri. A meal for two at either place, with two main courses and a cheese plate, costs between €25 and €30. For those who prefer to skip the hike and go straight for the views, Lake Como offers various funiculars and cable cars.
One ascends about 1,600 feet from Como to Brunate every 30 minutes until midnight, costing €6.60 round-trip. In Lecco, the Piani d’Erna Funivia cable car takes you 2,600 feet up to a grassy mountaintop with sweeping views of the lake.
Nearby, the adventure park Parco Avventura offers ropes courses, zip lines, and more. Cable car tickets start at €12 round-trip, and park entry begins at €12, depending on how many routes you choose. Villa del Balbianello and its surrounding gardens in Tremezzina boast a rich history dating back hundreds of years.
Originally built for a cardinal in the 18th century, the villa was later owned by Guido Monzino, a count who led Italy’s first expedition to the summit of Mount Everest. The Neoclassical villa, now managed by the National Trust of Italy, houses art and artifacts collected by Monzino, including an 18th-century Venetian globe, Inuit ivory carvings, and the sled he used to reach the North Pole in 1971. The villa, featured in films like “Casino Royale” and “Star Wars: Episode II — Attack of the Clones,” is one of Lake Como’s top attractions.
Admission, which includes a 45-minute tour, is €24 for adults. Be sure to book your visit online well in advance..
