Lake Como's most picturesque communes

The lake's gateway city; vibrant, historic, and far more cultured than its reputation as a transit hub suggests.

Best for: First-timers, urban explorers, and anyone arriving from Milan who wants a full day rather than a quick transfer.

Top highlights:

• Como Cathedral (Duomo di Santa Maria Assunta) — a magnificent Gothic-Renaissance facade right in the heart of the old town
  
• Brunate Funicular — a short ride from the lakefront up to the hilltop village of Brunate, with sweeping views over the lake and Alps

How to reach: Direct train from Milan Centrale to Como San Giovanni (~40 min); Como Lago station is a 5-minute walk from the ferry pier.

Accessibility note: The city centre and lakefront promenade are largely flat and accessible, the most mobility-friendly town on the lake.

A former fishing village on the eastern shore; colorful, compact, and quietly romantic.

Best for: Couples and photographers who want the Lake Como experience without the Bellagio crowds.

Top highlights:

• Passeggiata degli Innamorati — a narrow lakeside walkway threading between the water and old stone walls
  
• Castello di Vezio — a ruined hilltop castle with sweeping lake views, reached by a 20-minute hike from the village

How to reach: Train from Milan to Varenna-Esino (~90 min), then a 5-minute walk to the ferry piers.

Accessibility note: Steep lanes and uneven stone paths throughout, not well-suited for wheelchairs or pushchairs.

The western shore's most liveable town; a proper community that isn't built entirely around tourism.

Best for: Those using the lake as a base; ideal for hikers, cyclists, and families.

Top highlights:

• An elegant lakefront promenade backed by dramatic mountains, with café terraces facing the water
  
• Direct ferry access to Bellagio and Varenna in under 20 minutes, the best-connected town on the western shore

How to reach: Train to Como San Giovanni, then the C110 bus (~70 min total); or train to Varenna and ferry across (15 min).

Accessibility note: Mostly flat along the waterfront — one of the more accessible towns on the lake.

Old-world grandeur on the western shore; grand hotels, legendary gardens, and an unhurried pace.

Best for: Villa and garden lovers, and anyone drawn to classic Italian lakeside elegance.

Top highlights:

• Villa Carlotta — a museum-villa with an impressive art collection and 14 acres of botanical gardens, famous for spring azaleas and rhododendrons
  
• The Greenway del Lago trail, a scenic 10 km walking path connecting Tremezzo to neighboring lakeshore villages

How to reach: Ferry from Como or Varenna (stops at Tremezzo pier); or C110 bus from Como (~60 min).

Accessibility note: The waterfront and villa are step-free; hillside parts of town are steep.

Small, chic, and mostly in the know — the gateway to one of Italy's most cinematic villas.

Best for: Those who want beauty without the crowds; a quieter, insider alternative to the mid-lake hubs.

Top highlights:

• Villa del Balbianello — a spectacular promontory villa with terraced gardens, familiar from James Bond and Star Wars filming locations
  
• Lido di Lenno — a popular beach club and restaurant with a summer social scene that punches above the town's size

How to reach: Ferry from Como or Varenna (Lenno pier); or C110 bus from Como (~55 min).

Accessibility note: Villa del Balbianello involves steps and uneven terrain — check ahead if mobility is a concern.

A quiet lakeside hamlet where the tourist trail simply hasn't arrived yet.

Best for: Slow travellers, couples, and anyone after genuine village life over curated experiences.

Top highlights:

• Cable car up to Pigra at 881 metres — dramatic views down over the lake with almost no crowds
  
• A scenic walking path down from Pigra to the old fishing village of Colonno along the hillside

How to reach: C110 bus from Como (~40 min); also served by ferry on the Como–Menaggio route.

Accessibility note: The village center is hilly and narrow; cable car has a small cabin, so check current accessibility before visiting.