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Where To Stay In Lake Como (First Timer Guide)

If you want to have the best vacation in Italy, there are certain places that you need to visit right away.  One of these places would be  Lake Como. 

As soon as you get here, you will be able to see a wide variety of marine life situated beneath the lake with an inverted Y as a shape.

It is surely the most outstanding site to see with these many waterfront cottages as well as the public, open-air restaurants that provide extreme comfort and beauty to the scene.  This will be a great place to escape to during the summer.

One of the best ways to explore Lake Como is to make sure that you pick a specific area to serve as your base of operations within the lake vicinity.  From here, you will be able to explore the entirety of the lake through the ferries crossing the villages every single day.

With its many sights and sounds, it would be quite impossible for you to pick just one area to visit in this particular part of Italy. 

You do not have to worry too much though because this article will provide you with an extensive report on some of the best towns to visit and where to stay in Lake Como.

Read on.

Where To Stay In Lake Como: Some Recommendations

The term “best” is something that is particular especially when it comes to vacation spots all over the world.  However, if you’re going to visit Lake Como, it would be best for you to stay at either the Varenna Bellagio or the Tremezzo.

These are just suggestions, so before you make your final decision, here are some considerations that you need to make first.  These questions can help you determine where you would want to stay for the rest of your trip.

Are you going to Lake Como for a vacation?  

Do you want to see some sites and enjoy the countryside for its charm? 

If your answer is yes to either of these questions, you should go to the Tremezzo Grand Hotel.

From here, you will be able to explore some of the most beautiful and extravagant villas that have been used as locations for some blockbuster movies such as Casino Royale and the star wars franchise to name a few.

You can also check out some of the places of worship within the Lake Como area as well.  You will certainly like the medieval vibe these churches have going for them.

You can also take some time to ride the funicular for beautiful aerial shots of Lake Como.  For this to become successful if you should take one of the legendary ferry rides that Lake Como has to offer.  This way, you will get to take in all the sights and sounds that the place can give.

Bellagio Or Varenna: Which One Should You Choose?

These are two of the most popular towns to visit on the north side of Italy.  Both are extremely beautiful, but which one would be more advantageous to visit if you want to tour Lake Como as much as you can?  This section will definitely answer this question right away.

Varenna has pathways that will easily connect you to Greater Italy.  It is the only town that has a working train station.  If you want to enjoy a Sandy Beach experience along with lakeside restaurants that can offer you a taste of authentic Italian cuisine, Varenna is the place to go.

One advantage of eating at one of the Lakeside Restaurants that Varenna has to offer in the event that you will have a direct view of the sunset from there.  You will definitely enjoy doing this with your special someone by your side or even your family for that matter.

It will leave you feeling warm and gentle inside for sure.

Bellagio, on the other hand, will provide you with a better connection to Lake Como itself.  It will provide you with better access to the surrounding towns through the ferries that keep cruising across the lake.  

However, if you are going to tour this place on foot, be prepared to wear comfortable shoes because there are a lot of hills for you to climb.

Bellagio is a lot more cosmopolitan compared to Varenna in terms of commerce and business.  There are a lot more shops and restaurants free to choose from here.  

If you are a tourist wanting a lot of souvenirs or someone who wants to have an experience of the lakeside nightlife, Bellagio is the perfect place for you.

This is truly one of the most famous towns in Lake Como for sure.

Let’s Talk About Luggage

The most important tool that you should have while traveling the world would be your bags and luggage.  This is where you would have to carry your things while traveling right?

It is important for you to have a rolling suitcase with a sturdy frame and durable wheels.  This is because you would have to carry them on foot most of the time to extensively explore the villages in Lake Como.

If you have a lot of luggage to carry, it would be best for you to use Varenna as your starting point.  Initially, you would have to schlep your bags from Milan to Varenna and get off the train in a hurry.  You only have 2 minutes of train stoppage to do this.

Heading onward, you will then have to carry your bags and luggage all over town until you reach the ferry station and get on the crowded boats.  If you don’t have time for this, it would be best to leave your luggage at Central Milan train lockers and bring a backpack with you.

This is where the importance of traveling light comes into play for sure.  You can also bring a travel backpack if you want a much lighter experience.

Despite the issue of having to carry your bags to the ferry station, some people still think that it will all be worth it once you reach the league itself.  This is because of the extreme beauty and pristine quality of the island.

Travelers say that it is one of incomparable quality, serenity, and purity.  The league is extremely long and narrow and seems to appear like a river within the mighty Italian mountain ranges and forests.  

This is why you would definitely enjoy staying at one of the many beds and breakfasts and hotels available within the Lake Como neighborhood.

Why Should You Stay In Varenna?

As mentioned earlier, Varenna is the only town village to have a working train station that can directly take you to Milan. 

If you don’t have much time to travel, it would be best for you to stay in Varenna and hop on the train to go to other towns around the lake to get the full experience.

You can even travel to Switzerland from Varenna.  It would only take you a day.

Another advantage of staying in Varenna is that you would have the luxury of the ferry rides to help you travel across the lake.  This way, you will not have to carry your luggage around on multiple boats during your tour.

Hotel Accommodations: Varenna

If you choose to stay in Varenna, and there are a wide variety of hotels that you can choose from in terms of accommodation and lodging for your vacation.  Some of these are as follows:

1. Villa Cipressi

This hotel is located near churches and is slightly more elevated than many other waterfront hotels.  Because of this, you will have a great view of the lake if you choose to stay here.  It’s one of the oldest hotels in the vicinity of Lake Como.

Despite this, it has been well maintained through the years by the most efficient staff.  They have an in-house restaurant that can serve you a variety of local and international dishes within the day so you don’t have to worry about going handy during your trip for sure.

This hotel is known for its delicious cuisine.  This is why you should definitely try it out as soon as possible.

Another advantage of checking into Villa Cipressi is the 24-hour access to the private gardens that can be found along the lakeside.  These are really well-cut gardens that provide a direct connection to the village itself. 

2. Hotel Olivedo

If you’re looking for one of the more affordable hotels in Lake Como and in Varenna, it would be best to try checking in here.  Hotel Olivedo is located directly in front of one of the ferry terminals in Varenna so you won’t have any problem with access if you want to travel elsewhere in the Italian countryside.

This location will also make it easier for you to observe fellow tourists and possibly meet new people along the way.  This particular hotel has lovely views of the lake as well as restaurants that can give you delicious food.

It also has a comfortable lounge and some of the most spacious rooms that you can have at a low price.  It will definitely be a great position to stay in this particular hotel in Varenna.

Where Should You Stay In Bellagio?

If you choose to use Bellagio as your base during your trip to Lake Como, this section will certainly give you some tips on where to stay.  Hopefully, you can make the best decision for accommodations after reading this article section.

The Main Advantages

If you want to spend the day shopping for friends and family in Lake Como, Italy, you should stay in Bellagio during your tour of Lake Como. 

It has everything that you will need in terms of luxury stores, boutiques for authentic Italian clothing as well as fine dining restaurants for romantic dinners at night.

The Various Hotel Accommodations

If you have the budget for a higher and type of accommodation, this is a place for you.  Here are some of the most popular hotels that you can check into in Bellagio.

1. Hotel Belvedere

Situated on top of a hill, this particular hotel is truly a landmark in Bellagio.  It has a world-famous pool as well as a rooftop restaurant that has a beautiful view of Lake Como.  You would get to have spacious rooms that will accommodate the breezy weather both day and night right here.

2. The Hotel Du Lac

And on the other side, this particular hotel is one of the best locations to stay in if you want to be nearer to the town.  It is extremely beautiful and is surrounded by some of the most famous restaurants, shops, and sites that you can ever visit in Italy.

It is closer to the ferry station so you can easily hop on and go wherever you need to go around lake Como from here.

Lake Como Amenity Hotels

The Grand Hotel Tremezzo

If you are going for a romantic ambiance during your stay in Lake Como, you should definitely give the Tremezzo.  You will be able to stay in a room overlooking the lake Como or Bellagio here.  

You will also be able to get a taste of an indoor Jacuzzi in one of those high-end suites.

The Grand Hotel Tremezzo is one of the most popular luxury hotels in the world so it will be worth your cash and time to spend on.  It does not matter if you’re on a honeymoon or just spending the night with that special someone.  

You will certainly have a romantic evening in this particular hotel without question.

You will enjoy a garden, warm pools, and access to a private beach exclusively for hotel guests.  This is why you should never hesitate to check into this particular hotel if ever you plan to stay In Lake Como for a vacation.

It will be one of the most beautiful experiences that you will have not only for yourself but for your family as well.  All you have to do now is to make sure that you are able to book in advance so that you would not end up having to deal with a long queue of interested tourists.

Important Considerations To Make Before Choosing The Right Hotel In Lake Como

With all these available hotels to stay at, it may be quite a difficult decision to choose where to stay.  In order for you to make the right one, here are some considerations that you need to make initially.

1. The Budget

Once you know your options, it would be best to consider your budget.  How much can you afford to pay for your accommodations?  Your hotel accommodations will entirely depend on the money that you are willing to spend on the amenities.

This is why you would have to prepare yourself monetarily before planning to travel to Italy or anywhere else in the world for that matter.

2.The Possible Travel Companions

Secondly, when you travel alone or with other people?  This is important to know because it would help to pay for your accommodations if you are not traveling alone.  You can ask your friends to pay for their own rooms while you just pay for your own accommodations.

This way, you will be able to save money and still enjoy the trip with your friends and family.  It would help you to as them beforehand so that you will not end up having to shoulder everything for the trip.

This will also give them time to prepare accordingly.

3. The Reason For The Trip

In addition to this, you have to consider what it is that you want to do in the Lake Como hotel of your choice.  The purpose of your chip can definitely make a difference in terms of the amenities that you will get from the hotel that you want to stay in.

This will also mean that you may have to pay for more in terms of accommodation because of the additional amenities that you will ask for based on the reason for your trip.

Ultimately, if you want cheaper accommodations, you have to go for the bed and breakfast types of spaces when it comes to housing.  This way, you will be able to get comfortable while still operating within your own budget.

Conclusion

Being able to travel the world can definitely change your perspective in life.  So if you ever get the opportunity, you should definitely give it a shot. 

Just be careful about the plans that you make so that you won’t have to spend your money unnecessarily on exorbitant accommodation fees.

You have a lot of choices when it comes to accommodations in Lake Como, so you do not have to stress yourself too much when it comes to thinking about where you can stay for your trip. 

Just focus on enjoying yourself and everything else will surely follow in the end.

Mac

Hey there, my name is Mac, and I am the person behind this website. I love traveling, hiking, and camping. I created this site to share my knowledge of the essential gears for your outdoor activities. I hope this will help you. Read more about me .