Planning a 2-3 night visit to Lake Como, which town would be the best base: Bellagio, Menaggio or Varenna and why? (( see update below in comments))
Details: 2 sister-in-laws , mid/late 50’s, moderately active, arriving by train (one from Zurich, one from Florence) early May. Interests (in order of importance)would be: boat trips, sightseeing, walking/hiking, food, shopping.
Thanks!
I loved Varenna and thought it was ideal. It’s got a train station, gorgeous views, plenty of places to stay and eat, and a fun hike up to a castle. You can catch a ferry to other towns around the lake, including Bellagio which is a short hop by ferry. Bellagio is nice too, but too upscale for my taste and less convenient if you are traveling by train. I did not go to Mennagio so can’t comment on that except to say it’s not on the train line, but is an easy ferry from Varenna.
Agree with Carroll's recommendation above. We based in Varenna and also took the ferry to Menaggio but enjoyed Bellagio a little more.
When we have had the chance to visit Lake Como we always stay in Bellagio. We have visited all the little towns but keep picking Bellagio as our home base. Why ... it seems the evenings have more options for dining & entertainment AND there is a great little wine bar we love to visit.
We have been to Bellagio four times and love having so many dining choices and the best ferry service. Bellagio ticks all of your boxes!
We have chosen Bellagio but I have another question. My SIL will be coming from Florence via Milan and I know she can take the train to Varenna then transfer by boat to Bellagio... I however will be coming from Zurich. I don't want to spend the time taking the Bernina Express so I will be taking the faster take the train through the Gotthard Tunnel either 1) to Como and ferry over from there... or 2) to Lugano, bus to Menaggio then ferry to Bellagio. Does anyone have experience with either of these options?
Personally I would choose the train to Como + Fast ferry option to Bellagio, simply because of the chance to see the Como branch of the lake (which has 3 branches, being shaped like an upside Y) from the water. However ferries all the way to Como are not super frequent, so you need to check the ferry schedule at the time of your travels to see what would work for your party.
https://www.navigazionelaghi.it/risultati?lake=Como
I've done the Menaggio-Lugano-Menaggio more than once, but by car. That route is nice if you take the old road, but the new road is largely under a very long tunnel, so you don't get to see a lot of the Lugano lake, not sure if the bus travels on the new road (tunnel) or the old road (shore), I presume the former. Also you need to check the bus times because I don't think there are many runs (the bus is number C12). This option would probably be the fastest however, if the bus schedule works for you.
https://www.asfautolinee.it/it/orari-rete-extraurbana
