I’m looking to visit lake Como in 2026, and would like to do so when it’s less crowded, but with good weather. What are your recommendations for either spring or fall?
Posted by
New England
12023 posts
We always have visited Bellagio on Lake Como in late September.
Posted by
San Diego, California
6519 posts
Sadly, based on our May, 2025, experience, I don't think there's a less crowded season anymore. Shoulder seasons are very crowded now. We love the area, and say this with great regret.
If you still want to go, stay away from the week before and after Easter, and the week of the May 1 Labor Day Holiday. I'm not sure what the fall holidays are.
Wishing you a great trip!
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/italy/is-lake-como-getting-crowded-like-the-ct-and-ac
Posted by
Bend, OR
1495 posts
We were there in the spring a couple of years ago and it was very crowded. Last year, October in Verona was very crowded. We asked our city guide if there was a time to come to Italy when the weather is good but not with the crowds and she told us, not really, like anywhere else, if the weather is nice, the local people all come out.
Posted by
new york
573 posts
I agree with Pat.
I was there in late September, maybe 8 years ago and it was packed. Not only that, the weather was drizzly and grey most of our week there. It will be a lot more crowded now. Honestly, I would give Lake Como a miss. There are SO MANY other delightful areas of Italy that still do not draw the huge crowds that this one does. Any season when the weather is promised to be great, there will be immense amount of tourists, both domestic and international.
Take a look at guidebooks other than RS, just to get an idea of regions and cities in Italy that do not draw so many tourists, but are beautiful and welcoming just the same.
I'll give you one example: Look at this photo of Lake Scanno, in Abruzzo, a region that is quite close to Rome:
Posted by
217 posts
Late November.
Posted by
Oregon
90 posts
We went the end of September last year for 3 nights, and the weather was very nice, and we didn’t think it was really crowded. Every restaurant we ate at, we just walked up and got a table. We also went to Lake Garda for 3 nights and it was beautiful, and again no problem getting a table without a reservation. The line for the ferry wasn’t long, and we got on each time without having to wait. A couple of weeks later on our way to the Venice airport, we stayed at Sirmoine. The first day we had rain all afternoon, but the next day was absolutely perfect. Nobody can predict the weather, you just have to go with the flow and make sure you are prepared for a change in weather. I always take along a waterproof rain jacket, no matter where I go or the time of year.