Como or Bellagio?

LP,

My suggestion would be Varenna, but of the two choices you mentioned it would definitely be Bellagio. The mid-lake area is very scenic and it's a very pleasant area to spend a few days.

Where are you coming from and where do you go next? The transport connections are quite different for each place ( adding Varenna into the mix) so you will want to consider that in your choice to avoid spending too much time in transit.

Bellagio is my pick. It is beautifully located, small enough to be easily walk-able and you can spend a day taking the triangular ferry route to visit Menaggio and Varenna.

Agreed. We loved staying in Varenna and taking the ferry to Mennagio, Bellagio, and Como.

Como was ok, but I did not love it like Bellagio and Varenna.

I prefer Varenna. Como is good for certain train connections but it is very city-like. Bellagio is very nice but slightly inconvenient as it needs to be approached by water (easy) or road (less easy).

My recommendation would be Varenna. We've been there twice and each time we visited Bellagio via ferry. It was super easy to get there via ferry. Bellagio was always very crowded when we visited (once in June and another time in early May) and felt highly touristy, especially to an up-market crowd. Varenna is also touristy, but not so crowded and has that lovely promenade along the lake that is pure magic in the evening. Plus, I think Varenna is prettier.

Agree with Varenna as base. Take ferries to other place.

It's a minority opinion, but I did not care for Bellagio. I loved Varenna and did not see Como.

But Lola's right - where you are coming from and where you are headed to should factor into your decision as well.

I have stayed in Bellagio but prefer the small town of Lenno which is across the lake but without the crowds, it was heaven. We stayed at a hotel on the water with a pool and the ferry at our doorstep (they are quiet) and had a room with a balcony so we could sit and really take in the lake with a bottle of wine. Also there are some great local restaurants which are in town that you will eat with the locals and are much cheaper that the tourist ones in Bellagio. Como has a church and some nice shops but you can take the ferry to all the towns along the lake.

Another vote for Varenna!

another vote for Varenna. Bellagio is fine for an afternoon.....but is very touristy

I will actually end up in Lake Garda for a wedding there and will stay at a villa for 3 days there. We are flying into Milan have 3 days prior to Lake Garda and I was thinking 2 days in Bellagio and still undecided where the 3rd night (perhaps Bergamo? for 1 night) on our way to Lake Garda.