How many days at Lake Como?

We spent 4 nights on lake Como and never felt bored. We stayed in Cadenabbia and went on several hikes, visited Bellagio, went to a couple of gardens, explored our area including wine tasting, and spent a couple of hours exploring Varenna before we caught a train. We all would have like more time in Bellagio and Varenna. I would have liked a chance to see more gardens and to check out other parts of the lake. We did lose about half a day of sightseeing due to a huge thunderstorm, but could have been very happy with 2 more full days in the area.

We spent four nights in Varenna on lake como, it was wonderful. If u find u still have extra time u can ferry to Mennagio then take a bus ride to Lugano Switzerland also on a lake. Very doable for a day.

3 nights are appropriate in my opinion.

Thanks for the feedback. In the end, it seems it is the old depth versus breadth issue and finding the magic balance is sometimes elusive.

I still haven't decided but have more to ponder. In the end, it will all be good regardless.

We thought three nights in Varenna was perfect. You might consider spending one of your days at the cooking class at Il Caminetto. You must reserve in advance, and it happened that our scheduled day was rainy and overcast, so the timing was perfect. My husband wasn't initially enthused about a cooking class but it turned into a highlight of our visit. Chef Moreno was very entertaining and we had lots of food and wine -- a fun day.

We spent 4 nights two years ago and it was great. So remember that gave us 3 whole days to see the beautiful place. We stayed in Varenna and loved it. We also did a cooking class in the town of Lecco. Check out Lake Como food tours. It was a very hands class. Great hiking in the area as well.

We spent a week in Bellagio. That trip focused on gardens and villas. I’d love to go back for a week of hiking. If Como speaks to you, four days won’t be too much.

We spent 4 days in Varenna and also went to Il Caminetto but it was for dinner and it was out of this world, they have a driver come to the Ferry dock and pick you up and drive you to and from the Restaurant.Visit the towns of Como,Menagio and Bellagio by ferry and one of the Villas like Carlotta.
Mike

Thanks for all the feedback.

I did check out one of the cooking classes. For six of us, it was as much as our air Bnb for four nights! So while it does look like fun, I think we will have to pass.

Yeah, food-related activities always seem really expensive to me. I speculate that it's because a cooking class conducted in English (or utilizing an interpreter) is clearly being marketed for tourists rather than locals, and there's usually not much competition.