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Italian Lakes

Hello all,
We are planning a trip to Lake Como/Bellagio and would love advice on which lake to stay. We will be arriving by train, so easier would be better. Thanks!

Posted by
7 posts

We stayed in Varenna and would probably stay there again- we preferred it to Bellagio. An easy train trip from Milan and the station is just uphill from the town.

Posted by
37 posts

Gretchen, Allen has it right! We’ve spent time at Lake Como a couple of times…it’s the right small town to stay in. You can then use the water ferries to explore the numerous small villages around the Lake.
The train trip from Milan to Varenna is about an hour…and you sit back and enjoy the scenery.
If you can I’d spend 3 or 4 days in Varenna…plenty to see and do around Lake Como. The RS tour guide has some great recommendations in it.
Enjoy…Lake Como/Varenna is one of our favorite spots in Europe/Italy.

Posted by
7126 posts

Hi Gretchen, if it was a mistype of which town instead of which lake, I would stay in Varenna for the ease of arriving by train. You can take a ferry over to nearby Bellagio the next day to enjoy it.

Posted by
35 posts

Although it does not have access to the train station, we loved Hotel Florence in Bellagio overlooking the lime trees along the lake. All the shops and restaurants are steps away as well as the ferry dock.
We have also stayed twice in Cernobbio near city of Como at southern end of the lake, next door to Villa d'Este. At that time we could walk onto the grounds of Villa d'Este but on our last visit only guests were allowed on the premises. Cernobbio is right near the ferry dock but just read the hotel where we stayed is no longer open.

Posted by
827 posts

For a first time visitor, definitely Varenna. The most public transport options, quiet lakeside evenings, lower prices on average. Bellagio can be nice, but it is pricey and crowded during most of the day. Less frequent ferry service as well.

Posted by
43 posts

Thank you all so much! I always love recommendations from fellow travelers.

Posted by
154 posts

We”re in Varenna right now and getting here by train Bologna to Milano to V-E went smoothly. It is fairly quiet and a few restaurants have just closed for the season. Check the ferry schedule carefully as sometimes there is a big gap in trips. We walked to Bellano it was a long time until the next scheduled ferry back to Varenna so we took the train which ran fairly often. €3 for 2.
We also designated today a laundry day and put our dirty cloths in for washing and folding at 9:15 at €4 per kg, ready tomorrow morning or 30% more for same day service.