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Italian Lakes District-Itinerary Suggestions

We are going to Italy next June. We will have 4 days to spend in the lakes district. Best to drive or take a train from Milan? We are a family of four. Stay on the Italy side or Swiss side? Things to do? Any ideas/suggestions appreciated.

Posted by
19637 posts

There is no Swiss side of Lake Como, only Lake Maggiore. Swiss side will be way more expensive.

Posted by
1647 posts

Where do you want to stay...which lake? A train to Lake Como from Milan is about $10.00. Bellagio on Lake Como is great to see. Boat tours leave from Varenna and Lecco. I'm not sure of all the activities around Lake Como, I used my stay there as just a relaxing 3 day weekend.

Posted by
58 posts

For a stay on Lake Como, Rick recommends Varenna as a home base, or Bellagio as a second pick. It's easy to do from Milan by train (take the train from Milan to Varenna Esino station, and then take a short taxi ride to your accommodation if it isn't within walking distance -- it's best to check on this directly with your accommodation as there are a lot of hills in the area). Once you're at your home base, you can catch boats to connect to the different towns and spots that you'd like to visit. (I recommend checking out Villa del Balbianello if you get the chance!)

Posted by
303 posts

Purchase regional train tickets at Milano Centrale to Varennna-Esino station. It is about an hour trip. Stay in Varenna and explore the mid Lake region of Lake Como. Reserve a boat tour of this region as well as a private tour of Villa Balbianello with Varenna boat taxi. (Their dock is along the shore walk between the ferry docks and the outdoor cafes in Varenna.) Ferry to Bellagio or Mennagio to enjoy these villages. Walk through the gardens of Villa Cipressi and walk the lovely streets and stairs of Varenna. We stayed at Hotel du Lac----right by the water. Highly recommend! One extra thing to consider, you can not purchase train tickets at the Varenna station so you should probably buy round trip tickets in Milan. Be advised that the tickets are good for 4 days, so plan accordingly. Enjoy Lake Como! It is drop dead gorgeous!!!

Posted by
5187 posts

You may also consider visiting Lake Maggiore.

You can easily travel directly from Malpensa Airport to Stresa via the Alibus (advance reservation required)

Once in Stresa there are various activities for you and your family such as:

  • Visit the Borromean Islands via ferry

  • Visit Santa Caterina del Sasso- a small hermitage built into the cliff of the mountain.

  • Take the funicular (and chairlift) to the summit of Mount Mottarone for breathtaking views of the lakes below.

  • Take a day trip (via bus) to Orta San Giulio, a charming town in Lake Orta, and a short ferry ride to its tiny island, Isola St. Giulio.

  • Take a ferry or bus to Cannobio, a charming lakeside town.

  • If you wish to visit Switzerland, you can take the ferry to Locarno, or take the Centovalli Railway from Domodossola to Locarno, then the ferry back to Stresa ( I didn't experience this mainly because I chose to visit Lake Orta instead)

  • Eat some deliciously creamy gelato at: L'Angolo del Gelato

Enjoy your trip!

Edited to Add...

Here's a very informative blog you may want to read: Stresa Sights

Posted by
11247 posts

We have now been to three Italian lakes: Como, Maggiore, and Garda. Hands down Lago di Como was the most charming and Varenna a perfect base. 3 nights is a nice stay.

Posted by
11052 posts

We have stayed on all of three of these lakes too. Each is different from the other, all veey good experiences, beautiful. We also stayed on Lake Orta which we really disliked.

Posted by
32171 posts

For a four day time frame, I'd suggest either Lago di Como or Lago Maggiore. You shouldn't have any trouble finding things to do at either one of those. Maggiore is a good choice if you want to take a day trip to Locarno, as Priscilla mentioned above.

Posted by
414 posts

Hello- take the train- its easy, fast, efficient, and fun! Stay in Stresa, a cute little town on Lake Maggiore. You can visit the “Borromeo Islands” or even take a day trip by boat/train to the Swiss town of Locarno. I highly suggest you do the Mottorone Cable Car which was a highlight of our trip, and take the ski lift chair to the very top of the mountains for great views/pics of the Swiss Alps on one side, and the Italian on the other! Beautiful place with lots to see and do.

Happy Travels✨💫

Posted by
396 posts

What Priscilla said...Maggiore is my favorite lake. Favorite town on lake is Cannobio.