Lake Como

No a car is not needed. Varenna has train service and you can also get around by ferry. The weather will be warm.

I would plan to have a waterproof rain jacket with a hood as well. I was there the last of Sept this year and had rain for a full day.

I was just there last September early in the month and it was breezy and warm. Apparently we had just missed the rain and the weather was great. I would always pack some light rain gear for September in Northern Italy but don't worry about it being cold.

A car would be a liability in general. Train to Varenna and then stay there or in Bellagio depending on your tastes and take the mid-lake ferry around to the various towns and villas. Unless you're willing to tackle taking the car on the ferry the only way to get around would be to drive the perimeter of the lake on the single road.

Don't trust the local weather forecasts in Italy - they were routinely wrong and I learned the Italians generally ignore them.

Have a great trip!
=Tod

We were in Varenna five years ago in June. We had thunderstorms every day in the afternoon. The lightning strikes on Lake Como were stunning. I wish I could post pictures here. You definitely don’t need a car.

We spent 4 nights in Varenna October of 2019. It was amazing. No need for a car. You can walk up to the castle for spectacular views. We also walked to the next little town. We took a tour on a boat one afternoon. Stayed in an Airbnb that had a lovely deck looking out to the lake. Lake Como was probably our favorite part of our 3 week northern Italy trip. Have fun!!