My girlfriend and I are traveling to Lake Como for a one-week stay from late March to early April this year. We are deciding on whether to stay in town centers of Varenna and Bellagio or stay in some small villages. We are not going to drive. We like some lake view from the room, and we also love some authentic feeling of living in a traditional Northern Italian place. We found that there are lots of hotels taking up the lakefront places in Varenna and Bellagio, whereas most of the lake-viewing Airbnbs are in some villages on the hill or surrounding the towns. Since we are not driving, is it too difficult to get around to those villages? Also, just in general, would you recommend to stay in an Airbnb or a hotel (mid-budget) in Varenna/Bellagio? Thanks!
Posted by
Greater Pittsburgh
48 posts
Varenna has a train station within walking distance of several hotels. Book early, though, as they fill up early.
Posted by
872 posts
I'd stay near a ferry dock, one or the other. See booking.com.
Posted by
white bear lake, mn, usa
56 posts
We love staying in Varenna. We can take a train there easily and walk down to the hotels. Once in Varenna you can take a boat to the other little towns. We love Hotel Olivedo--but it might be a bit pricey.
Posted by
2859 posts
We are going this May and found some of the same with apartment accommodations. But we have a group of six so more difficult. I recall some apartments that would fit up to three with views in Varenna. Have you tried vrbo, HomeAway as well as air Bnb?
We are renting a place through vrbo in Menaggio which is not as convenient as Varenna. But we have a large group, really wanted a view, and decided after reading reviews carefully it was not a good idea to rent in a small village without a car. You might look there as well.
Posted by
Australia
1072 posts
My sister stayed in an apartment in Bellagio and found it no trouble to get around without a car. They just caught ferries around the lake.
Posted by
Renton, WA, USA
39 posts
In September, 4 of us spent 8 nights in Varenna, no car, no problem! The ferries and trains were super-convenient.
Posted by
526 posts
Four of us stayed here & would go again: http://www.villabelvedererelais.it/en/ reasonable with parking & short walk to the Lake Ferry!
Jean
Posted by
11651 posts
We spent two weeks in Bellagio without a car, used ferries. We also stay at the top of town, never lakefront, and get stunning, sweeping lake and mountain vistas.