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At the southern end of Lake Como, the city combines urban elegance with an almost laid-back air, whilst also offering numerous sights that characterise the cityscape. Historic squares, short distances, the water always close by and the mountains in the background lend the city a special atmosphere, which is further enhanced by its diverse attractions. It is precisely this tranquil blend of the lake, the old town, the sights and Lombard charm that makes Como so delightful and a place that leaves a lasting impression.
20.04.2026
Eliza
Photo: The Duomo di Como is one of the city’s most important landmarks and dominates the city centre.
In Como, historic squares, winding alleyways and the lakeside blend seamlessly into one another. This makes the city in the north of Lombardy, Italy, a wonderful place to explore on foot, from the cathedral through the old town and out to the water’s edge.
The most beautiful sights in Como:
Duomo di Como: The cathedral dominates the city centre with its light-coloured façade and impressive dome. It looks particularly beautiful when viewed in conjunction with the square in front of it.
Broletto: Right next to the cathedral stands the medieval town hall with its striking façade. It is one of the buildings that lend Como its rich historical character.
Piazza San Fedele: One of the most atmospheric squares in the old town, with a Romanesque church, old houses and a pleasantly peaceful atmosphere.
Tempio Voltiano: The museum commemorates Alessandro Volta, the city’s famous son, and adds a cultural and historical dimension to a stroll along the lake.
Villa Olmo: This neoclassical villa on the waterfront is not only architecturally impressive but also a lovely destination for a stroll along the shore.
Basilica di Sant’Abbondio: Set slightly apart from the main tourist centre, this Romanesque church reveals a quieter, almost understated side of Como and is one of the city’s most beautiful religious buildings.
In Como in particular, the paths connecting these sites are often especially lovely: the walk from the cathedral to the lake, the narrow lanes in the historic centre, or the path along the promenade towards Villa Olmo.
Photo: Early in the day, Como often shows its most tranquil side, when the water, mountains and building facades appear a little clearer and more serene.
It is often the little spots, the short detours and the less obvious destinations that give Como its special atmosphere. Rather than just heading for the well-known sights, it’s therefore worth taking a stroll through the narrow streets without a fixed plan, and perhaps discovering places that aren’t mentioned in any guidebook. Nevertheless, we’ve put together a few hidden gems for you here that show Como from a slightly different perspective.
The best hidden gems in Como:
Via Vitani: One of the most atmospheric alleyways in the old town, with old façades, cobbled streets and an almost timeless character.
Museo della Seta: If you want to understand Como not just through its lake but also through its history, you’ll find a particularly fascinating insight into the city here.
Life Electric: This modern sculpture on the breakwater provides a striking contrast to the historic old town and is particularly impressive as evening falls.
The lakeside promenade in the morning: Early in the day, Como often shows its quietest side, when the water, mountains and façades appear a little clearer and more serene.
In Como, in particular, it is often the small, unassuming moments that linger in the memory: a quieter square, a winding alleyway or a peaceful moment by the water.
Photo: The historic centre forms the heart of the city – with its cathedral, small squares and old alleyways, Como reveals its most classic side.
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In Como, the old town, squares, waterfront areas and sights blend almost seamlessly into one another, and yet each area has its own character. If you take your time, you’ll discover, amongst the livelier and quieter corners, precisely those subtle differences that give the city its special atmosphere.
Centro Storico: The historic centre forms the heart of the city. Around the cathedral, small squares and old alleyways, Como reveals its most classic side. It’s a wonderful place to wander, popping into shops now and then or simply soaking up the interplay of city life and history.
Around Piazza San Fedele: This area often feels a little quieter and more intimate than the streets right by the lake. The Romanesque church, the old façades and the narrower alleyways lend it an almost understated atmosphere, which comes into its own particularly when you’re strolling at a leisurely pace.
Via Vitani and the surrounding area: In this part of Como, the town reveals a more authentic side. The cobblestones, the narrower alleyways and the older houses lend the area an almost timeless character, which provides a lovely contrast to the more open spaces by the water.
The lakeside between Piazza Cavour and Villa Olmo: Here, Como feels more spacious, brighter and airier. The view opens out onto the water, walkers stroll along the promenade, and the city reveals its elegant, lakeside side. This stretch is particularly atmospheric in the early evening.
As is so often the case in Como, part of the charm here lies in the small transitions between neighbourhoods, alleyways and lakeside paths, which open up new perspectives as you stroll along.
Photo: One of Como’s distinctive features is the seaplanes that can be seen taking off and landing on the lake.
Como is a place not just to visit, but to experience: on foot along the lakeshore, from the water, or on short trips to the villages further up the lake. It is precisely this combination of the town, the lake and the short distances to the surrounding countryside that makes a stay here so varied.
A ride on the Funicolare to Brunate has almost become a classic. This historic funicular has linked Como with the hilltop village above the town since 1894 and, after just a few minutes, offers a beautiful view over the lake and the rooftops.
Boat trips across Lake Como are just as obvious a choice. From Como, it’s very easy to take a trip to Bellagio, which is directly served by the official ferry service. The gardens of Villa Melzi are particularly worth a visit there, lending the town an even more peaceful, green atmosphere. Varenna is also a lovely destination for a day trip. The town has a somewhat quieter feel and is well worth a visit, particularly for Villa Monastero with its botanical garden stretching for almost two kilometres right by the water’s edge.
Those who prefer a more active way to experience the lake can, for example, hire a boat in Como; some boats are even available without the need for a boat licence. Kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) tours are also available around Lake Como, for instance from Bellagio, offering a completely different perspective on the shores, villas and smaller bays.
Another special feature of Como is its seaplanes: the Aero Club even offers sightseeing flights over the lake, providing a particularly unusual view of the landscape. If you prefer to stay on dry land, a stroll along the shore to Villa Olmo is also a lovely way to experience Como from its more open, airy side.
Photo: Whether overlooking the lake or in the historic centre, Como has a wealth of top culinary destinations to offer.
The cuisine around Como is characterised by Lombard influences and combines the lake, the mountains and northern Italy in a very distinctive way. Typical regional dishes include risotto with perch, missoltini and polenta uncia – dishes that impress more through the quality of their ingredients and their substance than through elaborate presentation. This suits Como down to the ground, where culinary delights are often enjoyed in a pleasantly unpretentious manner.
Top restaurants in Como:
Figli dei Fiori: One of the city’s most striking venues, particularly due to its distinctive, almost theatrical ambience blending flowers, design and urban cool. Culinary-wise, the restaurant specialises in modern, seasonal seafood cuisine.
Comi 107: A lovely choice for a more stylish evening. This Michelin-guide-listed restaurant offers contemporary, almost gourmet cuisine in a refined, modern setting.
Il Diavolo l’Acqua Santa: What makes this place special is, above all, the space itself: historic walls, striking vaults and a modern setting come together to give the venue a unique atmosphere. Culinary-wise, the restaurant combines traditional dishes with an imaginative, upmarket twist.
Locanda in Centro: A lovely spot in the city centre and, at the same time, a bit of a hidden gem. This modern bistro combines a refined atmosphere with Italian cuisine that remains pleasantly unpretentious.
Il Lughino: A particularly interesting choice for anyone looking for lighter, plant-based cuisine. The restaurant uses exclusively organic ingredients, bringing a deliberately modern, healthy touch to Como’s culinary scene.
In Como, good food is an integral part of the city’s character. It is often the atmospheric venues and the pleasant ambience that make a visit to a restaurant here so special.
Como also offers a pleasing variety when it comes to accommodation. From historic palazzi to modern boutique hotels and stylish apartments, there are options that perfectly complement the city’s tranquil, cultured atmosphere — some more traditional, some more minimalist, and some offering greater privacy.
Palazzo Albricci Peregrini: Those who enjoy staying in historic buildings will find this a particularly atmospheric choice. The hotel is housed in a 15th-century palazzo within the old city walls and combines history with an elegant, family-friendly atmosphere.
Avenue Boutique Hotel: Modern, central and pleasantly uncomplicated. This four-star hotel is just a few steps from the lake and the historic centre, and was completely refurbished in 2023.
Posta Design Hotel: A great choice for anyone who appreciates clean lines and design. The hotel is situated in the heart of Como, in an architecturally remarkable building designed by Giuseppe Terragni, and combines a minimalist style with an urban atmosphere.
Le Stanze del Lago Villa Seta: A lovely choice for anyone looking for something a bit quieter. The accommodation offers suites in a modern villa with a pool, breakfast and plenty of privacy, just a few steps from the centre. The operator also specifies age restrictions for Villa Seta and notes that it is a rather secluded property.
Rezia Apartments by Rent All Como: Ideal for anyone wishing to enjoy a bit more independence. The apartments are located near Como Borghi, feature a kitchen or kitchenette, and are well suited to couples, small groups or longer stays in the city.
The choice ranges from historic and atmospheric to modern and straightforward — depending on whether you’re looking for a stylish hotel room or an apartment offering a bit more independence in Como.
Photo: From April to the end of September, Como is considered a particularly pleasant place to visit, when the climate is mild and the atmosphere is lively.
From April to the end of September, Como is considered particularly pleasant, when the climate is mild and the atmosphere is lively.
In spring, the town feels light and open; the lakeside paths are perfect for a stroll, and trips by boat or funicular are already a delight.
Summer is the classic time to visit. This is when Como comes alive, with its lakeside, promenade and long evenings spent outdoors. If you want to experience the lively side of Lake Como, this is the ideal time to visit.
In autumn, the atmosphere often becomes a little calmer and more relaxed. This is a very pleasant time for walks, museum visits and longer evening meals.
Winter also has its charm, especially if you prefer to explore towns without the crowds. Trips across the lake are then more dependent on the weather and the reduced frequency of certain services, but the old town itself remains well worth a visit.
Como is particularly lovely for anyone who enjoys spring or early autumn. Those looking for more activity along the shore and as many options as possible should visit between late spring and summer.
Photo: The journey up to Brunate on the funicular is not only convenient but also an experience in its own right.
Como is a very pleasant place to explore without much planning. The old town is compact, many distances are short, and at the same time the town is a good starting point for day trips to other places around Lake Como.
Train: Como is easily accessible by train from Switzerland. There are direct services to Milan from Zurich, Geneva and Basel. From there, it’s easy to continue your journey to Como.
Car: Como is also easily accessible by car. From Switzerland, the route takes you along the A2 Basel–Chiasso motorway, continuing on the Italian side via the A9 Lainate–Como–Chiasso motorway. You don’t necessarily need a car to get about in the city itself, but it can be handy for trips to smaller or more remote towns around the lake.
On foot: The historic centre is wonderful to explore on foot. Many attractions are close together, and the walk from Como San Giovanni railway station to Piazza Cavour takes only about ten minutes.
Public transport: Within Como and for a change of scenery, the funicular to Brunate and the boat trips across the lake are particularly handy. The funicular has linked Como with Brunate since the 19th century, and the public ferry service makes trips to places such as Bellagio or Varenna straightforward.
The best way to explore Como is usually at a leisurely pace: first on foot through the old town, then perhaps up on the funicular or onwards by boat across the lake. It is precisely this combination that makes the place so pleasant.
In short: Como is not a city that imposes itself with grand gestures. That is precisely what makes it so charming. Set between the lake, the old town, the churches, the promenade and the mountains in the background, it is a place that feels cultured but never cold. Anyone who takes the time to explore the narrow streets, enjoy the views of the water and take a few detours will discover far more here than just the pretty gateway to Lake Como.
© Swiss Bankers 2026
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