Where to Stay in Lake Como Without a Car (Best Towns & Hotels)
I’ve been to Lake Como three times now, and each time I’ve visited without a car. Although there’s a lot of advice out there saying to rent a car to visit Lake Como, I honestly think it’s just as easy to visit (and even better!) without a car. However, it makes a big difference exactly where you stay.
Are you wondering where to stay in Lake Como without a car? If you’re looking for the answer to that question, you’re in the right place. I’m here to help you plan the perfect Lake Como trip.
This guide covers everything you need to know about visiting Lake Como, Italy without a car, including where to stay so that you can easily get around and explore all the lake has to offer. Lake Como is a bucket list destination in northern Italy. But you really don’t need a car to make the most of your time here!
In fact, unless you’re an extremely confident driver, I would actually recommend not renting a car. Driving in Lake Como is not for the faint of heart, and a car-free trip can be much more relaxing.
However, it’s important to be strategic when choosing where to stay. Some towns around the lake are better than others when it comes to public transportation. If you only have a few days in Lake Como, you’ll want to make the most of your time and base yourself somewhere you can easily explore the lake from.
Getting Around Lake Como Without a Car
Is it easy to get around Lake Como without a car? Getting around Lake Como without a car is easier than you might think it would be. While renting a car to visit Lake Como comes with some perks like more convenience and flexibility in your travel plans, it also comes with some serious drawbacks.
Many of the roads around Lake Como are extremely narrow and winding, and Italian drivers are notoriously crazy. This can make driving at Lake Como a nerve-wracking experience for less experienced drivers. Parking is also an issue, and you may end up wasting lots of precious time looking for a place to park.
Without a car, you have three main options for getting around Lake Como:
- Train
- Ferry
- Bus
Only a few towns around the lake have train stations, but you’ll find that the ferry network and bus system are well-connected and get you where you need to go (although sometimes on “Italian time.”) I personally use the bus system a LOT when I’m in Lake Como and find it to be the best way to get around.
Lake Como is about 29 miles long and 2.5 miles wide, so it’s not all that large. It’s shaped just like an upside-down Y with one prong at the top that forks off into two prongs at the bottom.
Best Towns in Lake Como Without a Car
I’ve been to Lake Como three times without a car, and I’ve stayed in the same tiny village on the northern end of the lake both times. Gravedona is a beautiful and tranquil place, but it’s not necessarily the best place to base yourself for a trip to Lake Como, especially if you only have a few days to explore the lake.
While I wouldn’t recommend Graveona (as much as I personally love it), I would recommend the following five towns based on their transportation connections and overall charm and desirability.
All of these towns are perfect bases for your trip to Lake Como without a car, based on access to trains, buses, ferries, and location on the lake. I’ve also included my top hotel recommendations for each town.
Quick overview of my top picks for where to stay:
- Varenna
- Como
- Menaggio
- Bellagio
- Cernobbio
Now let’s go in-depth for each of these places…
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Varenna
Varenna is one of the best towns to stay in Lake Como without a car that combines charm and convenience. It’s one of the few towns on Lake Como with a train station, and you can get from Milan to Varenna in just over an hour by taking a direct train. This makes it one of the most accessible towns.
Being located in the central part of the lake, it’s also convenient for visiting towns to the north and south. Varenna has good ferry routes and bus connections. It’s also known for being one of the most picturesque towns on the lake, so if you’re looking for a beautiful place to stay, this is one of your best bets.
Where to Stay: Hotel Villa Cipressi
Hotel Villa Cipressi is one of the most impressive hotels in Varenna if you’re looking for an unforgettable stay. Perched on the edge of the water, this hotel is located on a beautiful property with botanical gardens you can wander while admiring views of the lake. Breakfast is included in your stay.
More hotels in Varenna, Italy:
- Luxury: Hotel Royal Victoria
- Mid-range: Albergo Del Sole
Como
Como is the largest city of Lake Como, located in the southwest fork of the lake. It’s a big city with almost half a million people, so keep that in mind if you choose to stay here. But it’s incredibly convenient, being located just forty minutes from Milan by train. It’s also the main transit hub of the lake.
Although it’s a larger city, it’s still incredibly beautiful, and you’ll have a lot more to choose from when it comes to things to do. Being larger, Como is also cheaper than some of the smaller towns along the lake. This is where to stay in Lake Como without a car if you’re also on a tight budget for accommodation.
Where to Stay: Le Stanze del Lago Suites
This affordable luxury hotel is located right in the heart of Como, making it a convenient place to base yourself for your trip. It’s a ten-minute walk from the train station and the Como lakefront promenade. This hotel also offers a pool, perfect for cooling off on a hot day if you’re visiting in the summer.
More hotels in Como, Italy:
- Luxury: Vista Palazzo
- Mid-range: Alessia’s Place
- Budget: Villa Corti
- Hostel: Ostello Bello Lake Como
Bellagio
Bellagio is one of the most famous towns in Lake Como because it’s extremely picturesque. However, this town doesn’t have a train station, so you may be wondering if it’s a good place to stay without a car.
The answer is yes, Bellagio is still a good place to stay in Lake Como without a car. Because it’s centrally located at the fork of the lake, you won’t have trouble with ferries or buses to get around. To reach Bellagio, you can take the train to Varenna from Milan (one hour) and then hop on the ferry (fifteen minutes.)
The town itself is very small and looks like something out of a postcard. This is a very different vibe than Como, and ideal if you’re looking for that quintessential Italian charm. However, being a very popular and touristy town, the prices in Bellagio are also a lot higher than elsewhere around the lake.
Where to Stay: Grand Hotel Villa Serbelloni
Grand Hotel Villa Serbelloni is one of the most luxurious hotels in Bellagio and offers stunning views of Lake Como. It features landscaped gardens, an indoor and outdoor swimming pool, and a spa. A delicious buffet breakfast is included with your stay. This is by far one of the best places to stay in Lake Como!
More hotels in Bellagio, Italy:
- Luxury: Hotel Belvedere
- Mid-range: Hotel du Lac
Menaggio
Menaggio is another one of the best places to stay in Lake Como without a car. This lovely town in the central part of the lake blends quaint charm with pretty convenient transportation options.
From Milan, you can take the train to Varenna, then hop on a quick ferry across the lake to Menaggio. The train takes a little over an hour, and the ferry takes just fifteen minutes. This town also has good connections when it comes to the bus and ferry, making it easy to visit other towns on the lake.
Where to Stay: Hotel Bellavista
If you’re looking for where to stay in Lake Como without a car, Hotel Bellavista in Menaggio is a great option. This centrally located hotel is just a two-minute walk from the train station and is positioned right on the waterfront. You’ll enjoy a lakeside swimming pool at this hotel, perfect on a summer day.
More hotels in Menaggio, Italy:
- Luxury: Grand Hotel Victoria
- Mid-range: The Club Guest House
- Hostel: Lake Como Hostel
Cernobbio
Finally, if you’re wondering where to stay in Lake Como without a car, Cernobbio is one more town that I would recommend if you’re looking for somewhere beautiful and quaint, yet still convenient.
While Cernobbio does not have a train station of its own, it’s one town away from the major transit hub of Como. This means that you can take the train from Milan to Como in forty minutes, then transfer to the C10 bus and reach Cernobbio in about twenty minutes, for a total journey time of just one hour.
Cernobbio is known for how picturesque it is, and it’s a lot smaller and quieter than bustling Como. You can also easily explore the other towns on the lake by bus or by ferry from Cernobbio.
Where to Stay: Hotel Asnigo
While Cernobbio is known for being home to the ultra-luxury $1,000+ a night Villa d’Este, Hotel Asnigo is a more reasonable alternative. If you’re looking for somewhere that’s affordable but still has great amenities like free breakfast and a swimming pool, this hotel is one of the best places to stay.
More hotels in Cernobbio, Italy:
- Mid-range: Hotel Centrale
- Budget: Albergo Giardino
How Long for Lake Como?
If you’re wondering how long you should stay in Lake Como, I’d aim for at least three full days! With so many towns around the lake and so many different things to do, you could easily stay longer, though.
If you have five to seven days, you can really immerse yourself in the relaxed Lake Como lifestyle and not run out of things to do. However, I know that not everyone has that much time to spare, especially if you are trying to visit Lake Como as part of a larger trip to Italy hitting multiple destinations.
I’ve written about how to visit Lake Como on a day trip if you’re really short on time. If you’re coming from Milan, you can easily reach the lake by train and spend a day exploring a couple (or more!) towns.
Where to Stay in Lake Como Without a Car: My Top Picks
This guide showed you where to stay in Lake Como without a car.
To recap, my top picks for where to stay are:
- Varenna: Hotel Villa Cipressi
- Como: Le Stanze del Lago Suites
- Bellagio: Grand Hotel Villa Serbelloni
- Menaggio: Hotel Bellavista
- Cernobbio: Hotel Asnigo
Have a great trip and enjoy your stay in Lake Como!
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