If you have already managed to get acquainted with the largest and most famous cities of Italy, but continue to discover this amazing country, welcome to Como! Como is a small town in northern Italy, located on the shores of a huge lake in the foothills of the Alps. The mild climate, beautiful landscapes and a developed tourism industry attract hundreds of guests every day.
Como is easily accessible from one of Milan's three train stations (Milano Centrale, Milano Porta Garibaldi and Cadorna) for just 4.45 Euro *.
How to get to Como?
My advice is to travel with Cadorna: trains run from there more often, and you will arrive in the very heart of the city. Train timetables are available here: www.trenitalia.com.
You can get from Bergamo Orio al Serio Airport (it takes about 2 hours by bus from Bergamo to Como), as well as by bus or train from Switzerland. If you rented a car in Italy and travel by car, it will not be difficult to find a city.
If you only have one day, what to see in Como:
Lake Como (Italian: Lago di Como)
Every day, starting in April, Como accepts arriving tourists. The most popular question of people leaving the train: "Senora, can you tell me how to get to the lake?"
Lake Como is the third largest and deepest lake in Italy
Lake Como - The main attraction of the city, which is located on its shores. This is the third largest (length 47 km, width 4 km) and the deepest lake in Italy (about 410 m), in shape resembling the inverted letter “Y”. Como occupies the southwest coast. At the southeastern end is Lecco, and in the north is the beautiful Bellagio.
Lake Como Villas
City embankment is a favorite place for walking and jogging. On the one hand, there is a lake framed by a city and mountains, on the other, elegant city villas with beautiful gardens that stretch along the coast from a local flying club to a city pearl - Villas Olmodecorated with ancient frescoes and statues and having a small theater in its interior. Villa Olmo is also the venue for exhibitions, music festivals and other cultural events.
Since ancient Rome, Como has attracted elite representatives who built luxurious summer residences in different parts of the lake. Villas in the style of strict and elegant neoclassicism, which have survived to this day along the coast, have their history dating back to the XVI century.
Get on villas around Como can be on water buses that sail from the main pier opposite the central square of Cavour.
Villa d'Este - one of the most luxurious hotels in the world
Choosing a boat trip, you will not lose. You will enjoy beautiful views of the coast, strewn with villas and cozy villages. Many villas in Como have preserved unique works of art, antique furniture, exotic plants from around the world are collected in the parks. Among the most ancient and famous villas: Villa Carlottainside of which there is a magnificent museum where paintings and sculptures and original furniture of the 18th century are collected. Outside, Villa Carlotta is a magnificent garden with rare plants.
Villa serbelloni - some call her the queen among the local villas for her beauty, antiquity and a beautiful park stretching for 18 km.
Villa d'este - one of the most luxurious hotels not only in Italy, but also in the world.
Villa balbianelloLocated in one of the most stunning beauty corners of the lake overlooking the Bellagio and the island of Comachina, it has a unique collection of art and souvenirs brought from around the world by the former owner.
Information on water excursions, as well as the cost and timetable of trams can be found here: www.navigazionelaghi.it.
Historic city center
Built in the XII century during the era of the confrontation between Como and Milan, a stone fortress wall surrounds the city center and closes at the Porta Torre tower. Here is a paradise for fashion shopping lovers, after which it is so nice to relax in one of the endless restaurants.
Among the narrow streets of Como, three beautiful squares are lost: Piazza Alessandro Volta, Piazza San Fedele with the basilica of the 11th-12th centuries and the Piazza Duomo, on which the main city cathedral is located. Adjacent to the cathedral Broletto - The former building of the city council, attracting attention with the variegation of Lombardian marble, as well as a massive city tower, contrasting with a gray hewn stone against the background of Broletto.
Broletto - a former city council building built from multi-colored Lombardian marble
Excursion buses run around the city and its environs, on which for 15 euros * you can take a sightseeing hour tour with an audio guide, including in Russian. Departure every hour from 10 to 17 from the Duomo Square.
Brunate: the best panoramic views of the city
Brunate (Italian: Brunate) - The highest peak of the foothills surrounding Como. At the top there is a small town with wonderful panoramic views. Many conquer the path from the ancient stone dilapidated steps. However, there is a simpler way: you can climb to the top by funicular in just 7 minutes and 2.5 Euros. Peak crowns lighthouse Alessandro Volta, named after the famous native of the city, and this is the highest point of the city. The lighthouse is open to the public. In the middle of an excursion day on Brunate, you can arrange a lunch break or a romantic dinner, at the same time admiring the beautiful view of the evening city igniting in gold.
Wonderful panoramic views open from the top of Brunate
How to organize your day in Como, you decide. If you follow the route proposed below, you will have time to "try" a little bit of everything:
- A walk through the city center and a light breakfast in one of the cozy cafes (1.5 hours)
- Walk along the promenade to Villa Olmo and back to the main pier (1.5-2 hours)
- Boat trip to one of the villas (4 hours)
- Rise on Brunate, panoramic views of Como and dinner (2 hours).
You can spend the whole day traveling around Lake Como and villas, or, conversely, reducing water trips to devote time to exploring the city by joining a bus tour - it all depends on your interests and preferences.
In the end
What to bring as a gift? Como has been famous for its silk production for centuries. In local shops you can buy silk scarves, scarves or ties of various colors and with an unimaginable number of different patterns.
Continuation: Como is a lake-mountain tale. Part II Come, swim, take off.
Author of text and photos: Olga Logvina, Photos by: MontanNito, Dorli Photography, Francesco Federico
