Swimming in Lake Como: what to know first
You cannot treat the lake as one big beach. Whether you may swim at a given spot depends on that spot's test results and on local bans. Clear-looking water is not permission, and neither is a lido ticket. In this guide, a lido means a paid lakeside beach club with loungers.
The local health authority takes samples at swimming areas and passes the results to the health ministry. If a result is poor, the municipality is asked to ban swimming. The ban lifts after a new good result. The swimming season runs from 1 May to the end of September, and some sampling runs from April to September. Outside those months, do not assume a spot is cleared for swimming.
Where people swim
Three towns, three different situations.
| Town | What exists | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Bellagio | Lido di Bellagio, Via P. Carcano 1 | Box with 2 loungers, 1 umbrella and 2 towels €50; gazebo €200 for 2 people, up to 4 |
| Menaggio | Victoria Beach, Via Roma 11 | A beach club with a booking option. Ask for rates and opening days when you book |
| Como | Lakefront near the Tempio Voltiano | A swimming ban applies and was enforced with checks in May 2026 |
The Bellagio prices are for equipment, not a per-person entry fee. Daily hours at the Bellagio lido run until 18:30 and start at 10:30 or 11:30. The season starts in May or mid-May and ends in September, and rates are set for June to September. Ask the lido about your date. A booked lounger does not make the water clear for swimming on that day.
Lake Como boat tours and cruises
See the lake from the water, with live prices and availability.
Check before you get in the water
Four habits that matter more than the view.
Look for a ban
Municipalities issue bans when a test result is poor and lift them after a new good result. Look for notices at the shore and ask your hotel or the local office. Do not rely on a photo or a map from an aggregator.
Know the month
The season starts on 1 May and ends in late September. Results from earlier summers say nothing about water in April or October.
Jumping and depth
The health authority advises against jumping from a height and against jumping into unknown or murky water. Keep children under constant watch. An air mattress gives no safety in deep water.
Private villa shores
Nothing gives you permission to anchor or swim in front of a private villa. On a boat trip, ask the skipper whether a stop for swimming is allowed.
Boat tours →How warm is it?
These are air temperatures, not water temperatures.
The monthly mean air temperature in Como, averaged over 1991 to 2021, is 18.4 °C in May, 22.0 °C in June, 24.4 °C in July, 24.4 °C in August and 19.2 °C in September. September is also the wettest month in that series, with 194.5 mm of rain on average, compared with 116.4 mm in July. Water temperatures are not part of this data, so do not read these figures as lake temperatures. See the month-by-month view on the best time to visit page.
A day that combines a lido with a ferry works well in the central lake. Bellagio and Menaggio both sit on the central ferry network, and the crossing from Menaggio to Varenna takes 15 minutes on a weekday. See the ferry guide for fares and the current timetable.
Towns with a lido
Where to base a swimming day.
Swimming in Lake Como: frequently asked questions
Can you swim in Lake Como?
Yes, at spots that are open for swimming. It is decided point by point from water tests and local bans, so there is no rule for the whole lake. Check the spot you plan to use.
When is the swimming season?
From 1 May to the end of September. Sampling runs in part from April to September. Outside the season, do not assume water is cleared.
Does a lido ticket mean the water is safe?
No. A lido sells loungers, umbrellas and use of its site. It does not replace a current test result or the absence of a ban.
Can you swim in Como town?
A swimming ban applies near the Tempio Voltiano on the lakefront, and the municipality enforced it in May 2026. Plan a swim in another town, or take a boat.
How much does a sunbed cost at the Bellagio lido?
A box with 2 loungers, 1 umbrella and 2 towels costs €50 in 2026. A gazebo costs €200 for 2 people and fits up to 4. The prices are for the equipment, not per person.