The short answer
Choose the season by what you want to do. For swimming, the season runs from 1 May to the end of September. For boats, gardens and villas with the longest hours, the months from spring to early autumn are the most complete. Autumn and winter work too, with fewer sights open, as long as you check opening days first.
Villas, boats and castles keep different calendars, so the lake has no single start or end of season. A garden can be open daily while a villa next door is closed two days a week. The sections below list the dates for 2026 and early 2027.
Temperature and rain by month
Long-term averages for Como, 1991 to 2021. They describe a typical month, not a forecast for your trip.
| Month | Mean air temperature | Rain |
|---|---|---|
| January | 4.7 °C | 86.6 mm |
| February | 6.0 °C | 44.9 mm |
| March | 10.5 °C | 67.5 mm |
| April | 13.1 °C | 141.4 mm |
| May | 18.4 °C | 124.6 mm |
| June | 22.0 °C | 123.2 mm |
| July | 24.4 °C | 116.4 mm |
| August | 24.4 °C | 122.7 mm |
| September | 19.2 °C | 194.5 mm |
| October | 14.6 °C | 154.7 mm |
| November | 8.6 °C | 169.2 mm |
| December | 5.6 °C | 64.0 mm |
The temperatures are monthly means of the air temperature, not daytime highs or night lows. February is the driest month in this series and September the wettest. The figures describe Como only, so a town higher up the shore can differ.
Lake Como tours for every season
Boat trips, villa visits and day trips with live prices and availability.
What is open, season by season
Dates for 2026 and early 2027. Check the operator before a long trip.
Spring, March to May
Villa del Balbianello opens regular days from 14 March, closed Monday and Wednesday, with extra openings on 6 April and 1 June. Villa Carlotta opens on 20 March with hours of 10:00 to 19:00. Villa Melzi opens on 22 March, and Castello di Vezio is open daily from 1 March. The Villa Monastero garden is open daily from 09:30 to 19:30 in April and May. The swimming season starts on 1 May, when the mean air temperature in Como is 18.4 °C.
Summer, June to August
This is the warmest stretch, with 22.0 °C in June and 24.4 °C in July and August. Villa Monastero opens its garden from 09:30 to 20:00 daily. The ferry summer timetable ran from 1 July to 4 October 2026. Villa Carlotta, Villa Melzi and the funicular to Brunate all run their long hours.
Autumn, September to November
September is the wettest month at 194.5 mm. The autumn ferry timetable runs to 1 November 2026. Villa Carlotta shortens its hours to 10:00 to 18:00 from 19 October to 8 November, with last tickets at 17:00. Villa Melzi runs 10:00 to 18:30 from 12 to 24 October, then 10:00 to 17:00 from 25 October, and closes for the season on 1 November. The Villa Monastero garden is open daily from 10:00 to 18:00 in October, with the museum closed on Tuesday.
Winter, December to February
Villa Carlotta opens only on special days: 14 to 15, 21 to 22 and 28 to 29 November and 5 to 8 December 2026, from 10:00 to 16:00. On other closed days a visit needs a prior request. Villa del Balbianello keeps shorter hours from November, opens on selected days in December and opens on 2, 3, 5 and 6 January 2027. Villa Monastero closes on Tuesday and Wednesday in November and December and is closed on 25 December. Castello di Vezio opens in winter only on weekends and holidays in good weather. For ferries, check the current timetable before you go.
Which month for which plan
A quick match, based on the dates above.
| Plan | Months that fit | Keep in mind |
|---|---|---|
| Swimming | May to September | Each spot is cleared or banned separately |
| Walking | Spring and autumn | Rain peaks in April and from September to November |
| Villa gardens | March to October | Hours shorten from mid-October |
| Ferries on the summer timetable | 1 July to 4 October 2026 | Check the winter timetable before you go |
| Quiet winter trip | November to February | Some villas open only on selected days |
See the swimming guide and the hiking guide for detail. For the ferries, the ferry page has fares and the central crossings. A visit that includes Villa Carlotta is easier to plan with its own page. For the wider region, Lombardy's best time to visit guide covers the wider region.
Plan the rest of your trip
Where the season matters most.
Best time to visit Lake Como: frequently asked questions
What is the best month to visit Lake Como?
There is no single best month. July and August are the warmest at 24.4 °C on average, and May and June are mild at 18.4 °C and 22.0 °C. September is the wettest month. Pick the month by the plans that matter to you.
When is the swimming season?
From 1 May to the end of September. Swimming is cleared or banned spot by spot, so check the place you plan to use.
Can you visit Lake Como in winter?
Yes, but with limits. Villa Carlotta opens on special days in November and December 2026, Villa del Balbianello opens on selected days, and Castello di Vezio opens on weekends and holidays in good weather. The funicular to Brunate runs daily. For ferries, check the winter timetable.
When do the ferries run on the summer timetable?
The 2026 summer timetable ran from 1 July to 4 October. The autumn timetable runs to 1 November 2026.
How much does it rain at Lake Como?
In Como, the long-term average is about 44.9 mm in February and 194.5 mm in September, the driest and wettest months. April and the months from September to November are the wetter ones.