Pick the base that fits your day plans
The lake is long, and the shores are linked by ferry, not by a quick road. A base that suits a train arrival may be a poor fit for a villa day. Start with how you arrive, then pick the town that puts your main plans within a short walk or crossing.
This page compares the towns by transport and sights. Check availability, parking and opening months with each property. A base also shapes your tourist tax, since each town sets its own table.
Five bases compared
By transport and what lies within reach.
| Base | Getting there | Within reach | Keep in mind |
|---|---|---|---|
| Varenna | Direct train from Milano Centrale in about 64 minutes | Lakeside walk, Villa Monastero, Castello di Vezio, ferries | A base for the east shore |
| Como | Trains from Centrale, Cadorna and Porta Garibaldi | Cathedral, lakefront, funicular to Brunate | The historic center is a restricted traffic zone |
| Bellagio | Central ferry network, car ferry | Villa Melzi, a lido, ferries to both shores | Car access to the center needs a permit |
| Menaggio | Central ferry network, car ferry | An 11 km loop, a beach club, a 15 minute crossing to Varenna | West shore base |
| Tremezzo | Ferry piers at Tremezzo and Cadenabbia | Villa Carlotta, the Greenway, the path to Lenno | A base built around the villa and the walks |
The train times come from the direct services to Varenna-Esino, Como San Giovanni and Como Lago. The central network is the set of ferries between Bellagio, Cadenabbia, Varenna and Menaggio, and only piers marked traghetto take cars.
Lake Como tours from your base
Boat trips, villa visits and day trips with live prices and availability.
Town by town
What each base is good for.
Varenna
Best if you arrive by train. A direct service from Milano Centrale takes about 64 minutes and runs about once an hour. The Passeggiata degli Innamorati links the pier and the center along the water. Villa Monastero charges €13 for the garden or €15 with the museum (2026), and Castello di Vezio charges €7.
Varenna →Como
Best for rail flexibility. Como San Giovanni takes about 40 minutes from Milano Centrale, and Como Lago takes about 60 minutes from Milano Cadorna. The funicular to Brunate runs daily from 06:00 to 24:00. Plan on a car park outside the center, since the center needs a permit. One example is Via Colombo 30 at €1 per day in 2026.
Como →Bellagio
Best if ferries are your plan. The town is on the central network, with a 10 minute crossing to Cadenabbia and 15 or 30 minutes to Varenna on a weekday. Villa Melzi costs €10 and needs no reservation for normal entry. A lido on Via P. Carcano 1 rents a box with loungers for €50 (2026).
Bellagio →Menaggio
Best for a west-shore base with walks. Menaggio is on the central network, and the crossing to Varenna takes 15 minutes on a weekday. An 11 km loop starts at Piazza Garibaldi. Victoria Beach on Via Roma 11 is a beach club with a booking option.
Menaggio →Tremezzo
Best for Villa Carlotta, which costs €17.50 for adults (2026). The walk to the villa is about 450 m from Tremezzo and about 900 m from Cadenabbia. Villa del Balbianello is reached from Lenno along the Greenway, and it requires a reservation.
Villa Carlotta →Tourist tax by town
Each town has its own table. There is no single lake-wide tax.
| Type of stay | Varenna, per person and night | Como, per person and night |
|---|---|---|
| Hotel, 1 to 2 stars | €2.80 | €3.00 |
| Hotel, 3 stars | €3.00 | €4.00 |
| Hotel, 4 stars | €4.00 | €5.00 |
| Hotel, 5 stars | €5.00 | €5.00 |
| Apartment or B&B | €3.00 | €3.00 |
| Hostel, camping or farm stay | – | €2.00 |
| Maximum nights taxed | 7 in a row | 4 |
The Varenna table applies all year. The Como table has been in force since 1 January 2024, so confirm the current rate when you book. Bellagio applies a maximum of 7 consecutive nights and an exemption for young children. Ask your property for the exact age limit and today's rates, because the town tables change.
Staying in Milan instead
A possible base for a short stay.
If you stay in Milan, the lake is a day trip. Direct trains reach Varenna-Esino in about 64 minutes, Como San Giovanni in about 40 and Como Lago in about 60. See the day trip from Milan page for the timings, and the Lombardy accommodation guide for Milan itself.
Where to stay at Lake Como: frequently asked questions
Where is the best place to stay at Lake Como?
That depends on how you arrive and what you plan. Varenna suits train arrivals, Como suits rail flexibility, Bellagio and Menaggio suit ferry days, and Tremezzo suits Villa Carlotta.
Is it better to stay in Bellagio, Varenna or Menaggio?
All three are on the central ferry network. Varenna has a direct train from Milano Centrale in about 64 minutes. Bellagio has Villa Melzi, and Menaggio has an 11 km loop walk.
Do I need a car if I stay at the lake?
No, if you stay in a town on the ferry network or near a station. Como and Bellagio restrict cars in the center, and only piers marked traghetto take vehicles.
How much is the tourist tax?
It differs by town and by type of stay. Varenna charges €2.80 to €5.00 per person per night for hotels and €3.00 for apartments and B&Bs, with up to 7 nights in a row taxed. Confirm the current rate with your property.
Can I stay in Milan and visit the lake?
Yes. Direct trains reach Varenna, Como San Giovanni and Como Lago in 40 to 64 minutes, so a day trip works. A late return needs a check of the evening trains.