Como Cruise Port Guide: Things to Do, Getting Around & Practical Tips

Quick Take

Port Type

Lakeside City Port

Best For

Scenic lake views, relaxed Italian town atmosphere, day trips to Bellagio or Varenna, good food without excessive tourist pricing

Avoid If

You want a beach day, you struggle with hills and cobblestones, or you expect a major museum-heavy itinerary

Walkability

High in the flat centro storico; steep if you head uphill toward the funicular or city walls

Budget Fit

Moderate — dining and ferries are reasonably priced, but boutique shopping and private transfers push costs up

Good For Short Calls?

Yes, easily. Como town itself is manageable in 3-4 hours; add a ferry hop if you have more time

Port Overview

Como sits at the southwestern tip of Lake Como, roughly an hour north of Milan by train. River cruise lines including Viking, Uniworld, and AmaWaterways sometimes include Como as part of a broader Italy itinerary, often with passengers arriving by coach from Milan or Venice rather than docking directly on the lake. Clarify with your cruise line exactly where you are disembarking — some itineraries dock in Milan and transfer to Como by road.

The town itself is compact, genuinely attractive, and not as overrun as Bellagio. The centro storico has a well-preserved medieval cathedral, pleasant piazzas, and a flat lakefront promenade that is easy to navigate. The real draw is the lake itself — the water, the mountains, and the slow ferry connections to villages like Bellagio, Varenna, and Menaggio.

Como is honest value for a shore day. It is not a bucket-list experience on its own, but it is a genuinely pleasant Italian lake town with enough to keep you busy for 4-6 hours without feeling like you are stretching. If your ship offers a lake ferry extension, take it.

Is It Safe?

Como is a safe, low-crime town by any reasonable standard. Standard urban caution applies: keep bags zipped in crowded ferry queues and at busy piazzas during peak summer, and watch your phone at outdoor café tables. Pickpocketing is uncommon here compared to Milan or Venice but not unheard of in high summer.

The lake itself is calmer than coastal seas but ferry and hydrofoil crossings can be choppy in afternoon winds. If you are prone to motion sickness, take the slower traghetto rather than the hydrofoil in rough conditions.

Accessibility & Walkability

The flat lakefront promenade and main piazzas are wheelchair accessible and manageable for anyone with limited mobility. The centro storico has some cobblestones that can be uneven. The Brunate funicular has steps at both ends and is not fully wheelchair accessible. Ferry boarding requires stepping over a small gap and can be tricky for wheelchairs — ask staff for assistance. Hills surrounding the town center are steep and not practical without mobility aids.

Outside the Terminal

If arriving at the main Como ferry terminal (Imbarcadero), you step out directly onto the lakefront promenade with Piazza Cavour immediately to your right. The water is right in front of you, there are café terraces, and the Duomo is visible less than 5 minutes on foot. It is an immediately pleasant arrival — no industrial port zone, no long walks through terminals. Ferry ticket kiosks are visible from the exit. Orientation is straightforward.

Beaches Near the Port

Local Food & Drink

Como's best eating is a short walk off the main tourist drag. Piazza del Popolo and the streets between the Duomo and the train station have trattorie and osterie serving standard Lombard fare — risotto, polenta dishes, lake fish (missoltino and lavarello are local specialties worth trying), and fresh pasta. Portions are generous and lunch menus (menù del giorno) offer the best value, typically €12-20 for two courses.

Avoid the overpriced cafés directly on the ferry terminal waterfront — they charge a premium for the view. Two streets back you will find the same coffee for half the price. Gelato quality is generally good across town; look for places listing 'artigianale' (handmade) on the sign.

Shopping

Como is legitimately known for silk, and if you are buying fabric or silk goods, this is one of the better places in Italy to do it. Several shops near the Duomo sell locally produced silk scarves, ties, and fabric at better prices than Milan boutiques. Avoid the cheap tourist-market versions near the ferry terminal — quality varies widely. For everyday souvenirs, the streets around Piazza Cavour have the usual Italian options: ceramics, leather goods, olive oil, and wine.

Money & Currency

Currency

Euro (EUR)

USD Accepted?

No

Card Payments

Good — most restaurants, shops, and the ferry ticket office accept Visa and Mastercard. Contactless is common.

ATMs

Several ATMs near the town center and train station. Use bank-affiliated ATMs to avoid high fees.

Tipping

Not mandatory in Italy. Rounding up or leaving 5-10% at sit-down restaurants is appreciated but not expected. No tipping on ferries or at cafés.

Notes

Carry some small euros for coffee at the bar, market stalls, and any funicular or smaller ferry ancillary purchases.

Weather & Best Time

Best months

May, June, and September — warm, manageable crowds, reliable lake visibility

Avoid

July and August are peak season with high crowds and heat; November through March can be cold, grey, and many lake services run reduced schedules

Temperature

18-28°C (64-82°F) in the main cruising window of May to October

Notes

Lake Como can have afternoon thunderstorms in summer, particularly July and August. Morning departures for ferry excursions are generally more reliable weather-wise.

Airport Information

Airport

Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP) is the primary hub; Milan Bergamo Orio al Serio (BGY) and Milan Linate (LIN) also serve the region

Distance

Malpensa: approximately 50-60 km; Linate: approximately 50 km; Bergamo: approximately 65 km

Getting there

Taxi or private transfer is the most practical option from Como to any Milan airport. Public transit requires connections through Milan city center, which adds significant time.

Notes

If your cruise embarkation or disembarkation is in Como or nearby, budget 1.5-2 hours for airport transfers including traffic. Pre-book transfers; do not rely on finding taxis at the dock on departure morning.