Most people arrive in Como expecting a quick glimpse of blue water and a few gelato photos. What they actually discover is a medieval walled city, a silk-weaving heritage dating back 500 years, and a lake so vast it swallows entire afternoons whole.
Arriving by Ship
Como sits at the southwestern tip of Lake Como, roughly 45 kilometres north of Milan — but here’s the catch: it’s not a traditional deep-water cruise port. Most ocean-going ships dock in Genoa or Civitavecchia, and Como is reached as a shore excursion by coach or train, putting you in the city centre in around an hour from Milan.
If you’re arriving on a river or lake cruise, smaller vessels dock directly along the Lungo Lario promenade, practically in the heart of the city. Either way, the moment you step onto the lakefront, Como announces itself immediately — no shuttle buses, no industrial terminals, just water, mountains, and instantly walkable streets.
Things to Do
Como rewards slow exploration, but it also delivers for visitors with just half a day. Between the medieval cathedral, the clanking funicular, and the shimmering lake itself, you’ll struggle to be bored.
History & Architecture
- Como Cathedral (Duomo di Como): One of Italy’s last Gothic-Renaissance cathedrals, with a façade featuring statues of Pliny the Elder and Pliny the Younger — free to enter, open daily 7:30am–7:30pm.
- Porta Torre & City Walls: Walk the 12th-century defensive towers built by the commune; the medieval walls stretch behind the train station and take about 20 minutes to explore.
- Basilica di Sant’Abbondio: A quiet, UNESCO-listed Romanesque church on the edge of town with stunning 14th-century frescoes inside — free entry, open daily.
Views & The Lake
- Como–Brunate Funicular: This 1894 hillside cable car climbs to the village of Brunate in seven minutes, delivering panoramic lake views you simply cannot get from ground level — return ticket around €6.50.
- Lake Como Boat Tour: Hire a private catamaran or join a guided cruise to reach Bellagio and the lake’s most spectacular stretches. 🎟 Book: 4h Catamaran Tour on Lake Como – Como Boat Rent & Cruise For a more structured route combining Como, Bellagio, and Lugano, a full-day excursion covers all three efficiently. 🎟 Book: From Como: Lugano, Bellagio and Como exclusive Boat Tour
- Lakefront Promenade (Lungo Lario Trento): Stroll the waterfront from the ferry terminal towards the gardens of Villa Olmo — completely free and beautiful at any time of day.
Active & Outdoors
- Panoramic Hiking near Como: Trails around the lake offer jaw-dropping ridge-line views; guided hikes depart from Como and Varenna for mixed ability levels. 🎟 Book: From Milan/Como/Varenna: Panoramic Hiking Tours near Lake Como
- Self-Guided Walking Tour of Downtown: If you prefer independence, a narrated audio tour guides you through Como’s highlights at your own pace — available from around USD 23. 🎟 Book: Lake Como: Self-Guided Walking Tour – Downtown Como
What to Eat
Como’s cuisine leans heavily on the lake itself — freshwater fish, rich risottos, and polenta dishes that have fed generations of mountain and lakeside communities. Skip the tourist-trap restaurants near the ferry dock and head one block inland for the real thing.
- Missoltini: Sun-dried agone fish pressed with bay leaves and salt — a true lake delicacy, served at traditional trattorias like Trattoria del Soldino; expect to pay €10–14 for a starter.
- Risotto con Pesce Persico: Creamy risotto with perch fillets, a Como classic; found at mid-range lakeside restaurants for around €16–20.
- Polenta Uncia: Slow-cooked polenta drenched in butter, garlic, and aged cheese — hearty, comforting, and deeply local; roughly €8–12 as a side dish.
- Sciatt: Buckwheat fritters stuffed with melting cheese, more common as you push into the Valtellina area but found on many Como menus; typically €7–10.
- Gelato at Gelateria Lariana: A local favourite on Via Boldoni offering unusual flavours like fig and walnut — cones from €2.50.
- Aperitivo Hour: Bars along the promenade serve spritz with generous free snacks from around 6pm; budget €5–8 per drink.
Shopping
Como is quietly famous for silk — the city produced fabric for Versace, Armani, and Hermès for decades, and several specialist shops still sell high-quality scarves, ties, and fabric direct to visitors. A silk scarf from a reputable shop like A. Picci or Seterie Moretti starts around €30 and is worth every cent as a genuine local souvenir.
Avoid the cheap printed scarves sold near the ferry terminal — they’re almost certainly not locally produced. For food, the covered Mercato di Piazza San Fedele on weekday mornings sells local cheeses, cured meats, and lake-caught fish at excellent prices.
Practical Tips
- Currency: Italy uses the Euro; ATMs are widely available in the city centre, and most shops accept cards.
- Tipping: Not mandatory, but rounding up the bill or leaving €1–2 at a café is appreciated.
- Getting Around: Como’s centre is compact and best explored on foot; water taxis and ferries connect to lakeside villages.
- Best Time Ashore: Arrive early — by 9am — to beat tour groups at the Duomo and funicular.
- How Long You Need: Allow at least 4–5 hours to do Como justice; a full day lets you add Bellagio.
- Dress Code: Cover shoulders and knees when entering churches — a light scarf does the job.
- Safety: Como is very safe; watch for pickpockets around the ferry terminal during peak season.
Como has a way of turning a scheduled shore excursion into the trip you’ll still be talking about a decade later — go hungry, go curious, and give yourself more time than you think you need.
🎟️ Things to Book in Advance
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📍 Getting to Como, Italy
Use the interactive map below to explore the port area and plan your route from the terminal.
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