The silver gaze of Lombardy. This is the first metaphor that came to mind when thinking of Lake Como, the image of the lake as a majestic and shining gaze that the earth itself turns to the sky. Nestled in the majestic mountains of the Italian Alps, Lake Como is an enchanting jewel that captures the imagination of all who visit it, with its sparkling waters and breathtaking views. The lake extends for about 46 kilometers in length, embracing suggestive villages and historic villas along all its shores.
A destination therefore that represents a perfect refuge for those seeking an escape from the frenzy of everyday life, a place where you can breathe deeply, reconnect with nature and let yourself be enchanted by its timeless beauty. It is an unforgettable experience that always remains engraved in the hearts and souls of those who visit it, making Lake Como one of the most loved and sought-after destinations by tourists from all over the world.
Having said that, here are six things not to be missed if you visit Lake Como for the first time:
1. Historic center of Como
The city of Como is the ideal starting point and, from our point of view, the first stop to then proceed with the exploration of the lake and its surroundings. Its location at the south end of the lake offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains. Visit the Duomo (we wrote a wonderful article on the Como Cathedral), stroll through the elegant shopping streets and enjoy a first walk along the lakefront.
2. Bellagio
Known as the "Pearl of Lake Como", Bellagio is a picturesque village located right on the tip of the promontory where the lake basin branches out, a little gem famed for its colorful narrow streets, lush gardens, villas and panoramic views. It is a place that must be explored at a slow pace, savoring it in small doses and dedicating it the right amount of time. Stroll calmly along the narrow alleys of the historic center, admire the gardens and the countless stately homes, stop at the end of the day for an aperitif in one of the lake-view bars, you won't regret it.
3. Volta’s Temple
Let's start with the background. In 1899 a great celebration was held in Como in honor of Alessandro Volta, an Italian scientist and, above all, a native of the Como capital. The celebration, conceived on the model of the Universal Exposition, brought together documents, models and an infinite number of other finds attributable to the ingenious inventor of the light bulb. Too bad that a fire, caused by a cigarette butt, destroyed a large part of the Voltiana Exhibition, forcing relief efforts to try to save as much material as possible from destruction. Thus we come to 1928, the inaugural year of the Tempio Voltiano in Como. A mausoleum donated to the city by the industrialist Francesco Somaini who chose the architect Federico Frigerio as its designer. Frigerio designed a neoclassical-style temple, clearly inspired by the Pantheon in Rome, with the precise aim of making it a civic museum intended to house the original models, reconstructions of scientific works and other relics of the scientist from Como. All with the solemnity of the temple, an aspect that still positively affects visitors today.
4. Piona Abbey in Colico
Off the beaten track, we find this ancient abbey dating from the 7th century. Inside you can breathe a relaxed and peaceful atmosphere but above all a splendid Romanesque cloister of rare beauty is hidden. Believer or not we are sure that this place still inhabited by monks will make you forget the frenzy of daily life and the chaos of the city. The religious structure is made up of the church, the cloister, the chapter house and the shop where you can taste and buy the products of the Piona monks.
5. Villa Olmo
Just over 2km from the Volta’s Temple, Villa Olmo is another very important stop on a holiday on Lake Como. Aesthetically, this eighteenth-century residence is in line with the style of the other villas in Como, Cernobbio or Bellagio. Two fundamental ingredients: the Italian garden, cared for down to the smallest detail; and the neoclassical taste of exteriors and interiors. The name, as can be easily guessed, refers to the presence of two old elms (“Olmi” in Italian), later cut down. Over the years, several prominent Italian personalities have stayed here for more or less long periods. Some examples? The hero of two worlds Giuseppe Garibaldi and the Visconti of Modrone family. For some time now, Villa Olmo has been home to exhibitions, events and conferences.
6. Lecco
Lecco stands right on “quel ramo del Lago di Como” mentioned by Manzoni and it is impossible, walking through the streets, not to feel immersed in the atmospheres of his novel. Here, in fact, every place is a reference to the pages of the “I Promessi Sposi”: the areas of Acquate and Olate are respectively the neighborhoods of Renzo and Lucia; the presumed house of Lucia acts as a counterpart to Juliet's balcony in Verona; the Church of Saints Vitale and Valeria was frequented by Don Abbondio; Mount Zucco housed Don Rodrigo's palace. But Lecco is not only the story of the Promessi Sposi: the Visconti Tower in Piazza XX Settembre, the Basilica of San Nicolò (which is also the cathedral), the Azzone Visconti bridge and the Palazzo Bovara seat of the Town Hall are also worth a visit.