lake como Or Lake Garda? It’s the eternal conundrum in Italy, thick crust or thin crust? Aperol or Campari?
The scenery alone draws visitors to these two mysterious lakes in the North Italyall defined by majestic mountains and colorful waterside villages, imbued with a dreamlike feel sweet life. So how do you choose between the two?
“It’s important to decide what vibe and style you want for your vacation,” says Ciao Bambino travel consultant in Italy Linda Considine. “If you choose Lake Como, it’s a cool, luxurious experience with great food and service. If you choose Lake Garda, it’s a relaxing, family-friendly, adventurous and colorful holiday. “
Linda said with the peak tourist season running from May to September, deciding when to go is another key consideration. In 2024, Lake Garda will receive more than 1.5 million tourists in the first seven months, an increase of 12.6% compared to the same period in 2023. Lake Como also gets close to this number of visitors every year, which means there are months (April or October) where visitors can make the experience more relaxing and authentic. The good news is, no matter when or where you decide to go, Lake Garda and Lake Como offer irresistible Italian cuisine.
We’ve broken down both destinations to help you choose when Italians come calling Lake District sound. If you still can’t decide, know this: Lake Como and Lake Garda are less than 100 miles apart. Our travel advisors can Help you plan your trip Combining the best of both worlds.
Lake Como or Lake Garda: what to consider
get there
Lake Como is located in the Lombardy region of Italy, about 52 miles north of Italy Milan Two railway lines can reach there. Which one you choose depends on whether you want to reach the west or east branch of the lake. One line starts from Milano Centrale station and reaches Como Lago station (west). The other stops at Lecco (east). Both journeys take approximately 60 minutes.
Once at either of them, you’ll find bus and taxi services, and during the summer you can easily explore the lakes via the many daily ferries (be sure to check the timetable in advance).
At the same time, the southern shore of Lake Garda, the largest lake in Italy, is conveniently located Venice (114 miles) and Brescia (20 miles). The nearest train station to Riva del Garda is Rovereto, approximately 12 miles east. Stations at the southern end of Lake Garda are located in Desenzano and Peschiera, accessible via Milan Central Station and Venezia Santa Lucia.
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Lake Como is a luxurious place to visit, with luxurious hotels, chic boutiques and sumptuous cuisine, Instagram-worthy scenery and maybe even a celebrity sighting or two. After all, the Clooneys, Madonna, Donatella Versace and Richard Branson have all lived on the iconic Y-shaped lake. The shores of Lake Como are dotted with luxury villas with gardens and luxury hotels with floating pools, laying the foundation for its exclusive and upscale reputation. No wonder it’s a top choice for honeymooners, special occasion celebrations and tourist attractions.
If chic shopping, upscale accommodation and first-class service are your thing, then you’ll enjoy yourself in Lake Como – a luxurious area with plenty to see and do both above and below the water. Villa MonastroOwned by the province of Lecco, it has been converted into a museum and has a magnificent botanical garden that stretches for more than a mile along the lake shore. The town of Lecco is also worth a stroll, especially its lakeside promenadeone of the longest lakes on Lake Como.
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Bellagio, a picturesque town between the east and west branches of the lake, is famous for its colorful alleys and cobbled streets filled with places to shop and sip cappuccinos. You’ll also find some magnificent villas and gardens to visit, including Villa Serberoni. If you’re looking for a quieter spot, try Varenna, a former fishing village known for its piccolo-sized size and yesteryear charm, making it the perfect place to laze and relax Lunch by the lake. Lenno is one of the small towns on the western shore of Lake Como, with lake and mountain views and delightful restaurant terraces with water views.
Most people who come to Lake Como prefer to stay in one place to take advantage of its luxury hotels and facilities. “Visiting Lake Como is a slow trip with a late breakfast, a boat ride to your lunch destination, a cooking class, hanging out by the hotel pool, and visits to famous towns on the lake such as Bellagio, Tremezzo, Che Ernobio, Varenna and Menaggio,” said Linda.
Who is visiting? Everyone who appreciates luxury and fine dining and has the budget to do it all. Lake Como is popular with newlyweds, multi-generational groups and families celebrating milestones.
Lake Garda
It would be unfair to say that Lake Garda is not as refined as Lake Como. If luxury hotels are high on your list, don’t worry: you can still find them here. But the size of the lake and the variety of accommodation, tours and activities attract a different crowd.
“Lake Garda is great for families and there are many small towns and historical monuments to visit around the lake,” says Linda. “This is a great place to stay if you plan to visit Verona and Venice and also want to go to amusement parks, play golf and enjoy the outdoors. People tend to move around more here.”
Stretching over 100 miles of coastline across three Italian regions (Lombardy, Trentino-Alto Adige, and Veneto), Lake Garda offers a diverse landscape dotted with culture and history. Its lofty microclimate means olive groves and grape vines thrive, and some of northern Italy’s best wines are produced here.
No trip to Lake Garda would be complete without visiting the rich and charming little villages along its shores, such as Limone Sur Garda, named after the lemon groves on the nearby hillsides. Malcesine’s castle, flowering trees and narrow cobbled streets allow you to spend a pleasant day shopping for locally produced olive oil and products made from Lake Garda lemons.
At the southern end of the lake, the public beach and medieval Sirmione are the main attractions. In this area you’ll also find amusement and water parks as well as some incredible archaeological sites, museums and Roman ruins, including the Grotte di Catullo, Spectacular remains of a large villa dating from the 1st century AD
The northern end of the lake is generally quieter and is frequented by tourists who enjoy the outdoors. Riva del Garda is located at the top of the lake and is a great base for outdoor adventures at the bottom dolomite.
While you can drive around Lake Garda, if you don’t want the hassle of transportation and parking, ferries and private boat rentals can get you from one point to another.
Who is visiting? Families with young children as well as multi-generational families who enjoy a variety of sightseeing and outdoor adventures.
Other things to do
In addition to sampling fresh Italian cuisine, sipping Sprite on the outdoor patio and snapping endless scenic photos, the to-do options in both areas are limited only by your imagination and your dream vacation wish list. Our Ciao Bambino consultants have many more ideas and connections for unique local experiences, but here are some suggestions.
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The town of Como is known as the Silk City of Italy. You can buy a silk souvenir (the epitome of Italian luxury and craftsmanship) or simply visit the Silk Museum, the only museum in the world that takes visitors through the production process from silkworms to colorful yarns.
Como’s indoor market on Via Mentana is a great place to buy flowers, local meats and cheeses, and produce grown in the area. Open every Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 7am to 1pm. In Dongo on the northwest coast, a weekly market is held every Thursday from 8am to 1pm year-round, selling a variety of fresh and prepared foods, clothing, locally grown fruit, vegetables and more.
In the 18th and 19th centuries, wealthy residents from Milan built large luxury villas on Lake Como to escape the city during the summer. Lucky us! Today, many of them are open to the public. Worth mentioning is the Villa del Balbianello in Lenno, situated on a promontory that juts into the lake, where you can explore the gardens and gorgeous interiors. The villa has appeared in several films, including casino royale.
The 17th-century Villa Carlotta in Tremezzo is famous for its gorgeous gardens and fountains, as well as its magnificent artwork, sculptures, paintings and furniture. Book tickets in advance.
A boat trip around the lake is a must, and the Navigazione Laghi service offers a variety of tickets, including a hop-on hop-off version. Some larger hotels will have their own boats.
The mountains surrounding Lake Como are suitable for hiking and climbing, but also make for pleasant walks. Try the Lake Como Greenway, a leisurely 6-mile hike through villages, gardens, and more.
Lake Garda
Lake Garda has four impressive water and amusement parks, such as Gardaland (You can find LEGOLAND® Water Park there).
Visit local castles such as the famous Sirmione Caligero Castle. Don’t miss the castle in Torri del Benaco, a smaller seaside village where the castle is now a museum just meters from the harbor full of boats.
Plan to take a public ferry or private hire boat to visit the towns, ruins and lakeside villas.
If you love the outdoors, be sure to visit Riva del Garda. This historic town at the northern end of the lake is a place many people yearn for windsurfingsailing, cycling, hiking and mountain climbing.
Visit a lemon grove (lemongrass) Lamalora exist Gargnano, which dates back to the 16th century.
A large number of wine varieties are grown in the area, and several wineries are open for tasting, including Pratello and Le Morette.
Related links:
Browse all accommodation and activities in Italy on Ciao Bambino
52 things you need to know before traveling to Italy with kids
Top tips for visiting Lake Como, Italy with kids
Perfect week for families on Lake Como
The stunning scenery and laid-back charm of Piedmont, Italy
Editor’s note: This article is accurate at the time of publication. We recommend checking independently for the latest information and updates. Ciao Bambino assumes no responsibility for any errors or omissions in the information provided, or for any actions taken as a result of the information provided.
