36 Hours on Lake Como: Essentials With Ferries and Iconic Villas

One night is enough for a focused highlights run. This plan connects Menaggio, Varenna, Bellagio, Villa del Balbianello, and Villa Carlotta with simple ferry hops and time where it counts.

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Plan at a glance

• Day 1 morning: Como → Menaggio by ferry

• Late morning: Villa del Balbianello (Lenno)

• Afternoon: Villa Carlotta (Tremezzo)

• Evening: Dinner and overnight in Menaggio

• Day 2 morning: Varenna breakfast and lakeside walk

• Lunch: Bellagio

• Afternoon: Ferry back to Como for your train

Day 1

Morning: Como to Menaggio

Route
Arrive at Como San Giovanni, walk to the pier, ride a mid-lake ferry to Menaggio.
Check times here: Navigazione Laghi – Lake Como timetables.

Time budget
45 to 60 minutes on the water, plus boarding.

Do
Shoot your first shoreline photos from the open deck. In Menaggio, take a short loop along the promenade before moving on.

Late morning: Villa del Balbianello (Lenno)

Route
From Menaggio, ferry or bus to Lenno. Walk the lakeside path or take the small shuttle boat to the gate.

Time budget
90 to 120 minutes.

See
The terraced gardens and the loggia viewpoint over the peninsula.

Link
Tickets and info: Villa del Balbianello (FAI official).

Coffee idea
Quick espresso on the Lenno waterfront before you continue.

Afternoon: Villa Carlotta (Tremezzo)

Route
Short hop along the shore from Lenno to Tremezzo.

Time budget
60 to 90 minutes.

See
Botanical park in any season and a fast pass through the neoclassical halls.

Link
Details and opening hours: Villa Carlotta.

Snack
Gelato or a coffee on the lakeside promenade facing the mid-lake triangle.

Evening: Menaggio

Time budget
2 to 3 hours.

Do
Sunset on the promenade, dinner with a lake view, and a relaxed walk through the old lanes.
Optional short uphill stroll toward Loveno for a simple viewpoint back to the water.

Day 2

Morning: Varenna

Route
Ferry from Menaggio to Varenna.

Time budget
2 to 3 hours including breakfast.

Do
Breakfast by the water. Walk the Passeggiata degli Innamorati boardwalk.
If you have time, add a quick garden visit: Villa Monastero.

Optional
If you move fast, a short climb to a viewpoint over the pastel houses.

Lunch: Bellagio

Route
Short ferry from Varenna to Bellagio.

Time budget
About 2 hours.

Do
Stroll the stepped lanes and browse small artisan shops.
For a calm walk after lunch, follow the lakeside path near the Gardens of Villa Melzi.

Quick photo stop
Punta Spartivento for the classic mid-lake panorama.

Afternoon: Back to Como

Route
Ferry from Bellagio to Como.

Time budget
Board with buffer for your train.

If you have spare time in Como
Espresso in Piazza Cavour, a short look at the Duomo, or the waterfront path toward the funicular base.

Routing and timing basics

• Como → Menaggio ferry: about 45 to 60 minutes

• Menaggio → Lenno: 15 to 25 minutes

• Lenno → Tremezzo: 10 to 20 minutes

• Mid-lake hops between Varenna, Bellagio, Menaggio: 10 to 20 minutes

• Aim to arrive 15 to 20 minutes early for popular departures in high season

Practical tips

• Check ferry times the night before and again in the morning

• Reserve Balbianello and Carlotta in busy months to avoid queues

• Wear comfortable shoes for stone paths and garden steps

• Travel light if you can. It speeds up every stop