Tremezzo vs Blevio vs Moltrasio vs Menaggio
Grand Hotel Tremezzo, opposite Bellagio, is the lake's most central and photographed base, its pool cantilevered directly over the water. Mandarin Oriental, Lago di Como in Blevio and Passalacqua in Moltrasio both sit on quieter stretches of shoreline a short boat ride from the bustle, with Passalacqua recently ranked the world's best hotel. Grand Hotel Victoria in Menaggio, on the lake's western shore, leans into a spa-focused stay.
Getting to and around the lake
Fly into Milan (MXP or LIN), then about one hour by car or train to Como town, followed by a lake ferry or hotel transfer to your shoreline village. Once on the lake, ferries are the practical way to move between villages — the shoreline roads are narrow and slow by comparison.
“On Lake Como, the boat is the road — every shoreline village connects by ferry faster than the winding coast roads allow.”
Bellagio and Villa del Balbianello
Bellagio's promontory, where the lake's three arms meet, is the classic day-trip village — steep stone staircases, lakefront cafés and boutique shopping. Villa del Balbianello's terraced gardens, reachable only by boat or footpath from Lenno, are the lake's most photographed private garden.