Overnight in ‘The Convo’
The city of Como is nestled in the southwestern part of Lake Como. Its location on the shores of Lake Como and its proximity to the majestic Alps has made Como a popular destination for tourists. Como also happens to be the birthplace of the notable scientist Alessandro Volta, inventor of the electric battery.
The cheapest option to travel to Como from Milan is the train, but we had a lot of luggage between the 4 of us and hence decided to take a taxi. It was €150 for the 1 hour ride from Milan to Como. We checked into our hotel and then went out to explore the town.
In addition to sites in the town of Como, lake Como boasts numerous charming villages on its shores, each offering unique experiences. Popular choices include Bellagio, Varenna, and Lecco. These villages can be reached by train, bus, ferry, or a car. Going by a Ferry is a popular option as it offers beautiful views of the lake. If you want to go by Ferry, it is a good idea to buy tickets online and ahead of time. Else, you will have to go early in the morning and wait in line to get Ferry tickets for that day – the lines are long and tickets sell fast. Private boats are available and cost close to €200/person for a 3 hour trip. Another option to visit these charming villages, is to take public transport. We decided to skip visit to a village and spend time in the town of Como.
The town of Como is easy to walk around and the tourist attractions are all within walking distance.
- Piazza Cavour
- Piazza del Duomo and Como Cathedral
- Funicular to Brunate
- Lake Como
- Volta Museum
Piazza Cavour – Most sightseeing tours start at this main square from where you get a beautiful view of the lake.
Piazza del Duomo – A short 4 min walk from Piazza Cavour will take you to another square, one side of which is dominated by the Como Cathedral. The square also features charming cafes and is a hub for local events and performances.
Como Cathedral – The Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta is one of the most important religious buildings of northern Italy and the main place of worship in Lake Como. It took around 400 years to built. The construction started in 1396, on the site of an another church, and finished in the first half of the 18th century when the cupola was built. The façade is one of the most important examples of late Gothic in Northern Italy.
Brunate – Known as the “balcony over the Alps”, the village of Brunate which is almost directly above Como is a popular place from where you get spectacular views of Lake Como and the surrounding Alps. A funicular that has been operating since 1894 connects the city of Como with Brunate.
There are 2 ways to get to Brunate –
- Funicular – You can purchase tickets directly at the funicular station in Como before boarding. There is no provision to get them online. We visited this place on May 31st, 2025 and the cost of ticket was €6:60/person. At 10:30am the line to get tickets was pretty long (the earlier you get here the better). We waited in line for 70 minutes to get tickets and another 20 min before we got into the funicular. It takes less than 10 min on the funicular to get to the top.
- Hike – If you feel energetic and you are fit, you can hike up to Brunate, following the funicular path, which is approximately 2.4 miles long with an elevation gain of 500m and takes a little more than 2 hours. It is considered a moderately challenging hike, with a mix of paved and dirt roads, and offers beautiful views of Lake Como.
Once you get to the top, there are many places from where you get spectacular views of Lake Como and the city. There are also a couple of restaurants.
Brunate, Voltiano Lighthouse – The Voltiano Lighthouse is dedicated to the scientist Alessandro Volta, inventor of electric battery. It was built in 1927 on the centenary of Volta’s death. We took a shuttle to the lighthouse (€10). You can walk up the steep path to the lighthouse if you feel up to it. The walk will take 40-50 minutes depending on your fitness. The lighthouse was not open, but we got a stunning view of another part of Lake Como.
Walking around Lake Como – The narrow and fjord-like Lake Como (Lago di Como in Italian) is 50 kilometers long and shaped like an inverted Y. In the evening, we took a relaxed walk along the lake and watched the sunset.
Lake Como, Volta Museum – As you walk along the lake you will come across a prominent, white Neoclassical building which is the Tempio Voltiano, a museum commemorating Alessandro Volta, the local resident whose name is given to the electric volt. His invention of the electric battery in 1800 created the first source of continuous electrical current. Built in 1927 to commemorate the centennial of Volta’s death, the museum contains equipment used in his research.
Lake Como, Life Electric – Located at the end of the Diga Foranea breakwater (pier), this steel sculpture is a tribute to the physicist Alessandro Volta, who was born in Como. The sculpture is 16.5 m high and was dedicated to Volta in 2015.
My opinion of Como – Overrated, Overhyped and Overpriced. There are many lakes in USA that are more beautiful, maybe they don’t have the small towns dotting the mountains.