Como is a city located in the north of Italy, just below its border with Switzerland. It is famous for the magnificent lake that has been the source of numerous film and photograph shoots.
But most importantly Como is an area of serenity. The massive lake is still, and when you stand at the shore you can hear little but the lapping of water and the wind. It is a beautiful area and everybody should get the opportunity to visit there.
So relax, and find out why you need to visit Como, Italy.
The Villas and Palaces
Como has innumerably beautiful houses, however no residential building can compare with the historic villas and palaces. Most of the villas were constructed in the late 1700’s. The incredible Villa del Balbianello was constructed in 1787 for the Cardinal Angelo Maria Durini, presently however it is a tourist haven. The villa houses beautiful gardens and the walls of the villa are covered in a stunning variety of vines. The villa is so magnificent that it has been used for numerous film shoots, most famously Casino Royale and Star Wars II Attack of the Clones.
The Cathedral of Como is also a must see. The intricacies of the carved marble statues and the beautiful intricate frescos of the Duomo are a sight that must be seen in your lifetime. There are few buildings in the world than compare with the Italian churches.
Lake Como
Lake Como is one of the main reasons why tourists everywhere flock to Como. It is a source great natural beauty, feeding numerous species of flora and fauna. However the lake also acts as a fantastic way to get around. You can hire a private boat to explore all of the gardens and villas that line the shore or you can go for a hike and explore the old fashioned way. Rest assured no matter how you go exploring there will always be something to see.
The best way to get around Como is by ferry. There is a regular service which leaves from the dock and travels up and down the lake, which is one of the cheaper ways to see all of the amazing sights. You won’t miss anything, as pretty much all of the sites are visible from the water and easily accessed from wharves.
If you do decide on catching a ferry we recommend a day trip to the town of Bellagio. A beautiful town situated at one of the most northern parts of Italy, Bellagio is known as the ‘Pearl of Lake Como.’ The reasoning behind this? The perfect climate of the area means that there is a plentiful supply of trees and flowers that grow all over the countryside. The greenery really helps add to the scenic blues of Lake Como, making your relaxation experience even better.
The Pigra Cable Car
Some people (myself included) are not the biggest fans of heights, but even I can admit when there is a view so magnificent that it must be seen this fear must be overcome. The Pigra Cable Car is an example of this, it’s scary, but oh so worth it. Going up the cableway you get a panoramic view of Como City, with the mountains forming a border around the blue waters of Lake Como. On a good day the clouds form around the top of the mountains creating a stunning display that makes for the best photos.
The town of Pigra at the top of the cableway is a beautiful hamlet, but other than the views there isn’t a lot to do, however if you have the time take the walk from Pigra to Colonno. The track takes you through the countryside with more great views of Lake Como and Como City, as well as showing off some of the more scenic towns and villas that line the water and mountainside. From Colonno you can catch a bus back to wherever you came from, or if the day is still young you can stop off at Sala Comacina for a swim and a coffee.
After all there is nothing better than putting back on those calories that you burn off by the walk.