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Lake Como

Italy's most elegant lake, draped in timeless glamour

Best Time to Visit
May — June, Sept — Oct
Budget Per Person
$3,500 — $14,000+
Flight From Dubai
~6.5 hours via MXP
Visa
Schengen Visa Required
Currency
EUR (Euro)
Languages
Italian & English

Curated Experiences

Hand-picked moments that define luxury in Lake Como

Classic wooden Riva speedboat cruising the glassy waters of Lake Como

Private Riva Speedboat Charter

Step aboard a lovingly restored mahogany Riva Aquarama and let a skilled skipper thread you between grand villas, hidden coves, and the dramatic fork of the lake at Bellagio. Champagne on board, the Alps reflected in the water — this is Lake Como as it was always meant to be experienced.

Colourful lakeside buildings of Bellagio perched above Lake Como, Italy

Bellagio & Varenna Village Hopping

Dock at the 'Pearl of the Lake' to wander Bellagio's stepped alleys and bougainvillea-draped terraces, then ferry across to Varenna where narrow lanes spill down to a sunlit promenade. A private guide navigates the timetables and local gems so every transfer feels curated, never rushed.

Villa del Balbianello on its wooded promontory above Lake Como at sunset

Villa del Balbianello & Villa Carlotta Gardens

Secure private guided access to the UNESCO-recognised Villa del Balbianello, whose loggia offers the most photographed view on the lake, then continue to Villa Carlotta in Tremezzo for its extraordinary botanic gardens ablaze with azaleas and tree ferns. A knowledgeable guide transforms each estate into a living chapter of Italian history.

Aerial panorama of Lake Como's twin branches and alpine villages from above

Seaplane Flight Over the Lake

Lift off from the Como waterfront aboard a De Havilland Beaver seaplane and bank over the entire Y-shaped lake, the snow-dusted Rhaetian Alps, and the terracotta rooftops of Cernobbio in one sweeping 30-minute arc. The bird's-eye view alone justifies the journey — a truly unmissable perspective on this ancient landscape.

Lakeside terrace restaurant with lake views at Lake Como, Italy

Lakeside Michelin Dining

Reserve a terrace table at La Terrazza at Grand Hotel Tremezzo or at Mandarin Oriental's Il Sereno restaurant, where the Michelin-recognised kitchen presents refined Lombard cuisine with the lake shimmering just beyond the railing. Every dish is a meditation on Italian terroir and the finest local ingredients.

Elegant cobblestone street of Bellagio lined with boutiques, Lake Como

Milan Fashion Day Trip

A chauffeured 45-minute transfer puts you at the heart of Milan's Quadrilatero della Moda — Via della Spiga, Via Montenapoleone, and the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II. A personal shopper can be arranged, and lunch at a celebrated Milanese address rounds out a flawlessly curated day before the lakeside return.

Sample Itineraries

Customizable journeys tailored to your travel style

3 Days

Lake Como Essentials

Perfect for Romantic Getaways
Day 1: Arrive into Malpensa and transfer to Cernobbio. Check in to Villa d'Este, take a private Riva boat tour along the central lake, and dine lakeside at the hotel's Grill restaurant as the evening lights shimmer across the water.
Day 2: Morning guided visit to Villa del Balbianello and Villa Carlotta gardens, followed by a leisurely village hop to Bellagio for lunch at a waterfront trattoria. Afternoon at leisure, evening aperitivo overlooking the lake.
Day 3: Seaplane flight over the lake for a breathtaking aerial farewell, a final espresso in Varenna's harbour square, then a chauffeured transfer to Malpensa for your onward flight.
5 Days

La Dolce Vita on the Lake

Perfect for Culinary & Cultural
Day 1: Private transfer from Milan Malpensa to Tremezzo. Check in to Grand Hotel Tremezzo and enjoy an introductory Riva boat cruise with a welcome Franciacorta toast as the afternoon sun warms the western shore.
Day 2: Guided gardens tour at Villa Carlotta followed by a ferry to Bellagio for a cooking class featuring classic risotto al pesce persico at a lakeside estate, with wine pairings from Lombardy's Franciacorta DOCG.
Day 3: Chauffeured day trip to Milan for Quadrilatero della Moda boutique exploration, lunch with views over Parco Sempione, and the Pinacoteca di Brera for Raphael and Caravaggio before the evening lakeside return.
Day 4: Private guided visit to Villa del Balbianello at opening hour, then a ferry to Varenna for an afternoon on the Passeggiata degli Innamorati promenade. Michelin dinner at Il Sereno with the lake lit below.
Day 5: Morning seaplane flight for sweeping alpine panoramas, a final leisurely breakfast on the hotel terrace, and a private transfer to Malpensa for departure.
7 Days

The Grand Lake Como Week

Perfect for Slow Travel & Wellbeing
Day 1: Arrive at Malpensa and transfer to Villa d'Este in Cernobbio for check-in. Begin with a lakeside welcome dinner and a guided tour of the 16th-century Cypress Alley and renaissance park.
Day 2: Full-day Riva boat charter exploring the lesser-visited western shore — Lenno, Ossuccio, and the island of Comacina — with a catered lunch on board and a swim stop in a crystal-clear cove beneath Monte di Lenno.
Day 3: Morning yoga on the Villa d'Este pontoon, then a chauffeured journey to Lugano across the Swiss border for a lakeside lunch at Ristorante Principe Leopoldo and a stroll through Lugano's Old Town.
Day 4: Gardens day: private access to Villa Carlotta and Villa Monastero in Varenna guided by a botanist. An elegant aperitivo is served on the Varenna jetty at sunset, followed by dinner in the old fishing quarter.
Day 5: Milan full-day: private shopper in the Quadrilatero, VIP access to La Scala opera house backstage tour, and a tasting menu at a celebrated Milanese restaurant before the evening return by private car.
Day 6: Seaplane flight in the morning for aerial photography, afternoon wellness at Mandarin Oriental's lakeside spa with personalised Lombard-herb treatments, and a gala farewell dinner at Passalacqua.
Day 7: A final slow morning on the terrace — caffe, brioche, the lake at its most tranquil — before a private transfer to Malpensa for your homeward flight, memories of La Dolce Vita firmly in hand.

Iconic Hotels & Stays

Where you'll rest your head in absolute luxury

Villa d'Este, Cernobbio

Historic Palace Luxury
From $1,400/night
  • 16th-century lakeside park
  • Mosaic pool on the lake
  • Private marina & fleet

Grand Hotel Tremezzo

Belle Époque Luxury
From $900/night
  • Floating lake pool
  • Michelin-recognised La Terrazza
  • Heritage boathouse & Riva fleet

Mandarin Oriental Lago di Como

Contemporary Luxury
From $1,100/night
  • Signature lakeside spa
  • Il Sereno fine-dining restaurant
  • Infinity pool over the water

Passalacqua, Moltrasio

Boutique Ultra-Luxury
From $2,000/night
  • World's Best Hotel 2023 (50 Best)
  • All-inclusive villa experience
  • Private period gardens & pool

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about Lake Como

When is the best time to visit Lake Como? +
May through June and September through October offer the most rewarding conditions — warm, sunny days, manageable visitor numbers, and the lake at its most photogenic. July and August are peak season with higher rates and busier ferries, while November through March sees most lakeside restaurants and smaller hotels close for the season.
How much does a luxury trip to Lake Como cost? +
A curated luxury week at Lake Como typically ranges from $3,500 to $14,000+ per person, depending on the choice of hotel and private experiences. World-class properties such as Passalacqua and Villa d'Este command the highest rates, while a carefully planned itinerary combining boutique stays with private boat charters and Michelin dining can be structured across a range of budgets.
What are the must-see attractions at Lake Como? +
The UNESCO-listed Villa del Balbianello is the lake's most iconic landmark, its terraced loggia offering panoramic views across the western branch. Bellagio's stepped alleys and waterfront, the botanical gardens of Villa Carlotta in Tremezzo, the cliff-side village of Varenna, and the historic town of Como with its cathedral are all essential. A seaplane flight provides the most unforgettable perspective of all.
Is Lake Como safe for travellers? +
Lake Como is one of Italy's safest destinations and consistently rates highly for visitor security. Normal city-travel precautions apply in busier centres such as Como town and Bellagio during peak season. The lake's small villages and luxury resorts maintain exceptionally low crime rates, and the hospitality infrastructure is well accustomed to international guests.
How do I get around Lake Como? +
The ferry network is the most scenic and practical way to move between villages, with regular services connecting Como, Cernobbio, Tremezzo, Bellagio, and Varenna. For complete flexibility, a private Riva boat charter eliminates timetables entirely. Chauffeured cars are ideal for day trips to Milan or cross-border excursions to Lugano. The SS340 lakeside road is famously scenic but can be slow in peak season.
Do UAE residents need a visa for Lake Como? +
Italy is part of the Schengen Area, so UAE nationals and most GCC passport holders require a Schengen visa prior to travel. The visa covers all 27 Schengen member states for up to 90 days within a 180-day period. Unmatched Journeys can connect you with a specialist visa service to ensure documentation is in order well ahead of your departure.
Can I combine Lake Como with other Italian destinations? +
Absolutely. Lake Como pairs seamlessly with Milan (45 minutes by car), and a broader Italian itinerary might include Venice, Florence, or the Amalfi Coast. The Malpensa airport also offers convenient connections to the French Riviera and the wider Mediterranean. Unmatched Journeys specialises in multi-destination Italian journeys, handling all logistics so transitions feel effortless.
Can Unmatched Journeys plan a custom Lake Como itinerary? +
Absolutely — bespoke Lake Como journeys are one of our most requested experiences. Aria, our AI travel expert, is available around the clock to design your itinerary from scratch: selecting the right villa hotels, securing private boat charters, organising VIP garden access, and curating every dining reservation. Simply tell Aria your dates, travel style, and wishlist — and she will craft an effortless Lake Como escape tailored precisely to you.

Ready to Experience Lake Como?

Let Aria craft your perfect luxury Lake Como itinerary — private villas, classic Riva boats, and the timeless elegance of the Italian lakes await.

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