What People Won’t Tell You about Lake Como

6 Things People Won’t Say about Lake Como

— 1. Getting around Lake Como is Difficult —

Taxis are not widely used in the Lake Como Area. If you do manage to find one, it’ll only be in Como City, and they’re about as hard to spot as Carmen Sandiego.

 Ride share doesn’t exist.

Buses run every 30 to 60 minutes in high season. (And only until 9:00 PM!) Plus, that’s only if you’re lucky enough to have a spot because these buses won’t stop if they are full.

And keep in mind that the ferries are slow, and god forbid you are there in the off-season because they barely run. However, who’s in a rush anyway while they are on vacation?

The ferries are the way to go, but they only run every hour or so.

Due to the difficulties in getting around, you want to make sure you love the neighborhood you are in. You will be able to visit others, of course, but more than likely, if you eat late, you will need to eat dinner around your accommodation. 

Or else you might not be able to get home.  And nobody needs that type of stress on vacation.

Look, we ate at Hotel Tremezzo, and it was INCREDIBLE. But if your wallet isn’t George Clooney’s, I imagine you won’t be eating there every day.

All the meals that we ate on the lakeside terraces were good but nothing to write home about. Go for the views not for the food. You’ll have better luck wandering into the best restaurant of your life in Florence or Milan.

Hotel Tremezzo was incredible, and I highly recommend checking this place out for lunch or dinner. Plus, they served me pasta out of a cheese wheel! Dreams do come true.

 I may have seen more floppy sun hats in one hour there than I have in my cumulative life; however, it’s not all luxury and resort wear. You will find hikers there, and as shocking as it may seem, there are people who eat at the restaurants in gasp active wear.

Just be prepared that not everywhere will take you in if you are covered in dirt, sweat, and smell like…hard work. Also, side note–you can alcoholic slushies there! IF that doesn’t scream, “I’m here to let my hair down and out of my floppy hat,” I don’t know what does.

Lake Como is 90% about being outside, on the water, or sipping Aperol Spritzes at the beach clubs. When it’s downright pouring, there isn’t much to do.

Not to say you cannot enjoy walking around the gorgeous walkways and lakeside paths with an umbrella. Not to be negative, just to be realistic, getting good weather will affect the quality of your time here. There are museums, but remember to book ahead.

 A lot of the villas we wanted to visit were not only booked out for the week that we were there but they were booked out for weeks on end. You will thank yourself if you take an hour or two to plan out what you would like to do in Lake Como and make the necessary reservations well in advance to arriving.

For example, the Star Wars Villa, Villa del Balbianello, needs reservations 3 to 4 weeks in advance.

Inside Villa Carlotta, an unworldly “garden” with plants collected from all over the world.