Last Updated on July 16, 2026 by Sammie
When is the Best Time to Visit Lake Como?
(Seasonal Realities You Need To Know)
Disclosure: I earn a small commission if you make a purchase through some of my links at no additional cost to you! The income goes to keeping this site updated and free for everyone!
This could be a very short blog post.
Question: When is the best time to visit Lake Como?
Answer: Not the winter.
While that painstakingly long explanation is true, it’s far from helpful. And that’s why I’m here, to attempt to be helpful.
The gorgeous Villa Balbianello
Let’s get to it, there’s a painful difference between the sun-drenched terraces decked out with the finest wine and pasta and the reality of showing up in the wrong month. And while we technically showed up in the shoulder season, we still had major difficulties with transportation and weather.
On my one-week holiday from my circus show in Macau, China, I was itching to get some sunshine and proper Italian food. I love living in Asia, but sometimes I crave the slow European flow of lunch with a glass of wine. And I was leaving rainy season behind so I NEEDED vitamin D. Unfortunately, that did not happen.
I met my mom and sister in Milan, and we took the train from Milan to Lake Como. It was May, which is technically the “perfect” shoulder season to visit. However, it was slow, cold, and rainier than monsoon season in Southeast Asia.
So, when is the absolute best time to drop everything and catch a flight to Northern Italy? Let’s go over what the internet says and what I say about that.
TIP:
I highly suggest flying into Milan Airport to start. From there, it’s fairly straightforward to get there. You’ll take a train from Milano Centrale to either Como San Giovanni or Como Nord Lago. I suggest the latter, so you can easily hop onto a ferry to get to your destination.
“Technically” the Perfect Time to visit Lake Como: Shoulder Season
(April to June & September to October)
This window of time will give you the fewest crowds with the most restaurants, cafes, and shops open. That being said, temperatures average around 60 degrees Fahrenheit, so if you want to swim, push your dates further into the summer months.
Spring (April – June)
The best part about coming in the spring is the flowers. The iconic villa gardens—like Villa Carlotta and Villa Monastero—burst into full bloom. The air is crisp, so you definitely won’t be sweating through your sundress. On the contrary, you’ll want to bring a jacket.
Reality:
Early May can still bring freezing temperatures. We got caught in a cold front, and it poured and poured, and the wind chilled us to the bone. I ended up getting sick and missing out on the last few days in paradise. Plus, while the internet tells you spring is pure perfection, if it’s cold, you might stay cold because a lot of local spots don’t run their heat past winter.
Logistics:
Not great. The ferries begin their full schedule in late May and go until early October. The full schedule includes running ferries every 30 to 60 minutes. Therefore, reduced ferry times leave you with even fewer options. Before late May, ferries run roughly from 7 am to 8 pm. Buses are on a reduced timetable until late June.
Early Autumn (September)
This truly may be the best month to visit. In September, the lake is still warm enough to enjoy while the air gets cool enough in the evenings to give your body a rest. The heavy tourist crowds from the summer holidays thin, and there are plenty of food festivals to take part in.
Reality:
The weather is still not guaranteed. Waiting until September means you’ll be gambling with rainstorms. You may get lucky and have a quiet Lake Como to yourself and a few neighbors, or you may be passing your afternoon in a gelateria waiting for the rain to clear. Honestly, neither sounds too bad.
Logistics:
Ferries are running frequently and late into the evenings. Buses you need to pay attention to. Before September 14th the buses are on their high-frequency summer timetable. After September 14th (approximately), they switch to their reduced winter timetable.
Peak Summer: The High-Season
(July & August)
You want sunshine? I give you the time of sunshine. Summer in Lake Como is the stuff Netflix series are made of. It’s vibrating with life, and the lake is glistening (and slowly warming up) under the hot sun. If your priorities lie with cruising on a boat or at a beach club with a spritz in hand, book your trip for July or August.
July & August in Lake Como
It’s high season for a reason. It’s hard to beat the beckoning call of the clear Lake Como waters when the sun is beating down.
Reality:
You will be sharing this dream with thousands of your closest friends. Traffic on the narrow roads is a nightmare; don’t even try to bring a car. It won’t be worth it. Even if you don’t get into an accident, you’ll never find a parking spot. Weather is hot, and the sun is strong. If you’re sensitive to heat, this time of year might be a pass.
Logistics:
Buses and ferries are running on their high-frequency timetable, but that’s for good reason. There are lots of people. Make sure you book your ferry tickets in advance and accept paying peak prices.
The Dead Zone: Winter
(November to March)
As nice as it is to dream of escaping the grey cold bubble that is winter in the Midwest or practically anywhere in the USA, this isn’t the time to escape to Lake Como. Just like my motivation for literally anything, Lake Como goes into hibernation for the wintertime.
Winter in Lake Como
Even if you’re convincing yourself this time of year is still a good idea because you can handle a few cafes being closed, know that the major sightseeing villas close their doors for the season. You’ll struggle to find a good hotel that’s open, and there are few shops open where you can abuse your credit card.
Reality:
Skip Lake Como in the winter. Unless you’re planning on going and staying alone in your hotel the entire time, it isn’t worth it.
Logistics:
Difficult. Buses and ferries have limited timetables and stop early. Plus, where are you going? Everything is closed.
Lake Como in the winter is the exact opposite of a lively trip of villa hopping and good food. The ferries reduce their daily routes to a bare-bones schedule connecting only a few central towns. It gets dark by 4:00 or 5:00 PM, leaving the lakeside villages feeling like beautiful ghost towns.
That said, if you want total solitude, cheap accommodation, and don’t mind just staring at snow-capped mountains while drinking espresso in a quiet corner of Como town, you might find it romantic. Just know what you’re getting into before you land.
Just saying…
My mom and I visited Cinque Terre in the off season and it is one of my fondest memories. We sat in the only bar open and drank glass after glass of fantastic red wine. We played gin rummy while watching the snow fill the streets of Cinque Terre for “the first time in 10 years!!”
The Final Verdict
If I have to choose a single perfect week to experience the lake at its finest, aim for the first two weeks of September. You get the summer warmth, full ferry access, operating restaurants, and just enough room to breathe on the sidewalks.
My dad and stepmom have visited multiple times in September, and I have yet to hear anything besides songbird statements from the two of them. In comparison, we stayed in May and had a few regrets. One being only having one day of sunshine the entire time we were there. And two, not finding a single taxi when the buses and ferries stopped running.
Read my full post on
Planning a trip to Northern Italy soon or trying to figure out your ferry routes? Drop a comment below with your travel dates, and let’s get your itinerary sorted!
If you like what you read, please feel free to share :)!
