Day Trips from Lake Como (That Are Actually Worth the Effort)

1. Lugano, Switzerland:

Hop the Border for Swiss Chocolate & Lake View

Distance / Transit: ~45–60 minutes by train or car from Como Town.

Why Go: Unfortunately, you won’t get your passport stamped, but you do get to cross an international border and eat fondue/chocolate until your heart’s content! I’d suggest a stroll along the Sentiero dell’Olivo (Olive Grove Trail), a trip up the Monte Brè or San Salvatore funiculars (better than the Como Funicular), or maybe a chocolate tasting tour?? Fun fact: there is no legal limit to how much chocolate you can bring back to the USA. Just putting that out there.

Reality Check: This is often considered one of the easiest 1-day trips from Lake Como. Just know that the vibe in Lugano is considered upscale yet not pretentious. Love that. It’s a fun 1-day contrast if you want a change of pace from standard ferry hopping.

When I stopped over in Switzerland, I took it as an opportunity to grab all the souvenirs for my friends and family. Lake Como is incredible, but I’m not about to bring home a 150-euro scarf to all my closest friends. But they loved the chocolate!

2. Milan:

Fashion, Duomo Roofs & Big City Energy

Distance / Transit: 40–60 minutes via direct train from Como San Giovanni or Varenna-Esino.

Why Go: Had we not just come from Milan to Lake Como, we would have done this day trip because it’s perfect for a rainy day or when you crave high-fashion people-watching paired with incredible food. I mention in my other articles that Lake Como isn’t known for their cuisine, but Milan is (try risotto milanese), so take advantage.  Key stops include the Duomo rooftops, Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, and trendy neighborhood drinks in Navigli. I also HIGHLY recommend heading to Guendj for iconic high-end thrifted and handmade leather jackets.

Reality Check: Don’t drive; it’ll turn a lovely day trip into a cursing side quest of hell. Between the traffic and the TL zones, it’s not worth the car. It’s easy enough to get to Milan by train and around Milan by subway.

I was truly surprised how much I liked Milan. I wasn’t overly excited to visit because I hear that it’s very industrial, which is not my vibe. But it was surprisingly quaint in some neighborhoods. I could almost imagine myself living here between the strolls along the river, the morning markets, and the countless pistachio croissants.

3. Lake Garda:

Bigger, Bolder, and Built for Adventure

(Better for an overnight stay)

Distance / Transit: ~2 hours in total by train (direct high-speed from Milan Centrale to Peschiera del Garda or Desenzano) or a ~3-hour drive (depending on traffic of course).

Why Go: Shhhh, some people say Lake Garda is better than Lake Como. It’s a hot online debate. Lake Garda is Italy’s largest lake and offers a completely different vibe than Como. While Como is vertical, dramatic, and narrow, Garda is wide, breezy, and packed with medieval castles right on the water (like Sirmione’s Scaligero Castle). Also to note, Lake Garda is generally regarded as more accessible than Lake Como.

Reality Check: As I said, it’s a heated debate which is better-Lake Como or Lake Garda. The consensus: Como has more dramatic scenery and celebrity villas, but Garda has far better beach access, a much larger local wine/dining scene, and feels more varied and less pretentious. Just keep in mind that Garda is huge—for a day trip, stick to the southern towns like Sirmione or Desenzano so you aren’t spending your entire day in transit. But this is truly a better 1-night overstay than a day trip. But it’s too incredible a place not to mention.

Surprisingly, in my opinion, it didn’t feel like there were too many beach areas accessible in Lake Como. The internet says otherwise, but oh well. Lake Garda is known for being Italy’s beach holiday destination with bonus warmer water!

4. Bergamo (Città Alta):

The Medieval Hidden Gem

Distance / Transit: ~1 hour 15 minutes by car, or ~1.5 to 2 hours by train (connecting via Lecco).

Why Go: Divided into two levels—the lower modern town (Città Bassa) filled with great shopping, museums, and tree-lined streets, and the upper level– an ancient medieval walled hilltop city (Città Alta). Ride the funicular (running since 1887!) up to the old town, wander cobble streets, and try Polenta e Osei or Casoncelli pasta. Citta Alta is considered one of the most fascinating places in Lombardy due to its combo pack of crazy alpine views and a timeless city steeped in history now regarded as a UNESCO Heritage Site. (Specifically the wall, but tomatoes, tomatoes).

Reality Check: One of the most underrated day trips in Northern Italy. You won’t be hearing more English here than Italian, which is more than I can say for Bellagio. 

After a few days of bumping into more southern accents than Italian nonna’s, I wish we had decided to take a day trip out here. The giant medieval wall itself is something to see. I mean anything draped with the title “UNESCO Heritage Site” gets me all excited. 

5. The Bernina Express to St. Moritz:

The Alpine Bucket List

Distance / Transit: Train from Varenna to Tirano (~1.5 hours), then hop on the Bernina Express up to St. Moritz, Switzerland.

Why Go:  Besides the actual destination of St. Moritz, the opportunity to board the Bernina Express could be a worthwhile day trip in and of itself! St. Moritz is filled with glaciers, upscale boutiques, and year-round scenic gondola rides. This is where you go for high-altitude Swiss luxury.

Reality Check: Even if you think it’s a bit far, consider going for the train trip. It’s considered a bucket list activity for good reason and is regarded as one of the most breathtaking train rides in Europe, and that’s saying something. But insider tip: you don’t necessarily have to pay extra for the official “Bernina Express” panoramic train; the local regional trains run on the exact same tracks, have windows you can actually open for photos, and cost significantly less.

I’ve taken my fair share of trains in Europe, and anything “regarded as one of the best train trips in Europe” is worth researching. My favorite trip (besides the 24-hour train to Tibet) was the train we took in Interlaken, Switzerland. There’s nothing I can imagine that compares in fantastical measure to seeing Switzerland through the glass of a train car.

6. Lake Maggiore & The Borromean Islands:

Peak Villa Rivalry

Distance / Transit: ~1.5 hours drive from Como, or 2.5 hours via train through Milan to Stresa.

Why Go: On the other side of trying to get a different taste besides elaborate villas you have Lake Maggiore’s. The option for those of us who can’t get enough spectacular eye candy and meticulously kept gardens. Lake Maggiore’s Isola Bella and Isola Madre feature palace grounds with white peacocks roaming free. PEACOCKS!

Reality Check: It can seem redundant to swap one breathtaking Italian lake escape for another but the vibe of Lake Maggiore is far more relaxed than Lake Como. It gives opulent villa life complete with peacocks without the feeling of needing to be dressed in your finest silks for the occasion (of course, the choice is still yours!).  However, pay attention to logistics and make sure you head home early to avoid traffic and difficult transit.

Wandering the streets of Lake Como, you might feel like you need to bring your A game. Though we enjoyed strolling the streets one day in active wear after hiking and one day in our beautiful sun dresses, we didn’t always feel comfortable. Lake Como begs its visitors to put their best foot forward. Lake Maggiore might be a better option for those who need to let their hair down a bit but still want to wander lush beautiful gardens.   

Essential Tips for Day Trips from Lake Como

Trains vs. Ferries vs. Cars: Renting a car around Lake Como can be stressful due to narrow roads and nonexistent parking; stick to Trenitalia regional trains whenever possible.

NOTE: Some places handle cars better than others. For instance, Lake Garda is far more car-friendly than Lake Como. And it might be worthwhile to rent a car to get to Bergamo since it’s just about 1.5 hour. Plus you can hit the wineries and the mountain villages in the foothills around Bergamo that trains simply don’t reach.

Passport Warning: If heading to Lugano or St. Moritz, always pack your physical passport—border checks do happen on trains and highway crossings.

Timing: Leave early in the morning! And early in the evening! Summer crowds build up quickly at ferry docks and train stations. You don’t want to be dealing with last ferry stress after a long day out. 

Aim to be back at your Lake Como base between 6:00 PM and 7:00 PM.