Lake Como or Lake Maggiore? Where Should You Go?

It is easy to see why you may have a hard time choosing between Lake Como and Lake Maggiore. The Italian lakes offer beauty like no other.  

Don’t worry, you’re not alone. We had the same question and struggled to choose between Lake Como and Lake Maggiore. In the end, we made the decision to go to Lake Como. More recently though, we also visited Lake Maggiore. Having been to both the lakes, I thought I’d give a run-down of the two places, to make it easy for you to decide.

Lake Como

Located at the foothills of the Alps, Lake Como is the third largest lake in Italy. Shaped like an inverted Y, the picturesque towns surrounding the lake are dotted with luxurious villas and enchanting gardens. Lake Como is quintessential of wealth and class.

Where to stay in Lake Como

With over 30 towns surrounding the lake, it may be a bit overwhelming to decide on where stay. Here is a list of some of the best towns you can choose from:

Varenna

Opposite Belaggio and Menaggio lies the quaint town of Varenna. There’s deceptively plenty to do in this small charming town. Whether it’s hiking to castle ruins with panoramic views of the Lake, getting lost in steep cobbled streets or strolling through grand villas and gardens; there’s something for everyone. The town’s idyllic waterfront is perfect for a romantic stroll and dinner at sunset. It makes for the ideal destination for couples.

Belaggio

This is the tourist hotspot in Lake Como and is commonly referred to as the Pearl of Lake Como. There are plenty of authentic restaurants and grand lake view hotels to choose for your stay. However, with more hotels and B&Bs than residential houses, Belaggio can get very crowded in the peak seasons. Nonetheless, it makes for a romantic town in the evening when the hustle and bustle die down.

Menaggio

Another popular destination in Lake Como, Menaggio is ideal for the adventurous traveller. With plenty of hikes, walking trails and water sports, it makes for a great base for your Como adventures.

Como

The city of Como is where you should stay if you want a livelier place with good nightlife. It’s not the most relaxing place to stay, nor does it have many lake-view hotels. However, it is located next to the Swiss border and is easily reached from Milan, making it the ideal location for a stop before coming from/heading to Switzerland. The city is also known for its production of silk, so you can expect to find some good quality silk in the shops there.     

How to get there

Train to Como (Como S. Giovani station) from:

• Milan Central (duration: 40 mins, cost: starts at €4.80)
• Milano Porta Garibaldi (duration: 1 hr, cost: €4.80)
• Milano Cadorna (duration: 1 hr, cost: €4.80)
• Malpensa (duration: 1hr 30 mins, cost: €17).

There are frequent trains and therefore there’s no need to pre-book the tickets There are plenty of buses and trains from Malpensa Airport, Bergamo Airport and Linate Airport to Milano Centrale. Most people are likely to get the train from Milano Centrale.

Train to Varenna (Varenna Esino station) from:

• Milan Central (duration: 1 hr, cost: €6.70)

If you’re heading to any other town, the best option is to either go to Como or Varenna by train and then get a ferry.

You could drive if you wanted, but honestly, the trains are in general, much more convenient, cheaper and quicker. Having said that, if you have plenty of time on your hands and want to explore off the beaten paths, perhaps renting a car would be a better option.

Things to do in Lake Como

There are tons of exciting things you could enjoy in Lake Como. Here are some of the best things to do in Lake Como:

Villa hopping

Lake Como is famous for its luxurious villas. Even celebrities like George Clooney and Sir Richard Branson treated themselves to one! Obviously, you won’t be able to go knocking on their doors. However, there’s plenty of grand villas with elaborate gardens that you can visit. Villa del Balbianello, Villa Carlotta, i Giardini di Villa Melzi and Villa Monastero are just some of the ones you can take a stroll in. Did you know that some of the scenes in James Bond: Casino Royale were shot at Villa del Balbianello?

Explore the lake

Rent a boat for yourself and discover the lake in its entirety at your own pace. Pack a lunch and have it in the middle of the lake as you marvel at the idyllic lakeside towns around you. My husband had his “James Bond” experience cruising along the lake in mid-March. There was no one around us – we had the whole lake to ourselves. We recommend renting with Turati Centro Nautico Lario in Argengo (easily reachable via ferry). They’re very responsive, helpful and they’ve got a 5-star rating on TripAdvisor. Other ways to explore the lake include Kayaking or just simply getting on the ferry and riding along.

Island hopping

The towns around the lake are well connected via ferries and hydrofoils. It is easy to hop on and off the islands and spend a day exploring the beautiful towns of Lake Como. We recommend spending time at Varenna, Bellagio, Argengo, Menaggio and Como

Hike around the lake

Whether it’s taking the Walk of Lovers in Varenna or hiking Monte Grona in Menaggio, there’s plenty of walks and hikes fit for any level of fitness.  

Lake Maggiore

Perhaps quieter, but equally charming as its rival Como, Lake Maggiore is Italy’s second-largest lake. The lake stretches all the way into Switzerland, making it the largest Swiss lake. The snowy tips of the Alps in the distance and islands with lush gardens in the middle make Lake Maggiore the perfect stop on your Italian or Swiss journey.

Where to stay in Lake Maggiore

Here are some of our top picks of where to stay in Lake Maggiore.

Stresa

With a plethora of hotels fit for any budget, many with views of the Borromean Islands, Stresa is in the heart of Lake Maggiore. There are plenty of restaurants, bars and shops to keep you entertained. The town can get quite crowded at times, especially during peak season. However, a visit during the off-season will leave you feeling as if you’re the only one around.  You can enjoy a quiet stroll along the huge lakeside promenade filled with perfectly maintained gardens.

Baveno

Right next to Stresa, is the charming and more relaxed town of Baveno, again, with great views of the Borromean Islands. This is a great base if you want a mix of both tranquillity and liveliness.  

Cannero Riviera

This quaint town with a tranquil lakeside promenade is ideal for a relaxing holiday. It is located on the upper part of the lake, meaning it’s perfect if you want to make a quick trip to Switzerland, without the huge price tag. However, it is a bit of a hassle to get here by public transport – the closest train station is in Verbania, which is 15km away. It might be best to get a rental car if you plan on going to Cannero.

Ascona

Across the Swiss border, on the northern tip of Lake Maggiore, you will find the charming town of Ascona. Located in the warmest area of Switzerland, the town exudes glamour and luxury. There’s plenty of fine-dining and boutique shopping along with an 18-hole golf course and tennis courts to keep you occupied. The easiest way to get here is by car.

How to get there

Train to Stresa from:

• Milan Central (duration: 1hr +, cost: €8.60 – €19 – depending on whether it’s a regional or international train)
• Milano Porta Garibaldi (duration: 1 hr 30 mins, cost: €8.60)
• Malpensa Terminal 1, changing at Busto Arsizio RFI (duration: 1hr 30 mins, cost: €9.45)

Bus to Stresa from:

• Milan Malpensa Alibus shuttle (duration: 1hr, cost: €12). Alibus should be reserved in at least one day in advance and paid for in cash on the bus. See a link to their website here.

Train to Baveno from:

• Milano Porta Garibaldi (duration: 1 hr 32 mins, cost: €8.85)

If you’re going to other towns, it’s best to get the train to Stresa and then get a ferry or bus.

We recommend renting a car to drive to the various Lake Maggiore.

The link to the Trenitalia official website can be found here.

Things to do in Lake Maggiore

These are some of the fun things we recommend. However, there’s a whole list more of stuff you could do.

Borromean Islands

No trip to Lake Maggiore would be complete without taking a trip to see the beautiful Borromean Islands. The three islands that make up the Borromean are Isola Bella, Isola Madre and Isola Pescatori. Beautiful island, being the literal meaning of Isola Bella, it is the most visited of the three islands. You can expect to find beautiful villas and gardens in these islands owned by the Borromean family of Italy. You could also visit some of the other towns dotted around the lake such as Arona, Luino and Laveno (you can get on a bucket gondola here!)

Visit an amusement park at the top of a mountain

In Stresa, you can get on the Mottarone Cable Car to get spectacular views of the Borromean Islands and the surrounding lake. At the top, you can find Alpyland, where they’ve got a toboggan ride that is affordable and certain to give you goosebumps as you whizz around the mountain top.

Water-sports galore

Canoeing, sailing, kite surfing and kayaking are some, but not all, of the tons of activities, you can choose from. Check out TripAdvisor and read the reviews before you go ahead with a company.

Day trip to Switzerland

Hop on a ferry from Stresa to Ascona or Lucarno in Switzerland. How cool is it that you get to visit another country through a lake? Alternatively, you can get the Lake Maggiore Express; a scenic train that takes you up to Switzerland and then return to Italy via a ferry.

So… Lake Como or Lake Maggiore?

If I really had to choose…

If I absolutely had to choose one, I’d go with staying at Varenna in Lake Como. There’s a certain fairytale-esque vibe to Varenna that is honestly hard to describe. We also had a surreal moment in the middle of the lake, not seeing anyone else around us.

Some final thoughts

Having said all this, we honestly love Lake Maggiore so much as well. If you have the time, why not split it between the two? You can easily do a day trip to each lake from Milan.

Lake Como is easier and cheaper to get to via public transport. It is arguably, the more famous destination between the two. The luxurious villas in Lake Como are hard to rival. However, given the proximity to Milan, it can get quite crowded around peak season and public holidays.  

Lake Maggiore is easier to get to by car. It is less touristy, especially the northern parts of the lake. The Borromean Islands also make for a prettier lakeside view. The coolest part is that you get to easily cruise your way into the lakeside of another country.

Hope this has helped you make a decision on whether to go to Lake Como or Lake Maggiore!

Happy travels,

Amana

PS: Thinking of what travel bag to take on your European travels? Check out my post here about my favourite travel bag!