The Perfect Lake Como Day Trip from Milan (Varenna and Bellagio)

Lake Como looks like it belongs in a movie — because, well, it has been in plenty. But here’s the thing nobody tells you upfront: staying overnight around the lake gets expensive fast, especially in the villages right on the water. The good news is you don’t actually need to stay there at all. Milan is only about an hour away by train, which makes it one of the easiest, most cost-effective day trips you can do from the city.

Here’s exactly how to spend a full day around Lake Como, starting and ending in Milan.

Start Early — Seriously

This is one of the most popular day trips from Milan, which means it gets busy fast. Aim to catch an early train out of Milan so you arrive before the crowds do — you’ll thank yourself later when the ferry lines start stretching down the dock by mid-morning.

One more thing worth knowing: if you can, avoid June, July, and August. It’s peak season around the lake, which means higher prices, packed ferries, and long waits at every villa entrance. Late spring or early autumn gives you the same scenery with a fraction of the crowds.

💡 Long day, lots of walking, lots of photos — a portable phone charger is genuinely one of the most useful things you can pack for a day trip like this. Between train rides, ferry crossings, and garden visits, your battery will not make it to sunset without help. 

A few more things worth throwing in your day bag before you head out:

💡 polarized sunglasses make a genuine difference out on the water — the glare off Lake Como on a sunny afternoon is no joke, and polarized lenses cut right through it so you can actually see the color of the water instead of just squinting at it.

💡 An insulated water bottle is worth packing too — you’ll be doing a lot of walking between the train, the ferries, and the villa gardens, and cold water stays cold far longer than you’d expect in the lake-effect heat.

💡 And if you want to actually see the villas and hillside towns as your ferry glides past rather than just squinting at distant rooftops, a small pair of compact binoculars adds a surprising amount to the ride — genuinely one of those things you don’t think you need until you’re on the boat wishing you had them.

Step 1: Take the Train to Varenna

Hop on a direct train from Milan to Varenna-Esino — roughly an hour, and one of the most scenic short train rides in Italy in its own right. Varenna will actually be your base for the day, since it connects easily to the rest of the lake by ferry.

Step 2: Ferry to Bellagio First

Do this part first, before anything else. Book your ferry ticket online in advance — it saves you from standing in a growing line later in the day, since by the afternoon it gets genuinely crowded.

💡 There’s very little shade around the lake villas — a packable sun hat is worth having in your bag, especially if you’re visiting in the warmer shoulder months.

Step 3: Back to Varenna to Explore

Once you’ve had your fill of Bellagio, take the ferry back to Varenna — this is where the rest of your day happens.

Wander the village itself first: colorful houses stacked along the water, narrow stone alleys, and small waterfront restaurants everywhere you look.

Right next door is Villa Cipressi, smaller than Monastero but just as photogenic, with terraced gardens stepping straight down to the water. Many visitors combine both villas in a single ticket, so check for a combined entry option before you buy separately.

💡 With two ferry rides, a village walk, and two garden visits, you’ll want your hands free and your valuables secure — a lightweight crossbody anti-theft bag is ideal for a day that involves this much moving around.

By the time you’re heading back to the train station, you’ll have covered two villages, two ferry rides, and three of the most photogenic gardens on the entire lake — all without paying a cent for lake-view accommodation. Milan as your base, an early start, and a couple of pre-booked tickets is really all it takes.