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.
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.
Once in Bellagio, head straight to the Gardens of Villa Melzi — one of the most beautiful botanical gardens on the lake, right on the waterfront with sweeping views back across to Varenna. Getting here early means you’ll actually get to enjoy it without weaving around tour groups.
💡 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.
Then visit Villa Monastero — book your ticket online ahead of time. It’s a former monastery turned villa, with a stunning lakeside botanical garden that’s worth every minute of the walk through it.
Villa Cipressi
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.
