Lake Como Travel Guide: Plan Your Stay Above the Lake

Planning a trip to Lake Como is about more than picking a pretty town. It is about where you stay, how you move, and when you explore. This guide takes you step by step, starting from a quiet hilltop village above the lake.

Table of Contents

• Step 1: Choose Your Base in Brunate
• Step 2: Plan Your First Day in Como Town
• Step 3: Explore the Lake Towns by Boat
• Step 4: Discover the Hills and Trails Above the Lake
• Step 5: Enjoy the Estate and Plan Your Evenings
• Step 6: When to Visit and How to Book
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Conclusion

Step 1: Choose Your Base in Brunate

Most visitors base themselves directly on the lake. We suggest you do the opposite. Stay above it. The village of Brunate sits 720 metres above Como, reachable by a historic funicular built in 1894. From here you get fresh air, silence at night, and a genuine sense of escape.

Our home, Villino Rubini, is a private Art Nouveau estate built in 1892. It sits within four acres of beech forest and gardens. The property offers ten rooms across three buildings: the Villa, the Dependance, and the Orangerie. With eleven bathrooms and space for up to nineteen guests, it works for couples, families, and small groups alike. A heated pool, spa, sauna, gym, and studio sit within the grounds. The estate is recently restored, keeping original ceiling mouldings, floors, and period details. It is not a hotel. It is a private home, run by people who treat guests as house guests rather than customers.

Why base yourself here? You are ten minutes from Como by car or funicular. You have hiking trails starting at your doorstep. You have a private shuttle to the funicular station. And you have the estate itself as a place to return to after busy days.

Key Takeaway: Staying above the lake gives you peace, space, and a faster connection to the hills. Villino Rubini offers a rare combination of privacy, capacity, and amenities for a Lake Como base.

Step 2: Plan Your First Day in Como Town

Start your first day in Como town, which is just ten minutes downhill from Brunate. The Como Cathedral(Cattedrale di Santa Maria Assunta) is one of the most important landmarks in Lombardy. Its Gothic and Renaissance facade dominates the square. Entry is free. Spend 20 minutes inside.

From the cathedral, walk to Piazza Cavour and then along the lakeside promenade. You will pass the Life Electric sculpture, dedicated to Alessandro Volta, and the elegant Villa Olmo. Villa Olmo often hosts exhibitions; its gardens are open daily and free to enter. The entire walk from the cathedral to Villa Olmo takes about 30 minutes at a leisurely pace.

For lunch, choose a trattoria off the main square. The prices drop and the food gets better. Try local specialties like risotto with perch or pizzoccheri pasta. After lunch, take the funicular back up to Brunate. The ride takes less than ten minutes and offers a quick view of the lake spreading below.

If you have energy, explore the village of Brunate itself. The church of San Maurizio and the Volta lighthouse (Faro Voltiano) are short walks from the funicular station. The lighthouse is a stone tower built in 1927. Climb to the top for a wide panorama of the lake and mountains , a perfect end to your first day.

Step 3: Explore the Lake Towns by Boat

Lake Como’s main towns are best reached by ferry. The official service is run by Navigazione Laghi, which operates both slow regular boats and fast hydrofoils. From Como, you can reach Bellagio in about 45 minutes by hydrofoil. From Bellagio, Varenna is a 15-minute crossing. A day ticket for unlimited travel on the lake costs around 32 euros for adults. Children under 12 pay half.

Plan your route logically. We suggest Como to Bellagio first, then Bellagio to Varenna, and back to Como. Alternatively, go from Como to Varenna via train (40 minutes from Milano Centrale) and take the ferry back. The table below compares the main ferry connections.

In Bellagio, walk from the pier up to the Punta Spartivento viewpoint. The gardens of Villa Melzi are open from April to October and are worth the entry fee (about 10 euros). In Varenna, visit the Castle of Vezio, a medieval fortress on the hill above the village. The view from the castle over the lake and Bellagio is exceptional.

Pro Tip: Buy your ferry tickets at the main ticket office near the pier about 20 minutes before departure, especially in summer. In small ports without an office, you can buy on board at no extra cost.

Step 4: Discover the Hills and Trails Above the Lake

The hills above Lake Como hold some of the best walking trails in the region. From Brunate, two long-distance paths start right at the village: the Strada Regia and the Dorsale del Triangolo Lariano. The Strada Regia is a 34-kilometre route that runs along historic mule tracks and forest paths all the way to Bellagio. It takes about eight hours as a full-day hike, or you can break it into two days with an overnight stop.

The Dorsale del Triangolo Lariano follows the ridge line between Brunate and Bellagio for 36 kilometres. It is moderate to hard, with elevation changes and alpine sections. Both routes are marked on the Komoot app, where you can download offline maps. For a shorter walk, try the Sentee di Sort, a 2.2-kilometre scenic trail from Rovenna to Moltrasio. It is easy and takes about 35 minutes, with beautiful views over the lake.

If you prefer cycling, the Brunate hillclimb is a famous route among cyclists. It rises 500 metres over six kilometres from Como. Many riders combine it with a loop of the Triangolo Lariano, descending toward Bellagio and returning via the eastern shore. The climb is challenging but rewarding.

Step 5: Enjoy the Estate and Plan Your Evenings

After days of exploring, return to the estate. The heated pool is open from May to September. The spa offers a sauna and a cold plunge pool. The gym is equipped for a basic workout. In the studio, you can practise yoga or meditation. The grounds are spacious enough that you can find a private corner with a book. The beech forest surrounds the property, giving a sense of deep quiet.

Evenings at Villino Rubini are made for gathering. The estate can seat up to one hundred guests outdoors under a tent in the gardens for dinner. For smaller groups, a terrace or the south lawn works well. The kitchen works with local caterers to prepare meals using seasonal produce from Lombardy. A continental breakfast is included each morning, served in the breakfast room or on the terrace depending on the weather.

For nights out, the village of Brunate has a handful of restaurants. Try La Funivia for classic lake fish dishes or Ristorante Belvedere for a wider menu. If you want more choices, take the funicular down to Como. The city has dozens of restaurants, from casual pizzerias to Michelin-starred addresses like I Tigli in Theoria. Booking ahead is essential in summer.

Step 6: When to Visit and How to Book

The best time to visit Lake Como is late spring (April to June) or early autumn (September to October). The weather is mild, the crowds are smaller, and the gardens are in bloom or showing autumn colours. July and August are peak season: hot, crowded, and expensive. The ferry queues can be long, and the funicular line snakes around the square. If you hate crowds, avoid these months.

Booking your stay at Villino Rubini is straightforward. Visit our rooms page to see each room type and its character. For exclusive hire of the entire property, use the booking form or contact us directly. We operate on a bespoke quote basis because each stay is different , a wedding party of 19 has different needs than a couple on a quiet getaway. Rates are not published online; we discuss them with you after understanding your plans. The estate is available year round, but the pool and outdoor dining operate from May to September. Winter stays are cosy, with the forest and hills in a quiet, frosty mood.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Brunate a good base for exploring Lake Como?

Yes. Brunate is ten minutes from Como by funicular or car. From Como, you can take ferries to Bellagio, Varenna, and other towns. You also have direct access to hiking and cycling trails that start in the village. Staying above the lake gives you peace and a different perspective.

What is the best way to get around Lake Como?

Ferries are the most scenic and usable way to visit the lakeside towns. The official service, Navigazione Laghi, connects all major stops. For flexibility, combine ferries with the train (Como to Varenna line) or use the bus network. Driving is possible but parking is tight in summer.

Does Villino Rubini have a view of Lake Como?

The estate is set in a beech forest at 720 metres. The rooms and grounds face the forest and hills, not the lake. The view from the village of Brunate itself overlooks the lake, but the villa is surrounded by trees. The experience is about quiet immersion in nature, not lake views from every window.

Can I host a wedding or event at Villino Rubini?

Yes. The gardens can seat up to 100 guests outdoors under a tent for dinner. The estate offers exclusive hire for weddings, celebrations, corporate retreats, and other events. The studio, spa, and gym are available for guest use. Contact us to discuss your event needs.

How do I book a room at Villino Rubini?

Visit the rooms page on our website to see accommodation options and then use the booking form located in the reservation section. We will respond with availability and a personalised quote. For exclusive hire of the whole estate, please use the contact form or email us directly.

Conclusion

Lake Como is at its best when you see it from above. Base yourself in Brunate at Villino Rubini, where a private estate with ten rooms, a heated pool, spa, and acres of forest becomes your home. Spend your days exploring the lake by boat, hiking the ridge trails, and enjoying quiet evenings in the hills. Book your stay directly through our website and begin planning your trip.