Should I spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Como?
Should you spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Como?
Many travelers spend two to four days in Como during their visit. After all, the scenic lake area has plenty to explore such as the restaurant scene, the gorgeous scenery, and the shops and boutiques.
Lake Como is one of the most famous destinations in the northern part of Italy. It's dramatically located near the Alps and it has many charming villages and a glamourous and upscale atmosphere. Visitors come for the resort-like environment with water sports, boating, and shopping among the favorite activities in the area.
Do you have one or two days to visit Como? Here's our comprehensive breakdown of how much time you might need for your trip along with some suggestions for things to do.
Is one day enough time in Como?
The very popular lake area of Como has many activities and attractions for visitors. So with one day, you'll probably feel rushed to dine out at amazing restaurants, take in the beautiful scenery, browse the shops, and go hiking. You really need more time to appreciate everything that the scenic lake area has to offer. Many visitors prefer to have two to four days to enjoy the beach and other sights. If you have one day or less, we still have some great ideas for what to do while you're here.
How to spend a day in Como
Shopping in Como is very popular, and it's easy to see why. Spend time exploring the many shops and boutiques to find the perfect gift, souvenir, or outfit. The shopping is comparable to major cities, with everything from high end boutiques to outlets and local markets. There are clothing shops, jewelry stores, and places to pick up local souvenirs. Shopping is a favorite activity for many visitors to Lake Como.
The culinary scene in Como is world famous, and draws visitors from around the globe. Make sure you spend time enjoying breakfast, lunch, and dinner at some of this lake area's best restaurants. And consider a food tour, too. Many are either a half day or just a few hours, so you can fit one into your schedule easily. The area has its own style of Italian food. Polenta is one of the most popular dishes and it's usually served with meat, fish, or cheese. You can also enjoy several different types of fish such as misultitt (dried fish), salmon trout, pike, bleak, lavarello, and perch.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Top Italian Wine Tasting & Food Como Lake ($179)
- Domaso: Wine Tasting at the Winery on Como Lake ($66)
- Experience Cooking Class in Como ($143)
Como is a walkable city and easy to explore on foot. With only a day in the lake area, you'll have no trouble seeing the local sights. The entire area is very walkable and you'll enjoy many great views during your stroll.
Is a weekend (two to three days) enough time in Como?
A weekend is generally not enough time to experience the beach and other activities of Como. A shorter schedule may leave you with a sense of urgency to enjoy the most popular activities such as the restaurant scene, the gorgeous scenery, the shops and boutiques, and the hiking. To genuinely appreciate the scenic lake area, a longer visit is recommended so that you can have more time to relax at the beach. Many tourists opt for two to four days here, after all. After all, Como is home to a multitude of sights and attractions, making it an extremely popular destination for tourists. However, if you're working with limited time, we have some great ideas for making the most of your stay below.
Como, Italy
How to spend 2 days in Como
With a weekend (two to three days) in Como, you'll have a bit more time to enjoy everything that the lake area has to offer.
Don't miss the lakeside setting during your trip to Como, as it's one of this destination's most well-known attractions. You should make sure to set aside enough time to see it.
Como is known to be such a beautiful destination, so just exploring and taking it all in should be one of the top things to do on your list. The charming villages and beautiful lakeside setting make this and idyllic place to visit in Italy.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Boat Party on Lake Como - Open Bar ($166)
- Self Drive Boat Rental on Lake Como No License Needed ($149)
- 1 Hour Boat Rental Without License 40cv Engine on Lake Como ($179)
The public transit in Como is fast and efficient. Over the course of a few days, you should be able to explore the lake area quite easily and affordably. There are buses, ferries, and a funicular that travel to different towns around the lake.
More Info
If you're looking for more information about Como, we have even more advice to help you plan your journey.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.
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