People have been drawn to the tranquil beauty that Lake Como offers for centuries. First, prehistoric humans roamed Como’s hills, followed by Roman settlers ordered by Caesar. During the Middle Ages and the rise of Christianity, mighty dynasties rose to domination in the area before Lake Como became the stomping grounds for poets and musicians in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Today, while Como is known primarily as a luxurious getaway and home for high profile celebrities, the city has a rich history replete with a wide variety of architecture, from gothic to rationalist. On this half day Lake Como excursion —in the company of a local Como expert—we will delve into the historically rich past of this lush expanse over the course of about four hours, visiting the town of Como, walking along the lakeside, riding up to a scenic viewpoint by funicular, and stopping by any number of other charming locations relevant to the history of Lake Como.

Meeting our guide at Milan’s Cadorna train station, we’ll take the train out to Como together and get started with a bit of background information about the region itself and how we will spend our half day Lake Como excursion. We may introduce the Roman relationship with Lake Como as an extravagant natural setting in the foothills of the Alps, the meteorology of the region (e.g. subtropical climate), its association with the silk trade, and, more so today, grand villas. We’ll talk through our plan and logistics while we get to know each other on the hour ride to Lake Como.

Upon arrival in Como, we’ll begin our tour by taking some time to stroll through the quaint, charming streets of the city center. We’ll pop into Como Cathedral as we discuss its construction and styling. it’s sometimes described as the last Gothic cathedral built in Italy. We might stop at two attractive Piazze: Piazza Cavour and the lovely Piazza Volta (named in honor of the Como-born Alessandro Volta, the battery inventor). As we continue to walk through Como, we’ll spend some time reviewing the city’s medieval past, particularly as some of the fortification walls are still possible to view. 

The route of our half day Lake Como excursion may take a couple of different directions at this point, both with an aim to admire Lake Como from an alternate viewpoint. We may decide to walk along the western lakeside towards some of Lake Como’s well known villas, such as Villa Olmo and Villa Geno. As we stroll along the edge of the sparkling blue water, our guide might talk about the evolution of the region from its prehistoric routes to its glitzy, yet traditionally charming, current state. Alternatively, we may take the funicular up to Brunate, a small village overlooking Lake Como. From this outlook, our guide will be able to address the stunning views that lay before us, such as the old silk fields nestled in the Alps.

At the end of our four hours together, our guide will leave us to explore Como at our leisure for the remainder of the day. We’ll leave each other with a better understanding of the charming and iconic body of water that has played such a critical role in the region’s history and identity, as well as an extensive overview of the historic city’s development. With our itinerary of key sites, along with the freedom to keep exploring on your own after we part ways, we’re sure you’ll be impressed with this lush setting.

For guests staying in Como, we have a dedicated itinerary that start and ends in Como. Please check out our Sites and Insights: Lake Como Welcome Tour starting from Como.

Where do we meet? Where does it end?
We meet at the Milan Cadorna train station in Milan because the train ride is a little shorter, but if you prefer we can also start from the Milan Centrale train station. Please leave a note in the client's note section if you wish to do so.

How long is the train ride?
The train journey lasts about one hour each way.

Is the train included in the price?
No, you will need to purchase your tickets at the station. Your guide can help you.

Can we stay in Como at the end of our tour together?
Yes, we encourage you to explore at your own leisure and find lunch after the tour.

Can we use a car service for this tour instead of the train?
Yes, we can add car transportation instead for the full duration of the tour. Please feel free to select the car service at check out and let us know your hotel address in Milan for the car service pick-up.