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Como

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About Como

Como is the beautiful, thriving, regional centre of the whole charming length of Lake Como. Here prosperity has lead to elegant architecture, charming boutiques and numerous high calibre bars and restaurants — but the incredible views are free. Como is an accommodation centre too, and among the many options, our Gurus favour a couple of design hotels, historic grande dames, intimately converted palazzos, a handful of simple, family-friendly options, and an armful of small, but impressive, B&Bs, for their list of the best places to stay in Como.

At Como’s heart is the old town, within the remnants of its 12th Century walls. This is a wonderful place for an evening’s amble, amongst the cafes, shops and graceful squares, palazzos and cobbled streets. Piazza Vittoria is the one with the statue of Giuseppe Garibaldi, the Piazza del Duomo hosts the cathedral, and the Piazza San Fedele has the Basilica of San Fedele, dating from the 12th century. The Piazza San Fedele also hosts a great weekend market. There’s another great outdoor market by Porto Torre. All of these squares are fantastic places to do a bit of people watching too, and our Gurus really recommend Como for shoppers, flaneurs, and anyone looking for a stylish, yet relaxing, destination.

The lakeside is another incredible place for a stroll, lined with impressive villas and a couple of museums. But for some of the best views around it’s worth heading up to Brunate on the funicular railway, because from here you can see picturesque Como laid out as well as the lake itself. The cable car is a great asset for anyone wanting to explore the area on foot too. Our Gurus suggest the best places to stay in Como for families are those along the water, where guests benefit from impressive watersports facilities, private beach access, and hotel pools that float on top of he lake. If you need a bit more space head up into the hills behind Como, where there are a number of charmingly converted farmhouses.

The Best Places to Stay in Como

For a Special Occasion

  • The Albergo Terminus Hotel feels grand and historic, with generous proportions and huge windows overlooking the water from its prime lakeside position. This graceful dates back to the beginning of the 20th century,  and comes complete with ornate coving and murals, plenty of huge windows, and elegant communal areas. It has 50 rooms and suites, many with elements of the original Art Nouveau design, and an extremely beautiful Italian restaurant. Romantic, with great facilities, including a spa.
  • The Vista Palazzo showcases more contemporary Italian charm and design, with some seriously magazine-worthy interiors and a gorgeous palace/ grand villa exterior. Everything is bespoke and intimately designed, from the parquet flooring to the velvet armchairs, and the service is just as personalised. The location, close to the water and Como’s historic centre, is difficult to top, and the restaurant is extremely memorable. 

For an Intimate Escape

  • Ronco Dell’Abate is a wonderfully authentic pick: a four room B&B converted from a villa in a quiet part of Como. While the villa’s exterior appears modest, aside from the fresco, the interiors recall a magically opulent heyday of design, with ornate parquet flooring, wood panelling, gorgeous tiles and the furniture to match. Its four rooms have bags of charm and history, and for the right people this accommodation will elevate their visit to Lake Como to the sublime.

For Couples

  • The Palazzo Albricci Peregrini offers an opportunity to see some of Lake Como’s graceful architecture up close. The palazzo is elegant, complete with gorgeous tiles, high ceilings, ornate fireplaces and the remnants of frescoes, but it’s been imaginatively converted into a contemporary collection of six rooms and suites, so you get the benefits of modern plumbing. There’s no restaurant, but the homemade breakfast is a highlight.

For Great Value

  • The Como Luxury Rooms are just two sleekly designed rooms, in a elegant townhouse in the heart of Como’s old town. The decor is simple and contemporary: cool greys and lots of white, with brushed concrete bathrooms, though the original details of the buildings remain. There’s no restaurant, but the square outside has a number of charming places to eat and drink, and they have coffee facilities in the room. Children under three are free.

Best B&Bs

  • La Canarina B&B is a bijou bed and breakfast in the heart of Como, with views of the Basilica’s dome, but still only 200 metres from the water’s edge. La Canarina has just two guest rooms, one a double and one a twin, and both simply decorated with wooden floor and white walls and furnishings. Both rooms overlook a private garden, and have huge windows. No children.
  • The B&B Vista Lago is another small, quiet, child-free B&B just up the hill from Como. As the name suggests, the lake views are beautiful and each of the three rooms has its own private sun terrace for enjoying them from. The decor is simple and contemporary, and the atmosphere romantic.

Prefer a Self-catering Apartment or villa?

  • Sometimes a villa or apartment is the best option if you're travelling in a larger group, so if you decide that you'd prefer a self catering option, check out our online booking partner, booking.com for some inspiration.

Travel Information

  • Como has a good range of local international airports: Milan’s Linate, Malpensa and Bergamo Airport are about an 45minutes away by road, or around an hour by train, while Brescia-Montichiari and Verona-Villafranca are both about an hour and a half drive, or three hours on the train via Milan.
  • If you want to hire a car — which we strongly advise if you want to explore further afield — we recommend you visit our online partner, Rentalcars.
  • Lake Como has a milder climate than its surrounds, its great body of water helps regulate the temperature, and allows for sub-tropical plants like grapevines and olive trees to grow throughout the year. Winter does get chilly, and in summer it can be humid, but broadly speaking it has some of the best weather conditions in Europe. April through to October are the busiest months for visitors, warm and sunny, perfect for a lake break. The water of the lake even heats up during summer, and can get to 20°C come July! So if you are visiting at this time it’s worth booking as much as you can in advance.

Still not sure where to stay?

Weather

Monthly Weather in Como

Best Hotels in Como

  • La Canarina B&B Como 2 rooms from AU$186

    Local exploring  -  Located in the centre of Como, you're ideally placed to explore on foot.
    Value chic  -  Beautiful rooms from just €95 per night B&B.
    Great walks  -  Travel up the Funicular and enjoy walks overlooking the lake
    Sights nearby  -  Como Cathedral is just minutes away
    Air conditioningGardenPet friendlyViewsParking

    A charming bed and breakfast in the heart of Como. Bedrooms are simple and airy with natural wooden floorboards and antique wrought iron beds, all overlooking a beautiful private garden. A good location to explore Como on foot with plenty to see from the doorstep and just 200m from the lake. See More

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  • Como Luxury Rooms Lake Como 2 rooms from AU$194

    Local exploring  -  Great location in the heart of Como Old Town - ideal for exploring on foot, or easy access to the lake and its boats.
    Value chic  -  This sleek property has two rooms with a very reasonable price tag which includes breakfast
    Contemporary  -  Sleek contemporary rooms are decorated in cool greys
    Great walks  -  Ride the Funicolare to scenic walking routes
    Air conditioningTennisDisabled accessParkingNo pets

    A boutique guest house with sleek modern bedrooms decorated in cool grey colours. An ideal base in the heart of Como Old Town - plenty to explore on the doorstep. Breakfast can be enjoyed in one of the many cafes on the street and coffee is provided in the room. Simplicity at its finest. See More

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  • B&B Vista Lago Como 3 rooms from AU$285

    Romantic Break  -  With only three smart bedrooms, and no kids allowed, plus views to die for from your private terrace, it's perfect for romantics
    Local exploring  -  You can hire bikes or cars at the property, so it's an ideal base for exploring further afield
    Great walks  -  On the edge of Parco Regionale Spina Verde di Como, with fantastic walking on the doorstep
    Sights nearby  -  Just outside Como and easy access to the best local sights.
    Air conditioningGardenViewsParking

    This quiet B&B, set in the hills above Lake Como offers guests spacious, modern bedrooms, each with a private sun terrace and panoramic lake views. With just three rooms and no kids allowed, it is ideal for a romantic break or as a base for exploring the surrounding area. See More

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  • Palazzo Albricci Peregrini 22100 Como CO 6 rooms from AU$571

    Romantic Break  -  Set in a romantic and elegantly furnished old palazzo in the town, this is an ideal romantic hideaway close to tourist hotspots
    Sights nearby  -  In Como head to the cathedral and the Basilica di Sant’Abbondio; on the shores visit Villa Serbelloni and Villa Balbianello
    Sailing  -  Take a boat ride on Lake Como with one of the any boat companies and explore its beautiful shores and towns
    Designer  -  Uniquely designed interiors.
    Air conditioningGardenParkingNo pets
    Recommended by  -  Tablet

    A tranquil boutique hotel set around a pretty courtyard garden. Elegant interiors feature bare brickwork and fine furniture, with local artwork and ornaments from around the world. Expect fine Frette linen in the high-ceilinged rooms painted in muted tones. The homemade breakfast is a highlight. See More

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  • Ronco Dell'Abate Como 4 rooms from AU$660

    Full of character  -  Barely changed, this grand house is filled with an eclectic melange of furnishings dating back to a variety of eras
    Romantic Break  -  With atmospheric bedrooms, an adult-only atmosphere, and just four rooms — this is an intimate choice for couples
    Hideaway  -  Set in an authentic and peaceful Como neighbourhood away from the tourist crowds
    Sights nearby  -  Visit some of Como's famed attractions such as Basilica of Saint Addondio and Como Cathedral
    Air conditioningGardenParking

    Set in an authentic and quiet Como neighbourhood, this grand B&B (with just 4 rooms) offers bags of history and charm. Once the home of an intellect and politician, there's a serious wood-panelled library and the whole property is packed to the rafters with antiques and artworks. A unique city stay. See More

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  • Albergo Terminus Hotel Como 50 rooms from AU$662

    Antiques  -  Expect Art Nouveau furnishings, delicate stucco decorations on the walls, and muted paintings of the Lombard 20th century
    Historic  -  The elegant building was built in the 1900s and was originally the thermal spa of the nearby Grand Hotel Plinius
    Romantic Break  -  With lake views, candlelit dining, and atmospheric rooms this is an undeniably romantic destination
    Restaurant  -  Seasonal Italian dishes are served in The Ristorante del Terminus
    Air conditioningRestaurantGardenPet friendlyDisabled accessParking

    A grand luxury hotel dating back to the 1900s and boasting a fabulous lakefront position in Como. Elegant tooms keep their original charm with floor-to-ceiling windows, rich fabrics, and Art Noveau furnishings. The seasonal Italian restaurant is a romantic spot. Ideal for a couples' getaway. See More

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  • Vista Palazzo Como 18 rooms from AU$1524

    Local exploring  -  Well positioned in Piazza Cavour which is located right on Lake Como's waterfront and a short stroll from the historic centre
    Boutique  -  An intimate stay with bespoke furniture, limited rooms, and personalised service
    Sailing  -  The hotel organises private boat tours of the lake in stylish mahogany Riva boats
    Restaurant  -  Creative Italian dishes are served in the intimate fourth floor restaurant
    Air conditioningRestaurantPet friendlyDisabled accessParking
    Recommended by  -  Small Luxury Hotels

    A luxury boutique hotel offering an idyllic location on Lake Como, just moments from Como's historic centre. Beautifully styled rooms and suites feature bespoke furniture, elegant wooden floors, and velvet armchairs. With personalised service and an intimate restaurant, this is a luxurious base. See More

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