Lake Como

The Alps, with their snow-capped tips and lush green forests, loom tall over the pristine waters of Lake Como, arguably the most beautiful lake in Italy, if not Europe as a whole.

The lake is 120km long, with picturesque villages dotted all along the shore-line. At every turn you’ll feel like you’ve stumbled into a postcard. The city of Como is the hub of the region and sits snugly where the southern and western shores converge. This beautiful historic city is perfect for sipping coffee under an umbrella whilst you watch the world go by. Other towns not to miss for their wonderful architecture and equally wonderful views are Bellagio, right in the middle of the region, Lenno on the western shore, and Varenna in the east.

Over on the western shore is where you’ll find Italy’s rich and famous. Not blocked by the Alps, this side of the lake basks in sunlight year-round. Lenno is the place to be seen, especially on the weekends on its man-made sand beach, or ‘Lido’.

The eastern shore is more rugged and untouched. Castello di Vezio is a castle perched on a hill just outside of Varenna and well worth the half-hour hike up to it. Just further north, near the town of Bellano, is the majestic Orrido waterfall.