Your essential guide to Lake Como

SAIL

For the full sensory experience of Lake Como, travelling by boat is the best way to view – and visit – its shoreside historic villas, and it’s also often the fastest way to get between villages. There are quality local operators, or guests at Mandarin Oriental, Lago di Como can advance book private boat trips of an hour or longer.

VISIT

If you’re choosing just one scenic excursion somewhere further along the lake, a visit to Villa del Balbianello in Leno delivers one-stop historic glamour. Built on the site of a Franciscan monastery, the 18th-century mansion couldn’t be more romantic, and has clocked up big-screen appearances in Casino Royale and Star Wars.

FEAST

Lakeside fine dining is a Como must-do, so book a table at L˜ARIA, where Executive Chef Massimiliano Blasone combines Italian and Asian influences. Take in the Lake Como vista via floor-to-ceiling windows in the main space, or ask for a seat on the terrace, set in the hotel’s botanical gardens.

MARVEL

Como is rightly famous for its cathedral, so pause in the medieval town centre to take in the spectacle of the Duomo’s grand interior and artistic riches. It’s well worth a few minutes of your time, having taken 350 years to build.

SPLASH

Go one better than a boat tour and take to the waters of Lake Como on water-skis, a kayak or a paddleboard. These water sport options and more are available to Mandarin Oriental guests. Too sporty for you? Simply lounge by the iconic ‘floating' pool.

DINE

Set in a 14th-century former convent, La Colombetta is a favourite with the local glitterati (has George Clooney been seen here? Of course he has). It’s under 15 minutes’ drive from the hotel and serves refined Italian cuisine with an emphasis on seafood; black pappardelle with red prawns, say, or lobster tagliolini.

DISCOVER

In sleepy Varenna, step inside the lovingly preserved Villa Monastero, now a museum. It’s among the most enchanting waterfront mansions here, with distinctive spiral columns, glorious tapestries and sculptures, and lush, lakefront gardens.

WALK

The scenic Oasi di Baggero lakes look age-old but were formed after the rewilding of a previously mined area. Its two lakes, surrounded by greenery, were once excavation sites for marl – they’re a true oasis, and perfect for a country ramble.

SIGHTSEE

The many villages in the vicinity of Lake Como each have their own distinct appeal. If you’ve already ticked off some of the better-known examples, explore further afield. The pretty village of Nesso encompasses various natural beauty spots, including a gorge and waterfalls.

DRINK

Visiting a family winery in the Lombardy countryside – the award-winning Vitivinicola Cernobbio, perhaps – is a highly agreeable way to deepen your wine knowledge. Ask the concierge for help to book, and make sure you’re being driven back.

HIKE

Burn off the calories from any gelato scoops you’ve been enjoying with a bracing hillside hike for two – tailored to your abilities by the team at Mandarin Oriental, Lago di Como. Hike up Monte Boletto to glimpse Milan, then head towards the hamlet of Monte di Liscione for glorious views across the lake.

ADVENTURE

One of the best things to do with kids in Lake Como is to join your small people on a tree-top adventure at Jungle Raider Park, following its walkways, ziplines and ropes through the forest. There’s another course for intrepid over-threes, closer to the ground.

Como’s true selling point is, of course, the lake. Cruise around its shores on a Venetian-style boat stopping at Bellagio, a postcard-worthy town that’s home to flower-filled gardens and artisanal boutiques selling all manner of treats, from hand-crafted leather goods to delicious perfumes. Elsewhere on the lake, you’ll pass the stately Villa Carlotta and its blooming, botanical grounds, plus the Orrido waterfalls and gorge.

- The concierge team at Mandarin Oriental, Lago di Como.

Named Italy’s Best Hotel Spa at the 2024 World Spa Awards, among other accolades, The Spa at Mandarin Oriental, Lago di Como includes a wonderfully cocoon-like thermal pool area, as well as state-of-the art fitness facilities.

Its sumptuous treatment rooms are the place to relish signature Mandarin Oriental massages, such as Inner Strength or Oriental Qi, while longer, one- and two-day retreats guarantee a full-body reset. Yoga and tai chi classes in the botanical gardens are a treat, too, and you’ll get more than your fill of daily steps by simply walking through Lombardy’s stunning hillside villages.