Lake Como lies in northern Italy, beyond Milan's lakes region, and is reached from Geneva Airport by a long but scenic drive through the Alps; for reference, Milan is 329 km or about 3 h 50 by road from GVA, and the lake is in the same direction. Its appeal is the trio of Bellagio, Varenna and Tremezzo, the historic villas with their terraced gardens, and the mountains plunging into the water, and AirportsTransfers.ch can take you door to door from your flight to your lakeside hotel.
- Getting there: by road across the Alps, crossing the border into Italy
- Key towns: Bellagio, Varenna, Tremezzo, Menaggio, Como
- Famous villas: Villa Carlotta, Villa del Balbianello, Villa Melzi, Villa Monastero
- Getting around: passenger boats and car ferries link the central lake
- Best season: spring for gardens in bloom, early autumn for calmer days
The shape of the lake
Lake Como is a long, narrow lake shaped like an inverted Y, with the city of Como at the tip of the south-western branch, Lecco on the south-eastern branch, and the northern arm stretching up towards the Valtellina and Switzerland. The most celebrated stretch is the centre, where the three arms meet, known locally as the Centro Lago. Here the promontory of Bellagio faces Varenna on the eastern shore and Tremezzo and Menaggio on the western shore, all within a short boat ride of each other. Steep wooded mountains rise directly from the water, and the villages cling to the slopes with stepped lanes, church towers and pastel facades. The city of Como itself, with its cathedral, lakefront and long silk-making tradition, is a good place to start or end a stay.
Bellagio, Varenna and Tremezzo
Bellagio sits at the tip of the promontory and is often called the pearl of the lake. Its narrow stepped streets climb from the waterfront arcades to the old church, and the gardens of Villa Melzi stretch along the shore just south of the centre. Varenna, across the water, is smaller and quieter, with a lakeside walkway, a cluster of colourful houses around a tiny harbour, and the gardens of Villa Monastero and Villa Cipressi. Above it, the ruins of Castello di Vezio offer a sweeping view of the central lake. Tremezzo, on the western shore, has a sunny, open feel, with grand lakeside hotels from the late nineteenth century and the gardens of Villa Carlotta, famous for azaleas and rhododendrons in spring. Further south, in Lenno, Villa del Balbianello stands on a wooded point and is best reached by boat or on foot.
Villas and gardens worth seeing
The villas are the reason many visitors come. Villa Carlotta combines an art collection with a large botanical garden, while Villa del Balbianello is admired for its loggia, its terraced gardens and its setting at the end of a peninsula, and has appeared in well-known films. Villa Melzi in Bellagio offers formal gardens along the shore, and Villa Monastero in Varenna has a long garden walk lined with exotic plants. Each has seasonal opening, generally from spring to autumn, and some limit visitor numbers on busy days, so it is worth checking in advance. Spring is the most colourful time, when camellias, azaleas and wisteria bloom, while early autumn brings softer light and fewer crowds. Linking villas by boat is part of the pleasure, as the lake views between them are as memorable as the gardens.
The drive from Geneva
From Geneva Airport, the road to Lake Como crosses the Alps in one of two main ways: through the Valais and over the Simplon Pass, or via the Mont Blanc Tunnel and the Aosta Valley towards Milan. Either way, it is a full half-day on the road, with a border crossing into Italy, and the final approach depends on which shore you are staying on. The western shore around Tremezzo and Menaggio is reached via Como, while Bellagio and Varenna each have their own access, and the central lake is also connected by car ferry. For a relaxed journey, a mid-morning departure with a coffee stop in the mountains works well. Many travellers prefer a private car over a train journey with changes in Milan, especially with luggage, children or late flights.
Booking your transfer with AirportsTransfers.ch
For a stay on Lake Como, AirportsTransfers.ch can drive you directly from Geneva Airport to your hotel door, and back again at the end of your trip. Book online and the fixed price per vehicle is shown before you pay by card, Apple Pay or Google Pay. Your chauffeur tracks your flight, waits in arrivals with a name sign and stays on at no extra charge if your plane is delayed. For long journeys like this, a Mercedes S-Class gives a quiet ride for up to three passengers, while a V-Class van takes families or groups of up to seven with their luggage; child seats are available on request. Return trips and invoices for companies are available too. Speak to the team on +41 78 346 56 77, by phone or WhatsApp, around the clock.
