Half Day Lake Como Excursion

Explore the history of Como and sweeping views from Brunate with a local expert

Tour Details

About the Tour

Category: Excursions and Day Trips, Four Days in Milan
Duration: 4 hours
Location: Milan

Photos & Highlights

Sail amongst the luxurious history of Milan's neighboring culturally rich cities
Led by a local historian
Como Historic District, Brunate Funicular, and Cathedral of Como

Tour Description

For centuries, people have been drawn to the tranquil beauty that Lake Como offers. 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 19th and 20th 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 Como town, walking along the lakeside, riding up to a scenic viewpoint by funicular, and stopping by any number of other charming locations relevant to the tale of Lake Como.

From Milan to 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 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.

Como and the Cathedral

Upon arrival in Como, we’ll begin our Half Day Lake Como Excursion 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.

Admiring the Lake

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.

Take Aways

At the end of our 4 hours together, our guide will leave us to explore Como at our own 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 leave one another, we’re sure you’ll be impressed with this lush setting.

FAQ

Where do we meet? Where does it end?
We meet at a train station in Milan. We end at Lake Como, so you can explore at your own leisure and find lunch after the tour. Your confirmation email will have the exact details.

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 do so.

Where You'll Start

Tour Experts

Luisa

Luisa was born and bred in Milan. After getting an MA from the University of Rome, she also received a PhD in Political Science and History from the University of Milan. She has worked as associated Professor by the University of the Study in Milano and as a lecturer of Art and History at the Seton Hall University (NJ) Luisa is passionate about Renaissance, as well as putting traditions, uses and moral codes of the past, in context with today's Milan. She's also been working as a personal shopper for many years and is familiar with the best boutiques and shops in the city. When not guiding, she works as reporter for a major italian newspaper Corriere della Sera.

Tiziana

Tiziana was born in Lombardy, grew up in Milano and received two degrees at the Università di Milano, in Art History and Foreign Languages and Literature. She had always felt a great passion for the theatre so decided to go to Drama school and became an actress shortly afterwards. After a few years pursuing her acting career, she started to travel extensively and intensively from continent to continent fascinated by the different cultures. Back to her roots in Italy, she rediscovered the treasures and the mystery of her home territory and remains in total agreement with Proust “the true voyage of discovery is not so much in seeking new landscapes as in having new eyes." She enjoys offering new eyes to visitors to Milan.

Katerina

Originally from Bulgaria, Katerina has been living in Italy for 25 years now, 20 of which in Milan. Her degrees are MSc in Economics at the University of Economics of Varna (Bulgaria) followed by a BA in Linguistic and Cultural Mediation at UNIMI (University of Milan) several years later. After a short experience in finance, she changed work field following her true passion for languages, culture and communication and worked for about 10 years as an interpreter and translator. In the meanwhile she cultivated her multitude of interests in travelling, art, history, tradition, italian food and wine, which led her to new studies and eventually to a new profession. Now she is specialized in art and history tours in Milan with particular focus on Leonardo da Vinci and Italian Renaissance art. She offers also guided wine tastings, food tours -- not only in Milan, but also combined with truffle hunting in Piedmont -- and tours from Milan to the greater Italian lakes, including guided cruises mainly along the beautiful Lake Como,

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