At over 400m in depth, Lake Como is one of the deepest lakes in Europe and definitely one of the most beautiful. The glacially formed lake is the third largest in Italy after Lake Garda and Lake Maggiore and is a popular choice with holidaymakers renting Lake Como villas. It is situated in the north of Italy in the Lombardy region and the city of Milan is only 45 kilometres away which is perfect for a day trip during your holiday. Some of the lake is surrounded by towering mountains with a transition to rolling hillsides as you travel down its length. The pretty valley sides are covered in olive groves, vineyards and woodland, and lakeside towns and hillside farming villages can be found scattered all over the area.
When you stay in a Lake Como villa during the summer months you will find temperatures to be warm with plenty of sunshine and the odd rainy day. Most rain falls during spring and autumn and although winters are cooler, some holidaymakers hire villas in Lake Como to enjoy the tranquility. Occasional snow also falls on the higher peaks around the lake during the winter which is great for skiing enthusiasts. With its high sided valleys, the lake acts as a funnel for a frequent breeze which windsurfers, kite surfers and sailors take advantage of during most of the year. Other activities that are available for people staying in Lake Como villas are cycling, golf and walking in the picturesque mountains.
Lake Como is probably best known for its grand villas and palaces along the lakeside and many well known celebrities own houses there. Villa Olmo is one such magnificent villa situated by the waterside in the town of Como, and Villa Carlotta in Tremezzo is equally striking with elegant grounds leading down to the water’s edge. One sight that should not be missed when you hire Lake Como villas is Sacro Monte di Ossuccio, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that is perched 200 metres above the lake facing Isola Comacina, Lake Como’s only island. The Sacred Mount consists of 15 Baroque chapels that are located along a pathway leading to the top where the sanctuary of the Madonna del Soccorso can be found.
One of the most popular things to do when staying in Lake Como villas is to visit the different towns and villages, each with its own charm and character. The best way to get to each place is to take the ferry service that runs regularly between most of the main towns. The town of Como, from which the lake takes its name, is situated at one of the southern tips of the lake and is a fashionable place to visit with plenty of things to see and do there. The Gothic-Renaissance cathedral, known as Duomo di Como, is a spectacular sight and it is filled with beautiful sculptures and paintings. There are also some lovely public gardens, interesting museums and picturesque churches to see in the town, as well as plenty of shops, restaurants and lakeside cafés.
Another popular town to visit when you stay in a Lake Como villa is Lecco which is situated on the lake’s south eastern branch. This town developed through the 19th century as an iron manufacturing town and is now a popular destination with holidaymakers. There are numerous interesting sights to see within the town such as the Azzone Visconti Bridge which was built in 1336 to improve the road connections between the town of Como and Milan. The main piazza in the centre of the town is a great place to stop and enjoy some delicious Italian cuisine at one of the many restaurants and pizzerias that line the square. A magnificent view of the mountains behind the town makes Lecco an ideal place to rent a villa at Lake Como.
For a fantastic day out, the dynamic city of Milan is less than an hour’s drive away and provides a complete contrast to the serenity of Lake Como. The city is a major financial and business centre with a mixture of modern and historical architecture. It is easy to get to by rail, with trains departing every hour from the town of Como travelling directly to Milan Central Station. People staying in holiday villas in Lake Como often journey to Milan to browse the numerous high-end boutiques along the Via Montenapoleone such as Prada, Versace and Gucci. There are also plenty of interesting historical buildings to visit such as the city’s imposing Gothic cathedral, the fourth largest in the world, and some beautiful parks to relax in.
