Como
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Como
The city on the lake
The cathedral, the lakeside promenade and the funicular up to Brunate.
Como closes the southern end of the western arm of the lake that bears its name: a walled city of Roman origin, with a marble cathedral built between the late fourteenth and the eighteenth century and a lakefront from which boats leave for the whole of Lake Como. It is the gateway to the lake — from Malpensa it takes around fifty minutes, the same as central Milan — and the place to decide how to continue: by car along the shores, or by boat towards the villas.
Como
What to see
- Como Cathedral, a building site for almost four centuries, from Gothic to its eighteenth-century dome.
- The Como–Brunate funicular, running since 1894: a few minutes from the lakefront to a viewpoint over the lake and the Alps.
- The Tempio Voltiano, dedicated to Como-born Alessandro Volta, with his original instruments.
Como
Practical tips
- Much of the old town is a limited-traffic zone: the car drops you at its edge, or at your hotel if it holds a permit.
- For the lakeside villas, boats leave from the Piazza Cavour pier: check the Navigazione Laghi timetable, reduced in winter.
Como