Como.
Flight from TLV
3h 57m
Best season
מאי–ספט
Avg temp
17°
Currency
€ EUR · 1=₪3.52
Time zone
שעה אחת פחות מת״א בחורף ובדרך כלל גם בקיץ
Language
איטלקית; אנגלית נפוצה במלונות ובאזורי התיירות
Plug
C / F / L · 230V
Visa
אין צורך בוויזה לישראלים לשהייה קצרה באזור שנגן, בכפוף לכללי הכניסה העדכניים
Safety
יעד בטוח בדרך כלל; כדאי להישמר מכייסים בתחנות, במעבורות ובמוקדי תיירות צפופים
Overview
🇮🇹Como
🇮🇹Italy
Como is an elegant gateway to Lake Como, a romantic, green destination ideal for couples, boutique escapes and a relaxed stop on a northern Italy itinerary. Israeli travelers typically stay near the lakefront and Piazza Cavour, ride the funicular to Brunate and take ferries to Bellagio, Varenna and Menaggio. Villa Carlotta and Villa del Balbianello add magnificent gardens and architecture, while Como itself offers cafés, aperitivo spots and polished shopping streets. Milan Malpensa is the most convenient airport, roughly an hour away by car or train.
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Where to stay
Where to stay in Como
Each area and who it suits best.
Como Historic Center
The most convenient base is around Piazza Cavour, the Duomo and Via Vittorio Emanuele II, within walking distance of trains, ferries and the Brunate funicular. Vista Lago di Como is an elegant choice directly on the square, while Hotel Barchetta Excelsior is a practical central option. The trade-off is urban bustle and square noise, with less of the romantic village atmosphere.
Cernobbio
Expect a calm promenade, cafés around Piazza Risorgimento and manicured grounds by Villa Erba, only a short ferry ride or roughly 15-minute drive from Como. Grand Hotel Villa d’Este is the local icon, while nearby Il Sereno in Torno offers contemporary design at an exceptionally high price point. Summer rooms are very expensive, the narrow lakeside road clogs easily and evening options are fewer than in Como.
Bellagio
The stepped lanes around Salita Serbelloni, the gardens of Villa Melzi and the central-lake promenade deliver the classic Lake Como scene. Grand Hotel Villa Serbelloni is the landmark stay, while Pescallo on the eastern side feels quieter and more intimate. The center becomes crowded with day-trippers, prices are high and arriving by car is slow and tiring.
Varenna
The Passeggiata degli Innamorati leads from the ferry to the colorful houses of Riva Grande, with Villa Monastero and Castello di Vezio above. Hotel Villa Cipressi and Hotel Royal Victoria occupy superb waterfront positions. Rail and ferry links make the village easy without a car, but streets are steep, parking is difficult and nightlife is extremely quiet.
Menaggio
Piazza Garibaldi and the broad promenade work well with strollers, while Lido di Menaggio offers pools, lawns and lake access on summer days. Grand Hotel Menaggio faces the ferry terminal, making Bellagio and Varenna easy to visit without moving the car. It is spacious and relatively good value, though less picturesque than Bellagio and nightlife largely means aperitivo and gelato.
Lecco and the Eastern Shore
Lecco feels like a lived-in Italian city rather than a tourist postcard, with Lungolago di Lecco, streets around Piazza XX Settembre and the Piani d’Erna cable car for mountain outings. Hotels such as NH Lecco Pontevecchio are often more affordable, while nearby Abbadia Lariana has simple, pleasant swimming beaches. The trade-off is distance from the central lake’s essential sights and no club-style nightlife, making it a base for activities rather than parties.
Year-round weather
Year-round weather in Como
Temperature averages
Real climate dataינו
9°
2°
Cool
פבר
11°
4°
Cool
מרץ
14°
6°
Cool
אפר
17°
8°
Recommended
מאי
21°
13°
Recommended
יונ
26°
18°
Excellent
יול
28°
20°
Excellent
אוג
29°
20°
Excellent
ספט
23°
16°
Excellent
אוק
19°
13°
Recommended
נוב
13°
6°
Cool
דצמ
11°
4°
Cool
Most pleasant weather: יונ · יול · אוג · ספט
Peak season for Israelis (when everyone goes): מאי · יונ · יול · אוג · ספט. July and August are peak season, especially during Israel's school holiday, with warm weather, full ferry schedules and higher prices around Bellagio and the villas. May, June and September are excellent for blooming gardens, pleasant boat trips and lighter crowds.
Based on a 3-year average · measured in Como · Open-Meteo
This week in Como
Measured in Como
18°
Sunny
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Things to do
Things to do in Como
On the map
Como on one map
Every spot travelers love — tap a pin for photos, opening hours, navigation and booking.
Suggested plan
A perfect Como itinerary
Day by day, so you can picture the whole trip.
- 1
Day 1
Como and Brunate
Begin at Piazza del Duomo, visit Como Cathedral and wander between Via Vittorio Emanuele II and the covered Mercato Coperto. In the afternoon, follow the waterfront past Tempio Voltiano to Villa Olmo and its gardens. Around 17:00, ride the funicular to Brunate and, if energy allows, walk roughly 30 minutes to Faro Voltiano. Return for aperitivo at Piazza Volta or dinner around Via Diaz, with self-catering arrangements for kosher travelers.
- 2
Day 2
Varenna and the Gardens
Leave early by train or ferry and reach Varenna before 09:00, while the Passeggiata degli Innamorati and Riva Grande are still quiet. Spend the morning in the waterfront gardens of Villa Monastero and Villa Cipressi, booking tickets in advance during high season. At lunch, choose a dairy or vegetarian meal at a village trattoria, or a packed picnic for kosher travelers, then climb to Castello di Vezio for sweeping central-lake views. Finish with gelato by the pier and return before late ferry frequencies drop.
- 3
Day 3
Bellagio and the Villas
Take the first ferry to Bellagio and enter Villa Melzi when it opens, before the day-tour groups arrive. Continue along the promenade, climb Salita Serbelloni and reach Punta Spartivento, where the lake’s three branches spread out ahead. For lunch, choose somewhere on the streets above the harbor rather than the front row, or bring supplies if keeping kosher. Walk to the fishing quarter of Pescallo in the afternoon, and stay for a waterfront glass of wine only if the ferry timetable allows a comfortable return.
- 4
Day 4
Menaggio or a Summer Lido Day
Sail to Menaggio, have coffee in Piazza Garibaldi and walk the broad promenade toward the Villa Mylius Vigoni area. In summer, reserve at Lido di Menaggio for pools and lake access; in spring or autumn, choose an easy section of the Greenway del Lago di Como around Lenno instead. Add Villa del Balbianello with a timed reservation, reaching it on foot from Lenno or by a short water taxi. Return on an afternoon ferry, when softer mountain light makes the deck part of the experience.
- 5
Day 5
Private Boat and Shoreline Villages
Groups and families should consider booking a skippered motorboat for two to four hours, departing in the morning when the lake is usually calmer. Request a route past Villa Balbianello, Villa Carlotta, Villa d’Este and the villages of Tremezzo and Nesso, with a photo stop by Orrido di Nesso rather than swimming in an unregulated spot. After the cruise, visit Villa Carlotta’s gardens and art collection, then have lunch in Tremezzo or picnic on the promenade. Return to Como toward evening for shopping on Via Vittorio Emanuele II and around Piazza San Fedele.
- 6
Day 6
Lecco and the Mountains
Finish with an active day in Lecco, walking along Lungolago to Ponte Azzone Visconti and the center around Piazza XX Settembre. In clear weather, take the bus and cable car to Piani d’Erna for a short hike facing the Resegone peaks; confirm operations in advance and wear proper footwear. Families preferring the water can replace the mountain with Parco di Ulisse Guzzi beach in Abbadia Lariana. Return to Como by train via Monza, or continue directly to Milan for a final night and shopping before the flight.
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Budget
How much does Como cost?
Real ILS price ranges, so you know what to expect.
Return flight from TLV
₪650-1,600 (summer: ₪2,200+)
4-5 night package
₪2,800-5,800 per person
Mid-range hotel night
₪600-1,150 per room
Five-star hotel night
₪1,900-5,500 per room
Restaurant meal
₪85-180 per person
Local beer
₪22-35
Coffee
₪6-15
Short taxi ride
₪45-90
Rental car per day
₪180-380 (parking extra)
Day ferry pass
₪65-125
Lido and sunbed
₪65-150
Daily budget per person
₪450-900 (excluding hotel)
Family, five nights
₪13,000-24,000 (including flights)
Good to know
Good to know before Como
Getting around
From the airport
Most Israelis arrive at Malpensa: the Malpensa Express to Saronno with a connection to Como Lago usually takes 75-100 minutes and costs about ₪45-65 per person, while a bus or train to Milano Centrale followed by a train to Varenna suits eastern-shore stays. An official taxi or private transfer to central Como costs roughly ₪500-700 and takes 45-70 minutes; Bellagio or Menaggio usually costs ₪850-1,200 and can take up to two hours with traffic. A rental car is practical for villas and remote villages; from Bergamo, take a bus or taxi to Bergamo station and trains via Monza or Lecco, generally 2-3 hours and ₪45-90 per person. Uber around Milan is mainly a premium service rather than a cheap taxi substitute, so pre-book a driver for late-night arrivals.
Need a car?
Couples or families staying in Como, Varenna, Bellagio or Menaggio and focusing on the central-lake villages do not need a car: trains and ferries avoid congestion, narrow roads and costly parking. A car helps families with substantial luggage, guests in hillside villas and travelers continuing to Lugano, Valtellina or Bergamo, but it is best left at the hotel while sightseeing by ferry. Drivers uncomfortable on narrow roads should avoid the winding Como-Bellagio section during peak hours.
Tips
Download the Trenord app for trains and use the Navigazione Laghi app or website for ferries, but arrive at the pier 30-45 minutes early in summer because a ticket does not always guarantee boarding on a crowded sailing. Taxis do not cruise village streets as they do in some cities; arrange one through the hotel, a taxi rank or appTaxi, and pre-book at night. Como, Bellagio and Varenna have camera-controlled ZTL zones with fines, while blue spaces require payment; the Como-Brunate funicular is excellent for views, but sunset queues can be long.
Kosher & Jewish
Chabad / community
The Lake Como towns do not have a permanent, easily accessible Chabad house comparable with major Israeli holiday destinations, so do not rely on a daily minyan or spontaneous Shabbat meals. The practical nearby address is Milan, particularly Chabad Milan and the Ohel Yaakov synagogue at Via Carlo Poerio 35, where prayer services and community activities take place; Shabbat meals require advance registration and confirmation. Strictly observant travelers should stock up in Milan and choose an apartment in central Como within walking distance of the promenade and sights.
Kosher food
There is currently no permanent certified-kosher restaurant in Como, Bellagio or Varenna, so kosher-observant Israelis commonly stock up in Milan, where kosher venues include Denzel and Carmel and kosher groceries can be found around Via Soderini. Larger Carrefour, Esselunga and Coop supermarkets around Como may carry packaged goods with international kosher symbols alongside fruit, vegetables, pasta and staples, but selection varies and local bakery goods or cheeses should not be assumed kosher. The easiest solution is an apartment with a kitchen, packed food for ferry days and advance coordination with the hotel about a refrigerator and hot plate, without expecting a kosher kitchen.
Travel insurance
Travel insurance for Como 🇮🇹
A hospital day in Como can cost thousands. Full coverage with Hebrew support.
- Medical + hospital 24/7
- Trip cancellation
- Baggage
- Gadgets & pre-existing conditions
Currency & rates
Live rateCurrency & rates
Quick conversion at today's rate
Convert
You get
351.8
1 EUR
₪3.52
100 EUR
₪351.8
1,000 EUR
₪3,518
Source: exchangerate-api · updated Sep 14 · refreshes daily
Visa & documents
Visa & documents for Como 🇮🇹
What you need before you fly
- אין צורך בוויזה לישראלים לשהייה קצרה באזור שנגן, בכפוף לכללי הכניסה העדכניים
- Passport valid 6 months
- Travel insurance, leave details for a quote
Local tips
Good to know about Como
- 💳Credit cards are accepted almost everywhere in Como, but keep €30–50 in cash, roughly ₪125–₪210, for kiosks, public toilets, and small businesses in Brunate.
- 🚤In July and August, book the servizio rapido to Bellagio in advance through Navigazione Laghi, as the fast boat saves about an hour each way and popular departures sell out.
- 🚆From Milan, take a direct train to Como San Giovanni, while services from Milano Cadorna terminate at Como Lago, the most convenient station for the cathedral and ferry pier.
- 🛏️Without a car, stay in the old town around Piazza Volta or Como Lago, while couples seeking quiet, elegant hotels, and parking will prefer Borgo Vico near Villa Olmo.
- 🎟️Villa del Balbianello must be reserved in advance, including a timed garden or interior visit, and in summer the water taxis from Lenno also fill quickly.
- 🚗Do not drive into the old town’s ZTL restricted zone; leave the car at Autosilo Valduce or Parcheggio Centro Lago to avoid a fine that may reach Israel months later.
- 🍷Como is not a major clubbing destination, so for a good evening head to the bars around Piazza Volta between 7:00 and 9:00 p.m., dress smart casual, and do not expect a party atmosphere before midnight.
- 🎰For casino gaming, travel about 35 kilometres from Como to Casinò di Campione in Campione d’Italia, bringing an original passport and dressing neatly.
- ✡️Como does not have a dependable selection of kosher restaurants, so kosher-observant travelers should contact Chabad of Lake Como in advance and stock up on sealed products at the Carrefour Market on Via Fratelli Recchi.
- 🌦️Even in August, carry a compact umbrella and a light layer for boat trips, as afternoon storms arrive quickly and the piers become noticeably colder after sunset in spring and autumn.
מאיה רוזן
Senior agent · Greece for 12 years
"Como is where Italian elegance meets scenery that genuinely makes you slow down. I love starting beside the water at the Villa Olmo promenade, taking the funicular up to Brunate, and then watching the lake unfold from near Faro Voltiano. Israelis fall for this combination: villa-hopping by boat in the morning, shopping along Via Vittorio Emanuele II in the afternoon, and a relaxed aperitivo in Piazza Volta at night."
Loves
My local secret is to reach Lido di Villa Olmo right when it opens on a weekday and claim a spot facing the mountains before local families arrive. Afterwards, walk back toward central Como along Passeggiata Lino Gelpi, a particularly beautiful route during golden hour.
Skip
The most common mistake is joining the long Como–Brunate funicular queue in the middle of a summer day, only to find the top crowded and hot as well. Go before 9:30 a.m. or toward evening, and do not stop at Brunate’s main square; continue toward Faro Voltiano.
Boutique pick
I begin at 8:00 a.m. with an espresso and pastry near Piazza San Fedele, board a fast boat to Bellagio at 9:00, and visit the gardens of Villa Melzi before the crowds. At lunchtime, I cross by ferry to Varenna, wander its lanes and the Passeggiata degli Innamorati, then return to Como on an afternoon sailing. At 6:30 p.m. we head up to Brunate in the soft light, finishing at 9:00 with a drink in Piazza Volta and gelato from Gelateria Lariana by the lake.
Client stories
What returning travelers say about Como
"We rode the Como-Brunate funicular before sunset and the view genuinely took our breath away. The next day we sailed to Villa del Balbianello, whose waterfront gardens made the day even more romantic than we had imagined."
Noa and Ido, Tel Aviv
Couple · 4 nights · June
"The children loved every ferry ride, especially the trip from Como to Bellagio and swimming at Lido di Bellagio. Villa Carlotta was also excellent for our family, with huge gardens and plenty of places to pause without rushing."
Michal and Uri, Modi'in
Family with children · 5 nights · August
"We hired a private boat from Como and stopped in front of Villa Pliniana, which was easily the highlight of the trip. That evening we had cocktails at Terrazza 241 and realized Como is less party-focused than Milan, but far more beautiful and relaxed."
Roi, Daniel and Shahar, Haifa
Friends · 3 nights · July
"We began the morning with a relaxed waterfront walk to Villa Olmo, with no schedule and no need to take the car. The following day we caught the ferry to Varenna and explored the gardens of Villa Monastero, which looked especially beautiful in September."
Ruti and Amos, Ra'anana
Older couple · 4 nights · September
FAQ
Common questions about Como
Do Israelis need a visa to visit Como?
Israeli passport holders do not need a visa for tourist stays of up to 90 days in Italy and the Schengen Area; before traveling to Como, check whether ETIAS has become operational and make sure your passport meets the validity requirements.
Are there direct flights from Israel to Como, and how long is the flight?
Como has no airport, so travelers fly nonstop from Tel Aviv to Milan Malpensa in about four hours, followed by a 45 to 60-minute drive to Como. The train via Milano Centrale is another option, although a rental car or private transfer is easier with luggage.
When is the best time to visit Como, and when is peak season?
The best time for Como is May to June and September, when the lake is lush, ferries are running frequently and the weather is pleasant; crowds and prices peak in July and August, especially in Bellagio and Varenna. Pack light clothing and an evening layer in summer, plus a rain jacket and comfortable shoes for the cobbled streets and steps in spring or autumn.
How many days should you spend in Como, and what should you combine it with?
Three nights in Como are enough for the city, Bellagio, Varenna and at least one villa, while four to five nights allow for a slower pace and a private boat trip. Many Israelis combine Como with two nights in Milan, or continue to Lake Garda and the Dolomites on a longer itinerary.
How do you get around Como and between the lake towns?
Central Como is easy to explore on foot, while ferries are the most scenic and practical way to travel between Como, Bellagio, Menaggio and Varenna; in summer, buy tickets early and arrive at the pier ahead of departure. A car helps with villas and smaller villages, but roads are narrow and parking in Como and Bellagio is limited and expensive.
How much does a couple’s holiday in Como cost?
A four-night Como holiday for two generally costs around ₪6,000 to ₪11,000 including flights to Milan, a good hotel, transport and meals, although a luxury waterfront hotel and private boat can push the total beyond ₪15,000. Staying in Como city is usually cheaper than Bellagio, Cernobbio and the lake’s iconic resort hotels.
Is Como safe for Israeli travelers?
Como is considered very safe, but watch for pickpockets on trains from Milan, at Como San Giovanni station and around crowded ferry terminals. Avoid displaying Israeli symbols near demonstrations, follow official Israeli travel guidance and keep valuables close even at cafés.
What should you not miss in Como, and is it better for families or couples?
Como essentials include the funicular to Brunate, a ferry trip to Bellagio and Varenna, and a visit to Villa Carlotta or Villa del Balbianello; couples will love a sunset cruise and Cernobbio, while families tend to prefer ferries, swimming at Lido di Bellagio and an easy day in Menaggio. Strollers are awkward in terraced gardens and steep lanes, so a baby carrier is useful.
Does Como have nightlife or casinos?
Como nightlife is polished but relatively quiet, centered on cocktails around Piazza Volta, the Terrazza 241 rooftop and summer evenings at Lido di Cernobbio rather than all-night clubs. There is no casino in Como city, but Casino di Campione is about a 40-minute drive away in the Italian enclave of Campione d’Italia.
Are kosher food and Chabad available in Como?
Chabad of Lake Como assists visitors with pre-arranged Shabbat meals and kosher food, but Como does not have the permanent selection of kosher restaurants found in Milan. Kosher-observant travelers should coordinate well ahead, book accommodation with a kitchenette and stock up in Milan before reaching Como.