Your essential guide to Lake Como

SAIL

For the full sensory experience of Lake Como, travel by boat is the best way to view – and visit – its shoreside historic villas, and it’s also often the fastest way to get between villages. There are quality local operators, or Mandarin Oriental guests can advance book private boat trips of an hour or longer.

VISIT

If you’re choosing just one scenic excursion somewhere further along the lake, a visit to Villa del Balbianello in Leno delivers one-stop historic glamour. Converted to luxury lodgings from a monastery in 1787, its romantic splendour has added lustre to movies including Casino Royale and a 2002 Star Wars instalment.

FEAST

Fine dining lakeside is a Como must-do, so book a table at L˜ARIA, where head chef Massimiliano Blasone combines Italian and Asian influences. Take in the Lake Como vista via floor-to-ceiling windows in the main space, or ask for a seat on the terrace, set in the hotel’s botanical gardens.

MARVEL

Como is rightly famous for its cathedral, so pause in the medieval town centre to take in the spectacle of the Duomo’s grand interior and artistic riches. It’s well worth a few minutes of your time, having taken 350 years to build.

SPLASH

Go one better than a boat tour and take to the waters of Lake Como on water-skis, a kayak or a paddleboard. These water sport options and more are available to Mandarin Oriental guests. Too sporty for you? Simply lounge by the iconic ‘floating' pool.

DINE

Diners can expect to share La Colombetta’s atmospheric setting in a former 14th-century convent with the local glitterati (has George Clooney been seen here? Of course he has). To the west of the Lariano triangle, it’s less than 15 minutes’ drive from Mandarin Oriental and serves refined Italian cuisine with a seafood emphasis.

DISCOVER

In sleepy Varenna, step inside the lovingly preserved Villa Monastero. It’s among the most enchanting waterfront mansions here, with distinctive spiral columns and a botanical garden. The March 2023 reopening showcases further restoration.

WALK

The scenic Oasi di Baggero lakes look age-old, but were formed after the rewilding of a previously mined area. Its two lakes, surrounded by greenery, were once excavation sites for marl – they’re a true oasis, and perfect for a country ramble.

SIGHTSEE

The many villages in the vicinity of Lake Como each have their own distinct appeal. If you’ve already ticked off the lazy-luxe experience of some of the best known, explore further. The pretty village of Nesso encompasses natural beauty spots, including a gorge and waterfalls.

DRINK

Visiting a family winery in the verdant Lombardy countryside, such as the much-awarded Vitivinicola Cernobbio is a highly agreeable way to deepen your wine knowledge. Ask your concierge for help to book – and make sure you’re being driven back.

HIKE

Burn off the calories from any gelato scoops you’ve been enjoying with a bracing hillside hike for two – tailored to your abilities by the team at Mandarin Oriental, Lago di Como. Start from the resort to hike up to Monte Boletto and, to see Milan, head further afield towards the hamlet of Monte di Liscione.

ADVENTURE

One of the best things to do with kids in Lake Como is to join your small people (minimum height: 110cm, no age limit) on a fun and eco-friendly tree-top adventure of walkways and ziplines at Jungle Raider Park.

Como’s true selling point is, of course, the lake. Cruise around its shores on a Venetian-style boat stopping at Bellagio, a postcard-worthy town that’s home to flower-filled gardens and artisanal boutiques selling all manner of treats, from hand-crafted leather goods to delicious perfumes. Elsewhere on the lake, you’ll pass the stately Villa Carlotta and its blooming, botanical grounds, plus the Orrido waterfalls and its ultra-Instagrammable stone bridge.

- The concierge team at Mandarin Oriental, Lago di Como.