Lake Como

Lake Orta is much less touristy and very beautiful, the best hotel is Villa Crespi.
It is however ££££’s.

For a first visit I’d stay in the middle of the lake rather than Como town. Varenna, Bellagio and Menaggio sit in a triangle with ferries every half hour or so between them. Varenna also has a direct train from Milan in about an hour. Late May or September is calmer than summer.

Villa Carlotta in Tremezzo is lovely when the azaleas are out in spring. Villa del Balbianello is the famous one on the point (book ahead). FWIW free planners like Wanderlog let you pin the hotel, the ferry stops and the villas on one map so you can see what’s an easy hop. I’d pick Varenna if you’re coming by train

The last time we went was before Covid, i would never choose to stay in Como though, rather one of the lovely hotels around it’s shores.

It is a lovely lake though, but as others have said busy.

LOUISA1523

It's too busy these days .....I would go elsewhere if you want lovely lakes ....France....slovakia .....Slovenia

Shush. Don’t spread the word on how lovely Slovenia is. 😉

I meant to add we were there in July.

We had a lovely holiday in a place called Menaggio on Lake Como some years ago, for about a week. It was just busy enough. We then spent a few nights in Como itself which was much busier.

We went, a few years ago in mid May. It wasn’t too touristy at that time of year. We stayed in a hotel on the lake in the centre of Como.
The boat trips to other towns around the lake were lovely.

It's too busy these days .....I would go elsewhere if you want lovely lakes ....France....slovakia .....Slovenia

Aveline

We've been. It was plainly beautiful but just jam packed with tourists and that was at the end of the season so we were glad we weren't there in peak season. Try going earlier in the year?

I just going to say that ‘ jam packed’ watched a clip on YouTube, of that place & the amalfi coast. Traffic looked horrendous trying to get passed each other.
I’ll just stick with our Lake District even that’s becoming mobbed.

We went to the Italian Lakes in May this year, we were touring but spent 3 nights in the north of Lake Como, tourist spots were busy as expected but not impossible. We were staying in small hotels very good trip, Garda was also busy, Maggiore was quieter, excellent trip.

Sorry I should have said we hired a car.

Yes we have been. Always late August. We don't do hotels we go Agritourism you meet lots of interesting people.
Agritourism Runchee was the last place we stayed and what a view of the lake.
Food was fantastic they grow their own vegetables.
They couldn't do enough for us even kept the best seat in the restaurant.
Look them up. If you go enjoy!!!!

We've been. It was plainly beautiful but just jam packed with tourists and that was at the end of the season so we were glad we weren't there in peak season. Try going earlier in the year?