Lake Como, Italy

Lake Como

Lake Como, also known as Lake Lario, is the deepest lake of Europe, with a depth of 410 meters (1345 feet), as well as the third biggest Italian lake (146 km², 56 square miles).

This area, thanks to its mild and humid climate, favours the lushness of an abundant Mediterranean flora: cypress trees, laurel trees, camellias, azaleas, rhododendrons, magnolias, and palm trees.

Inhabited since prehistoric time, this "piece of heaven" is an oasis of peace, where you can relax, enjoy hikes, water sports, taste the excellent local cuisine while you're staring at the majestic mountains diving into the lake.

This wonderful landscape and the surrounding valleys inspired many Italian artists and scientists, such as Alessandro Manzoni, Virgilio, Alessandro Volta...

The Romans were the first to realise the importance of the waterway of Lake Como that they navigated in their biremes transporting legionaries and goods towards the alpine passes in the direction of central Europe.

It was only in 1826 however, the year of launching the "Lario" steamboat that the first regular navigation service was started up for the public. Today, the jumbo-hydrofoils seating 200, and the large motor launches take off on their frequent crossings from the wharf of Piazza Cavour, stopping off in all the main centres of the lake and reaching as far as Colico, 70 kilometres away to the north. The launches offer splendid cruises from April to September with lunch on board, and journeys to satisfy even the most seasoned travellers.

To embark on the "Manzoni", the "Volta", or the historic "Concordia on holidays", heading up the lake, means to live an unforgettable experience. Sailing along the shoreline, we can admire a succession of sumptuous villas, mainly eighteenth century, half-hidden in the little bays or towering over the water, following one after the other like pearls in a sparkling necklace. Then there are the churches, abbeys, picturesque villages, castles and towers that appear by magic amidst the dark green of the oak forests sloping down in all their magnificence from the steep hills to the edge of the deep blue waters.

The Como area owns an incredible artistic heritage, that’s why it offers different options for those who really want to "live" the lake of Como: cultural tours to Como or to Lecco, relaxing walking tours on the green valleys of the area or among the towns where you may visit the characteristic villas of the area and the Romanesque churches that testify of a Middle Age period in Como… as well as dark works of military fortifications of various ages, where you’ll listen and learn anecdotes and legends that are reminders of a turbulent and adventurous past.

All this and more awaits you in the Lake Como area.