Where to Stay on Lake Como: Why Varenna Is the Best Base for Exploring the Lake
If you are planning a trip to Lake Como, one of the first questions you will probably ask yourself is: where should I stay?
Bellagio? Menaggio? Como? Varenna?
After spending a lot of time around the lake — and, more importantly, using the public transport system regularly — I would personally choose Varenna.
Not only because it is beautiful. Not only because it has that postcard-perfect Lake Como atmosphere.
I recommend Varenna because it makes exploring Lake Como incredibly easy, especially if you are travelling without a car.
And if this is your first time visiting Lake Como, that convenience can make a huge difference.
Varenna: the perfect base for Lake Como
Varenna is a small village on the eastern shore of Lake Como, right in the heart of what is often called the Golden Triangle of Lake Como, together with Bellagio and Menaggio.
Its location is one of its biggest advantages.
From Varenna, you can easily reach:
Bellagio
Menaggio
Tremezzo
Villa Carlotta
Villa del Balbianello
Lake Como's central lake area
and many other villages around the lake
But there is another advantage that I think is often underestimated:
you don't need a car.
Visiting Lake Como without a car? Stay in Varenna.
This is probably the biggest reason I recommend Varenna to friends visiting Lake Como.
The railway station is just a short walk from the village and connects Varenna directly with Milan.
This makes Varenna one of the easiest places to reach if you are arriving from Milan by train.
And once you arrive, you can leave the car behind.
That's exactly how I prefer to experience Lake Como.
Instead of spending your holiday worrying about parking, traffic and narrow roads, you can simply walk down to the lake, take a ferry or a boat and enjoy the scenery.
For me, this is one of the things that makes Varenna feel particularly special.
Train + ferry + boat = Lake Como without a car
A typical day can be surprisingly simple:
Milan → Varenna by train → walk to the lake → ferry to Bellagio → lunch → explore → ferry back to Varenna.
No car.
No parking.
No traffic.
No complicated logistics.
And if you want to explore the lake from a completely different perspective, you can also join a Lake Como boat tour from Varenna.
That's when the location becomes even more convenient.
Want to see Lake Como from the water?At Fauno Sailing, we depart from Varenna and take small groups out onto the lake aboard our sailing boat. It is a relaxed way to discover the central lake, swim, enjoy an aperitivo and see places such as Bellagio, Menaggio and Tremezzo from the water.[Discover our Lake Como sailing tours →]
Varenna vs Bellagio: which is better?
Bellagio is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful and famous towns on Lake Como.
But being famous doesn't necessarily mean being the best place to stay.
Bellagio is excellent for visiting, having lunch, walking through the historic centre and enjoying the views.
However, when choosing a base for your entire Lake Como trip, I often prefer Varenna.
Why?
Because Varenna combines the atmosphere of a small Italian village with excellent transport connections.
You can stay somewhere quiet and picturesque while still being able to move around the lake and reach Milan easily.
And getting to Bellagio from Varenna is incredibly easy: simply take the ferry across the lake.
So you don't have to choose between Varenna and Bellagio.
Stay in Varenna and visit Bellagio.
And if you want to experience the journey between them without being surrounded by crowds, consider doing it from the water on a private sailing tour.
Make the lake part of the experience.Instead of simply taking a ferry from one village to another, spend a few hours sailing through the heart of Lake Como, with time for swimming, relaxing and enjoying an aperitivo on board.[Explore our private boat tours from Varenna →]
Varenna vs Menaggio
Menaggio is another fantastic option, especially if you want to explore the western shore of Lake Como.
It has a beautiful lakefront promenade, plenty of restaurants and a more relaxed atmosphere.
But again, if you are arriving from Milan and don't have a car, Varenna has a major advantage thanks to its train station.
From Varenna, you can use the lake itself as your transportation network.
And that's something I always recommend to visitors:
don't think of Lake Como as a road trip. Think of it as a lake trip.
The boat is often the most enjoyable way to move between the villages.
Why Varenna is so convenient for a Lake Como itinerary
One of the biggest mistakes first-time visitors make is trying to see too much in one day.
Lake Como looks small on a map, but the roads around the lake can be slow, especially during the busiest months.
With Varenna as your base, you can build a much more relaxed itinerary.
Day 1: Varenna
Spend your first day discovering the village.
Walk along the lakefront, explore the narrow streets and enjoy the views.
Visit Villa Monastero and Villa Cipressi, and simply take your time.
You don't need to rush.
Day 2: Bellagio and the central lake
Take a ferry from Varenna to Bellagio.
Spend a few hours exploring the village and then continue by boat or ferry around the central part of the lake.
This is where you start to understand why Lake Como is so famous.
The mountains, historic villas and villages look completely different from the water.
Day 3: Boat tour
If you really want to experience Lake Como, spend at least a few hours on a boat.
A Lake Como sailing tour from Varenna is one of my favourite ways to explore the central lake.
From the water you can see the villas and villages from a completely different perspective, stop for a swim and simply enjoy being on the lake rather than constantly moving from one place to another.
At Fauno Sailing, our tours depart from Varenna and explore the central part of Lake Como, including areas around Bellagio, Menaggio and Tremezzo.
The idea isn't to tick places off a list.
It's to enjoy the lake.
Have only a few hours on Lake Como?You don't need a full day to enjoy the lake from the water. Our 3- and 4-hour sailing tours from Varenna are designed for travellers who want to combine sightseeing with a relaxed experience on board.[See our Lake Como shared sailing tours →]
The local advantage: why I would choose Varenna
When you look at Lake Como online, it is easy to focus on the most famous destinations.
Bellagio is famous.
Como is famous.
Lake Como's villas are famous.
But when you actually spend time around the lake, you start noticing something different: convenience matters.
Varenna gives you a combination that is difficult to beat:
Beautiful village + train station + ferry connections + central location + easy access to boat tours.
And because I regularly use public transport around Lake Como, I know how valuable that combination is.
You can arrive by train, walk to the lake, take a ferry, explore another village and return in the evening — without ever needing to rent a car.
That's a much more relaxed way to experience Lake Como.
And if you have already made the effort to come all the way to Varenna, don't forget to look at the lake from the lake itself.
Where should you stay on Lake Como?
Here is my simple recommendation:
Stay in Varenna if:
You are visiting Lake Como for the first time
You are coming from Milan
You don't want to rent a car
You want easy ferry connections
You want to visit Bellagio and Menaggio
You want to take a Lake Como boat tour
You prefer a smaller, romantic village
Choose Bellagio if:
You want to stay in the most famous village
Restaurants and shopping are particularly important to you
You don't mind a busier atmosphere
Choose Menaggio if:
You prefer the western shore
You want easy access to Tremezzo and the villas
You prefer a slightly more relaxed atmosphere
But if you ask me for one answer?
Varenna.
Final tip from a local
Don't try to experience Lake Como entirely from the road.
The lake is the reason you're here.
Use the train to arrive, walk through the villages and use the boats to move around.
And make Varenna your base.
It gives you one of the best combinations of beauty, accessibility and convenience on Lake Como — especially if you're travelling without a car.
And once you've seen the lake from the water, you'll understand why a boat tour isn't just another activity to add to your itinerary.
It's one of the best ways to experience Lake Como.
Ready to see Lake Como from the water?
Whether you have 3 hours, 4 hours or an entire day, there is a sailing experience from Varenna to fit your itinerary.
Join us aboard Fauno Sailing and discover the central lake away from the busiest roads — with a local skipper, a small group and plenty of time to simply enjoy being on the water.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Varenna a good place to stay on Lake Como?Yes. Varenna is one of the best places to stay on Lake Como, particularly for first-time visitors and travellers without a car.
Can you visit Lake Como without a car?Absolutely. Varenna is particularly convenient because it has a railway station, ferry connections and easy access to boat tours.
Is Varenna better than Bellagio?It depends on what you want. Bellagio is more famous and lively, while Varenna is smaller, quieter and extremely convenient for travelling around Lake Como.
How do I get from Milan to Varenna?The easiest option is usually the train from Milan to Varenna-Esino.
Can I take a boat tour from Varenna?Yes. Varenna is an excellent starting point for exploring the central part of Lake Como by boat.
What is the best place to stay on Lake Como without a car?For many travellers, Varenna is one of the best choices because of its combination of train connections, ferry services and central location.
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