Located on the Italian-Swiss border, the city of Como in Italy overlooks the southwest end of its lake and is surrounded by green ridge hills, resulting in unparalleled, natural scenery.

Como is home to some of the best attractions in the Lombardy region, and it is worth a visit even for a simple stroll through the streets of the city center. It is an ideal destination for those visiting Lake Como for a day and those staying longer.

In Como you can visit beautiful squares with churches, visit the city’s historic buildings (such as Villa Olmo or Volta museum), enjoy the view of the city from above from breathtaking vantage points, go shopping in search of the best local products… and much more!

In addition, thanks to the public boat service, it is possible to reach all the towns on the lake, from the closest (such as Cernobbio, 15 minutes by boat) to the most famous pearls of the lake’s center (Bellagio and Varenna, 1.5 – 2h).

Enclosed within imposing medieval walls – of which Porta Torre, overlooking Piazza Vittoria, is one of the most scenic gates – the Como’s city center is home to fascinating squares, each with its own personality.

Piazza Duomo, Cathedral and Broletto

The main square is Piazza Duomo, which houses the imposing Como Cathedral (Duomo di Como): an eclectic building, combining Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque styles. The Duomo is open for visits on weekdays from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on holidays from 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Just between the cathedral and its bell tower is the Broletto, the former town hall that now often hosts art exhibitions and assemblies. It is a visually striking building, with a facade banded with Lombard marble in three different colors: white, gray and red.

Under the arches of the Broletto is tourist information, open daily from 10 am to 1 pm and 2 pm to 6 pm. Also, if you are interested in theater, you will be happy to know that behind the cathedral is the Teatro Sociale di Como, the opera house that hosted illustrious musicians as Niccolò Paganini and Franz Liszt in times past.

Piazza San Fedele and its Basilica

Just a 3-minute walk from Piazza Duomo is Piazza San Fedele. This square, originally a grain market, is home to a beautiful Romanesque church dating back to 1120: the Basilica of San Fedele.

If you happen to pass by this little square on a Saturday, you will have the chance to come across numerous stalls, where you can find antiques and handicrafts.

Piazza Volta and Piazza Mazzini

If you arrive in Como at the San Giovanni station and head downtown, Piazza Volta will be the first square in the historic center you encounter (less than a 10-minute walk). Piazza Mazzini is the adjacent square.

These two squares are the center of Como’s nightlife. Among elegant Art Nouveau buildings and stores selling typical products are numerous restaurants, wine bars and pubs to satisfy all tastes.

Don’t miss the opportunity to stroll along the nearby Via Vitani, one of the richest vestiges of the medieval city of Como that is home to historic trattorias and fine stores.

The historic center overlooks the lakefront with Piazza Cavour, where the office for boat tickets is located.

I recommend you go left, because the promenade leading to Como Lago station is under renovation and does not allow you to fully enjoy the experience. Here are a few attractions not to be missed on the lakefront!

Life Electric

As you walk along the lakefront you will see Life Electric, a monument by archistar Daniel Libeskind.

The avant-garde work is located at the bottom of a small artificial dam (called Diga Foranea) and is a homage to the voltaic pile invented by Alessandro Volta.

Lakeside gardens, Volta Museum & War memorial

Talking of Alessandro Volta, don’t miss the nearby Volta museum, which collects evidence of his work and even the first version of the electric battery. The museum is open Tuesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The regular admission ticket costs €5.

Next to the museum is the garden area overlooking the lake, a popular place for tourists and locals, especially during the summer season. Festivals and musical or culinary events are often organized here.

This area is also home to the imposing War Memorial (Monumento ai Caduti), a 33-meter (108-foot) tall rationalist-style building dedicated to the 650 fallen Como soldiers of World War I. From the top of the monument there is a magnificent view of Lake Como and the city. It is usually possible to climb to the top of the monument on Sundays, but currently it is only possible to do so during specific occasions as the structure is undergoing restoration.

If you love historic villas, stroll along the romantic Passeggiata Lino Gelpi (which starts a few steps from the War Memorial) and reach the impressive Villa Olmo, a neoclassical building dating back to 1780.

Villa Olmo really has it all: an Italian-style garden overlooking Lake Como for splendid photographs, an English-style back garden for relaxing, and interior rooms full of paintings, statues, and precious stucco decorations.

And do you want to know the best thing? Admission to the villa and its gardens is completely free.

Villa Olmo is also the starting point of a simple and beautiful walk among villas and botanical rarities: the Chilometro della Conoscenza.

The Como-Brunate funicular

Want to enjoy a breathtaking view of the city of Como? Visit Brunate, a town that overlooks Como from the top of a hill 715 meters (about 2,345 ft) high.

The Como-Brunate funicular – which runs from Piazza Alcide de Gasperi, very close to the Como Lago train station – will take you to Brunate in a few minutes.

Once in Brunate, you can walk for about 20 minutes and reach the Volta Lighthouse (Faro Voltiano), that can be visited every day except non-holiday Wednesdays, from 10:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. (closed in case of bad weather).

Beaches in Como

If you want to relax on a beach, you can go to Lido Villa Olmo, a beach with two swimming pools and a bar that offers a beautiful view of Lake Como and the opposite coast.

Otherwise, on the opposite shore (at the end of Viale Geno) is the recently opened Lido Giulietta al Lago, which offers all the services you need.