Attending a Wedding at Lake Como: The Complete Guest Travel Guide

A wedding at Lake Como is about as romantic as it gets. The lake sits in a deep glacial valley in northern Italy, flanked by mountains that rise steeply from the water's edge, with grand villas, terraced gardens, and small lakeside villages that look like they haven't changed in centuries. George Clooney chose to live here for a reason — and so do hundreds of couples who choose it as the backdrop for their wedding.

For guests, the practical challenge is that Como is not a city with an airport. It's a lake surrounded by mountains, served by ferries and winding lakeside roads. Getting there requires a bit of planning — but the reward is one of the most spectacular settings in Europe. This guide covers everything: how to get there, where to stay, how to get around the lake, and what to expect from an Italian lakeside wedding.

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Getting to Lake Como

Flying into Milan Malpensa (MXP)

Milan Malpensa is the primary gateway to Lake Como and the airport most guests should target. It's northern Italy's main international hub with strong connections across Europe and direct flights from several US cities. From the airport, the southern end of Lake Como is roughly one hour by car.

For the most popular lakeside towns — Bellagio, Varenna, Menaggio — a private transfer from Malpensa takes approximately 1.5 to 2 hours depending on traffic and your final destination. This is the most comfortable option and can be pre-booked through services like GetTransfer or local operators.

Milan Linate (LIN)

Milan's smaller, more central airport handles mostly European short-haul flights. It's closer to the city centre but further from the lake itself. If you're connecting via Milan Linate, you can take a taxi or bus to Milano Centrale station and then catch a train to the lake — the journey to Varenna takes about an hour on the scenic Lecco line.

Bergamo Orio al Serio (BGY)

If you're flying a budget carrier — particularly Ryanair — you may land at Bergamo, about 50 minutes east of the lake. It's a viable option, especially if the flight savings are significant. The drive to Bellagio takes roughly 1.5 hours, or you can take a bus to Bergamo station and then train to Lecco and on to Varenna.

By Train

Italy's rail network connects well to the lake. The most useful station is Varenna-Esino, served by regional trains from Milano Centrale (approximately 1 hour, very scenic). From Varenna, you can catch a ferry to Bellagio, Menaggio, or Cadenabbia. The town of Como Nord Lago is also reachable by train from Milan, useful for staying at the southern end of the lake.

For a full breakdown of every route into Italy, see our complete transport guide.

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Where to Stay

Lake Como is shaped like an inverted Y, with three main branches meeting at the central promontory where Bellagio sits. The western shore (Como, Cernobbio, Tremezzo, Menaggio) tends to have more grand hotels and better road access. The eastern shore (Lecco, Varenna) is quieter, more authentic, and connected by both road and rail. The central area around Bellagio is the most sought-after and the most expensive.

Bellagio

Often called the "pearl of the lake," Bellagio sits at the point where Como's three branches meet, offering views in every direction. It's the most famous lakeside town and the one most visitors picture when they think of Como. Narrow cobbled streets, lakefront restaurants, and gardens that cascade down to the water.

• Budget: €120–€200/night — Small guesthouses and B&Bs in the town centre. Rooms may be compact, but the location is unbeatable.
• Mid-range: €200–€400/night — Lakefront hotels with terraces, pools, and classic Como elegance. The sweet spot for most wedding guests.
• Luxury: €400–€800+/night — Grand hotels with private docks, Michelin-starred restaurants, and the kind of views that make you reconsider your life choices.

Varenna

On the eastern shore, Varenna is Bellagio's quieter, more intimate counterpart. It has a genuine village feel — fewer tour groups, excellent restaurants, and a waterfront promenade (the Passeggiata degli Innamorati, or Lovers' Walk) that is genuinely one of the most romantic short walks in Italy. The Villa Monastero gardens are worth visiting. Varenna also has a direct train connection to Milan, making it the easiest town to reach by public transport.

• Budget: €100–€180/night — Better value than Bellagio, with characterful guesthouses and small hotels.
• Mid-range: €180–€350/night — Lakefront properties with gardens, terraces, and ferry dock access.

Cernobbio and the Western Shore

Cernobbio sits at the southern end of the western shore, close to Como town and home to the legendary Villa d'Este. The western shore between Cernobbio and Menaggio hosts some of the lake's grandest properties, including Grand Hotel Tremezzo and Villa del Balbianello (a popular wedding venue). This stretch has better road access than the eastern shore and a wider range of accommodation.

• Budget: €90–€160/night — Properties in smaller towns like Laglio, Lenno, or Ossuccio offer good value and a local atmosphere.
• Mid-range: €160–€350/night — Lakefront hotels in Tremezzo, Menaggio, or Cadenabbia. Excellent ferry connections to Bellagio and Varenna.
• Luxury: €350–€1,200+/night — Grand Hotel Tremezzo, Villa d'Este, and their peers. Some of the finest hotel experiences in northern Italy.

Como Town

The city at the southwestern tip of the lake is the most accessible base — direct trains from Milan, good bus connections, and a wide range of accommodation and restaurants. It's a real working Italian city rather than a tourist village, which gives it a different energy. The lakefront funicular to Brunate offers spectacular views. Como town works well as a base if the wedding is at the southern end of the lake; for Bellagio or Varenna weddings, it's a longer ferry or drive.

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Getting Around the Lake

Ferries

The ferry network is the defining transport experience of Lake Como — and often the most practical way to move between towns. Navigazione Laghi operates regular services connecting Bellagio, Varenna, Menaggio, Cadenabbia, Tremezzo, Cernobbio, and Como. There are two types: the traghetto (car ferry, slower, connects the central triangle of Bellagio-Varenna-Menaggio-Cadenabbia) and the battello (passenger ferry, various routes along the lake).

The car ferry across the centre of the lake takes about 15 minutes and runs frequently. The slow boat from Como town to Bellagio takes roughly 2 hours but is a beautiful journey. A hydrofoil (aliscafo) service runs a faster route for a premium. Check schedules at navigazionelaghi.it — services reduce significantly in the off-season.

Driving

Lakeside roads are narrow, busy in summer, and parking is limited in the popular towns. If you do rent a car, it's useful for reaching more remote locations or for airport transfers, but for moving between lakeside towns the ferry is often faster and always more enjoyable. Parking in Bellagio typically costs €2–€4 per hour, and spaces fill quickly in peak season.

For the Wedding Day

Many Como wedding venues arrange private boat transfers for guests — arriving at the venue by boat across the lake is one of the most memorable experiences you can have. Check with the couple whether this is organised. If not, a pre-booked water taxi is the most elegant option. Road taxis are available but limited; book in advance rather than hoping to flag one down.

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What to Wear

Lake Como weddings tend toward elegant sophistication. The setting — grand villas, formal gardens, lakefront terraces — invites a more polished dress code than a rustic Tuscan farm wedding. Think structured rather than flowing, refined rather than bohemian.

For Women

A elegant midi or full-length dress in a structured fabric is the safe choice. Como evenings can be cooler than you'd expect — the lake creates its own microclimate, and temperatures drop noticeably once the sun sets behind the mountains. Bring a wrap or light jacket. Shoes should be elegant but walkable; many venues have cobbled paths, steps down to lakefront terraces, and garden walkways. Avoid stilettos.

For Men

A well-cut suit is standard. In summer, a lightweight fabric in mid-blue, charcoal, or stone works well. Linen is acceptable but can crease heavily by evening — a linen-cotton blend offers the best compromise. Shoes should be clean and polished; the combination of a sharp suit and battered shoes is noticed in Italy.

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Extending Your Trip

Lake Como rewards extra time. Even two or three additional days transform the trip from a wedding weekend into a proper Italian escape.

• Villa gardens: Villa del Balbianello (Lenno), Villa Carlotta (Tremezzo), and Villa Melzi (Bellagio) are all extraordinary. Balbianello, set on a wooded headland, is arguably the most beautiful private garden in Italy.
• Milan: Just an hour by train, Milan offers the Duomo, the Last Supper, world-class shopping, and a food scene that rivals any city in Italy. A day trip is easy; a night or two lets you enjoy it properly.
• Hiking: The Greenway del Lago di Como is a gentle 10km walking path along the western shore, passing through olive groves, villages, and villa gardens. For something more challenging, the trails above Varenna offer spectacular aerial views of the lake.
• Wine: The Valtellina wine region, an hour north of the lake, produces excellent Nebbiolo-based wines (locally called Chiavennasca) from dramatic terraced vineyards. Less famous than Barolo or Brunello, but the wines are outstanding and the landscape is breathtaking.

Explore our curated collection of Lake Como wedding venues to see what makes this lake one of the world's most coveted wedding destinations.