Situated in northern Italy, a stone’s throw away from Milan, Como is known for its first-class restaurants, luxury resorts and picturesque lake. Whether you’re staying in one of the gorgeous hotels that line the Old Town's cobbled streets or nestled somewhere in the heart of the nearby mountains, the city offers a chocolate-box image of Italy.
Como’s 146-square-kilometre lake is what attracts visitors year on year. Discover the city from a new perspective by taking a traditional Italian water taxi to see the homes of film stars and celebrities. Spend a day wandering through the greenery of the Sentiero del Viandante or relax in the 15th-century botanical gardens of the Hotel Villa Cipressi for a taste of Renaissance-era Italy.
Como’s city centre boasts century-spanning architecture with the Casa del Fascio showcasing the rationalist style popular in the 1960s. The city is also home to the Gothic Como Cathedral and the 17th-century ruins of the Forte di Fuentes, but it's the Basilica of Sant'Abbondio where you’ll find ornate frescos to rival the Sistine Chapel.
One of the main draws of Italy is its food and wine, but a strong argument can be made for Lake Como providing the nation’s best. With hundreds of restaurants dotted around the lake, it's worth exploring to sample traditional staples like carbonara, pizza or freshly caught fish. Alternatively, head into the mountains to the Enoteca Principessa to taste local wines in a glacier-tipped setting with views of the famous lake.