Please don’t sleep on Como City, it is a lovely town in Lake Como and the best part is Como is also open all year around. I ended up in Como City completely by accident, and it turned out to be one of the best travel mistakes I’ve ever made.
As you well know by now, I was in Italy for my best friend’s wedding at Villa del Balbianello, and I had the wrong villa entirely in my head. I thought it was near Como City, so I booked an Airbnb right inside the old town walls by the square.
And Como City has won me over. The Airbnb was inside the medieval walls of the old town, a few minutes’ walk from the Duomo and the lakefront. The prices here are much cheaper than the other Lake Como towns.
I have put together this guide on where to stay in Como City and the best areas to stay in specifically to help you make the most out of your visit, including my hotel picks for every budget, and the one question I get asked constantly “is Como City actually worth staying in, or should you just stay in Bellagio?”.
In a rush, here are my top hotel picks:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Palazzo San Gottardo Lake Como, A Radisson Collection : Best luxury hotel in the city Check for your rates & availability
⭐️⭐️⭐️ Palace Hotel Como : Best mid-range lakefront pick Check for your rates & availability
⭐️⭐️ ⭐️ Albergo Firenze: Best boutique option Check for your rates & availability
Where to Stay in Como City, My Quick Answer
The short answer is most like Centro Storico which is in the old town. It’s central in Como, very walkable area and everywhere is quite a short distance to one another. Also incredible atmospheric, evening time is the best, the families and people are out and about having dinner or catch up, and it’s so lively especially around the Duomo square.
I’ll be honest, it probably the busiest area but it’s so close to the lake and the ferries which is probably what you will want to town hop during the day, and you have the ammenities nearby too.
Also great fo getting the private boat tours or self driving boats, the docks are nearby.
When it comes to hotels, the best one is probably the Palazzo San Gottardo Lake Como, A Radisson Collection which is luxury, yes but oh so stunning. This is where I stay for best of both worlds here in Como City.
However, the Albergo Firenze is a very good choice, it’s more affordable and also has lakefront views as well. Full of character, and sometimes I do love having the charm of the hotel to match the vibe of the place I’m staying in.
For me, location is everything paired with a nice, clean hotel with an AC (depending on the country) or working heater. Plus accesibility to public transport as I don’t drive and also the main attractions, and both these hotels suits those elements.
Is Como City worth staying in?
This is the question everyone always asks and my answer is yes, of course, especially if you are coming in the off season and during the peak season, it depends on what kind of Lake Como trip you’re planning.
Como City is a fully functioning Italian city of around 85,000 people. It has traffic, a train station, supermarkets, shops. If you’re looking for a quiet lakeside village, Como City is not quite that.
What Como does better than anywhere else on the lake is logistics. Direct trains from Milan Central take around 40 minutes, which means you can arrive straight from Malpensa without a transfer. The fast ferry to Bellagio takes around 75 minutes from the terminal. The western shore road to Villa del Balbianello runs directly from the city.
For a first visit, it makes a lot of sense as a base. You get easy lake access, transport links that actually work, and you come back in the evening to a city with things going on. Not a village that shuts down at 8pm.
Como town is not as pictureques or as charming as Varenna or Bellagio as its more of a bigger town vibe so you will have to keep this in mind. If you want that dreamy lakeside luxury villa vibe, then I suggest going for either Varenna or Bellagio or even Menanggio.
Though there are plenty of things to do in Como town, like the Bunnate, the town itself, museums, and hikes.
Best Areas to Stay in Como City
1. Centro Storico (Old Town), Best for First-Time Visitors
This is where I stayed and where I would suggest to most people. The lake is a 10-minute walk. The ferry terminal is 12 minutes on foot. The Brunate funicular is 8 minutes. The whole old town takes around 20 minutes to cross.
Narrow pedestrianised streets, cobblestones, Piazza San Fedele with a 12th-century basilica and a Saturday market worth timing your visit around. Piazza del Duomo is a short walk away.
Evening is the best time here. Everyone is out, the piazza is lively, and the whole area has a completely different energy to the daytime.
Parking tip: The centre is pedestrianised. If you are driving, you will need a paid public garage nearby. Budget around 20 to 25 euros per day for parking.
Best Hotels in the Centro Storico
If you want Como to feel like a real occasion, this is the one I would book.
Vista Palazzo is a converted 19th-century palazzo right on Piazza Cavour, steps from the pedestrian waterfront. The rooms have parquet floors, marble bathrooms, and walk-in closets. Some have balconies facing the lake. The rooftop restaurant, Ristorante Sottovoce, is one of the better spots in the city for a dinner with views.
The hotel is part of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World collection. It is small and boutique, which means the service level is a different thing entirely to a chain property.
The downside is the hotel does not have a pool or a full spa. If that is important to you, look further up the lake. But for a stay in Como that actually feels special, this is the most interesting option by a long way. Book ahead for summer as it sells out fast.
Check availability at Vista Palazzo Lago di Como
2. Palazzo San Gottardo Lake Como (Radisson Collection) The Best Luxury Hotel in the City
This is the best full-service luxury hotel in Como city. It reopened in early 2026 after being closed for nearly a century and the result is impressive.
The original 1926 palazzo facade is intact. Inside it is modern and light, with 70 individually furnished rooms and suites. The rooftop bar and restaurant has panoramic views over the city and the lake. There is a full spa with indoor pool, sauna, and steam room in the basement. Two restaurants on site, including Radiante on the rooftop, run by Sicilian chef Danilo Vella. Nespresso machines, 24-hour room service, and suites with their own balconies overlooking Piazza Cavour.
Because it is newly reopened, some early feedback mentions small teething issues around consistency. The location and the building are exceptional. Worth checking recent feedback before booking just to see how things have settled in.
Check availability at Palazzo San Gottardo
Is the Como Lakefront Worth Staying On?
If you want lake views from the moment you step outside and the fastest possible access to the ferries, yes.
The stretch around Piazza Cavour puts you right on the water. Every ferry, hydrofoil, and slow boat leaves from here. Convenient if you are planning to ferry hop around the Como towns which I hope you will.
The trade-off is atmosphere. The lakefront is slightly less local in feel than the Centro Storico. As a first-time visitors who are planning to experience the lake properly thenI say it is worth it. The aperitivo scene on Piazza Cavour in the evenings makes up for a lot.
The lakefront promenade also has some of the better aperitivo spots in the city. My partner and I ended up at a bar on Piazza Cavour the evening before the wedding.
1. Palace Hotel Como, Best Mid-Range Lakefront Hotel
For most people, this is where I would start.
The Palace Hotel is directly on the lakefront at Piazza Cavour. The ferry dock is outside. The old town is a short walk behind you. It is a 19th-century building in a mix of Liberty and Art Deco styles, 94 rooms, and the breakfast room has garden views and is consistently the thing people mention first when they talk about this hotel.
The rooms vary quite a bit. Lakefront-facing rooms with a balcony are amazing and of course, is a different experience to a standard interior room. So make sure to request a balcony if that’s what you are after.
Some of the standard rooms are compact but for a well-located, reliable mid-range base with character, it is the most practical choice in the city.
Check availability at Palace Hotel Como
2. Albergo Terminus, Best Boutique Hotel in Como
This is the one I would stay in myself next time.
Albergo Terminus is a historic lakefront building right next door to the Palace Hotel. Old-school Italian grand-hotel feel in the lobby, tall ceilings, a terrace bar doing cocktails in the evenings, and free breakfast included. The location is essentially the same as the Palace but the atmosphere is different.
The hotel has more character, slightly smaller rooms, and breakfast included in the rate.
Rooms are on the smaller side, and that is the main thing to plan around. The lake-view rooms are a completely different experience to the standard rooms, so request one specifically or the size will be frustrating.
It is also slightly cheaper than the Palace for a similar lakefront position, which makes it solid value once you factor in the breakfast.
Check availability at Albergo Terminus
Is Staying Near Como San Giovanni Station a Good Idea?
Probably not, I mean the centre is quite close to the station already, probably about 15 minutes walk.
If you are flying into Malpensa and heading straight to the lake, or combining Como with several days in Milan, staying near San Giovanni keeps the logistics simple. The fast Trenord service to Milan takes under 30 minutes.
The area is not pretty. It has a commuter feel rather than a holiday one, and it is further from the lake. The walk from San Giovanni down to the ferry terminal takes 15 to 20 minutes. Mostly downhill going, fully uphill coming back.
If you are here for practical reasons, then perhaps yes, but otherwise I wouldn’t recommend it unless it fits your budget.
1. B&B Hotel Como City Center, Best for Budget Travellers
For budget travellers, this is the one I would book.
It is clean, modern, and well-located near the train station, which puts the old town and lakefront within easy walking distance. The staff get mentioned constantly in feedback as friendly and genuinely helpful, which matters more than most hotel features when you are in a new city. Breakfast is a proper buffet.
The rooms are nothing special, some face a main road so noise can be an issue, and there are no lake views or atmosphere to speak of. But you are not paying for any of that. The money you save goes straight toward a good dinner by the water. That is the right trade.
Check availability at B&B Hotel Como City Center
2. Hotel Metropole Suisse: Is This the Best Value Hotel in Como City?
It’s been running for over a century, it’s close to the lakefront in a good central location, and delivers a consistent stay without charging for things you won’t use. The Art Deco details in the public areas give it more character than a chain hotel, and the breakfast looks fine.
The reviews are steady rather than spectacular. Guests tend to call it clean, well-located, and good value. But if your plan is to be out on the lake most of the day, you want a reliable base to come back to at the end of it, and this is exactly that.
Check availability at Hotel Metropole Suisse
Best Time to Stay in Como City
Is Spring the Best Time to Visit Como
Yes. April through early June is when I would go.
The crowds have not fully arrived, restaurants are open and not overwhelmed, and the lake in late spring light is a very good reason to be here. Prices are lower than peak summer across every hotel in the city. You will also have more room on the ferries, which matters more than you would think when you are trying to get to Bellagio on a Tuesday morning in July.
Is Summer Worth It Despite the Crowds
It depends on how much crowds bother you.
July and August bring the best weather and the worst queues. The ferries fill up, restaurants need reservations a few days ahead, and hotel prices are 30 to 50 percent higher across the board. The lake in summer is very beautiful and the aperitivo scene on Piazza Cavour in the evenings is worth it. If you are coming in summer, book hotels and boat tours at least two months ahead.
Is Como City Worth Visiting in Winter
This is where Como outperforms every other town on the lake.
Most villages around Lake Como wind down significantly between November and March. Restaurants close, ferries run reduced schedules, and the atmosphere disappears. Como stays open. The cathedral, the silk museum, the cafes, and the restaurants all run as normal. If you are visiting between November and March, Como is one of the only places on the lake that actually makes sense as a base. Prices drop considerably. You will have the city to yourself.
My Practical Tips for Staying in Como City
Do You Need a Car in Como City
No, not for the city itself. The old town, the ferry terminal, the Duomo, and the funicular are all within 15 minutes on foot from the lakefront hotels.
Where a car becomes useful is exploring the western shore, which is harder to reach by ferry alone. If that is part of your plan, pick it up from Malpensa Airport rather than in the city. Prices are significantly better and it is a direct train ride away.
Do You Need a SIM Card or eSIM for Italy
I use Saily for Italy and sort it before I leave home. You land with data already running, which makes navigating Milan, the trains, and the ferry schedule much less stressful from the start.
How Much Do Hotels in Como City Cost
Budget options run from 80 to 160 euros per night. Mid-range is 150 to 350 euros. Luxury starts around 500 euros and goes well above that in peak season. Booking two to three months ahead gives you significantly better availability and rates at every level.
How Many Nights Do You Need in Como City
Two nights is the sweet spot for most visitors.
One night does not give you enough time to explore the city and get a full day out on the lake. Two nights covers both. Three nights only makes sense if you are using Como as a full base for day trips rather than moving on to another town.
For a longer trip, I would spend two nights here and then move to Varenna for the second half. You get the practical base when you need it and the quieter atmosphere at the end. That combination is hard to beat.
Who Should Stay in Como City?
Is Como City Good for Couples?
Yes, particularly for a first Lake Como visit.
The old town at night, once the day visitors have cleared out, is genuinely lovely. Small bars, good wine, stone streets with no traffic. The wedding trip that accidentally landed me here was one of the more romantic few days I’ve spent anywhere, and I wasn’t even trying to make it that.
For couples, I’d go Vista Palazzo for a splurge or Albergo Terminus for something atmospheric at a more manageable price. Skip the standard rooms at the Palace if romance is the priority: they’re reliable but not special enough for that kind of trip.
If you’re thinking about combining Como with a quieter village for the second half of the trip, that’s the combination I’d actually recommend. My [full Lake Como travel guide] has a suggested split.
Is Como City Good for Families?
It works well, especially if you have a car.
The old town is manageable with kids and the Brunate funicular is genuinely fun, seven minutes up to the village with Alps views that land differently when you’re eight years old. Villa Olmo by the lakefront has gardens and a seasonal lido which makes for an easy half-day.
Families with a hire car will find Como the most useful base on the lake. The western shore roads are spectacular and you reach smaller beaches and villages that ferry-only visitors miss entirely. If driving the lake is part of your plan, start here.
Is Como City Good for Solo Travellers?
Really good, actually. I’d pick it over the smaller villages for a solo trip without hesitation.
The city is compact and easy to navigate alone. The lake transport means you can move between towns without a car or a fixed plan. And Como has enough going on in the evenings that you’re not sitting in your hotel by 8pm wondering what to do, which is what happens in some of the quieter lake villages outside of peak season.
My Final Thoughts
I didn’t expect Como City to be the place I stayed on Lake Como, but it was such a lovely vibe, a bigger town vibe which I do enjoy.
Since I have stayed here, I probably will stay in Como City again especially during the off peak times, it is cheaper and more things to do here, and ferry hop where I like to go.
Courtney xx
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If you’re planning your trip around Lake Como, these Lake Como guides will help you in planning your trip:
Best things to do in Varenna, Lake Como Italy 2026 + One Day Itinerary
Best things to do in Como City, Lake Como Italy + One Day Itinerary
Best things to do in Bellagio, Lake Como Italy 2026 + One Day Itinerary
Lake Como Travel Guide 2026: Your Next Dream Summer Vacation
Villa del Balbianello: Is It Actually Worth the Hype? (2026 Guide)
9 Best Towns in Lake Como (2026): Where to Visit + The One Most Tourists Miss
WhatsupCourtney
Hey! I’m Courtney, creator behind the travel and food site WhatsupCourtney and @heywhatsupcourtney on socials.
If you want trips that feels good while you’re there without the stress and to find a way to go on trips more often, you’re in the right place.You will find detailed travel itineraries to destination guides and food worth seeking out, everything here is built to help you spend less time planning and more time experiencing the places you visit.
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