Como, Bellagio and Varenna by Ferry: Best Routes and Itineraries
Plan your Lake Como ferry itinerary between Como, Bellagio, Varenna, Menaggio and Villa del Balbianello. Discover the best routes, where to start, how much time you need and the most common mistakes to avoid.
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Como, Bellagio and Varenna by Ferry: Best Routes and Itineraries
Visiting Lake Como by ferry is one of the most beautiful experiences you can have during a trip to the lake. The problem is that many visitors, especially on their first trip, do not immediately understand the real distances and end up planning days that are too full.
Como, Bellagio, Varenna, Menaggio, Tremezzo, Lenno and Villa del Balbianello are all wonderful places, but it does not make sense to try to see them all in the same day.
The ferry is a great way to get around, but it works best with a realistic itinerary. This guide will help you understand where to start, which routes to choose and which combinations work best.
1. Before you start: always check your return
Before choosing your itinerary, check your return first.
Many visitors plan their day by looking only at how to get to Bellagio, Varenna or Villa del Balbianello. The problem, however, often comes at the end of the day, when you need to get back to your base.
In summer, at weekends and on public holidays, ferries can be crowded, queues can be long and some connections may be less convenient in the late afternoon.
Before leaving, always check the official timetables:
https://www.navigazionelaghi.it/biglietti-e-orari-lago-di-como/
New to Lake Como ferries?
If you have not yet read the general guide, start here:
2. Como or Varenna: where should you start?
This is one of the most important questions.
Many visitors automatically think they should start from Como to visit Bellagio and Varenna. It is possible, but it is not always the most efficient option.
Como is a beautiful and convenient city, but it is located at the south-western end of the lake. Bellagio and Varenna are further north, in the central lake area. The boat trip from Como to Bellagio can take time, especially with regular passenger boats.
If your goal is to visit Bellagio, Varenna and maybe Menaggio in one day, a more practical solution is often to arrive by train at Varenna-Esino and then use the central lake ferries.
Varenna is connected by train with Milan and is a very convenient base for reaching Bellagio and Menaggio.
In practice:
if you want to visit the city of Como, start from Como;
if you want to visit Bellagio and Varenna, consider Varenna as your starting point;
if you want to explore the central lake area, Varenna, Bellagio, Menaggio and Cadenabbia are often the most strategic places.
Not sure which ferry ticket to buy?
Before choosing your itinerary, also check which type of ticket you need: one-way ticket, return ticket, circular ticket, fast service or car ferry.
3. Easy itinerary from Milan: Varenna and Bellagio
If you are arriving from Milan and have only one day, this is one of the easiest and most enjoyable itineraries.
Recommended route:
Milano Centrale → Varenna-Esino → Varenna → Bellagio → Varenna → Milan
Why it works:
Varenna has a train station;
the village is beautiful to explore on foot;
the Varenna–Bellagio ferry connection is one of the most useful routes in the central lake area;
you do not waste too much time on long transfers;
you can return to Milan by train from Varenna.
This itinerary is perfect if you want a beautiful day without too much stress.
Once you arrive in Varenna, you can walk along the lakefront, see the Lovers’ Walk, visit the historic centre and, if you have time, Villa Monastero.
Then you can take the ferry to Bellagio, visit the village, walk up through the historic centre, continue to Punta Spartivento or visit the Gardens of Villa Melzi.
The advice is simple: do not leave Milan too late and do not wait for the last ferry to return to Varenna.
4. Full itinerary from Milan: Varenna, Bellagio and Menaggio
If you want to add a third town, you can consider Menaggio.
Possible route:
Milano Centrale → Varenna-Esino → Varenna → Bellagio → Menaggio → Varenna → Milan
This itinerary is beautiful, but busier.
It works best if:
you leave Milan early;
you check the ferry timetables carefully;
you do not spend too much time in each town;
you travel in a period that is not too crowded;
you are happy to walk and move at a fairly active pace.
Menaggio is a good addition because it has a wide lakefront, a more relaxed atmosphere and a different view of the central lake area.
Compared with Bellagio and Varenna, Menaggio can be more convenient for a break, a coffee or a relaxed lunch.
However, if it is your first time on Lake Como, Varenna + Bellagio are already enough for a beautiful day. Adding Menaggio only makes sense if you really want to see three towns and you have checked the connections carefully.
5. Como → Bellagio by ferry: beautiful, but plan it carefully
The Como–Bellagio route is one of the most famous on Lake Como.
It is very scenic: from the boat you can see villas, villages, mountains, gardens and beautiful views. But it is not a short route.
Many visitors underestimate the distance. They look at the map, see Como and Bellagio on the same lake and think it is a quick trip. In reality, with a regular passenger boat, it can take quite a lot of time.
This does not mean it is not worth doing. On the contrary, it can be a wonderful experience if you consider it part of the day and not just a transfer.
The Como–Bellagio route is suitable if:
you are staying in Como;
you want to enjoy the lake from the water;
you are not in a hurry;
you want to visit Bellagio without using a car;
you check your return carefully.
It is less suitable if you want to see Varenna, Menaggio, Tremezzo and Lenno on the same day. In that case, you risk spending more time moving around than actually visiting.
If you start from Como and want to visit Bellagio, choose your outbound time carefully and, above all, your return time.
6. Bellagio → Varenna: one of the most useful routes
The Bellagio–Varenna route is one of the most useful routes for visiting the central lake area.
Bellagio and Varenna are very different but complementary. Bellagio is more famous, elegant and central. Varenna is smaller, more romantic and very scenic.
Visiting them together in the same day makes a lot of sense.
If you start from Varenna, you can do:
Varenna → Bellagio → Varenna
If you start from Bellagio, you can do:
Bellagio → Varenna → Bellagio
In both cases, check the return timetable and leave enough margin, especially if you need to catch a train from Varenna-Esino.
Varenna is very convenient if you are arriving from Milan, but it has steps, slopes and narrow passages. If you are travelling with strollers, small children or luggage, allow more time.
7. Bellagio → Menaggio: adding a third town
Menaggio is a good third stop if you want to complete an itinerary in the central lake area.
The Bellagio–Menaggio route is useful because it connects two different shores and allows you to see a wider, more relaxed side of the lake.
Menaggio is particularly suitable if:
you want to take a walk along the lakefront;
you are travelling with children;
you want a less crowded break than in Bellagio;
you want to stop for lunch or an aperitivo;
you want to see the central lake area from a different perspective.
If you only have half a day, do not add Menaggio just for the sake of it. It is better to enjoy Varenna and Bellagio properly.
If you have a full day and start early, Menaggio can be a very nice addition.
8. Como, Bellagio and Varenna in one day: does it make sense?
It can be done, but it is not always the best choice.
Many visitors want to see Como, Bellagio and Varenna in the same day because they are the most famous names. The problem is that, logistically, it can become a very long day.
If you start from Como and want to reach Bellagio by ferry, you need to consider the journey time. If you then want to add Varenna and return to Como, you need to check the timetables very carefully.
For a first visit, I recommend choosing one of these two approaches:
Option 1: Como + the first basin
Visit Como, Cernobbio, maybe Brunate, or take a short scenic boat ride on the lake.
This is a simpler and less stressful day.
Option 2: Varenna + Bellagio
Arrive by train in Varenna, visit Varenna and Bellagio, then return from Varenna.
This is often the most practical choice if you are arriving from Milan and want to see the central lake area.
Trying to do everything in the same day can turn your trip into a constant race.
How to reach Villa del Balbianello by ferry
Villa del Balbianello is one of the most requested places to visit on Lake Como. Many visitors want to reach it by combining train, ferry and walking.
The main reference point is Lenno. The main public ferry stop is Lenno: from there, you can continue on foot towards Villa del Balbianello.
The walk takes around 20–25 minutes and includes an uphill section. It is a beautiful route, but in summer, under the sun, it can be more tiring than many visitors expect.
If you want to avoid the walk, there is also a private taxi boat service from Lido di Lenno that takes you towards the villa. This is a paid service, not included in Navigazione Laghi tickets, and it should be checked depending on availability, season and current conditions.
If you are starting from Varenna, Bellagio or Menaggio, you need to check the ferry combinations carefully towards Lenno or the nearest convenient stop.
The key point is this: if you have a timed entrance ticket for Villa del Balbianello, leave plenty of extra time.
Do not plan a connection that is too tight between train, ferry, walk and entrance to the villa. In July and August, between queues, crowds and small delays, you risk arriving stressed or late.
It is better to arrive early, take a walk in Lenno and enjoy the route calmly.
Itineraries with children: simple is better than perfect
With small children, the rule is simple: do not look for the perfect itinerary, look for the least stressful one.
Many families want to visit several towns, swim, see villas, take ferries, eat out and maybe even add another trip away from the lake. This is understandable, but with small children it can become tiring.
If you are travelling with children, choose short routes and easy towns.
Menaggio, for example, is often a good choice for families: it has a pleasant lakefront, more open spaces and a less complicated atmosphere than other villages with narrow streets and steep steps.
Varenna is beautiful, but it has steps, slopes and narrow passages. Bellagio is stunning, but in high season it is best visited early to avoid the crowds.
With small children:
avoid too many stops in the same day;
bring water and hats;
allow time for breaks and gelato;
choose beaches or lidos that are easy to reach;
avoid tight connections;
do not wait for the last ferry to return.
A realistic itinerary with children could be:
Varenna → Bellagio → Varenna
Or:
Menaggio → Bellagio → Menaggio
If the children are small, I would avoid adding too many stops in the same day. On Lake Como, the winner is not the person who sees the most places. The winner is the person who enjoys the day better.
How much time should you spend in each place?
This is a realistic estimate, not a fixed rule.
Varenna
Allow at least 2–3 hours. If you want to visit Villa Monastero, stop for lunch or take photos calmly, consider half a day.
Bellagio
Allow at least 3 hours. Between the historic centre, the lakefront, Punta Spartivento and the Gardens of Villa Melzi, time passes quickly.
Menaggio
Allow 1.5–2.5 hours. It is perfect for a walk, a break, a simple lunch or an aperitivo.
Como
Allow at least half a day, or better a full day if you want to see the historic centre, the Cathedral, the lakefront, the funicular to Brunate and maybe also take a boat trip.
Villa del Balbianello
Consider the time for the ferry, the walk from Lenno, the possible booked visit and the return. Do not treat it as a quick stop to fit between too many other things.
Mistakes to avoid when planning ferry itineraries
Before organizing your day, avoid these mistakes:
starting from Como and thinking that Bellagio is very close;
trying to see Como, Bellagio, Varenna, Menaggio, Tremezzo and Lenno in the same day;
not checking the last return ferry;
planning tight connections with trains or timed entrance tickets;
underestimating queues and crowds in July and August;
arriving in Varenna without leaving enough time for the return train;
visiting Bellagio only in the middle of the day, when it is most crowded;
adding Villa del Balbianello without considering the walk from Lenno;
planning an itinerary that is too ambitious with small children;
thinking that the car is always faster than the ferry.
The best advice is simple: choose fewer stops, leave more margin and enjoy the lake.
Read also
👉 Lake Como Ferry Guide: How to Use Ferries Without Stress
To understand the general rules, avoid queues and use regular boats, fast services and car ferries correctly.
👉 Lake Como Ferry Tickets: Which Ticket Should You Buy?
To choose the right ticket before planning your itinerary.
Plan your Lake Como trip
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https://mysecretview.com/free-map
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⛴️ Check official ferry timetables and tickets
https://www.navigazionelaghi.it/biglietti-e-orari-lago-di-como/