Where to Stay in Lake Como: Why I Recommend Bellagio

On By saar.decosterIn Europe, Italy

Wondering where to stay in Lake Como?

Okay, I’m going to make this one very easy for you.

Stay in Bellagio.

I know there are loads of beautiful towns and villages around Lake Como, and places like Como, Varenna and Tremezzo are all popular options. But if you’re planning to actually explore different parts of Lake Como, I personally think Bellagio makes the best base.

It’s right in the middle of the lake, so you can easily take ferries to different towns without constantly having to travel back and forth from Como. And honestly, taking the ferry around Lake Como is part of the experience anyway.

I stayed around Lake Como and, if I were doing it again, I would definitely choose Bellagio as my base.

So in this guide, I’m keeping it simple: why I recommend Bellagio and three accommodation options I would actually consider staying at.

→ Planning a bigger trip through Italy? Check out my Northern Italy Travel Guide.

Where to Stay in Lake Como at a Glance

If you don’t want to read the whole guide, here’s the short version:

AreaBest forMy take
BellagioExploring Lake Como & ferry connections⭐ My pick
ComoTrain connections & city atmosphereConvenient, but not my first choice
VarennaSmaller village & beautiful viewsBeautiful, but I prefer Bellagio as a base

My top picks

Best area overall: Bellagio
Best for exploring Lake Como: Bellagio
Best for ferry connections: Bellagio
Best for a budget stay: Agriturismo La Derta
Best central hotel: Hotel Du Lac & SPA
Best for a simple hotel in the centre: Hotel Bellagio

If you’re still deciding how long to stay, I’ve also broken down how many days you need in Lake Como and what I’d recommend for different trip lengths.

Short on time?

If you don’t want to read through the full guide, here are 3 accommodation options I’d recommend checking out in Lake Como:

All three are in or around Bellagio, which is the base I’d personally choose for exploring Lake Como.

Why I Recommend Staying in Bellagio

If you’re asking me where to stay in Lake Como, Bellagio would be my first choice.

The biggest reason is simply the location.

Bellagio sits right in the middle of the lake, where the three branches of Lake Como meet. This means you can use it as a base and take ferries to other places around the lake instead of travelling all the way from Como every time you want to visit another village.

And there is something really nice about waking up, walking down to the lake and just getting on a ferry.

You can spend one day in Varenna, another exploring Tremezzo and Menaggio, another visiting somewhere like Bellano or Nesso, and then come back to Bellagio in the evening.

The ferry network is seasonal and timetables can change, so definitely check the schedule for your travel dates. But for exploring the central part of Lake Como, Bellagio is incredibly well placed.

What I like about staying in Bellagio

  • Very central on Lake Como
  • Great ferry connections
  • Easy to visit different towns
  • Beautiful lake views
  • Pretty streets and little restaurants
  • You can walk around the village in the evening
  • You don’t need to keep changing accommodation

The downside

Bellagio is small and touristy.

So if you’re looking for somewhere with loads of nightlife or a big-city atmosphere, this isn’t it.

But honestly, you’re coming to Lake Como.

I don’t think you’re coming here for the nightlife.

You’re coming for the lake, the mountains, the little villages, the ferries and the ridiculous views.

And for that?

Bellagio makes a lot of sense.

Where to Stay in Bellagio

1. Hotel Du Lac & SPA

If you want to stay right in the middle of Bellagio, Hotel Du Lac & SPA is a great option.

The hotel is directly on Piazza Mazzini, overlooking the lake and sitting opposite the ferry dock. So location-wise, it is basically impossible to be more convenient if you’re planning to explore Lake Como by boat. Booking.com currently gives it a 9.4/10 overall rating and a 9.9/10 location score.

It also has a rooftop terrace with panoramic lake views, a restaurant and a spa.

The big selling point for me is obviously the location.

You can literally walk out of the hotel, grab your coffee and be at the ferry terminal in minutes.

I’d choose Hotel Du Lac if: you want a comfortable hotel, beautiful lake views and the most convenient possible location for exploring Lake Como.

Book here: Hotel Du Lac & SPA

2. Hotel Bellagio

Another option right in the centre is Hotel Bellagio.

This is a good choice if you want to stay in the actual heart of the village without going for one of the really expensive luxury hotels around Lake Como.

It’s centrally located on Salita Grandi, with the lake, restaurants and ferry connections all within easy reach.

The hotel is a more straightforward option than somewhere like Hotel Du Lac, but that’s exactly why it can make sense if you mainly want a good base and plan to spend most of your time out exploring the lake anyway.

I’d choose Hotel Bellagio if: you want a central hotel in Bellagio and mainly care about location rather than having a huge resort-style hotel.

Book here: Hotel Bellagio

3. Budget Option: Agriturismo La Derta

Okay, this is probably my favourite option if you’re travelling on more of a budget and want something that feels completely different from a normal hotel.

Agriturismo La Derta (Bellagio)

I stayed here and honestly thought it was so beautiful.

It’s an actual farm stay, so you get a completely different atmosphere from staying in the centre of Bellagio. There’s a real farm vibe, the setting is beautiful and peaceful, breakfast is included and they focus on organic food.

It feels much more like you’re staying somewhere in the Italian countryside than in one of the touristy hotels around Lake Como.

And I mean…

look at it.

It’s gorgeous.

The only downside, especially if you’re travelling solo, is the location.

It’s around 15 minutes walking from Bellagio, and the walk isn’t necessarily the nicest or most convenient one if you’re coming back alone at night. It’s also very quiet, so don’t book this expecting a social hostel atmosphere.

But if you want somewhere peaceful, beautiful and a little bit different, I absolutely loved it.

I’d choose Agriturismo La Derta if: you want a budget-friendly stay with a farm/countryside feeling, included breakfast and a really peaceful setting.

Just keep in mind that you’re not sleeping right in the middle of Bellagio, so you’ll need to walk to and from the village.

Book Here: Agriturismo La Derta (Bellagio)

Why I Wouldn’t Stay in Como

Now, this is obviously completely personal, but I wouldn’t choose Como as my base if my main goal was exploring Lake Como.

Como itself is convenient, especially because it has a train station and you can easily arrive from Milan. So if you’re arriving late, leaving early or continuing your trip by train, it definitely has advantages.

But if you’re staying there for several days, you’ll be travelling from Como towards the middle of the lake every time you want to visit places like Bellagio or Varenna.

And depending on how you travel, that can mean longer ferry or bus journeys and a lot of winding roads.

I personally found it much easier to simply stay in Bellagio and already be in the middle of everything.

If you do want to stay in Como, Ostello Bello Como is a good option because it’s right in the city centre and close to the train station.

But for a proper Lake Como trip?

Give me Bellagio.

What About Staying in Varenna?

Varenna is another beautiful option and I absolutely think you should visit it.

It’s smaller, romantic and ridiculously pretty, and it also has a train station, which makes it particularly convenient if you’re coming from Milan.

But personally, I would still choose Bellagio as my base.

The reason is simply that Bellagio gives you easy ferry access in several directions, which makes it really convenient if you’re planning to explore a lot of the central lake.

I would rather visit Varenna for a day and then come back to Bellagio than move my entire base there.

If you’re still deciding whether Lake Como deserves a place on your Italy itinerary, I’ve also shared my honest opinion on whether Lake Como is worth visiting.

My Ideal Lake Como Itinerary

If you’re staying in Bellagio for four days, I would roughly do this:

Day 1 → Varenna + Bellagio

Arrive in Varenna, explore the village for a few hours and then take the ferry across to Bellagio.

Spend the rest of the day wandering around Bellagio, grabbing food and settling into your accommodation.

Day 2 → Tremezzo + Menaggio

Take the ferry from Bellagio towards Tremezzo and explore the western side of the lake.

You can also continue towards Menaggio depending on how much you want to see.

Day 3 → Bellano + Nesso

Explore Bellano and then make your way towards Nesso.

Nesso is a great place to stop if you want to swim and see the famous Nesso Bridge.

Day 4 → Como

Make your way towards Como, spend half a day exploring the city, have lunch or a drink by the lake and then continue your journey from there.

Obviously, I’d check the ferry and train schedules for your exact dates before planning the days around them, because Lake Como transport changes throughout the year.

But the general idea is:

Bellagio → explore around the lake → finish in Como → continue travelling.

Easy.

So, Where Should You Stay in Lake Como?

If you only take one thing from this guide, let it be this:

Stay in Bellagio.

You don’t have to stay there because it’s the “prettiest” or because every travel blog tells you to.

I recommend it because it makes travelling around Lake Como really easy.

You’re already in the middle of the lake, you have ferry connections in different directions and you can explore different towns without constantly travelling from Como.

If you want something more comfortable and central, I’d look at Hotel Du Lac & SPA or Hotel Bellagio.

If you’re travelling on a budget and want something much more peaceful and unique, Agriturismo La Derta would be my pick.

And if you’re coming to Lake Como, honestly, don’t spend the entire time stressing about seeing every single village.

Pick a good base, take the ferry, get off somewhere that looks pretty, have a swim, eat something good and enjoy the lake.

That’s kind of the whole point.

Planning Your Trip to Italy?

Planning a trip to Italy can be surprisingly difficult, especially when you’re choosing between huge historic cities, beautiful coastlines, charming smaller towns, mountains, lakes and islands.

That’s why I’ve created my Italy Travel Guide, where I share destination guides, things to do, local tips and my personal experiences from travelling around Italy.

→ START HERE: Italy Travel Guides

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FAQ

Where is the best place to stay in Lake Como?

For me, Bellagio is the best place to stay in Lake Como, especially if it’s your first visit. It’s right in the centre of the lake, has beautiful views, plenty of restaurants and cafés, and makes a great base for exploring other villages by ferry.

Is Bellagio a good base for Lake Como?

Yes! Bellagio is one of the best bases for exploring Lake Como because ferry connections make it easy to reach places such as Varenna, Menaggio and Cadenabbia. You can explore different parts of the lake during the day and come back to Bellagio in the evening.

Should I stay in Como or Bellagio?

If your main goal is exploring Lake Como rather than visiting the city of Como, I would personally choose Bellagio. Como is convenient for transport, but Bellagio puts you right in the middle of the lake and closer to many of the villages you’ll probably want to visit.

How many nights should I stay in Bellagio?

I’d recommend at least 2–3 nights if you want to explore Lake Como properly. Bellagio itself is small, but staying here means you can use it as a base for day trips to places like Varenna, Menaggio, Tremezzo, Bellano and Nesso.

Is Bellagio expensive to stay in?

Bellagio can definitely be expensive, especially for lakefront hotels in high season. However, there are more affordable options outside the very centre, such as agriturismos and guesthouses. My favourite budget-friendly option in this guide is Agriturismo La Derta.

Can you get around Lake Como from Bellagio without a car?

Yes. You absolutely do not need a car if you’re staying in Bellagio. Ferries connect Bellagio with several of the main villages around the central part of the lake, although schedules change depending on the season and weather.

Is Bellagio better than Varenna for staying on Lake Como?

I personally prefer Bellagio as a base because of its central position and ferry connections. Varenna is also beautiful and is a great place to visit, but for my trip I found Bellagio more convenient as a base for exploring different sides of the lake. Varenna and Bellagio are directly connected by ferry.

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