Let me first start off by telling you that Lake Como, Italy is one of the dreamiest places I have ever visited in my life and absolutely exceeded my expectations. I truly don’t think there is a bad time to visit, BUT there IS a best time to visit Lake Como, Italy in my opinion, and it may not be when you think!
Lake Como is located in Northern Italy in the Lombardy region just over 45km north of Milan right on the border of Switzerland. Out of all of the Italian lakes, Lake Como, is not only the most popular, but it’s also Italy’s deepest lake (many people assume it’s the largest lake in Italy, but that actually goes to it’s neighbor to the east, Lake Garda)
Lake Como is known for it’s natural beauty, gorgeous surrounding mountains, picturesque lakeside towns and historic villas, all of which can be enjoyed no matter what time of year you visit, but I’m here to share the perfect time to visit for what you’re interested in doing while you’re there. Since Lake Como has so many different attractions, particularly outdoor activities, that make it a popular destination for visitors your particular best time to visit Lake Como, Italy just depends on which activities you’re interested in.
Best Time to Visit Lake Como Italy
Spring
I may be bias because my first visit to Lake Como was during the Spring, but in my opinion the best time to visit Lake Como is Springtime! We had great weather during our entire trip and an amazing time and I can’t imagine a better time to visit.
Best Months:
Late April through early June. I visited the first week of April and we had sunny days in the 70s that allowed us to use the pool and explore the villages, cultural sites and stunning villas without having to wear a coat. But just to play it safe if I visited again I would go a few weeks later and suggest to other to visit in late Spring.
Average Temperature:
The average temperature during the Spring in Lake Como ranges from 51°F (10°C) to 77°F (25°C). But again this is just an average, I visited in early April and we had a few days well into the 70s.
Pros:
The pros drastically outweigh the cons when it comes to visiting Lake Como during the Spring. You’ll enjoy fewer crowds, lower prices at hotels, shorter lines at Lake Como’s main attractions and milder temperatures just to name a few. Every small village we explored like Bellagio, Menaggio and Varenna had fewer tourists and crowds not only making the villages much easier to navigate, but also the ferries much less crowded. We were also able to walk into pretty much any restaurant and didn’t have to worry about reservations!
Cons:
June is the wettest month of the year in Lake Como so if you’re visiting during that time be prepared for rain.
What makes the Spring better than other seasons?
The most unique part about Spring in Lake Como that doesn’t happen any other time of year is that it’s Wisteria season! The gorgeous cascading purple blooms typically peek from mid April to early May. So if you’re looking to visit Lake Como while the beautiful gardens are in full bloom, then I highly suggest planning a trip during the Spring. Also, the juxtaposition of the lush greenery and gorgeous purple wisteria against the snow-capped mountains is something you just have to see with your own eyes. It’s truly breathtaking. The best places to see Wisteria in Lake Como include Villa Monastero, Villa Cipressi and Villa Carlotta, along with the entire lakefront of Bellagio.
Autumn
Autumn, especially early autumn, is my favorite time to travel to Europe. It’s because you can still expect warm weather, but the tourist season is over for the most part. It’s also a great way to experience Euro Summer, but with smaller crowds.
Best Months:
It truly depends on what time of trip you’re looking for. If you want a European Summer experience then I suggest visiting in the end of September. If you’re looking for a gorgeous Fall trip filled with fall foliage then October and November is a great time! This time of year is ideal for sightseeing, hiking, scenic boat rides and much more.
Average Temperature:
The average temperature during the Autumn in Lake Como ranges from 49°F (9°C) to 71°F (21°C).
Pros:
Similar to the Spring, the pros of visiting Lake Como during the Fall include mild weather, fewer crowds, slower pace, lower prices at hotels and more. Lake Como also has the most gorgeous fall foliage. I can’t imagine the beautiful scenery getting any better. But during the Fall, the landscape transforms from green to golds, ambers and reds.
Cons:
Sometimes the weather can be unpredictable. So make sure you pack layers for cooler weather and an umbrella for rainy days. Also, some activities and the ferry schedules may begin to reduce towards the middle of the season. So just make sure to check the dates and times.
What makes the Autumn better than other seasons in Lake Como?
Truly what makes autumn better than other seasons in Lake Como is the stunning fall foliage. Walking through the gardens of historic villas, enjoying a peaceful private boat tour on the lake and strolling through all the small villages only gets better during the Fall. Thanks to the foliage, crisp air and fewer crowds.
Summer
This may be an unpopular opinion, but European Summer is overrated in my opinion. If you have the ability to take off work any time of year and not rely on going by a school schedule then I’m not sure why anyone would choose to travel during the high season. Lake Como is absolutely beautiful during the summer months. But you’re going to be faced with high prices and more crowds. While I’m sure you’ll have a good time, I think you’ll have a much better experience traveling to a popular European travel destination during the off season.
Best Months:
If you wanted to travel during the summer to Lake Como, I suggest going in the very beginning or at the end. I would probably avoid visiting Lake Como in August. It’s because it is peak tourist season for both international tourists and Italians. August 15th is also Ferragosto, which is a major national vacation period where many Italians take time off to vacation.
Average Temperature:
The average temperature during the Summer in Lake Como ranges from 66°F (18°C) to 81°F (27°C).
Pros:
Visiting in the summer will obviously give you the most daily hours of sunshine.
Cons:
Summer is high season in Lake Como and over 10,000 people a day visit some of the towns. Be prepared for not only the towns to be filled with tourists, but restaurants, tours and ferries will all require advanced reservations. And hotels will not only be more expensive, but will also need to be booked many, many months in advance. If your dream is to stay at one of the famous Lake Como hotels, like Grand Hotel Tremezzo, I highly recommend not visiting during the summer.
What makes the Summer better than other seasons?
The warm weather is the only thing that makes Lake Como in the Summer better than other seasons.
Winter
There are also plenty of perks to visiting Lake Como during the winter season. Such as no crowds, low prices and the Christmas markets that run from late November through early January. You can also easily take a day trip to some of the best ski resorts in the nearby Alps. Surprisingly, because of Lake Como’s unique weather patterns, the lakeside towns tend to have a milder winter in terms of weather. It’s because the surrounding mountains create a barrier that protects them from cold northern winds.
Best Months:
If you want to visit Lake Como during the winter I recommend planning your trip for December. It’s because the weather will not be at it’s coldest yet. You’ll be able to easily explore the crowd free small villages, go skiing at nearby ski resorts and enjoy the festive holiday atmosphere.
Average Temperature:
The average temperature during the Winter in Lake Como ranges from 42°F (5°C) to 54°F (12°C).
Pros:
Lake Como during the winter is serene and crowd free. You’ll have absolutely stunning views of the snow-capped Swiss and Italian Alps during the winter months. And also much more affordable prices than during other seasons. Nearby ski resorts also allow you to take advantage of winter sports. The town of Como boasts one of the most spectacular light displays. It is also home to Christmas markets in areas like Piazza Cavour and Giardini a Lago. They feature stalls with handcrafted girls, local foods, and traditional Italian Christmas decorations. And the town of Lecco turns into a lakefront winter wonderland.
Cons:
Many of the hotels close for a period of time during the winter for renovations and to give their staff a break. Also some ferries have reduced service, but don’t worry, they don’t stop running, just check the schedule before heading out.
What makes the Winter better than other seasons?
The atmosphere on Lake Como during the winter is magical. You’ll see the snow covered mountain peaks and also the villages decorated in lights for Christmas. Along with the many Christmas markets, it is truly a once in a lifetime experience.
What Months to Avoid Visiting Lake Como?
Personally I would probably avoid visiting Lake Como during the months of August, January, February and March. But I truly don’t think you can ever have a bad time on Lake Como. It is one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever visited and you should jump at the chance to visit. No matter what time of year it is!
PIN my Best Time to Visit Lake Como Italy Guide for LATER:
Leave a Reply