Your stay — Antico Chiostro
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The Property — Antico Chiostro
The Antico Chiostro is a three-star hotel set in a converted 17th-century cloister, so the lobby still feels like a quiet courtyard church: cool stone floors, a hushed atrium with a central fountain, and the smell of old timber. Its main selling point is location — you step off the plane and walk to the hotel within 50 metres, then five minutes later you're at the lakefront. It suits budget-conscious travellers who want a central base near the ferry terminal, not a resort with a pool. Rooms are compact and basic, but the historic shell makes it feel characterful without trying to be boutique.
Chronicles of Como
Como's origins are Roman: the town was founded as Novum Comum in 59 BC by Julius Caesar, who planted a colony here to control the Alpine passes. In the medieval period it became a flourishing wool and silk centre, and the Duomo — begun in 1396 — took nearly four centuries to finish, blending Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque. Today Como is best known as the gateway to the lake, but it also has a quiet, workaday identity as a provincial capital with a modest university and a silk museum. Its contemporary cultural life revolves around the lakeside passeggiata, the occasional film festival, and being a smart commuter base for Milan.
Best Time to Visit
Full Como guide →Best months
April to June and September — mild to warm, fewer crowds than July/August, and the lake water is tolerable for swimming by June. The gardens around the lake (Villa Carlotta, Villa Balbianello) are at their best in late spring.
Peak / festival surge
July and August are the absolute peak, driven by European school holidays and the Ferragosto (15 August) public holiday. Hotel prices double or triple; the Antico Chiostro will charge well over €200 per night. The lake gets packed with day-trippers from Milan, and queues for the funicular to Brunate stretch to an hour. Main draws: summer sun, swimming, lake cruises.
Budget shoulder season
October is the best budget shoulder month: still mild (15-20°C), far fewer tourists, and hotel rates drop by 30-40%. You miss the swimming but gain empty footpaths, cheaper tables at lakefront restaurants, and autumn colours on the hills. March is also quiet but can be rainy and grey.
Weather & packing
Como’s climate quirk is the lake’s microclimate: it can be several degrees cooler than Milan, and sudden thunderstorms roll in from the Alps. Pack layers and a light waterproof jacket, plus sturdy walking shoes for the cobbled hills — leave the suede loafers at home.
Live City Briefing — Como
- Como’s funicular to Brunate has changed ticketing to contactless cards only (no cash), and queues are now managed with timed slots during peak season — book online at least a day ahead to avoid waiting.
- The main lakeside pedestrian promenade (lungolago) is partly closed for repaving between Piazza Cavour and the Volta Temple until late 2026; expect detours along Via Leoni and Via Borgovico.
- A new direct train service from Malpensa Airport to Como Nord starts June 2026, cutting the journey from 90 to 60 minutes — check Trenitalia schedules before booking.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Antico Chiostro, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the higher floors (4th or 5th) for a quieter stay, as these floors are likely to be farther away from the street noise in Como. Additionally, rooms on the south side of the hotel may have a better view of the surrounding cityscape.
Rooms to avoid
Rooms on the lower floors (1st and 2nd) may be noisier due to potential street noise from the nearby area. Additionally, rooms near the lift may be more prone to noise from guests and staff.
Best views
South-facing rooms on the 4th or 5th floor for a view of the city
Quietest floors
3rd-5th floors
🔊 Noise notes
Como's city center can be lively, but the hotel's location in the city means some street noise is unavoidable. Be prepared for potential noise from the nearby streets, especially on lower floors.
Insider tips
Request a room with a balcony for a better view. If you're driving, consider parking at a nearby lot or using public transportation, as on-street parking in Como can be limited.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — Antico Chiostro
free access to all floors; 100 Mbps speed; no login constraints
serves all floors; historic building sections have stairs-only access
complimentary digital newsstand (PressReader) on all devices; physical newspapers available upon request
check-in from 14:00, check-out by 12:00; late check-out until 18:00 for €20.00; early bag-drop available from 08:00
limited availability for €5.00 per bag per day
step-free access to main areas; wheelchair-accessible rooms available upon request; historic building limitations on wider doorways and corridors
on-site parking available for €20.00 per night; nearest public car park (Parcheggio Como) is a 5-minute walk away for €15.00 per night; no EV charging available
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: €3.00 per person per night
Deposit & card hold: €50.00 advance deposit + €50.00 incidental card hold at check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Chiesa della Beata Vergine di Loreto (403 m · ~5 min walk)
- Church: Chiesa Cristiana evangelica "Emmanuel" (403 m · ~5 min walk)
- Church: Chiesa dei Santi Eusebio e Carlo (498 m · ~6 min walk)
- Church: Basilica di San Giorgio (655 m · ~8 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Parco Antonio Sant'Elia — 89 m · ~1 min walk
Tempio Voltiano — 316 m · ~4 min walk
Teatro Sociale — 943 m · ~12 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 172 m · ~2 min walk
Farmacia Popolare — 367 m · ~5 min walk
Carrefour Express — 659 m · ~8 min walk
Como San Giovanni — 596 m · ~7 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Euro, EUR
Use bank ATMs in town; avoid exchange bureaux at Como San Giovanni station or tourist spots — poor rates and high fees.
Visa/Mastercard widely accepted in shops and restaurants; contactless and Apple Pay/Google Pay common; cash needed for small bars, market stalls, and some taxis.
Not expected but appreciated: round up taxi fare, leave 5-10% at restaurants if service charge not included; small change for hotel porters.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Espresso at a bar counter — around €1.20-1.50.
Pizza by the slice from a bakery or takeaway — €4-6.
Pasta or risotto main at an informal trattoria — €12-15.
Via Borgovico area near the station has kebab shops and pizza al taglio; market stalls near Piazza Cavour during daytime.
Coop, Carrefour Express, and MD Discount are common budget supermarkets.
Affordable chain shops along Via Vittorio Emanuele II, plus high-street brands at Centro Commerciale Lago near the main square.
Day bus pass (€3.50) from tabacchi — covers all city lines; from Milan Malpensa, take the Malpensa Express train to Como (€13-16) rather than airport shuttles (often €20+).
Buy a multi-ticket for the funicular (€3 per single) from the machine rather than a return — cheaper per ride if walking down the hill.Skip lakeside restaurants on the water; walk two streets back for the same food at half the price.Book lake ferries online in advance for a 10-15% discount — especially on the Como-Bellagio route.
Good to know — Como
Type C/F/L · 230V
safe
$1 ≈ €0.88 · EUR
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Como, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Antico Chiostro
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 172 m · ~2 min walk — pharmacy · Farmacia Popolare — 367 m · ~5 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Find train tickets →Como San Giovanni station → El Paso Ranch, Via Martino
💡 Use lines C50 or C52; ask driver for stop ‘El Paso’ or walk 10 mins from Piazza Roma.
Como Grandi Stazione (bus stop outside the train station) → Bruzella stop (Via ai Colli, near La Collina)
💡 Buy a ticket (€1.50) from the tabacchi or newsstand near the station—validation is mandatory on board. The bus is steep and winding, so grab a seat. After Bruzella, walk uphill 5 mins; the residence is the first driveway on the right after the hairpin bend.
Como city centre (Piazza Matteotti) → Hotel Casa di Teresa Confalonieri Casati (stop: Via Carcano/Cernobbio)
💡 Bus C50 goes closer to the hotel (stop at Via Carcano, 200m walk). C40 stops at Piazza Roma — a 10-minute walk uphill. Validate your ticket on board, or buy via the 'Como Urbano' app to avoid cash.
Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP) → Hotel La Sorgente, via xx, Como
💡 Book in advance with an official 'NCC' car service for fixed rates around €100-120. Avoid drivers who approach you outside arrivals; they may overcharge or take indirect routes.
Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP), taxi rank outside arrivals → B&B Le Ortensie, Via Gallio 22, Como
💡 Agree the price before getting in – look for the fixed-rate sign at the taxi stand. For a group of 3–4, it's not much more than the bus. If you're arriving late, pre-book with a Como-based taxi service like Radio Taxi Como (+39 031 261 515) – the airport rank can be thin after midnight.
Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP) → Residence La Collina & La Collinetta, Como
💡 Pre-book with a local company like Comotaxi or TaxiComo to avoid surge pricing. The hotel is on a hill near San Fermo, so drivers may charge an extra €10 for the steep last stretch.
Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP) → Casa di Teresa Confalonieri Casati, Como
💡 Book a fixed-price transfer online beforehand — local taxis at the airport often charge €20–30 more. The hotel can arrange a driver for a similar rate.
Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP), Terminal 1 bus stop → Como Grandi Via Gallio bus station (5 min walk from B&B Le Ortensie)
💡 Buy tickets online in advance to skip the queue at the airport machines. The bus drops you by the lake; the B&B is a flat 5-minute walk east along Via Gallio. No shuttle runs after 10.30pm, so for late arrivals, take the Malpensa Express train to Como San Giovanni station instead.
Malpensa Airport (MXP) Terminal 1 → Como San Giovanni station
💡 Change at Saronno to a regional train; buy a return for 20% off.
Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP), airport station → Como San Giovanni railway station (10 min walk from B&B Le Ortensie)
💡 The train arrives at Como San Giovanni (south end of town). From there, walk north along Viale Innocenzo XI for 10 minutes – the B&B is on Via Gallio. Avoid buying at the machine if you have a contactless debit card: tap in and out at the gate for the same price.
Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP), bus stop at Terminal 1 arrivals → Como Grandi Stazione (San Giovanni, the main bus station)
💡 Buy a return ticket (€28) on the Terravision or Nordbus website—cheaper than two singles. From the station, take bus C10 to the stop 'Bruzella' then walk 5 minutes uphill; the residence is at Via ai Colli 10.
Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP) → Hotel La Sorgente, Como
💡 Buy a combined ticket from MXP to Como Lago station. At Milano Centrale change platforms but stay in the same direction. From Como Lago station: Hotel La Sorgente is a 10-minute walk north along Lungolago Trento. Cheaper than taxi, but takes longer.
About Como
Wikipedia ↗
Como (Italian: [ˈkɔːmo] , locally [ˈkoːmo] ; Comasco: Còmm [ˈkɔm], Cómm [ˈkom] or Cùmm [ˈkum]; Latin: Novum Comum) is a city and comune (municipality) in Lombardy, Italy. It is the administrative capital of the Province of Como. Its prime location on the southwestern branch of Lake Como and its pro...
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Antico Chiostro?
Request a room on the higher floors (4th or 5th) for a quieter stay, as these floors are likely to be farther away from the street noise in Como. Additionally, rooms on the south side of the hotel may have a better view of the surrounding cityscape.
Which rooms should I avoid at Antico Chiostro?
Rooms on the lower floors (1st and 2nd) may be noisier due to potential street noise from the nearby area. Additionally, rooms near the lift may be more prone to noise from guests and staff.
Is Antico Chiostro noisy?
Como's city center can be lively, but the hotel's location in the city means some street noise is unavoidable. Be prepared for potential noise from the nearby streets, especially on lower floors.
Which rooms have the best views at Antico Chiostro?
South-facing rooms on the 4th or 5th floor for a view of the city
What are insider tips for staying at Antico Chiostro?
Request a room with a balcony for a better view. If you're driving, consider parking at a nearby lot or using public transportation, as on-street parking in Como can be limited.
What time is check-in at Antico Chiostro?
Check-in at Antico Chiostro is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Antico Chiostro have Wi-Fi?
free access to all floors; 100 Mbps speed; no login constraints
Is there a city or tourist tax at Antico Chiostro?
€3.00 per person per night
Where can I eat cheaply near Antico Chiostro?
Pizza by the slice from a bakery or takeaway — €4-6.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Antico Chiostro?
Day bus pass (€3.50) from tabacchi — covers all city lines; from Milan Malpensa, take the Malpensa Express train to Como (€13-16) rather than airport shuttles (often €20+).
When is the best time to visit Como?
April to June and September — mild to warm, fewer crowds than July/August, and the lake water is tolerable for swimming by June. The gardens around the lake (Villa Carlotta, Villa Balbianello) are at their best in late spring.
Top Attractions in Como
💡 The tower climb costs €2 and gives panoramic views, but skip it if queues are long – better to walk up to Brunate for free views.
💡 Climb the worn stone staircase to the upper gallery for an elevated view of the cathedral square, especially good at sunset.
💡 Walk the full stretch at sunset for the best light on the lake and mountains. Stop at the public fountain near the war memorial for a free drink of cold mountain water.
💡 Look for the 13th-century fresco of St. Christopher on the left wall. Combine with a visit to the nearby Piazza San Fedele for a coffee at Bar Mazzini – locals’ spot, not touristy.
💡 Look for the carved capitals on the columns inside—they show medieval scenes including a hunting cycle, rarely pointed out in guides.
💡 Sit on the steps near the ferry dock at sunset for free entertainment—locals gather for impromptu music and the light turns the water silver.
💡 Check the small crypt below the altar — it's usually open and contains early Christian remnants. Combine with a walk through the adjacent old fish market square.
💡 Stand below the gate at sunset for photos—the light hits the stone nicely, and you can read the historical markers in Italian and English.