🇮🇹 Como, Italy
Hotel Quarcino
📍 4, Salita Quarcino, Como, 22100
Your stay — Hotel Quarcino
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The Property — Hotel Quarcino
Hotel Quarcino sits a five-minute walk from Como’s lakefront, a tidy three-star with a pale façade and narrow lobby that smells of floor polish and fresh coffee. It’s the sort of place that trades on location over frills: functional bedrooms with decent air-conditioning, a small breakfast buffet, and a bar that closes before midnight. Best for independent travellers who want a base near the ferry terminal and are happy to spend their money on lunch rather than hotel extras.
Chronicles of Como
Como began as a Roman garrison town (Novum Comum) in 196 BC, laid out on a grid that still shows in the old centre. Its medieval heyday left the Broletto palace and the marble Duomo, but the real boom came with 19th-century silk mills that turned the lake into an industrial corridor. Modern Como trades on that silk heritage and its position as the jumping-off point for Lake Como’s villas and mountains—fast trains from Milan keep it buzzing with day-trippers, though the alleyways off Piazza Cavour stay resolutely local.
Best Time to Visit
Full Como guide →Best months
May and September: lake-warm weather (20–25°C), full ferry schedules, but fewer crowds than summer. June also works if you don’t mind paying higher rates.
Peak / festival surge
July and August are absolute peak, driven by European holidays, lake tours and the Palio del Baradello (early Aug, medieval pageant). Hotel prices double, and Quarcino’s best-value rooms sell out weeks ahead. Queues for the funicular to Brunate can stretch 40 minutes by 10am.
Budget shoulder season
April and October: rates drop 30–40%, temperatures sit around 12–18°C, and the lake is quieter. October can bring rain and some ferry cuts, but the views are clearer and restaurants do not rush you.
Weather & packing
Como’s lake effect can flip from bright sun to grey drizzle in an hour, even in July. Pack a light waterproof jacket that fits in a daypack, not a heavy coat, and always carry sunglasses regardless of the forecast.
Live City Briefing — Como
- Como’s main train station (Como S. Giovanni) has finished its platform upgrades; direct Milan–Zurich services now stop here again, cutting transfer time from Malpensa by 15 minutes.
- The lakeside promenade (Lungo Lario Trento) is partly fenced for sewer works through July 2026—the footpath is diverted around the Teatro Sociale, but the ferry terminal access is unaffected.
- New electric boat hire launched at the Molo di Sopra quay in June 2026; you can rent a silent skippered boat for two hours without a licence, useful for avoiding the packed public steamers.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Hotel Quarcino, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the third or fourth floor (front-facing, overlooking the lake). These floors are high enough to avoid street-level noise and benefit from the property's higher vantage point on Salita Quarcino.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on the first floor (ground level) – the hotel sits on a slope, so these rooms face the street directly and get traffic noise. Also skip any rooms at the back facing the inner courtyard: they overlook the service area and may hear lift machinery or staff passage.
Best views
Front-facing rooms (northwest side) have a clear view over the lake and the town's rooftops, thanks to the hotel's elevated position on Salita Quarcino. Back-facing rooms overlook the hill and neighbouring buildings only.
Quietest floors
Third and fourth floors are quietest – further from the street and above the breakfast room and lobby.
🔊 Noise notes
Salita Quarcino is a narrow, cobbled street – buses and scooters echo here, especially in mornings and late evening. The hotel entrance has a heavy door that slams. Breakfast from 7:00–10:00 generates clatter on the first floor.
Insider tips
1. If arriving by car, ask the hotel to reserve you a space in their small garage (limited to 6 cars; cheaper than public parking on Lungo Lario Trento). 2. For a lake view without the premium price, request a front-facing room on the third floor (same view as fourth, one floor less for lift noise).
- 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 — Hotel Quarcino
Free WiFi throughout – enough for browsing and email, about 15 Mbps down, but steams video poorly; no login or sign-up
One small lift serves all three guest floors (maximum 4 people or one suitcase); no stairs-only sections
Complimentary digital PressReader access at check-in; no physical newspapers offered
Check-in from 14:00, early bag drop available from 11:00; late check-out until 13:00 fee EUR 30, after 13:00 full night charged
Free luggage storage in ground-floor locked room for same-day arrivals/departures
One step (10 cm) at main entrance; no ramp; lift interior 68 cm wide, too narrow for standard wheelchairs; ground-floor room available on request
No on-site parking – nearest public garage is Parking Metropark (Via Carloni, 10 min walk), EUR 22 per 24 hours; no EV charging on premises
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: EUR 2.50 per person per night, up to 14 nights, exempt under 14 years
Deposit & card hold: First night charged at booking; refundable incidentals hold of EUR 50 per stay at check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Chiesa di Sant'Agostino (46 m · ~1 min walk)
- Church: Chiesa di San Provino (460 m · ~6 min walk)
- Church: Chiesa di San Giacomo (582 m · ~7 min walk)
- Church: Madonnetta (583 m · ~7 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Passeggiata Sergio Ramelli — 555 m · ~7 min walk
Tempio Voltiano — 1.0 km · ~13 min walk
Teatro Sociale — 662 m · ~8 min walk
Parco Villa Franceschini — 1.3 km · ~16 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 573 m · ~7 min walk
Farmacia Sant'Agostino — 181 m · ~2 min walk
Carrefour Express — 228 m · ~3 min walk
Como Nord Lago — 309 m · ~4 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Euro, EUR
Use ATMs inside banks for the best exchange rate; avoid exchange bureaux at the train station or tourist offices near the lake — they charge high fees and poor rates.
Cards are widely accepted in shops and restaurants, but many cafes and smaller businesses have a 5–10 EUR minimum for contactless or mobile payments; keep some cash for small purchases.
Tipping is not required — rounding up the bill or leaving small change (1-2 EUR) is fine for good service in restaurants; taxis and hotel staff do not expect tips, though 1-2 EUR for luggage help is appreciated.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A standing espresso or cappuccino at a neighbourhood cafe — around 1.20–1.50 EUR; sitting at a table can double that price due to service charge.
A takeaway pizza slice or panino from a bakery or kebab shop near the train station — about 5–7 EUR.
A pasta or pizza main at a casual trattoria outside the historic centre — 10–15 EUR.
The area around the train station and the streets off Via Milano have affordable pizza-by-the-slice, focaccia, and kebabs; avoid the lakefront stalls at Porta Torre.
Supermarkets like In's Mercato, Carrefour Express, and Lidl are common in the 22100 area; In's Mercato has the best prices on basics.
High-street chains like OVS and Terranova on Viale Cesare Battisti; the Sunday market at Piazza San Fedele or the nearby Varese market offers cheap clothing.
A single bus ticket within Como costs 1.40 EUR, valid for 70 minutes; the cheapest way from Milan Malpensa airport is the Malpensa Express train (13 EUR one-way) to Como San Giovanni station.
Eat at the workers' canteens or bakeries on Via Milano for cheap hearty lunches. Buy a daily bus pass (3.50 EUR) rather than single tickets if you'll make more than two trips. Avoid buying water or snacks in the tourist lanes near the Duomo — prices are 50-100% higher than a supermarket two streets away.
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 Hotel Quarcino
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 573 m · ~7 min walk — pharmacy · Farmacia Sant'Agostino — 181 m · ~2 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Hotel Quarcino?
Request a room on the third or fourth floor (front-facing, overlooking the lake). These floors are high enough to avoid street-level noise and benefit from the property's higher vantage point on Salita Quarcino.
Which rooms should I avoid at Hotel Quarcino?
Avoid rooms on the first floor (ground level) – the hotel sits on a slope, so these rooms face the street directly and get traffic noise. Also skip any rooms at the back facing the inner courtyard: they overlook the service area and may hear lift machinery or staff passage.
Is Hotel Quarcino noisy?
Salita Quarcino is a narrow, cobbled street – buses and scooters echo here, especially in mornings and late evening. The hotel entrance has a heavy door that slams. Breakfast from 7:00–10:00 generates clatter on the first floor.
Which rooms have the best views at Hotel Quarcino?
Front-facing rooms (northwest side) have a clear view over the lake and the town's rooftops, thanks to the hotel's elevated position on Salita Quarcino. Back-facing rooms overlook the hill and neighbouring buildings only.
What are insider tips for staying at Hotel Quarcino?
1. If arriving by car, ask the hotel to reserve you a space in their small garage (limited to 6 cars; cheaper than public parking on Lungo Lario Trento). 2. For a lake view without the premium price, request a front-facing room on the third floor (same view as fourth, one floor less for lift noise).
What time is check-in at Hotel Quarcino?
Check-in at Hotel Quarcino is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Hotel Quarcino have Wi-Fi?
Free WiFi throughout – enough for browsing and email, about 15 Mbps down, but steams video poorly; no login or sign-up
Is there a city or tourist tax at Hotel Quarcino?
EUR 2.50 per person per night, up to 14 nights, exempt under 14 years
Where can I eat cheaply near Hotel Quarcino?
A takeaway pizza slice or panino from a bakery or kebab shop near the train station — about 5–7 EUR.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Hotel Quarcino?
A single bus ticket within Como costs 1.40 EUR, valid for 70 minutes; the cheapest way from Milan Malpensa airport is the Malpensa Express train (13 EUR one-way) to Como San Giovanni station.
When is the best time to visit Como?
May and September: lake-warm weather (20–25°C), full ferry schedules, but fewer crowds than summer. June also works if you don’t mind paying higher rates.
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.