Italy · 2026 itinerary
Como 3-Day Itinerary
A day-by-day plan for Como: the best attractions in order, where to eat, how to get around — with free hotel briefings for your stay.
Arrive & Explore the Highlights
The medieval town hall and clock tower adjacent to the cathedral. You can walk through the ground-floor loggia and look up at the frescoes for free.
🕐 Ground floor always accessible; tower hours vary, check local board
Free entry💡 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.
Hotels near Broletto →Medieval town hall adjacent to the cathedral, with an open loggia and stone steps. Often hosts free exhibitions in its ground-floor halls.
🕐 Tue-Sun 10:00-18:00, closed Mon
Free entry💡 Climb the worn stone staircase to the upper gallery for an elevated view of the cathedral square, especially good at sunset.
Hotels near Broletto (Old Town Hall) →Birimbo Pub & Pizza · ££
L’Hotel Ristorante ” G.L.A.V.J.C.” · ££
Deeper Into Como
Romanesque church dating from the 12th century, with a striking three-apse layout and original fresco fragments. Free entry, often empty.
🕐 Daily 09:00-12:00, 15:00-17:00
💡 Look for the carved capitals on the columns inside—they show medieval scenes including a hunting cycle, rarely pointed out in guides.
Lakeside square with a fountain, benches, and views of the lake and mountains. Busy with people-watching and street performers in summer.
🕐 Always open
💡 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.
Romanesque church from the 12th century with a distinctive circular apse and medieval fresco fragments. Much quieter than the cathedral.
🕐 Mon-Sat 9:00-12:00, 15:00-18:00; Sun 15:00-18:00
💡 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.
Medieval gate tower from the 12th century, part of Como's old city walls. Walk the pedestrian streets nearby to see remnants of fortifications.
🕐 Visible 24/7 (exterior only)
💡 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.
Hostaria Antica Molina
Trattoria del Porto
Final Favourites & Departure
Roman and medieval defensive walls circling the old town, with surviving towers and gates. The best sections are along Viale Lecco.
💡 Start at Porta Torre and follow the eastern arc eastward for the longest uninterrupted stretch; the view of the mountains from the bastion is free and quiet.
A peaceful lakeside park with mature trees, flower beds, and benches overlooking the water. Good for a picnic or a stroll away from crowds.
💡 Bring your own snacks – the nearby cafés are pricey. Early morning is quietest; afternoons fill with families. Free public toilets near the entrance.
A neoclassical building housing exhibits on Alessandro Volta’s life and inventions, including early batteries and electrical devices. Modest but well-curated.
💡 The signs are mostly in Italian, so download a translation app. The lakeside walk from centre takes 10 minutes and offers nice views.
Small museum dedicated to Alessandro Volta, inventor of the battery. Displays his original instruments and scientific papers on the lakefront.
💡 It's free only on certain days—check the local tourism site for 'gratuito' dates, or bring €4 for the standard ticket.
Trattoria San Giorgio
La Meridiana
Getting Around Como
Use lines C50 or C52; ask driver for stop ‘El Paso’ or walk 10 mins from Piazza Roma.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 3 days enough for Como?
Three days covers the main highlights well. You can see the key attractions like Broletto and get a genuine feel for the city. For a more leisurely pace or to explore neighbourhoods in depth, a 5-day trip is better.
What is the best time to visit Como?
See our full best time to visit Como guide — it covers weather month by month, peak vs. shoulder seasons and how to avoid the crowds.
Where should I stay for this itinerary?
A central location saves transit time between sites. Top options include Hotel Belvedere, Locanda Maria, Bar Riposo. See the full ranked list with free briefings for each.