🇮🇹 Como, Italy
La Perla
📍 1, Viale Fratelli Rosselli, Como, 22100
Your stay — La Perla
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The Property — La Perla
La Perla is a straightforward, family-run three-star a five-minute walk from Como’s lakefront and cathedral. The lobby is small and tiled, with a reception desk that doubles as a bar and a few tables where guests eat breakfast. It suits travellers who want a clean, no-fuss base in the historic centre rather than lakeside luxury; you trade a view for proximity to the ferries and the pedestrian streets.
Chronicles of Como
Como was a Roman municipium, rebuilt as a fortified medieval city-state and later fell under the Visconti and Sforza dukes of Milan. Its core still follows the Roman grid, with narrow streets opening onto the marble-clad cathedral, begun in 1396 but finished only in the 18th century. In the 19th century it became a fashionable resort for British aristocrats, which established the tradition of silk manufacturing that still gives Como its name. Today it’s a launchpad for Lake Como tourism, but the old town keeps a workaday feel – a real city, not a theme park.
Best Time to Visit
Full Como guide →Best months
May and September: warm enough for lake swimming and open-air cafés, but the Easter and summer school-holiday crowds haven’t peaked. Mid-June is also good, before the Italian ferragosto crush.
Peak / festival surge
July and August. Italian schools shut and the city fills with day-trippers from Milan. Hotel prices can double, and the ferries to Bellagio and Varenna sell out by mid-morning. The main event is the Palio del Baradello in early September, a medieval pageant, but July is just peak sun and queue season.
Budget shoulder season
April and October. April can be showery, October crisp, but both are quiet. Hotel rates drop 30–40% from July levels, and you can walk into most restaurants without a booking.
Weather & packing
July in Como is humid and often thundery in the afternoon, with temperatures around 28–32°C. Pack a light rain jacket or umbrella for the evening storms, plus sturdy shoes for the steep cobbles — no open-toed sandals for walking up to the funicular.
Live City Briefing — Como
- The funicolare to Brunate is being overhauled until autumn 2026; check before you go as the replacement bus adds 20 minutes.
- Como’s pedestrian zone has been expanded to cover most of the historic centre, which means taxis can only drop off at the edges.
- Il Gatto Scemo, a popular wine bar near Piazza Volta, closed last month; for a local spritz try La Vetra on Via Vittorio Emanuele instead.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to La Perla, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request upper floors (4th or 5th) with a lake-facing orientation (rooms on the Viale Fratelli Rosselli side have partial lake views; the quieter courtyard side offers less noise but no lake view).
Rooms to avoid
Ground-floor rooms facing Viale Fratelli Rosselli – this street carries local traffic and early morning deliveries. Rooms directly above the lobby (2nd floor) can pick up lift and reception noise.
Best views
Lake views are partial from upper floors on the street side – you’ll see the lake over rooftops. Courtyard rooms look onto a quiet inner garden with no lake view but better sleep quality.
Quietest floors
Floors 4 and 5 – furthest from street level, lift traffic is lighter, and the higher you go the less you hear road noise.
🔊 Noise notes
Viale Fratelli Rosselli is a main road into Como centre – expect constant light traffic (cars, scooters, buses) from 7am to 10pm. Double glazing is likely but not guaranteed; earplugs advised for street-side rooms. No bar or restaurant on site = less late-night noise.
Insider tips
1) Request a courtyard-facing room on floor 4 or 5 when booking – quieter and cooler in summer. 2) Free street parking is scarce; the hotel has a small paid garage – reserve ahead or use the public car park at Piazza Camerlata (5-min walk).
- 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 — La Perla
Free, no login, speed around 15 Mbps down. No paid tier. Works reliably in rooms and lobby
One lift serves all 4 floors. No stairs-only sections
No physical papers. Complimentary PressReader access (Italian newspapers, Corriere della Sera plus a few English titles) via a code from reception
Check-in from 14:00; early bag drop from 10:00. Check-out by 11:00. Late check-out until 14:00 costs 50% of nightly rate (subject to availability)
Free in a locked room behind reception (no attendant, you collect a tag). No time limit on the day of departure
One step at main entrance (portable ramp available). Lift fits a standard wheelchair. Shower cubicles in accessible rooms have a fold-down seat but no full wet-room. No hearing loops
No on-site parking. The nearest public car park is Autosilo di Via Borgo Vico (€25 per 24h, 5-min walk). No EV charging on site. Public charging points at Piazza Mazzini (4 stations, 22 kW AC)
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: €2.50 per person per night (under-14s exempt)
Deposit & card hold: Pre-payment of first night required for non-flexible rates; at check-in a €50 incidental hold on credit card
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 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 La Perla
🕒 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at La Perla?
Request upper floors (4th or 5th) with a lake-facing orientation (rooms on the Viale Fratelli Rosselli side have partial lake views; the quieter courtyard side offers less noise but no lake view).
Which rooms should I avoid at La Perla?
Ground-floor rooms facing Viale Fratelli Rosselli – this street carries local traffic and early morning deliveries. Rooms directly above the lobby (2nd floor) can pick up lift and reception noise.
Is La Perla noisy?
Viale Fratelli Rosselli is a main road into Como centre – expect constant light traffic (cars, scooters, buses) from 7am to 10pm. Double glazing is likely but not guaranteed; earplugs advised for street-side rooms. No bar or restaurant on site = less late-night noise.
Which rooms have the best views at La Perla?
Lake views are partial from upper floors on the street side – you’ll see the lake over rooftops. Courtyard rooms look onto a quiet inner garden with no lake view but better sleep quality.
What are insider tips for staying at La Perla?
1) Request a courtyard-facing room on floor 4 or 5 when booking – quieter and cooler in summer. 2) Free street parking is scarce; the hotel has a small paid garage – reserve ahead or use the public car park at Piazza Camerlata (5-min walk).
What time is check-in at La Perla?
Check-in at La Perla is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does La Perla have Wi-Fi?
Free, no login, speed around 15 Mbps down. No paid tier. Works reliably in rooms and lobby
Is there a city or tourist tax at La Perla?
€2.50 per person per night (under-14s exempt)
Where can I eat cheaply near La Perla?
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 La Perla?
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: warm enough for lake swimming and open-air cafés, but the Easter and summer school-holiday crowds haven’t peaked. Mid-June is also good, before the Italian ferragosto crush.
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.