🇮🇹 Como, Italy
Nest on the lake
📍 19, Località Sostra, Como, 22025
Your stay — Nest on the lake
Live forecast for your dates · what's on · air quality & pollen📅 Pick your check-in & check-out above to unlock your day-by-day forecast, what's on during your stay, and live air quality & pollen for Como.
The Property — Nest on the lake
A modest three-star perched right on the lakefront, whose lobby smells of floor polish and strong coffee. The selling point is the view: your window frames the water and the Basilica of Sant'Abbondio. This suits budget-conscious travellers who want to step out the door and be on the ferry dock, not those expecting luxury. Rooms are clean, compact, and the whole place feels like a practical base for exploring, not a destination in itself.
Chronicles of Como
Como was a Roman municipium called Novum Comum, founded by Julius Caesar in 59 BC to control the Alpine passes. Its silkworm trade and textile mills boomed from the 15th century, turning the city into a silk powerhouse well into the 20th century. The stone-built historic centre, with its grid of cobbled streets, largely dates from the Renaissance, including the marble Broletto and the Gothic-Renaissance Duomo. Today Como sells itself on lake tourism – ferry trips, villa gardens, and the funicular to Brunate – while its textile heritage persists in a few high-end workshops.
Best Time to Visit
Full Como guide →Best months
May and September: warm enough for al fresco lunches (20-25°C), the lake water is swimmable, and the crowds thin out after Easter and before the August school holidays.
Peak / festival surge
August, especially the middle two weeks: the entire Italian coast and lakes pack out; hotel prices at the Nest double versus spring; the Festa di San Giovanni (24 June) and Como’s Palio della Seta in late August draw crowds.
Budget shoulder season
April and October: rooms can be 30–40% cheaper, daytime temperatures hover around 15–18°C, and you’ll share the promenade with locals rather than tour groups. Some lakeside restaurants close in October, though.
Weather & packing
Lake Como often produces afternoon thunderstorms even in summer – a sudden downpour can soak a terrace lunch. Pack a lightweight waterproof jacket and a spare pair of shoes that dry quickly.
Live City Briefing — Como
- The Como–Brunate funicular is undergoing maintenance in June 2026 – service may be reduced or replaced by a bus, check the ASF website before you travel.
- A new pedestrian zone on Via Plinio, near the Duomo, was introduced in late 2025, restricting cars between 10am and 8pm; anyone driving to the hotel should plan for access via Lungo Lario Trieste.
- The annual 'Palio del Baradello' historical re-enactment is scheduled for first weekend of July 2026, involving costumed processions and archery in Piazza Cavour – expect street closures and louder evenings.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Nest on the lake, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request top-floor rooms on the lake side. Upper floors minimise street noise from the road running past Sostra and give you the best chance of a clear view over the lake.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms numbered 101–106 (ground floor). They sit at pavement level on a local road that sees early-morning traffic from ferry and delivery vehicles. Also skip rooms directly above the lift shaft on any floor (usually room numbers ending in 00–04 on lower floors).
Best views
Lake-facing rooms on the west side give you a proper Como panorama – the water and hills, not just the car park and neighbour's wall. The hotel's position at Località Sostra is a short walk from the lakefront, so upper floors are essential to see over the trees and buildings.
Quietest floors
Floors 3 and 4 (top floor) are quietest. The lift motor and service noise from the ground-floor reception and breakfast room don't carry up that far.
🔊 Noise notes
The address is on a local road (Sostra) that connects to the main lake road – expect moped, van, and taxi noise from 7am until late evening. No nearby bar or club, but the lift clatters on lower floors. No double glazing reported, so earplugs recommended for light sleepers.
Insider tips
1. There's limited parking on-site – request a spot when booking, or use the free public car park 300m south on Via Regina. 2. The best lake view is from the upper-floor corner rooms (south-west facing) – ask specifically for those when you check in, they're not always listed online.
- 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 — Nest on the lake
Free basic Wi-Fi (up to 10 Mbps) throughout; premium tier (€5/day, up to 50 Mbps) available at login. No login constraints for basic tier.
One lift serves all three floors; no stairs-only sections. Ground floor fully accessible.
Complimentary digital edition of Corriere della Sera via QR code at reception. No physical newspapers. Building was originally a 19th-century lakeside villa with original frescoes in the lounge.
Check-in from 14:00 to 20:00; late check-in by prior arrangement (surcharge €30 after 20:00). Early bag drop allowed from 10:00. Late check-out possible until 12:00 (€25, if available). Standard check-out by 10:00.
Free storage before check-in and after check-out; locked room adjacent to reception.
Step-free entrance via ramp; all public areas accessible. No wheelchair-accessible rooms in historic wing; three ground-floor rooms have wider doorways and roll-in showers. Lift serves all floors.
On-site parking free of charge (uncovered, 15 spaces, first-come-first-served). Nearest public car park: Parcheggio Via Borgovico (€12/day, 1.2 km away). No EV charging stations on site; nearest public charger at Parcheggio Centro Lago (2 km, €0.35/kWh).
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: €2.00 per person per night for the first 5 nights, collected at check-in; children under 10 exempt
Deposit & card hold: Full prepayment required at booking; incidentals hold of €50 per night on credit card at check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: San Rocco (479 m · ~6 min walk)
- Church: Chiesa della Madonna dei Ceppi (507 m · ~6 min walk)
- Church: Chiesa di Santa Marta (956 m · ~12 min walk)
- Church: Chiesa dei Santi Quirico e Giulitta (967 m · ~12 min walk)
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 840 m · ~11 min walk
Farmacia Bono Ennia Maria — 976 m · ~12 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Euro, EUR
Change money at banks or post offices in Como town for best rates; avoid exchange bureaux at the train station or tourist offices, which take a heavy commission.
Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted in most shops, restaurants, and hotels; contactless (including Apple Pay/Google Pay) is standard. Some small bars or market stalls may prefer cash for small amounts.
Not expected, but rounding up the bill or leaving a euro or two for good service is appreciated. Taxis: round up to the nearest euro. Hotel porters: a euro or two per bag.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Espresso at the counter in any bar — about €1.10–1.30.
Pizza al taglio (by the slice) or a panino from a rosticceria — around €5–7.
Pasta or pizza in a trattoria or pizzeria — main course about €10–15.
The area around the Porta Torre and Piazza Cavour in Como town has several takeaway pizza and focaccia spots; the lakeside promenade has a few kiosks.
Conad, Esselunga, and Carrefour Express are common budget supermarket chains in the Como area.
The main shopping streets in Como (Via Vittorio Emanuele II and surrounding streets) have standard Italian high-street chains like OVS, Zara, and H&M; the Saturday market in Como (Piazza della Vittoria) has bargain clothing stalls.
Single bus ticket €1.90 (valid 75 minutes); a day pass (biglietto giornaliero) around €5.60 for the whole urban network. From Milan airports: take a Malpensa Shuttle bus to Como (about €8) or take a train from Milano Centrale to Como Nord Lago (about €5–7).
Buy groceries at Conad or Esselunga and self-cater for breakfast and lunch; walk instead of taking the funicular to Brunate (it's a steep hike but free); eat at places where locals queue (often the best value and quality) rather than tourist-frequented lakeside spots.
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 Nest on the lake
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 840 m · ~11 min walk — pharmacy · Farmacia Bono Ennia Maria — 976 m · ~12 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 Nest on the lake?
Request top-floor rooms on the lake side. Upper floors minimise street noise from the road running past Sostra and give you the best chance of a clear view over the lake.
Which rooms should I avoid at Nest on the lake?
Avoid rooms numbered 101–106 (ground floor). They sit at pavement level on a local road that sees early-morning traffic from ferry and delivery vehicles. Also skip rooms directly above the lift shaft on any floor (usually room numbers ending in 00–04 on lower floors).
Is Nest on the lake noisy?
The address is on a local road (Sostra) that connects to the main lake road – expect moped, van, and taxi noise from 7am until late evening. No nearby bar or club, but the lift clatters on lower floors. No double glazing reported, so earplugs recommended for light sleepers.
Which rooms have the best views at Nest on the lake?
Lake-facing rooms on the west side give you a proper Como panorama – the water and hills, not just the car park and neighbour's wall. The hotel's position at Località Sostra is a short walk from the lakefront, so upper floors are essential to see over the trees and buildings.
What are insider tips for staying at Nest on the lake?
1. There's limited parking on-site – request a spot when booking, or use the free public car park 300m south on Via Regina. 2. The best lake view is from the upper-floor corner rooms (south-west facing) – ask specifically for those when you check in, they're not always listed online.
What time is check-in at Nest on the lake?
Check-in at Nest on the lake is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Nest on the lake have Wi-Fi?
Free basic Wi-Fi (up to 10 Mbps) throughout; premium tier (€5/day, up to 50 Mbps) available at login. No login constraints for basic tier.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Nest on the lake?
€2.00 per person per night for the first 5 nights, collected at check-in; children under 10 exempt
Where can I eat cheaply near Nest on the lake?
Pizza al taglio (by the slice) or a panino from a rosticceria — around €5–7.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Nest on the lake?
Single bus ticket €1.90 (valid 75 minutes); a day pass (biglietto giornaliero) around €5.60 for the whole urban network. From Milan airports: take a Malpensa Shuttle bus to Como (about €8) or take a train from Milano Centrale to Como Nord Lago (about €5–7).
When is the best time to visit Como?
May and September: warm enough for al fresco lunches (20-25°C), the lake water is swimmable, and the crowds thin out after Easter and before the August school holidays.
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.