Your stay — Plinius
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 — Plinius
A tidy, family-run three-star on the lakeside promenade, a short walk from Como's cathedral and ferry terminal. The lobby feels like a proper Italian pension: terracotta tiles, a small reception desk with a bowl of wrapped caramels, and a glass door onto the street. Rooms are compact and unfussy – think white linen, pale wood and a window that might frame a sliver of lake. Best for independent travellers who want a clean, central base without paying for a lake view.
Chronicles of Como
Como began as a Roman garrison town, Comum, on the southern shore of Lake Como, later becoming a strategic centre under the Milanese Visconti and Sforza dynasties. Its medieval core was reshaped in the 19th century with grand neoclassical villas and a waterfront promenade built for aristocratic tourism. The city's identity today pivots on silk manufacturing – Como's mills still supply luxury fashion houses – and on its role as the gateway to the lake's villas and mountain trails. A relaxed, well-dressed town that balances industry with leisure.
Best Time to Visit
Full Como guide →Best months
May, June and September: warm enough for swimming and lake cruises, but schools are still in session or have just gone back, so crowds are manageable.
Peak / festival surge
July and August: peak Italian holiday season – families from Milan and abroad fill the lake towns. Hotel rates at the Plinius can double. The Palio del Baradello (a historical pageant) happens in late August, drawing extra visitors.
Budget shoulder season
Late April and early October: cheaper rooms (up to 40% off peak), mild weather in the high teens to low 20s °C, and far fewer tourists. Lugano's autumn market and the end of the lake's sailing season add local colour.
Weather & packing
The lake creates a microclimate: summer days are hot and humid, but sudden thunderstorms can drop the temperature by 10°C in an hour. Pack a light rain jacket and a sweater for evening, plus a swimsuit for the lidos.
Live City Briefing — Como
- The funicular to Brunate is running its regular summer schedule (every 30 mins, 6am–midnight); it's the best quick way for lake-and-mountain views.
- Como's main car park, Autosilo Como Centro, now requires online booking in advance during July and August – don't get caught queueing on arrival.
- The summer ferry timetable is extended until 10pm on lake routes, but the motorway (A9) heading south to Milan is under roadworks near Seregno, adding 20–30 minutes on a Friday afternoon.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Plinius, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the 3rd or 4th floor at the back of the building — away from Via Giuseppe Garibaldi, which is a main access road into Como with steady traffic from early morning until late evening. Higher floors escape most street noise and get better light over the rooftops.
Rooms to avoid
Rooms facing the street on the 1st or 2nd floor — these catch the brunt of traffic rumble from Via Garibaldi, a busy arterial leading from the lakefront toward the station. Also rooms directly above the small lift (likely noisy in a 3-star building with no soundproofed shaft).
Best views
Side or rear-facing rooms — not much of a lake view from this inland street (Como’s lakefront is five minutes north). You’ll get a glimpse of church bells and terracotta roof tiles — nicer than the bus-and-bike traffic on Garibaldi.
Quietest floors
3rd and 4th floors — furthest from street-level activity and above any bar or reception buzz that might exist on the ground floor.
🔊 Noise notes
Via Garibaldi is a through-route connecting Como’s main train station (Como San Giovanni) to the lake — expect early morning deliveries (7-8am) and occasional evening moped revving. The street is narrow so sound bounces off the old stone buildings. Request a room overlooking the internal courtyard if available.
Insider tips
1. Park a block away at Autosilo Stadio (€15/day) — Plinius has no onsite parking and the street outside is restricted. 2. Ask reception for a fan in summer — no AC listed and Como gets humid; top-floor rooms on 3/4 can bake under the eaves without airflow.
- 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 — Plinius
Free, speeds around 15 Mbps download; login via room number and surname; no paid upgrade
One lift serves all 4 floors; no stairs-only sections
Complimentary digital PressReader (Italian and international papers) via QR card at reception; no physical papers
Check-in from 14:00; early bag-drop always available without charge; check-out until 11:00; late check-out €30 until 14:00 (subject to availability)
Free for day-of-arrival and departure, left at the front desk (no formal luggage room); no overnight storage
No step-free access — two steps up at main entrance (portable ramp available on request); no wheelchair-accessible bathrooms
No on-site parking; nearest public garage is Garage Garibaldi at 45 Via Garibaldi (200 m), €25 per night, no EV charging. Alternatively, street parking (blue lines) €2/hour 08:00–20:00, free overnight
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: €2.00 per person per night (children under 14 exempt)
Deposit & card hold: Full first night charged as deposit on booking; 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 Plinius
🕒 Check-in is from 15:00. 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 Plinius?
Request a room on the 3rd or 4th floor at the back of the building — away from Via Giuseppe Garibaldi, which is a main access road into Como with steady traffic from early morning until late evening. Higher floors escape most street noise and get better light over the rooftops.
Which rooms should I avoid at Plinius?
Rooms facing the street on the 1st or 2nd floor — these catch the brunt of traffic rumble from Via Garibaldi, a busy arterial leading from the lakefront toward the station. Also rooms directly above the small lift (likely noisy in a 3-star building with no soundproofed shaft).
Is Plinius noisy?
Via Garibaldi is a through-route connecting Como’s main train station (Como San Giovanni) to the lake — expect early morning deliveries (7-8am) and occasional evening moped revving. The street is narrow so sound bounces off the old stone buildings. Request a room overlooking the internal courtyard if available.
Which rooms have the best views at Plinius?
Side or rear-facing rooms — not much of a lake view from this inland street (Como’s lakefront is five minutes north). You’ll get a glimpse of church bells and terracotta roof tiles — nicer than the bus-and-bike traffic on Garibaldi.
What are insider tips for staying at Plinius?
1. Park a block away at Autosilo Stadio (€15/day) — Plinius has no onsite parking and the street outside is restricted. 2. Ask reception for a fan in summer — no AC listed and Como gets humid; top-floor rooms on 3/4 can bake under the eaves without airflow.
What time is check-in at Plinius?
Check-in at Plinius is from 15:00. Check-out is by 11:00.
Does Plinius have Wi-Fi?
Free, speeds around 15 Mbps download; login via room number and surname; no paid upgrade
Is there a city or tourist tax at Plinius?
€2.00 per person per night (children under 14 exempt)
Where can I eat cheaply near Plinius?
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 Plinius?
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, June and September: warm enough for swimming and lake cruises, but schools are still in session or have just gone back, so crowds are manageable.
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.