Things to Do in Como

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

💡 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.

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

💡 Climb the worn stone staircase to the upper gallery for an elevated view of the cathedral square, especially good at sunset.

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.

Roman and medieval defensive walls circling the old town, with surviving towers and gates. The best sections are along Viale Lecco.

🕐 Always open

💡 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.

12th-century Romanesque basilica with tall bell towers and faded 14th-century frescoes. Much quieter than the cathedral, with original stonework.

🕐 Daily 08:00-12:00, 14:00-18:00

💡 Look for the fresco cycle in the apse—it shows scenes from the New Testament and is one of the best-preserved in Lombardy.

Paved lakeside walk from Piazza Cavour to Villa Geno. Lined with historic buildings, boat docks, and benches. No entry fee at any point.

🕐 24 hours

💡 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.

A Romanesque church from the 12th century, with a striking central apse and original floor mosaics. Small but historically rich, tucked off the main square.

🕐 Daily 08:00-12:00, 15:00-18:00

💡 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.

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.

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.

A peaceful lakeside park with mature trees, flower beds, and benches overlooking the water. Good for a picnic or a stroll away from crowds.

🕐 Always open

💡 Bring your own snacks – the nearby cafés are pricey. Early morning is quietest; afternoons fill with families. Free public toilets near the entrance.

Lakeside park surrounding a neoclassical villa, with mature trees, lawns, and direct views across Lake Como. Free to stroll through year-round.

🕐 Daily 07:00-20:00 (hours may shorten in winter)

💡 Bring a picnic and sit on the grassy slope near the lake edge—locals do this on sunny afternoons, and it's quieter than the central waterfront.

Neoclassical villa grounds sloping down to the lake, with lawns, plane trees, and a small pier. The villa itself charges entry for exhibitions.

🕐 Park: daily 7:00-19:00 (summer until 21:00)

💡 Enter from the lakeside gate and walk to the top of the garden for a free panorama of Lake Como; picnic benches are under the big trees.

A neoclassical building housing exhibits on Alessandro Volta’s life and inventions, including early batteries and electrical devices. Modest but well-curated.

🕐 Tue-Sun 10:00-12:30, 14:00-17:00 (closed Mon)

💡 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.

🕐 Tue-Sat 10:00-18:00, Sun 10:00-13:00; closed Mon

💡 It's free only on certain days—check the local tourism site for 'gratuito' dates, or bring €4 for the standard ticket.

The main Gothic-Renaissance cathedral in the city centre, with intricate marble work and frescoes inside. Free to enter, but donations welcome.

🕐 Daily 07:30-12:00, 15:00-19:00

💡 Visit late afternoon for quieter atmosphere and good light on the rose window. The small museum inside costs a few euros but skip it unless you're keen on religious art.

Gothic-Renaissance cathedral at the heart of Como, known for its intricate facade, rose window, and artworks by Bernardino Luini. Free to enter and wander inside.

🕐 Mon-Fri 10:30-17:00, Sat 10:30-17:00, Sun 13:00-17:00

💡 Visit late afternoon when sunlight streams through the stained glass, lighting up the interior without the morning tour crowds.

Gothic marble cathedral in the main square, with medieval tapestries and a golden altarpiece inside. The dome dominates the skyline.

🕐 Mon-Fri 10:30-18:00, Sat 10:30-17:00, Sun 13:00-17:00

💡 Walk around the south side after 4pm for quieter views of the carved portals; the crypt is often missed but worth a peek.

Gothic cathedral in the main square, Piazza del Duomo. Built over centuries with marble facades and Renaissance tapestries inside.

🕐 Mon-Sat 7:00-19:00, Sun 7:00-20:00

💡 Go early before 9am to see the interior without crowds; the side chapels are often overlooked but house fine artwork.

Gothic-style cathedral in the main square, with marble facade and Renaissance tapestries inside. Construction took four centuries, blending styles.

🕐 Mon-Sat 7:30-19:00, Sun 7:30-20:00

💡 Skip the queue by going early on weekday mornings; check the crypt for free access to older foundations.