Lake Como or Lake Garda: Which One Fits Your Travel Style?

Lake Como or Lake Garda? It’s as timeless an Italian conundrum as thick crust or thin? Aperol or Campari?

The scenery alone draws travelers to these two mythic lakes in northern Italy, both defined by majestic mountains and colorful waterside villages that drip with dreamy dolce vita. So just how do you choose between the two?

“It’s important to decide what kind of holiday vibe and style you want,” says Italy-based Ciao Bambino Travel Advisor Linda Considine.  “If you choose Lake Como, it is going to be a cool, luxurious experience with excellent food and services. If you choose Lake Garda, it is going to be a relaxed, family-friendly, adventure-filled holiday with lots of variety.”

With peak travel season stretching from May to September, deciding when to go is another key consideration, says Linda. In 2024, Lake Garda recorded more than 1.5 million tourist arrivals in the first seven months of the year, an increase of 12.6 percent over the same period in 2023. Lake Como sees close to the same number annually, which means a trip during the shoulder months (April or October) can make the experience more relaxing and authentic. The good news is that wherever and whenever you decide to go, Lake Garda and Lake Como deliver irresistible Italian delights.

We’ve broken down the two destinations to help you decide between them when the call of the Italian Lakes Region sounds. And if you still can’t choose, know this: Lake Como and Lake Garda are less than 100 miles apart. Our Travel Advisors can help you plan a trip that takes in the best of both.

Lake Como or Lake Garda: What to Consider

Getting There

Located in Italy’s Lombardy region, Lake Como is about 52 miles north of Milan and two rail lines can get you there. Which one you take depends on whether you want to arrive at the lake’s western branch or eastern branch. One line leaves Milano Centrale station and arrives at Como Lago Station (western). The other stops at Lecco (eastern). Both rides take about 60 minutes.

Once in either, you will find bus and taxi services, and in summer, you can easily get around the lake via the many daily ferries (always check schedules ahead).

Meanwhile, the southern shore of Lake Garda, Italy’s largest lake, is conveniently located between Venice (114 miles) and Brescia (20 miles). The nearest railway station to Riva del Garda is Rovereto, about 12 miles to the east. Stations at the southern end of Lake Garda are at Desenzano and Peschiera, accessible via Milano Centrale and Venezia S. Lucia.

The Vibes

Lake Como

Lake Como is a bucket-list splurge, where posh hotels, chic boutiques and magnificent meals are punctuated by Instagrammable scenery and maybe even a celebrity sighting or two. After all, the Clooneys, Madonna, Donatella Versace and Richard Branson have called the iconic Y-shaped lake home. Opulent villas with overflowing gardens and grand hotels with floating pools dot Lake Como’s shores, feeding its exclusive and upscale reputation. No wonder it’s a go-to spot for honeymooners, special-occasion celebrations and the see-and-be-seen set.

If chic shopping, upscale accommodations and top-shelf service are right up your alley, you’ll be in your element in Lake Como — this luxe area has much to see and do, on and off the water. Villa Monastero, owned by the Province of Lecco, has been transformed into a museum and has splendid botanical garden that extend more than a mile along the lake shore. The town of Lecco is also worth a stroll, especially on its Lakeside Promenade, one of the longest on Lake Como.

Bellagio, set conveniently between the west and east branches of the lake, is picturesque and popular for its colorful alleys and cobbled streets filled with places to shop and sip cappuccinos. You’ll also find some magnificent villas and gardens to visit, including Villa Serbelloni. If you’re in search of somewhere a little quieter, try Varenna, a former fishing village known for its picollo size and yesteryear charm, making it ideal for a languid lakeside lunch. One of the smaller towns along Lake Como’s western shore is Lenno, where lake and mountain vistas abound and there are delightful restaurant terraces with water views.

Most people who come to Lake Como prefer to stay in one spot to take advantage of their luxurious hotels and amenities. “A visit to Lake Como is slow travel, late breakfast, boat trips to your lunch destinations, cooking classes, lounging by the hotel pool and visits to notable towns on the lake, like Bellagio, Tremezzo, Cernobbio, Varenna and Menaggio,” Linda says.

Who’s visiting? Everyone who appreciates luxury and fine dining and has the budget to do it all. Lake Como is popular with newlyweds, multigenerational groups and families celebrating milestones.

Lake Garda

To call Lake Garda less refined than Lake Como doesn’t do the destination justice. If posh hotels are high on your list, fear not: You can still find them here. But the lake’s size and variety of accommodations, sightseeing and things to do draws a different crowd.

“Lake Garda is family-friendly and there are many small towns and historic sites to enjoy around the lake,” says Linda. “It’s a wonderful place to stay if you plan to visit Verona and Venice and also want to go to amusement parks, play golf and enjoy outdoor activities. People tend to move around more here.”

With 100-plus miles of shoreline traversing three regions of Italy (Lombardy, Trentino-Alto Adige and the Veneto), Lake Garda has a varied landscape dotted with culture and history. Its sublime microclimate means olive groves and grape vines, from which some of northern Italy’s best wine are born, grow prolifically.

No trip to Lake Garda is complete without a visit to the abundant and charming small villages along the shore, such as Limone sul Garda, which gets its name from the lemon orchards gracing the mountain slopes nearby. Malcesine’s castle, flowering trees and narrow cobbled streets make for a pleasant day out to shop for locally produced olive oil and products made from Lake Garda lemons.

At the southern end of the lake, public beaches and the medieval Sirmione are the main draws. In this region you’ll also find amusement and water parks and some incredible archaeological sites, museums and Roman ruins — including Grotte di Catullo, the spectacular remains of a large villa that dates to the 1st century A.D.

The northern end of the lake is generally quieter and frequented by travelers who enjoy outdoor activities. Riva del Garda, at the top of the lake, makes an excellent home base for outdoor adventure at the foot of the Dolomites.

While it’s possible to drive around the Lake Garda, ferries and private boat hires can get you from point to point if traffic and parking problems are hassles you’d rather leave behind.

Who’s visiting? Families with young children as well as multigenerational families who like to pack their days with a lot of variety, sightseeing, and outdoor adventure.

Other Things to Do

Apart from dining on fresh Italian food, sipping spritzes on outdoor terraces and snapping endless pictures of the scenery, the to-do options in both regions are limited only by your imagination and dream vacation wish list. Our Ciao Bambino Advisors have lots more ideas and connections for unique local experiences, but here are a few suggestions.

Lake Como

The town of Como is known as Italy’s Silk City. You can purchase a silk souvenir (the epitome of Italian luxury and craftsmanship) or simply stop by the Silk Museum , the only one in the world that takes visitors through the production process from silkworm to colorful yarn.

Como’s Covered Market on Via Mentana is the place to pick up fresh flowers, local meats and cheeses, and produce grown in the region. It’s open 7 am to 1 pm Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. In Dongo on the northwestern shore, a weekly market unfurls every Thursday year-round, from 8 am to 1 pm, with a variety of fresh and prepared foods, clothing, locally grown fruit, vegetables and more on sale.

Wealthy residents from Milan built large, luxurious villas on Lake Como to during the 18th and 19th centuries to escape the city during summer. Lucky us! Today, many of them are open to the public. One to note is Villa del Balbianello in Lenno, situated on a promontory jutting into the lake, where you can tour the gardens and ornate interiors. The villa has been featured in several movies, including Casino Royale.

The 17th-century Villa Carlotta in Tremezzo is known for its gorgeous gardens and fountains as well the magnificent artwork, sculptures, paintings and furnishings. Book tickets in advance.

A boat tour of the lake is a must and the Navigazione Laghi service offers various tickets, including a hop-on/hop-off version. Some larger hotels will have their own boats.

The mountains surrounding Lake Como offer hiking and climbing galore, but pleasant walks are possible too. Try the Greenway of Lake Como, a leisurely 6-mile hike through villages, gardens and more.

Lake Garda

Lake Garda has four impressive water and amusement parks, such as Gardaland (where you’ll find LEGOLAND® Water Park).

Visit a local castle such as the famous Scaligero Castle of Sirmione. Don’t miss the one in Torri del Benaco, a smaller waterfront village where the castle, now a museum, is mere meters away from the boat-filled harbor.

Plan a boat ride, either by public ferry or private hire, to see the towns, ruins and lakeside villas.

If you’re a fan of the outdoors, make sure to pay Riva del Garda a visit. This small yet historic town on the northern tip of the lake is where many people gravitate for windsurfing, sailing, cycling, hiking and climbing.

Visit the lemon garden (limonaia) La Malora in Gargnano, which dates to the 16th century.

A large number of wine varieties are cultivated in the area, and several wineries are open for tastings, including Pratello and Le Morette.

Relevant Links:

Browse all accommodations and activities in Italy on Ciao Bambino

52 things to know before traveling to Italy with kids

Top tips for visiting Italy’s Lake Como with kids

A perfect week on Lake Como for families

72 hours in Milan with kids

Stunning scenery and laid-back charm in Piemonte, Italy

Editor’s note: This post was accurate when published. We advise checking independently for the latest information and updates. Ciao Bambino does not accept responsibility or liability for any errors or omissions in, or for any actions taken based on, the information presented.