Lake Como hotels

Hotels in Lake Como

The azure blue waters of Lake Como are ringed by lush green mountains and it's not hard to see why it has been a popular tourist destination since Roman times.

Famous for its lakeside villas, which once housed the aristocracy, the lake is now home to many famous faces such as George Clooney and Madonna. Despite this rich clientele Lake Como Hotels cater to most budgets.

Art and History

Many of the lakeside villas are now open to the public and can be explored along with their idyllic gardens. The 17th century villa Carlotta was built for Milanese marquis Giorgio Clerici and has 4 acres of gardens featuring statues made by the famous Italian sculptors Antonio Canova and Luigi Acquisti. You can easily access the historical villas using the efficient lake ferry service, which offers both fast and slow services to suit your needs.

Sports

If you're looking for some more pulse-raising activities the lake and surrounding area offers a diverse array of sports. The Menaggio Golf Club is the second oldest Golf Club in Italy and the 18-hole course offers stunning views of the Lake Como scenery.

On the lake itself you can enjoy water sports such as windsurfing, kitesurfing and sailing and with waters that can reach an average of 24°C there's no reason not to take the plunge.

Fresh Local Food

Italy is famous the world over for its food and Lake Como has the best on offer, with some world-class restaurants often serving fresh fish caught from the lake itself. A trip to Italy wouldn't be complete without sampling some of the famous Gelato (Ice Cream). Lake Como has many top Gelaterias selling ice creams using fresh ingredients such as real fruit and nuts, one of the best being La Giazzaera in Varenna.

If visiting in the winter, be sure to try local persimmons which need frost to develop their unique flavour and are a specialty during the colder months.

Discount Italian Fashion

Of course, Italy is famous for more than food. It's also world-renowned for its fashion and Lake Como offers lots of shopping with some of the best in Italian design available.

The area is famous for its silk production and provides materials for some of the most famous fashion houses in Paris and New York. One of the largest manufacturers is the Ratti company and you can enjoy a particularly scenic shopping experience in the 19th century Villa Sucota which sells some of their highest quality goods.

Those looking for a bargain can visit the large outlet centre Fox Town Factory Stores which offer discounts on popular designers including Armani and Dolce and Gabbana. For a more varied choice of shops, the bustling cities of Milan and Lugano can also easily be reached by car or train.