If you’re searching for the ultimate Lake Como travel guide, prepare to be swept into a world where elegance isn’t just appreciated, it’s a way of life. Nestled in Italy’s Lombardy region, Lake Como is the kind of destination that whispers wealth. Not flash, never brash, just timeless refinement. The kind you’d expect to see in a Slim Aarons photograph.
Lake Como Travel Guide – Where Old Money Elegance Meets Italian Indulgence
Once Upon a Time on the Italian Lakes…
Once upon a time, I arrived in Lake Como with a carry on packed with linen, silk, and high expectations. I’d seen the postcards, the Pinterest boards, the paparazzi shots of George Clooney’s villa, but none of them prepared me for how alive the place feels.
Como doesn’t just sit pretty, it seduces. From the rustle of cypress trees in the breeze to the gentle lapping of the water against Riva boats, everything here moves slowly… deliberately… luxuriously.
Where to Stay – Villas with Views & Boutique Bliss
If you’re coming to Lake Como, don’t settle for ordinary. Stay somewhere that makes you feel like Italian nobility, or at the very least, a cast member in The Talented Mr Ripley.
Grand Hotel Tremezzo
A Belle Époque beauty with candy-striped parasols, floating pools on the lake, and the kind of service that knows your cocktail order before you do. Expect curated luxury with a smile.
Villa d’Este
If the walls could talk, they’d whisper secrets of royals, designers, and Hollywood stars. Heritage rich and dripping in classical opulence.
Il Sereno
For the modern minimalist with taste. Think glass walls, clean lines, and a private boat dock. Quiet luxury at its most refined.
Pro tip: Book lake facing rooms with balconies, mornings here are made for espresso and uninterrupted views.
What to Do – The Old Money Itinerary
This isn’t the Amalfi Coast, there are no packed beach clubs or noisy crowds. Lake Como is for people who appreciate the art of doing very little, beautifully.
Charter a Wooden Boat
Hire a Riva and glide across the water like it’s 1962. Stop at Bellagio for an Aperol, then cruise past Clooney’s villa and wave (casually, of course).
Visit the Gardens of Villa Balbianello
Set high above the lake, these cinematic gardens have starred in everything from Casino Royale to Star Wars. Arrive by boat for full effect.
Aperitivo in Bellagio
Bellagio is Como’s crown jewel, and yes, it’s touristy, but sip a negroni at Bar Sanremo as the sun dips low, and you’ll understand why the world fell in love with it.
Shop (but not for trends)
Como is known for silk. Skip fast fashion and head to Mantero 1902 for heirloom scarves and timeless prints.
What to Pack – Think Heiress, Not Influencer
Old money chic is about quality over logos. It’s relaxed, elegant, and never try hard.
- Linen shirts & wide leg trousers (preferably in cream or ivory)
- Silk midi dresses for dinners on the lake
- Loafers or espadrilles, never heels on cobblestones
- Oversized sunglasses and a leather tote
- Minimalist jewellery – think gold hoops and a vintage Cartier
Leave anything “trendy” at home. This is the land of understated luxury.
Where to Eat – Refined, Rustic, Remarkable
- Locanda La Tirlindana – Right on the water, tucked away, perfect for long lunches over fresh lake fish and lemon risotto.
- Alle Darsene di Loppia – Hidden, family run, and criminally underrated. Come here for the best pasta of your life.
- Ristorante Mistral at Villa Serbelloni – Michelin starred indulgence for when you want to dress up and dine like royalty.
Why Lake Como Captures the Soul
Lake Como isn’t a bucket list stop. It’s a feeling, of arriving and exhaling. Of knowing you’ve chosen somewhere that doesn’t shout about its worth. It’s the quiet hum of generational wealth, the clink of crystal over candlelight, the elegance of doing nothing in particular, and doing it well.
For those who know, Lake Como is the destination. And for those who don’t yet? Let’s keep it our little secret.
