One of the most modern and most “un-Italian” cities in Italy attracts tourists all year round. The fashion capital and business center of Italy, Milan is not only a modern, comfortable city with countless boutiques of world-renowned brands and skyscraper offices of international companies, but it is also home to the Duomo square, Leonardo da Vinci’s “The Last Supper”, the La Scala opera house, Sforza Castle, ancient churches, the “Italian Amsterdam” of Navigli, contemporary art galleries, vintage shops, and cozy parks.
From Milan, the easiest destination to reach is Lake Como – one of the most beautiful spots on the Apennine Peninsula. And it is also one of the most popular wedding venues in Italy.
Our guide to Milan and Lake Como will make your trip as comfortable and enriching as possible and answer all the most important questions travelers may have. And especially for couples planning their wedding in Italy, we have prepared an optimal route that will allow you to explore luxurious villas on Lake Como and decide on the venue for your celebration.
Article Contents:
1. How to Get to Milan from the Airport
5. How to Get to Lake Como from Milan
7. Historic Villas on Lake Como
8. Optimal 2-Day Route Around Lake Como from WOWItaly Weddings
How to Get to Milan from the Airport
Milan Malpensa Airport (Malpensa)
The main one of Milan’s three airports, Malpensa, is located 45 kilometers from the city. The most convenient way to reach Milan’s city center is by train.
Trains run every 30 minutes from 5:37 to 22:37, with a travel time to the main station, Milano Centrale, of 1 hour if departing from Terminal 1 and 54 minutes if departing from Terminal 2. A ticket costs 13 euros.
A taxi from Malpensa Airport to any point in the city costs 110 euros.
Linate Airport (Linate)
The airport is located just 7 kilometers from Milan. It is very convenient to travel to the city because the airport houses the terminus of the blue branch of the M4 metro. The journey to San Babila station, which is within walking distance of the Milan Cathedral, takes 12 minutes. At San Babila, you can transfer to the red branch of the M1 metro. The fare is 2.20 euros.
Taxis from Linate Airport do not have a fixed price and are metered. The cost of your ride will depend on the distance, day of the week, and time of day (more expensive at night and on weekends).
Milan Bergamo Airport Orio al Serio (Orio al Serio)
Milan-Bergamo Airport is located 53 kilometers from Milan. Buses operated by Orioshuttle and Terravision run between the airport and Milan’s main train station.
Buses depart every half hour around the clock (with longer intervals at night). The journey takes 50 minutes, with fares of 10 euros for adults, 5 euros for children, and free for children under 3.
You can check the schedule and purchase tickets on the carriers’ websites Orioshuttle and Terravision.
A taxi from Orio al Serio to Milan has a fixed price of 122 euros.
Milan boasts a large and convenient metro system that allows you to easily reach almost any part of the city. A single trip costs 2.20 euros; the ticket is valid for 90 minutes and covers one ride on the metro plus unlimited rides on surface transport. Note that the metro ticket must be validated both upon entry and exit.
Tickets are sold at machines in metro stations, as well as in tobacco shops, newsstands, and bars. Children under 14 do not need to purchase a ticket, but be prepared to show inspectors a document confirming the child’s age.
You can also use the contactless payment option by simply tapping your bank card on the metro turnstile. Don’t forget to tap it again when exiting.
On Milan’s buses, trolleybuses, and trams, you only need to tap your card on the validator once upon boarding. With the exception of routes 121, 130, 140, 165, 166, and 327—on these routes, you must validate your card both when boarding and when alighting. Always use the same card for a single journey.
For more details on contactless payment rules, please visit the website of Azienda Trasporti Milanesi
If you plan to travel frequently around the city, it is better to purchase a day pass for all modes of transport for 7.60 euros, or a 3-day pass for 15.50 euros. These tickets have no limits on the number of trips and are valid in metro zones Mi1-Mi3 as well as on surface transport.
Save a Copy of the Milan Metro Map here
MilanoCard
The MilanoCard will also save you time and money – it includes free rides on public transport, discounts at museums, and a welcome drink.
You can purchase the card for 1, 2, or 3 days, and there are also combined options that include an airport shuttle and/or a ticket to the Milan Cathedral.
You can buy the card on the website MilanoCard
Where to Stay in Milan
City Center – the most convenient, albeit the most expensive option. Within walking distance, you’ll find the Milan Cathedral, the shopping street Corso Vittorio Emanuele II, and a variety of bars and restaurants to suit every taste.
Adjacent to the city center is the Brera district, very popular among affluent Milanese. Here you will also find trendy boutiques, cozy family restaurants and wine bars, as well as intellectual nourishment in the form of the Brera Pinacoteca featuring works by Raphael. Hotel prices here are not much different from those in the city center.
Navigli – a favorite spot for Milanese party-goers. The tables at the many establishments along the canals never seem to be empty, and it can get quite lively at night. Here you will also find vintage shops and contemporary art galleries. Hotel prices are lower than in the city center, but you’ll need to take the metro to reach Milan’s main attractions.
Milan Tourist To-Do List
See Leonardo da Vinci’s incredible masterpiece – “The Last Supper”. The fresco, located in the church of Santa Maria delle Grazie, is so popular that tickets are usually sold out several months in advance; therefore, you need to purchase your ticket months ahead on the website Vivaticket.
Visit Milan’s main attraction – the famous Milan Cathedral (Duomo di Milano)! Be sure to purchase a ticket that includes access to the rooftop, as it offers a breathtaking view of the city! And to ensure that this beautiful moment lasts forever in your memory – book a professional photoshoot.
Experience Italian opera at the legendary La Scala theatre. And don’t be put off by the modest exterior of the building – inside, it is magnificent! Book your tickets in advance on the official website Teatro alla Scala.
Try ossobuco (braised veal shank), saffron risotto, and Milanese-style meatballs – typical dishes of Lombard cuisine. For example, at the trattoria Balera dell’Ortica. And here you can also dance your heart out with the locals. Milanese have been partying here since 1925!
Discover how deep the rabbit hole goes at Rabbit Hole Caffe. In this place, where cups and teapots hang from the ceiling and every waitress looks like Alice, you’ll be treated to a truly magical selection of sweets, teas, coffees, and cocktails!
Be Inspired by Liberty-Style Architecture:
- Porta Venezia (Bastioni di Porta Venezia, 1) – one of Milan’s historic gates and the namesake district featuring elegant Liberty-style houses.
- Casa Galimberti (Via Marcello Malpighi, 3) – a project by architect Bossi, realized in 1903–1905, which is a magnificent example of modernist style from the late 19th to early 20th century, aimed at turning every living space into a work of art.
- Casa Guazzoni (Via Marcello Malpighi, 12) – another creation by Bossi with beautiful wrought-iron balconies, located on the same street as Casa Galimberti.
- Cinema Dumond (Via Paolo Frisi, 2-6) – a former cinema built in 1908 by architects Tettamanzi and Mainetti. The original building’s facade, executed in the Liberty style with French floral motifs, has been preserved and now houses the municipal library.
- Casa Capitano (Via Abamonti, 2) – no stroll in Italy is complete without a break for a cup of aromatic coffee. At Casa Capitano, you’ll enjoy authentic Neapolitan coffee with traditional Italian desserts.
- Casa Campanini (Via Vincenzo Bellini, 11) – a project by the architect of the same name, designed as a private apartment in 1904–1906.
- Casa Berri Merregalli (Via Cappuccini, 8) – a building with eclectic details, such as medieval gargoyles, exposed angels, and Art Nouveau mosaics.
How to Get to Lake Como from Milan
You can reach Lake Como by commuter train departing from the main station – Milano Centrale – every hour from 6:20 to 21:20 (note: between 10:00–12:00 and 14:00–16:00 there is a 2-hour gap between trains!). Tickets cost 11 euros for first class and 7.40 euros for second class. The destination is Varenna-Esino, and the journey takes 1 hour and 4 minutes.
Taxi fares from Milan to Como start at 120 euros one way.
The Best View of Lake Como
From the Cable Car Cabin of Argegno – Pigra (Argegno – Pigra)
The 648-meter-long cable car is considered the steepest in Europe – in some sections, the incline reaches 96%! In just 5 minutes, you will ascend to an altitude of 860 meters!
In the summer, the cable car operates from 8:30 to 12:00 and from 14:30 to 18:30. In the winter, it runs on weekdays from 6:40 to 11:30 and from 14:00 to 16:30, and on weekends from 8:30 to 12:00 and from 14:00 to 17:00. Departures are every 30 minutes, and a round-trip ticket costs 3.9 euros. From the village of Pigra, an incredible view of the lake and the Alpine foothills unfolds before you.
Strolling Along the Greenway
This is the name of a 10 km long pedestrian route along the lakeshore. It begins in the town of Colonno and ends in Griante. You don’t have to traverse the entire distance; you can start your walk from any point. For convenience, the route is divided into seven sections—find out more on the website Greenway of Lago di Como
Whichever part of the route you choose, you will encounter picturesque towns, ancient churches, luxurious villas, and mesmerizing landscapes of Como. One of the panoramic spots along the way is the Torre del Soccorso (Barbarossa) near the town of Lenno.
From the San Nicolò Bell Tower in the Town of Lecco (Lecco)
It stands 96 meters tall and is one of the tallest in Europe. A spiral staircase of 396 steps leads to the top. The bell tower is open to visitors only once a week, usually on Sundays, so tickets must be booked in advance on the website campaniledilecco.it.
From the Water
Seeing the picturesque shores of Como with its famous villas and postcard towns immersed in greenery from the water is an incomparable pleasure! To do this, simply purchase a day pass for the ferry. Be sure to check the schedule; tickets can be bought at the ticket offices on the dock or online.
If you are looking for solitude, take advantage of the water taxi service. Price: 550 euros for a 2-hour ride.
Historic Villas on Lake Como
The most beautiful villas on Lake Como that you can visit on your own or arrange for a romantic photoshoot with our photographer.
Attention! For a photoshoot with a professional photographer, you must obtain special permission, which costs between 150 and 1000 euros, depending on the location.
Villa Baldianello (Villa del Balbianello)
Address: Via Guido Monzino, 1, Tremezzina
One of the most famous villas on Como, largely thanks to the affection shown to it by Hollywood directors. The villa’s pride is undoubtedly its luxurious panoramic garden-park, which cascades in terraces down to the water.
In 2022, Villa Baldianello welcomed a record 170,000 visitors, after which a decision was made to limit the number of visitors to 1,200 per day in order to preserve its cultural heritage. To visit, you must book your visit in advance on the villa’s official website.
Ticket Price: Adults – 13 euros, ages 6–18 and students ages 19–25 – 10 euros, children under 5 – free.
Opening Hours: from 10:00 to 18:00. Last entry at 17:00. The villa is closed on Mondays and Wednesdays.
Villa Monastero (Villa Monastero)
Address: Viale Giovanni Polvani, 4, 23829 Varenna LC
As you might guess, the villa got its name from a monastery – in the 12th century, a convent of the Cistercian order was built here, and in the 16th century, after its closure, it was purchased by a wealthy family and converted into a villa.
The interiors of the villa astonish with their mix of styles and the superb preservation of the furnishings from its last two owners.
Special mention goes to the villa’s park (also known as the Botanical Garden), which stretches along the shoreline for nearly 2 kilometers.
Tickets can be purchased at the ticket office or online at Vivaticket.
Ticket Price:
- Botanical Garden: Ages 65 and over – 7 euros, ages 26–64 – 10 euros, ages 15–25 – 5 euros, children under 14 – free.
- Botanical Garden + Museum: Ages 65 and over – 9 euros, ages 26–64 – 13 euros, ages 15–25 – 7 euros, children under 14 – free.
Opening hours vary depending on the month; you can check them on the Villa Monastero website
Villa Carlotta (Villa Carlotta)
Address: Via Regina, 2, 22016 Tremezzina CO
One of the most exquisite villas on Como, the villa houses a rich collection of artworks, including sculptures by Antonio Canova and his school, Thorvaldsen, as well as “Romeo and Juliet’s Last Kiss” by Hayes.
From its panoramic terrace, you get a postcard view of the mountains and the town of Bellagio, located on a promontory.
The villa is surrounded by a botanical garden covering more than 100,000 square meters. Here you will find countless camellias, azaleas, bamboo, citrus trees, maples, plane trees, and other rare specimens.
Ticket Price: Ages 65 and over – 13 euros, adults – 15 euros, ages 6–18 and students ages 19–25 – 6 euros, children under 6 – free.
Opening Hours: from 10:00 to 19:00. Last entry at 18:00. The museum closes at 18:30.
Villa Melzi (Villa Melzi)
Address: Via Lungo Lario Manzoni, 22021 Bellagio CO
Villa Melzi is located in the town of Bellagio in the southern part of Lake Como, nestled between two of its branches. Despite Bellagio’s immense popularity among tourists, the villa remains a hidden gem known to only a few visitors to the lake.
The beauty of the villa has enchanted great figures throughout history: Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte, composer Franz Liszt, and writer Stendhal all admired this magical place! Today, the villa and its gardens allow us to immerse ourselves in history and enjoy a harmonious blend of architecture and nature.
Ticket Price: Adults – 10 euros, children under 11 – free.
Opening Hours: from 10:00 to 19:00.
Optimal 2-Day Route Around Lake Como from WOWItaly Weddings
Whether you’re choosing a location for your wedding in Italy or simply want to enjoy the architecture and landscapes of Lake Como, we recommend the following route:
- Villa Monastero (Varenna)
- Ferry to Bellagio
- Villa Melzi
- Ferry to Tremezzo
- Villa Carlotta
- Ferry to Lenno
- Villa Baldianello
Submit your inquiry using any convenient method and receive a free consultation on organizing a wedding at Lake Como, as well as our insider planning guide for brides.
