Places to visit
In the city and in the immediate surroundings there are numerous testimonies of the presence of the ancient Romans, starting from the urban layout of the walled city, the Baths and the Strada Regina, from which in the Middle Ages passed the workers who spread the Romanesque throughout Europe.
The pleasantness of the landscape and the climate has favored since the time of Pliny the Younger the construction of numerous villas on the lake, a tradition that has continued over the centuries. From the eighteenth century, in particular, began the construction of the great holiday residences of the aristocratic families of Como and Milan that have made this corner of Italy famous throughout the world: villa D’Este, Pizzo villa, Oleandra villa, Manzi Palace, Fogazzaro villa, Passalacqua villa, Olmo villa, Salazar villa, Vigoni villa, Pisani-Dossi villa, La Quiete villa, La Gaeta villa.
Live the lake
The atmosphere in the city of Como is incomparable.
The magic of the city is the result of the craft shops, typical restaurants and the smell of coffee in the bars that pervade the centre. A visit to the squares, which are overlooked by numerous hotels, is a must; various accommodation facilities, on the other hand, are hidden in the small alleyways. Numerous historic villas and modern palaces are ready to welcome you within their walls and gardens.
Ideas for sport
For sports enthusiasts, the Como branch has a very varied offer.
You can try out water sports, including sailing, thanks to the numerous sailing schools and the two famous winds: the Tivano, which blows in the morning from the north, and the Breva, in the afternoon, from the south. If water sports are not your thing, you can try a unique flying experience aboard a seaplane, the most original way to see the landscape from above and land on the waters of the lake. In fact, Como is home to the oldest school in the world and the only one in Europe for seaplanes, the Aero Club Como, founded in 1930.
Art & Culture
From the 18th century, some of the most famous villas on the lake began to be built in this area, including Palazzo Manzi, Villa Oleandra, Villa Olmo, Villa La Gaeta, Villa d’Este, Villa Erba and Villa Pizzo.
There is a vast historical and artistic heritage along the shores of this area of the lake, including churches, fortifications and medieval villages, lively squares and, in the centre of Como, monuments dedicated to Alessandro Volta. This area has welcomed and still welcomes famous people, first of all the American actor George Clooney.