Plan Your Ultra-Luxurious Lake Como Honeymoon

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Going on a Lake Como honeymoon is perfect for couples who love the idea of sipping an aperitif with your sweetheart on a terrace overlooking a sparkling lake. Strolling through ornate Renaissance and Art Nouveau villas and gardens. Dining on buttery risotto and pistachio gelato after a day spent cruising on a boat. If this all sounds like a dream, then Lake Como is the best honeymoon destination for you. Head to this upscale resort area 25 miles north of Milan for your perfect romantic getaway to Italy.

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When it comes to planning your honeymoon in Lake Como, let us be your guide. From the best months to visit to the top hotels and things to do, use our expert tips to plan your Lake Como honeymoon itinerary.

Lake Como Honeymoon Tips in this Article:

• The Best Time to Honeymoon in Lake Como
• Lake Como Honeymoon Planning Tips
• Best Lake Como Honeymoon Hotels and Resorts
• Lake Como Honeymoon Itinerary Ideas
• What to Pack for a Lake Como Honeymoon

Photo: Colombo Nicola | Shutterstock

The Best Time to Honeymoon in Lake Como

Ashley Gallo of Royal Travel and Tours recommends visiting between March and October, which is when you'll find the best weather. In the spring, the mountaintops are still snowcapped and the gardens abloom, say Reco trip designers Matteo Della Grazia and Daniela Mencarelli. In general, summers can be hot and crowded, Gallo says. If you can, try to avoid the middle two weeks of August, when the area is at its busiest.

Best weather: March to October.
Festival highlights: The Festival of San Giovanni with a spectacular fireworks display over the lake. The Como City of Music Festival takes place in July, offering a variety of classical and contemporary performances. Autumn brings the Sagra di San Martino, celebrating local food and wine.

Lake Como Honeymoon Planning Tips

Set at the base of the Alps and centered around the famed Lake Como (Lago di Como in Italian), this region in Lombardy is the postcard-perfect honeymoon destination. "Not only does it have majestic views from every part of the lake, but there are so many beautiful places and towns to see on the lake's three different branches," says Gallo. "There's no shortage of quaint villages to get lost wandering around in."

Lovers of history, design, art and luxury will appreciate the ornate villas and gardens, while foodie couples will savor the rich Italian cuisine. Active couples can keep busy by hiking, biking, swimming, boating, windsurfing or shopping.

Thanks to its walkable villas and gardens and extensive water sports, Lake Como offers active couples a wealth of ways to spend the day. Since it's a resort area, it's also an ideal place to relax, whether newlyweds wish to book a spa treatment, laze around in the pool, or sunbathe during a boat ride.

Couples who want to explore Northern Italy and Switzerland (it's less than a three-hour drive to the border) can begin or end their trip in Lake Como. Fortunately, the area is easy to access. Just fly into Milan Malpensa International Airport; from New York, you can book a direct flight. The car ride from the airport to Lake Como is a mere 40 minutes. Newlyweds can also take the train from Switzerland to the Como San Giovanni station.

Especially in the summer months, Lake Como can get crowded. Also bear in mind that prices tend to be quite high, plus ferry rides between the lake's various resort towns can take up to two-and-a-half hours—just something to consider before buying plane tickets.

Entry requirements: A US passport that is valid for at least 3 months. Starting in 2025, US citizens will need to have an ETIAS for Italy. It's valid for 3 years and can be obtained online.
Language: Italian.
Location: Lake Como is located in the Lombardy region of Northern Italy, nestled in the foothills of the Alps.
Currency: The Euro (EUR).
Flight time to Destination: From New York City to Milan (which is where the closest major airport is located), flights can take about 8 hours.
Getting around: Ferries, rental cars, public buses, cycling, walking.

Pro tip: Invite a honeymoon planning expert to join your vendor team. Browse travel agents near you on The Knot Marketplace for Lake Como honeymoon expertise, reviews, testimonials and more.

Places to Visit in Lake Como

Photo: Leoks | Shutterstock

Bellagio

This famed resort town sits at the intersection of the lake's three branches. Also known as "the pearl of Lake Como," Bellagio features narrow streets, extensive shopping and restaurants with panoramic views.

Como

Spend time exploring this city's Gothic cathedral, Renaissance architecture and charming shops. For the most stunning views, take the funicular railway from the city center to the mountain town of Brunate—known as the "balcony" of Lake Como—for breathtaking views of the town and lake, recommend Grazia and Mencarelli.

Villa Balbianello

Immortalized in several films, the Villa Balbianello offers majestic views plus a stunning collection of art and sculpture, Gallo says.

Villa Carlotta

A must-see for art and flower enthusiasts, Gallo says, this manse (clergy house) boasts extensive gardens and a museum filled with masterpieces.

Best Lake Como Honeymoon Hotels and Resorts

From luxury villas and 5-star hotels to charming boutique hotels and cozy B&Bs, you can find Lake Como honeymoon accommodations to suit every taste. Many places will provide honeymoon packages with added amenities, including spa services, romantic dinners and room upgrades—so make sure to let your host know you're on your honeymoon!

Photo: Meandering Trail Media | Shutterstock

Il Sereno Lago di Como

Along with lake and mountain views, the luxe Il Sereno Lago di Como features a sculptural vertical garden, a Michelin-starred restaurant and stellar concierge services. Honeymooners might wish to splurge on the new penthouse suite, with walnut ceilings, stone walls and decor by a Milan-based designer.

4.5 Star Rating | Read Reviews

Grand Hotel Villa Serbelloni

A five-star lakeside resort, the Grand Hotel Villa Serbelloni built in 1873 boasts a private dock, a pool and a spa.

4.5 Star Rating | Read Reviews

Grand Hotel Tremezzo

The Grand Hotel Tremezzo is century-old and home to three swimming pools and some of the choicest views of the lake, Gallo says.

5.0 Star Rating | Read Reviews

Villa d'Este

Built in the 16th century, this former summer residence of a cardinal was turned into the luxury hotel of Villa d'Este about 150 years ago. Surrounded by 25 acres of gardens, the old-world property includes a floating pool.

4.5 Star Rating | Read Reviews

Hotel Du Lac

Located right on the shores of Lake Como in Bellagio, the family-run Hotel Du Lac offers a rooftop bar and a continental breakfast.

4.5 Star Rating | Read Reviews

Hotel Belvedere

This family-owned, 19th-century villa includes an on-site restaurant. Hotel Belvedere also offers private gardens and a spa with multisensory showers, a Turkish bath, a sauna and a pool.

4.5 Star Rating | Read Reviews

Pro tip: If you're looking for Lake Como honeymoon accommodations that may provide you with more privacy or lower prices, have a look at romantic Airbnbs or VRBOs, too.

Lake Como Honeymoon Itinerary Ideas

For couples, Lake Como is a treasure trove of things to do together. Enjoy leisurely boat tours of the lake, explore the quaint lakeside villages, dine at romantic restaurants with panoramic views and more.

Photo: Chen Min Chun | Shutterstock

Go on a Boat Ride

Hire a private boat for the day, Gallo says, and take in picturesque views while you swim off the side (in the summer). Disembark at some of the charming fishing villages along the shore, including photogenic Varenna.

Take the Train to Switzerland

Buy seats aboard the panoramic Bernina Express train and spend part of your honeymoon in Switzerland, recommend Grazia and Mencarelli. Traverse through the glaciers and alpine lakes of the Bernina Mountains to the luxury resort town of St. Moritz.

Indulge in Italian Cuisine

Dine at the Michelin-starred La Locanda del Notaio, which offers one of the best views on Lake Como, say Grazia and Mencarelli. To learn how to prepare classic dishes of Italy's Lombardy region, such as pumpkin tortelli, polenta and veal osso buco, take a Lake Como cooking class.

Pro tip: Add Lake Como honeymoon experiences to your gift registry so that loved ones can give you one of these memorable couples activities. Make sure to post a few photos to your wedding website—this way all of your guests (including those without social media accounts) will be able to see what you're up to.

What to Pack for a Lake Como Honeymoon

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Bring super comfortable shoes for all the walking you'll be doing, Grazia and Mencarelli say. Include a wetsuit on your packing checklist if you plan on venturing into the cold lake waters, and dress stylishly for dinner. Also, remember to bring a bathing suit, a hat, sunglasses and a jacket in your honeymoon luggage, since it can be cool on the lake during the morning and evening, Gallo says.

Brittany Barber contributed to this article.