Things to do in Lake Como

Looking for things to do in Lake Como? Here are just a few of our recommendations.

1. Walking - there is no shortage of hikes, trails and climbs from the shores and beyond of Lake Como. It is possible to discover the lake away from the crowds. A favourite of ours is to venture to the north of the lake which offers not only a selection of magnificent walks but the small towns in the north are important historically and have a great heritage. For an interesting two hour walk we start from Gravedona from its splendid Romanesque church of Santa Maria del Tiglio and head north to the picture postcard village of Domaso.

2. Cruises & sailing tours - there is so much to choose from on the crystal-clear waters and probably no better way to explore the beautiful landscapes of Lake Como, the question is where to start. Ranging from private sailing tours, passenger ferries, romantic sunset cruises in a venetian water taxi to harbour hopping tours with a glass of vino (or two) in each location. We chose an active tour of canoeing with a guide, exploring the Pian di Spagna nature reserve from the peaceful silence of the water. This three-seater Canadian canoe was ideal way to explore the lake and the River Mera discovering secret bays, waterfalls and white beaches.

3. Shopping - you don't need to venture to the worlds shopping capital of Milan to find world famous Italian brands. A lake that attracts the rich & famous is of course guaranteed to have an abundance of shopping opportunities from local silk manufacturers to high end designer wear. Do not miss Foxtown factory store outlet where you will find 160 outlet stores of Italy's most prestigious brands. Bellagio & Como have the largest selection of high street stores but the highlight has to be the market in Como on a Saturday morning which runs along the medieval walls of the town.

4. Sights & landmarks - colonised by the Romans in the 2nd century BC Lake Como is steeped in history. In the heart of Como itself lies the elegant Piazza Cavour, this rises nearby to the beautiful 14th century Duomo Cathedral, one of the best you'll find in northern Italy. Its gardens & nearby restaurants provide the perfect setting to eat, drink and socialise, admiring its impressive gothic architecture. Villa Carlotta is a great photogenic spot with majestic gardens and inside the you'll find a grand collection of ancient sculptures.

5. Wine tasting - there are many different varieties of grape on the lake, the most popular being a white Verdes, Roseia, Merlo and San Giovese. The main wine growing area is the Monte Vecchio hills in the north of Lake Como. The best time to visit the region for a wine tour is Autumn, during the grape harvest of Monte Vecchio. Cantina Follie is a wonderful wine bar in Tremezzo, found in the back streets behind the waterfront with a cave like interior you can venture outside to the terrace and balcony with a charming service and great ambience. The staff here will help you navigate through the local wine selection and if you are peckish you can choose from an extensive choice of delicious cheeses & hams.

6. Food & drink - Como has a great selection of restaurants, some are situated lakeside, where you can dine with fantastic views whilst others are hidden away in pretty back streets. As you would expect, some restaurants can be pricey but there are many serving reasonably priced local dishes. Traditional dishes in this area are Risotto, usually served with fish, Insalata Capriese, wild boar. For something sweet the traditional Miascia cake which has been baked in this area since ancient time or more simply strawberries with ice-cream is a popular regional dish. Our top pick and situated on the quieter northern end of the lake in Domaso, is a family run restaurant and farm shop, Agriturismo Sorssasa, every dish is sourced locally and from its adjoining farm, this rustic setting also hosts an impressive view of the lake and all meals are home cooked using traditional methods.

7. Beaches & swimming - the deep blue waters of Lake Como can be very seductive, an ideal place to sunbathe, surrounded by elegant villas to the south or jumping the waves in the north. Our favourite is situated in the ancient village of Domaso, with a long & beautiful beach with its impressive back-drop of near vertical peaks. For a daring dip, take a trip to the picturesque village of Nesso and the waterfall at Comacina where you can swim from the shore and into the waterfall itself.

8. Sports - the varied landscape of Lake Como and the surrounding region offers itself to extreme sports. For those who want to try something different and test their skills, there are companies such as Lake Como Adventures that offer a range of sports and outdoor pursuits, who offer a great Canyoning activity - involving abseiling, jumping and sliding through a series of canyons and cliffs to reach the ground or water below. This is a really fun way to explore Lake Como and you can find some truly stunning settings such as the canyons at Porlezza and Lenno. If you're an adrenaline junkie, then the Jungle Raider Parks in Civenna and Margno are highly recommended, from bungee jumping to ziplines.