Is visiting Lake Como in winter a good idea or a bad one? In this guide we look at the pros and cons of staying on Lake Como in winter, how to structure a short three-day trip, which experiences await you and what atmosphere to expect.
Lake Como is a great choice if you are looking for a warm, enchanting atmosphere, with Christmas lights reflected on the lake and snow-capped mountains in the background. It is a good idea if you want traditional Italian food and the right kind of quiet.
It is not for you if you want to swim: temperatures are very low in winter. Nor is it for you if you want to visit all the villas: many are closed.
Let’s look at the pros and cons of spending a winter on Lake Como in more detail.
Winter Experiences on Lake Como
The best time for a wine tasting in Como is winter. Wine gives you the right warmth, while the sommelier guides you in choosing the best wines for your taste.
The boat tour is available in winter too: Lake Como Experiences offers a classic wooden boat excursion on Lake Como with a captain. It is a moment full of atmosphere: snow-capped mountains frame the lake and you can admire glimpses of villages and villas that can only be seen from the water.
You can visit Villa Balbianello, the villa where films such as 007 and Star Wars were shot. However, it is open only on some days in winter: check before you leave.
Christmas Markets on Lake Como
There is a tradition in Como that has survived for 30 years: the Christmas markets in Piazza Perretta. Among other things, you can taste local specialties such as mulled wine, roasted chestnuts, polenta uncia, local cheeses and artisan sweets.
Another tradition is the large Christmas tree in Piazza Duomo, home to the famous cathedral, a true pride of the architecture of northern Italy. You can also admire the architectural projections on the ancient buildings.
Lake Como is well placed to reach some beautiful ski areas. Within 50 km or less you can reach slopes for experts as well as for beginners.
Where to Stay in Winter
We recommend Como and Cernobbio on Lake Como: most hotels and restaurants are open all year, while in the smaller villages it is harder to find comfortable accommodation.
From Como you can take the funicular and be in Brunate in 7 minutes: besides seeing Lake Como from the water on a boat excursion, you can also enjoy it from above. Lake Como Experiences offers the Como & Brunate walking tour, which combines the funicular ride with views and history.
Lake Como in December: a 3-Day Itinerary
We recommend Como as your starting point: in the cold months, more restaurants and connections stay open here. Days are very short, with sunset around 4:30 pm, and daytime temperatures are generally between 3 and 8 °C. This 3-day plan is built for Lake Como in December, the month when both the food tour and the Como & Brunate walking tour are available.
Day 1 – Como, Market and Wine
Start at the market with the food tour and continue with a wine tasting in Como, guided by an expert sommelier. It is an experience suited to the coldest hours of the day. In the evening, stroll through the Christmas markets of Piazza Perretta, where you can find many local specialties. Then head to Piazza Duomo, where you will find the Christmas tree and the projections on the historic buildings.
Day 2 – The Lake by Boat
Dedicate the second day to a classic wooden boat tour with a captain, available all winter. The sun sets early: we recommend taking the tour in the middle hours of the day.
If you want to see Villa Balbianello, choose an opening day and book in advance. In December 2026 it is open from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm (last park entry at 4:00 pm). Check the opening days before you leave: not all dates are guaranteed. Booking is required.
Free evening in Como. If you are traveling at Christmas, Villa d’Este in Cernobbio presents its festive programme from 1 December 2026 to 7 January 2027, including the Christmas Eve Dinner by the Lake on 24 December.
Day 3 – Brunate and the View from Above
Take the Como & Brunate walking tour, available only in December. You go up by funicular in about seven minutes, and from Brunate you see the lake from above. The funicular runs from 6 am to midnight, but works can close it for weeks (in 2025 it was closed from 10 February to 14 April): check before you travel.
Leave time for a walk along the lakefront and a relaxed dinner before you head home. If you travel at the end of the year, on 31 December 2026 there is the New Year’s Eve event at the Teatro Sociale di Como, with the ballet The Nutcracker, an aperitif in the foyer and a gala dinner on stage; bookings close on 29 December at 1:00 pm.
At midnight on 31 December, Como welcomes the new year with fireworks over the lake, a show that you can watch from the lakefront, Piazza Cavour or Brunate.
Lake Como in January: Pros and Cons
The classic boat, the food tour, the walking tour and the wine tasting remain, but Villa Balbianello opens only on 2, 3, 5 and 6 January.
Lake Como or Other Italian Destinations?
Italy is an enchanting destination in winter too: it is easy to be undecided. It all depends on what you want to do and how you want to spend your trip.
We have selected three classic Italian destinations and compared them with Lake Como.
Lake Como or the Dolomites. Choose the Dolomites if you want to ski and spend your days in the snow. Choose the lake if you prefer a slower winter: a classic boat with a captain, a tasting, a dinner in Como. On the lake, snow is rare along the shore and appears in the mountains, so if you are traveling for skiing you will be happier among the peaks.
Lake Como or an Italian art city. In Florence, Rome or Venice you can visit museums and monuments and have a packed schedule every day. The lake has a different rhythm: you don’t have a list of things to do, but more time to enjoy each experience. Choose a city if you want to see a lot, the lake if you want to see little but at your own pace.
Lake Como or the Amalfi Coast and Sicily. If you are looking for a milder climate, you should head to the south of Italy. On the lake it is cold, days are short (in December the sun sets around 4:30 pm) and many villas are closed. In return, you get the Christmas atmosphere in Como, with Milan about an hour away by train.
In short: Lake Como is perfect if you are looking for the right atmosphere, if you want to spend your time at the right pace, without missing out on what the area has to offer.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best places to stay?
If we are talking about spring, summer and autumn, in this guide you will find the best towns where to stay on Lake Como. But if you plan to visit in winter, we recommend Como and Cernobbio.
How cold is Lake Como in December and January?
Daytime temperatures are generally between 3 and 8 °C. In December the sun sets around 4:30 pm, so days are short. Snow is rare on the lakefront and more frequent in the mountains: dress in layers and plan outdoor activities for the middle of the day.
Which villas are open in winter?
Villa Balbianello opens only on some days, with mandatory booking: in December 2026 on the 1st, 4th, 5th, 6th, 8th, 11th, 12th, 13th, 15th, 18th, 19th, 20th, 22nd, 26th, 27th and 29th (10:00 am-5:00 pm), and in January on the 2nd, 3rd, 5th and 6th. Villa Carlotta has special openings on 5, 6, 7 and 8 December 2026 (10:00 am-4:00 pm) and is open by reservation only on other days. Always check the dates before you travel.
Do boats run on Lake Como in winter?
The Lecco-Bellagio boat line runs only from late March to early November. In winter you can see the lake on a classic wooden boat tour with a captain, available all season. For other connections on the lake, check the timetables before you travel.
