Varenna was one of the easiest and my favourite day trip from Milan for more than a few reasons during my year long stay. Firstly, it was easily accessible and a short train ride from Milan. Secondly, it was not as crowded as the adjoining Como region and had the charm of a romantic Italian village, which was one of my favourites things about living in Italy. Thirdly, it did not punch a hole in your pocket if you planned it well. Lastly, you could easily plan a day trip to Varenna, and add Bellagio and Como to your list if you have time.
More about Varenna...
Varenna is a quiet little town at the edge of Lake Como. In fact, it has one of the most undisturbed views of the lake and the adjoining Alps. In addition, the picturesque gardens and luxury villas makes it a very romantic spot.
Getting there...
There are frequent trains to Varenna from Milan every hour and it takes about 1 hour to reach. In fact, you can book your tickets from Milan Central Station. Alternatively, you can book it online at this website.
Tip: It is better to reach a bit early and book your tickets from the machines at the station because online tickets are not refundable or interchangeable.
Tip: Do not forget to get your paper tickets validated before boarding your train in one of the many machines at the station. Otherwise, your tickets will be void and the ticket checker will fine you. However, online tickets do not need to be validated.
What to do in Varenna and Como...
Varenna
After getting down at the Varenna station, point your Google Maps towards any location by the lake. Eventually, you will be directed through a couple of narrow streets lined with cute little houses and many gardens. After that, you will pass through a tiny bridge to reach the lake.
The views are amazing from here. For instance, you could see the snow-clad Alps on a clear day. In addition, the crystal-clear lake is surrounded by chains of mountains and the backdrop looks amazing. Also, there is a pathway by the lake where you could take a walk. To sum up, the spots are just magical so do not forget to click a few photos. I will let the pictures do the talking now.
After this, take a long walk along the lake to soak in the beauty of nature. As a matter of fact, every nook and corner of this pathway is worth a photo.
In summer, there are Gelaterias along the path which are absolutely unmissable. In fact, the bakeries are also very good. However, restaurants here can be expensive. As a matter of fact, I always packed my lunch and a bottle of wine to enjoy while I sat by the lake.
bellagio
After this, you could take a trip to Bellagio from Varenna, a small village you can reach by ferry. In fact, the ferries do not cost a lot and are quite frequent. However, you should check out their timetable before starting to explore Varenna, so you could come back in time to catch your Ferry. Alternatively, you can also book your ticket in advance from the ticket booth to avoid rush.
Tip: Do not trust any website for the Ferry timings as they change very frequently. To clarify, it is better to ask on the spot after a little waiting.
The ferry ride is extremely scenic. Therefore, if the weather permits, do sit on an outdoor deck to enjoy the views and take perfect pictures.
After reaching Bellagio, take a stroll around and enjoy the views. Bellagio is a tiny village with beautiful views of the lake and the mountains. In addition, there are parks and gardens by the lake where you can admire the views and relax.
Tip: Avoid having lunch at Bellagio because it can be expensive. Instead, save your appetite for later at Como where there are many options.
Next, you can either take the ferry back to Como. But they are a bit infrequent. Alternatively, you can also take the bus, which runs every hour to Como. Eventually, the bus goes by an extremely scenic route where you can enjoy the postcard views of the many luxury villas by the lake.
Tip: Sit on the right side of the bus to enjoy amazing views.
Como
Our last stop, Como, is a small town with a lot of tourists. The Como Cathedral is a massive structure which you should not miss. In addition, there are parks by the lake where you can take a walk. Personally, I keep only a little time at Como to have food or buy souvenirs because it is way to crowded to do anything. In fact, Varenna, Bellagio, and other adjoining villages are far prettier and peaceful.
I got a train late in the evening from Como station to Milan to end our day. In conclusion, this is a perfect way to enjoy a day trip from Milan.
Where to stay...
If you are on a budget, I would suggest you to avoid staying in these regions because they can be extremely expensive. Alternatively, Milan is cheaper and a perfect base for a day trip to these regions. However, if you have the luxury, you could choose any of the villas by the lakes. They are equally charming.
Activities and Budget
Must Do
- Walk along the lake at Varenna.
- Take a boat trip or ferry trip across Lake Como and enjoy the breath-taking views.
- Take photos with the trees at Bellagio. You will find out what I am talking about when you visit Bellagio.
- Visit the Como Cathedral.
- Buy souvenirs from Como.
Unique Experience
Have a picnic at one of the docks at Varenna with the many Swans that reside in the lake. You can also feed them if you like.
Budget
If you are careful, you could do this entire day trip in less than 50 Euros per person.
