From Wikitravel

Como [1] is a town in Lombardy, on the Italian-Swiss border. It sits at the southern end of Lake Como.

Contents 1 Understand 2 Get in 2.1 By Plane 2.2 By Train 2.3 By Car 3 Get around 4 See 5 Do 6 Buy 7 Eat 8 Drink 9 Sleep 9.1 Budget 9.2 Mid-range 9.3 Splurge 10 Get out

Understand

Como has always been an area of intense activity, as it has acted over the centuries as a crossing point between Central Europe and the Mediterranean. Built by the Romans at the end of the Piedmont road, it was an important communication point between Rome and its northern territories. In more recent times Como became famed for its silk.

Como was the birthplace of the Roman scientists Pliny the Elder and Pliny the Younger, as well as Alessandro Volta, 18th century inventor of the battery and the man who gave his name to the unit of electrical current - the Volt.

Get in

Nearly all visitors to Como will arrive via Milan. Other routes in are via Lugano, Switzerland.

By Plane

The nearest airports to Como are:

• Milan Malpensa (MPX Tel: 02.74852200) 40-60 minutes drive via the autostrada toll road costing 1 Euro 60 cents; coach 3 times daily or can negotiate with private coach firms outside airport
• Milan Linate (LIN Tel: 02.74852200) 1 hour drive on toll road costing about 2.70 Euros.
• Bergamo's Orio al Serio (BGY Tel: 035 326323) about 1-2 hours drive away on toll road costing about 5 Euros, or regular coach to Milan then change to train or coach to Como.

By Train

Milan is the nearest hub railway station to Como, and trains run about once an hour between the two (see Trenitalia for timetable information) taking around 40 minutes.

By Car

The E35 motorway (toll costs 1.60 for the A9 stretch, 1.10 for the A4 section, about 1.50 for the E35 section west of Milan) runs past Como from Milan, and goes on into Switzerland. There are many exits to Como; avoid Como South, choose the next ones (signed Como Nord and Monte Olimpino) for the city, and the last exit (signed ultima uscita per l'Italia) before Switzerland for Cernobbio, Bellagio and for towns on the western lake shore.

Get around

The centre of Como is rather compact and can be covered easily on foot. There are plenty of taxis for those who wish to travel faster or further - these can be found easily at the train station or on the lake front.

See

• The richly decorated 19th century Gothic-Renaissance Cathedral
• The ruins of the 12th century city walls, which encircle the narrow, winding streets of the old town, still called the "walled town" (città murata)
• Como's museums - the Civic Archeological Museum (Civico Museo Archeologico "P. Giovio") and the History Museum (Museo Storico "G. Garibaldi") in the Palazzo Giovio and the neighboring Palazzo Olginati
• The Civic Art Gallery (Pinacoteca Civica), near to the Palazzo Volpi

Do

• Take a boat trip on Lake Como (Lago di Como) to the picturesque villages of Bellagio, Varenna and Tremezzo. Tickets are cheap and can be purchased at the kiosk on the lake front
• Take the cable car (funicolare) to the tiny village of Brunate perched on the hills overlooking Como. Piazza di Gaspere 4, tel: +39 031 303608. The web site http://www.funicolarecomo.it/ is in Italian, English, German and French and has a timetable, prices, etc.
• Go ice skating at the Centro Sportivo Casate, via Virgilio 16, tel: +39 031 505118
• Rent a bicycle and ride up the hill into Switzerland before descending to the beautiful Lake Lugano. Follow the lake north to the Swiss city of Lugano [2]. Head east from Lugano and back accross the border into Italy. When you reach Lake Como, turn south and return to the city of Como, completing the circle.

Buy

Petrol is considerably cheaper in nearby Switzerland, while Diesel is about the same price, (in 2004) so remember to top-up the car in the cheapest place.

Keep the receipt of anything purchased in Switzerland as the Italian customs may ask to see it, and if a large value item, you will need to pay the difference in the two Value Added Tax rates (approximately 13 percent). As of 2004 there is a limit of 12,500 Euros equivalent that may be brought into Italy at any one time.

Eat

Drink

Sleep

Budget

• Hotel Firenze, Piazza Volta 16, +39 031 300 333 (fax.+39 031 300101). Central, comfortable rooms with ensuite, from 73 Euros, parking for a fee (10-20 Euros) at Hotel Tre Re (2004).
• Hotel Montesole, Piazza Spallino, 2, Montesolaro di Carimate, Ph. +39.031.726222 - Fax +39.031.726044. At Montesolaro di Carimate, nestled among the gently flowing hills of Brianza, an ideal spot for business and pleasure. First-rate elegance and comfort.
• Hotel Tre Re, Via Boldoni, 20, +39 031 265374 (fax.+39 031 241349). Central, with restaurant, comfortable rooms with ensuite, from around 80 Euros including free but limited parking (2004).

Mid-range

Splurge

Get out

• Milan is a short distance away by train, bus or car.

• Lake Maggiore (Lago Maggiore) and Lake Lugano (Lago di Lugano) are near to Lake Como and similarly spectacular.

• Como is right on the border with Switzerland. As Switzerland is not part of the European Union, there is a possibility that you will be delayed by checks at the border, although these are infrequent and usually not rigorous. Remember your passport.

• Brianza the area between Como and Milan, full of little lakes and villas of XVI, XVII and XVIII sec.

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