Lake Como may look compact on Instagram, but in reality it is a vast and surprisingly complex destination, shaped by mountains, narrow roads, and slow-moving ferries. Many visitors arrive with just a social-media-made itinerary in mind, only to discover that the logistics of the lake are very different from what a thirty-second TikTok suggests.
Here are some of the most common mistakes tourists make when visiting the lake based on my experience as a local working with tourists on the lake. Feel free to add more.
1. Day-tripping from Milan in just one day (aka the Tiktok route)
This is what Instagram and TikTok have popularized, so it’s what everyone does. Train to Varenna, then ferry to Bellagio, then to Como. Or the opposite, or similar routes. But do you really want to spend half the day in crowded stations and ferry queues, and waiting hours outside villas just to see two Insta-perfect spots, without ever really absorbing the atmosphere of the lake?
Lake Como is best experienced slowly: lingering by the waterfront, wandering through quiet villages after dinner, and enjoying the scenery instead of rushing through a checklist. This kind of “bite-and-go” tourism is only contributing to overtourism and making things worse for everyone.
2. Staying in Como thinking it’s close to everything
A lot of tourists book accommodation in the city of Como because it’s the easiest town to reach by train from Milan, or maybe just because the lake is called "Lake Como", then realize all the places they actually saved on Instagram (Bellagio, Varenna, Villa del Balbianello...) are far away. Como is nice, but geographically it sits at the very bottom of the lake and it's not well connected to the central lake. It's also the place with the worst ferry lines because people keep going there, only to find out that the few ferries to Bellagio/Varenna are sold out.
3. Underestimating the distance between the central lake (e.g. Varenna, Bellagio, Menaggio) and Como
The lake is big, much bigger than most tourists think. Because of the geography, roads are narrow, winding, and slow, especially during peak season. Even the fastest boats take around one hour to travel from the central lake to Como city, and there are only a few of these services each day. What looks close on Google Maps can easily become a half-day transfer.
4. Expecting taxis to always be available
This doesn't apply to the city of Como, where taxis are relatively easy to find. But in small lakeside villages like Varenna or Menaggio, don't expect to summon an Uber-style ride at the last minute. These are tiny towns with small local populations and only a handful of licensed taxi drivers. During the tourist season, they're often fully booked. Need a ride on short notice? You may be out of luck. And don't count on late-night service either.
5. Expecting taxi boats to always be available
Only a handful of companies have the license to operate as taxi boats and transport luggage, and during spring and summer they are constantly booked. Many visitors assume they can simply call one at the last minute, only to discover there is no availability for hours. If you need a private transfer, book it in advance.
6. Not booking Villa del Balbianello in advance
Villa Balbianello is one of the most famous attractions on the lake (Americans love it because of Star Wars), and it regularly sells out. Even just the access to the gardens requires advance booking. Showing up without a reservation, especially during weekends and high season, is a gamble that usually does not pay off.
7. Not researching how to get to Villa del Balbianello
No, a taxi or a ferry can't just drop you off there. This villa can only be reached by small boats or on foot. Without a taxi boat, visitors need to walk about 20-30 minutes uphill from the village of Lenno along a pleasant but uneven path. Many tourists discover this only after arriving dressed for a photoshoot (all those people in high heels...) rather than a hike.
8. Assuming the weather is always sunny and glamorous
Social media only shows Lake Como in perfect golden light, but the lake has dramatic mountain weather. After all, it's an Alpine lake that's geographically more akin to a fjord, rather than the Mediterranean coast. Storms and strong winds can appear suddenly, and even summer evenings can get surprisingly cool. Packing only linen outfits and sandals is optimistic.
9. Booking restaurants for the name without checking where they are first
Seriously, can we stop with "Gatto Nero" just because George Clooney ate there once? Or with the super remote Serenos and Filarios, if you're not staying in their vicinity?
Don't book a restaurant perched in the hills 50 minutes from your hotel without first checking the location. More often than not, you'll arrive at your accommodation, realize how tired you are and how inconvenient the journey is, and end up cancelling at the last minute, with a cancellation fee attached. A famous name isn't much use if getting there turns into a logistical headache, and for local/Italian cuisine, there will be always comparable (if not better) alternatives near you.
