Lake Como with kids: all you need to know to plan a visit + travel tips from a mama

How to visit Lake Como with kids: best things to do, how long to stay, what to expect, family travel tips.

Lake Como is one of Italy’s most beautiful lakes, a famous and sought-after destination that appears high at the top of many visitors’ wishlists.

With its stunning views, elegant villas and picture-perfect towns reflecting their beautiful colors on the lake’s calm waters, Lake Como lures visitors with the promise of quintessential Italian landscapes and a romantic atmosphere, which delivers in spades!

Lake Como is very popular as a romantic destination and suited to a couple’s retreat.

However, it is also possible to enjoy Lake Como with kids!

While the lake is exceptionally suited to grown-up tourism (it’s a great ‘reading a book in a beautiful terrace hotel surrounded by beautiful views’ type of place), Lake Como has several kid-friendly attractions and a relaxed atmosphere that makes it suitable especially for families with young children, and even babies and toddlers!

To make the most of a family stay in Lake Como with kids, however, having the right expectations and some tips from parents who’ve been will go a long way.

This is why I am here!

In this guide, I answer the most common questions about visiting Lake Como with kids, share addresses of the best playgrounds on Lake Como, and stroller tips.

I also help you choose the best town and the best things to do with kids in the area.

This guide is written on the basis of my personal experience traveling with kids.

I have also included additional tips from real parents who’ve recently been to Lake Como with their children and generously shared their findings with me.

If you wish to connect with us, you can join our Facebook Group Travel Italy with kids – link a the end of this guide!

Please note: this post contains affiliate links. Should you make a purchase through them, we might make a small commission.

Is Lake Como kid-friendly?

The main questions parents of small children specifically ask about Lake Cosmo is: is Lake Como child-friendly?

The answer is yes! Lake Como is child-friendly. This means you can bring your kids to Lake Como no matter their age, and have a good time.

The next question: is Lake Como stroller friendly?

Despite being a family-friendly destination, Lake Como is not stroller friendly for the most part and the vibe of the lake and the type of tourism it gets is more grown up than other areas in Italy.

For this reason, I believe the tips below help!

Why visit Lake Como with kids

Visit Lake Como with kids if you want to:

• Relax in a mellow, slow-paced place to recharge yourself after time in a busy city or a fast-paced trip
• Have small kids and want to enjoy lake playgrounds with beautiful views
• You have kids who enjoy castles, gardens and walks
• You want to take a day trip from Milan to a stunning natural area

Why not to visit Lake Como kids

There is no reason to skip Lake Como because you have kids.

However, and I understand this may be controversial and will be different for different families, in my experience with my children, the lake is beautiful but not necessarily very exciting for kids, unless you make it so!

Older kids, tweens and teens especially may find its grown-up, quiet atmosphere not stimulating enough in the long run.

Because of this, I recommend visiting Lake Como with small kids or limiting the stay to two/three days.

How long to stay in Lake Como with kids

How long to stay on Lake Como with kids depends on the age of the kids and vacation style.

In terms of the time needed in the area, this can help:

One day on Lake Como with kids

One day in Lake Como (day trip from Milan): This is a great way to see Lake Como if you have older kids who don’t mind being on the go all day.

With a day in Lake Como with kids, you can see Varenna and Bellagio, get the boat between the two or on a private cruise, and see one castle.

You can do this by yourself or by joining a trou such as:

this one >>> Milan > Como > Bellagio > (with cruise) <<<

Or this one >>> Milan > Como > Bellagio > Varenna (with cruise) <<<

One day in Lake Como is enough to get a sense of the type of views and vibe of the area and hit the most famous spots.

Lake Como is one of the best day trips from Milan with good reason!

Two days on Lake Como with kids – my kid’s favorite

Two days / one night in Lake Como: same as above but at a slower pace and the option to stop and playgrounds and possibly rent kayaks for older kids

This is a lovely amount of time to spend on the lake with kids, as it will be short enough to be filled with things to do.

Three days on Lake Como with kids

Three days on Lake Como: all of the above, plus the option to hike Orrido di Bellano, treat the kids to a day at one of the Lido (beach clubs) or a day at Jungle Rider Adventure Park.

More than three days on Lake Como become a slow-paced holiday perfect for families with younger kids who want to settle on the lake’s beautiful shores and relax.

Where to stay on Lake Como with kids

Lake Como has the shape of an upside-down letter Y, with most of its most famous attractions where the two arms of the lake meet.

Because of this, the best places to stay in Lake Como are in that area: Bellagio, Varenna, Menaggio and Tremezzo are among the best places to stay on Lake Como with family.

By picking accommodation in or close to these towns, you are right where you need to be for the best views, you have access to ferries and an excellent kid-friendly village to call home for a while.

If you have a car you can also get accommodation in other pretty towns such as Onno, Argegno or Lenno.

Como and Cernobbio are also family-friendly locations (Cernobbio is prettier, Como is best at Christmas as it gets fab lights and events) and served by ferries to reach Bellagio and Varenna area.

Need to know! Finding family hotels on Lake Como with rooms for more than two adults and one kid is not easy. Many wonderful hotels for couples have an option of adding cots or extra beds for a charge and they all tend to be at the higher end of the budget spectrum. If traveling as a large family, Airbnbs can be a valid alternative here or you may want to move further from points of interest and travel in for sightseeing.

Family accommodation on Lake Como

Miralago Bellagio – welcoming B&B and family-friendly apartment accommodation in Bellagio. Their apartments have different configurations and some can take up to 4 people (double bed + single beds). The apartments are across several structures: Villa Rosa apartment is the closest to the town with its shops and amenities and the pier (walking distance, about 1 km). The owners can arrange transfer on arrival/ departure.

Borgo Le Terrazze – lovely B&B with stunning views and pool, family rooms for up to 4 people, apartment (up to 5 guests), bistrot on site (dinner available with advance booking) and shuttle service into Bellagio.

Villa Monti Varenna – Villa Monti offers family-friendly apartment accommodation (with an outdoor pool) inside a historic 1920s villa, perfect to tap into the atmosphere and aesthetics of Lake Como! The villa is in a super convenient location in the center of Varenna, near Villa Monastero, and has apartments renovated to a high standard for up to 5 people – a couple of different bed configurations, so you can choose the sleeping arrangement that suits you best.

Grand hotel Villa Serbelloni, Bellagio – STUNNING five-star hotel that will make you feel like you are in a royalty fairytale! They have family rooms and, wait for it, a fantastic pool with kids slide!

Hotel Villa Aurora in Lezzeno has family rooms for up to 5 people and a family-friendly apartment for up to 7 people, great for larger families.

The hotel has a restaurant on site, a sundeck overlooking the lake equipped with sunbeds and beach umbrellas, free use of Kayaks, trampolines and SUP boards.

Beds, cots, and high chairs are available. Baby food and special food available upon request. Babysitter (fees apply)

Bellagio Village (luxury) offers beautiful family-friendly apartments with stunning views, ample outside space and a playground for kids, a swimming pool, concierge service (including the booking of tours etc.), a chef and more. Web >> https://www.bellagiovillage.it/en/servizi/

Hilton Como >> a solid Hilton Address in Como, offering swimming pool and restaurant onsite, in a good location to explore the lake by ferry especially

The best towns to visit Lake Como with kids

Varenna

Coming from Milan, the easiest town to reach is Varenna as you can come here by direct train.

Varenna is a charming town on Lake Como’s eastern shore and, with Bellagio, among the most famous and visited localities on Lake Como.

Here is where you find the famous Giardini di Villa Monastero and the incredible Castello di Vezio, sure to enchant kids and adults alike with its ‘ghosts’.

Varenna is a lovely place to explore with kids. It has a pretty lakeside playground and a cute walk called ‘passeggiata degli innamorati’ (lovers’ walk); from Varenna you can get the boat to Bellagio and the other towns and access Orrido di Bellano which is an impressive natural spot.

Varenna also has a cute lakeside playground just beside the Imbarcadero. Compared with other towns, it is steeper and therefore more suited to families with kids who don’t use strollers. With Bellagio, it is also busier than others, especially during the day;

• Playground: Piazza Martiri, 18, 23829 Varenna LC, Italy

Family-friendly accommodation in Varenna >>

Agriturismo Castello di Vezio – great for space, accommodation and view (need a car)

Hotel du Lac – fab location and the option to add a child bed (for a fee)

Villa Monti – family-friendly apartment accommodation (with an outdoor pool) inside a historic 1920s villa

Menaggio

Menaggio is a family-friendly town located on the western shore of Lake Como.

It has a charming lakeside promenade, shops, pretty cafes, bakeries and aperitivo places with lake views that grace so many photos of this area (and may have attracted you here in the first place)!

For kids, Menaggio has a cute park, Parco di Menaggio, with a lakeside playground (swings, slides) and crazy golf / fussball tables. Simple but fun!

Top tip! Ask the local tourist office for a map of the area for the kids: they have both adult and kids’ maps that are a great way to get little ones to explore the town’s meandering alleys for a while!

Menaggio Playground: Address: Via Carlo Camozzi, 17A, 22017 Menaggio CO, Italy

In Menaggio, you can enjoy the lake by catching a boat to Varenna, renting kayaks for the day or going to the lido to lounge and swim in Lido di Menaggio.

Lido di Menaggio is one of the most popular beaches on Lake Como: it has two swimming pools (one for adults and one for kids), loungers, lake access, restaurants, bar, a kids’ playground, etc.

In Menaggio you also find ristorante pizzeria il Pinguino, which has pool and slide – thank you to the wonderful mama who recommended this to us!

Family accommodation in Managgio >>>> Hotel Garni Corona

Bellagio with kids

Bellagio is maybe the most famous of all localities on Lake Como and one that you will surely want to visit or even call home while visiting Lake Como with kids, so if you have limited time on the lake, it is a great place to call home for the night!

Bellagio is a picturesque town with cobbled streets, stunning villas, and breathtaking lake views, and, as such, it is mostly suited to romantic getaways.

Bellagio is not stroller-friendly for the most part.

However, it has some cute things for kids.

In Bellagio, you can enjoy a ride off the little tourist train, playgrounds, rent kayaks, enjoy the beach (part free, part with beach clubs), and you have Villa Melzi, which has stunning gardens safe for kids to run around.

• Playground Giardini Pubblici 22021 Bellagio, Province of Como, Italy
• Parco Martiri della Libertà4, 22021 Bellagio CO, Italy

Nearby, by car, you can also reach Jungle Rider Adventure Park, which is perfect for entertaining the kids and getting them active.

Family accommodation in Bellagio >>> Borgo Le Terrazze – lovely B&B with stunning views and pool, family rooms for up to 4 people, and apartment (up to 5 guests), bistro site (dinner available with advance booking) and shuttle service into Bellagio.

Miralago Bellagio – welcoming B&B and family-friendly apartment accommodation in Bellagio. Their apartments have different configurations and some can take up to 4 people (double bed + single beds). The apartments are across several structures: Villa Rosa apartment is the closest to the town with its shops and amenities and the pier (walking distance, about 1 km). The owners can arrange transfer on arrival/ departure.

Grand hotel Villa Serbelloni, Bellagio – STUNNING five-star hotel that will make you feel like you are in a royalty fairytale! They have family rooms and, wait for it, a fantastic pool with kids slide!

More towns you may want to visit on Lake Como with kids are Tremezzo, Cernobbio, Argegno, Lenno and, at Christmas especially. Como itself.

The best things to do on Lake Como with kids

Playtime at Playgrounds

The best thing to do on Lw Como with toddlers is to let them play at several small playgrounds while you enjoy views of the lake.

Most towns around Lake Como feature cute lakeside playgrounds and while they are pretty basic in layout and upkeep, they are all a little one needs!

Lake Como playgrounds your kids may enjoy are in:

Bellagio >> Playground Giardini Pubblici 22021 Bellagio, Province of Como, Italy

Bellagio >> Parco Martiri della Libertà4, 22021 Bellagio CO, Italy

Varenna >> Playground: Piazza Martiri, 18, 23829 Varenna LC, Italy

Menaggio >> Address: Via Carlo Camozzi, 17A, 22017 Menaggio CO, Italy

Tremezzo >> Playground Via Statale, 47, 22019 Tremezzo CO, Italy

Onno Playground >> Area giochi – Onno (lc), Lago di Como, 23865 Onno LC

Cernobbio playground >> Piazza Risorgimento, 9, 22012 Cernobbio CO, Italy

Ferry / Boat tour of the lake

Taking a ferry or investing in a lake cruise is a fun way to explore Lake Como with kids.

By boat, you can easily admire the views lake Como is so famous for, take cool photos and you can cover more ground than by car, since you avoid the bendy and slow roads of this area.

Ferries are a great option for families on a budget, in the slower season and, often, during the week. They are however very busy, with long lines, during the high season (late spring and summer especially) and at weekends, which is when the whole city of Milan escapes here!

Cruises are more expensive but take away the risk of crowds.

Lame Como cruises you may enjoy are:

Boat tour with captain by ‘Il Medeghino’ – this is a family-friendly boat tour on Lake Como recommended by one of our trusted parents.

The recommendation is based on the quality of the guide, prompt communication, the ability to choose a boat based on the age of your kids (for little ones, you may feel better on a slower boat rather than a speed boat) and the availability of kids’ lifejackets.

You can find more options on GetYourGuide , an aggregator I use extensively to book excursions as it is easy to use and normally has excellent cancellation options.

Go Kayaking, SUPping or windsurfing on the lake

Thanks to its calm waters, Lake Como is a lovely place to rent kayaks, SUPs and windsurf, a fantastic enjoy the views while being active.

There are several places along the lake offering rentals so chances are you’ll find one close to you no matter where you are staying.

Some I know are in Bellagio, Varenna, Menaggio and Tremezzo, mentioned above. If going in the high season or at weekends, booking in advance is best!

Go to the beach – family friendly beaches on Lake Como

Not all areas of Lake Como are great for beach time but some are!

Some cool lidos in the area are:

• Lido di Menaggio which has beach, pool, restaurant, lounge bar, kids area
• Lido di Argegno, with umbrellas, sunbeds, pool https://www.lidoargegno.it/en/the-beach/
• Blevio Beach where Wakeboard Lake Como rents kayaks, wakeboards, super air Nautique and inflatable banana boat for kids. Check the website for prices: drop-in ones can be steep.
• Riva Bianca Lierna beach Lovely beach with small white pebbles, close to the scenic castle of Lierna. Kid-friendly, this is one of the best beaches on Lake Como for views and for splashing in the lake. A pizzeria is on-site and you can rent loungers, needed on this beautiful but pebbly beach! Bring water shoes.

You can find here >>> the best beaches on Lake Como

Take the funicular Como – Brunate (From Como)

If you are not afraid of heights (I am!) you can enjoy a cool ride on the Como – Brunate funicular, an exciting way to get awesome views over Lake Como.

You can get tickets and info here >>> Funiculare Como – Brunate

Bring the kids to an Adventure Park or water park

Close to Lake Como there are adventure park you can easily reach by car. Some kids may enjoy are:

Lake Como Adventure Park >> with treetop trails and ‘bunnyland’ a playground for kids under 6

Jungle Raider Park >>> the largest adventure park in Lombardy (the region of Como and Milan) with several locations and treetop trails for small kids, teens and adults

Go to the Ninja Water Park in Dervio, in the northern part of Lake Como, with inflatables on the lake and water trails

Head over to Switzerland for cute and kid-friendly California Acquapark

Go Go-Karting or Mo Karting

Kids who love motor sports wil love to hear the area of Lake Como has some cool karting tracks!

Have a look at :

Kart and Go (from age 5)

Lario Motorsport Karting in Colico

Como’s driver indoor park which is also a fantastic place to spend a rainy day on Lake Como with kids!

Explore castles and villas

Lake Como is home to several enchanting castles and villas that you can visit with kids.

Here are some of the best ones, along with information about their stroller accessibility:

Castello di Vezio – top pick!

Castello di Vezio is one of the most exciting castles to visit in Lake Como with kids thanks to the stunning views you can get from its high-up position and the famous and spooky ghost sculptures, they may have seen in photos!
• Location: Via al Castello, 22019 Varenna LC, Italy
• Stroller Accessibility: Due to uneven terrain and steps, the path leading up to Castello di Vezio is not really stroller-friendly. A carrier is best for this visit.

Top tip! Vezio Castle has falconry shows! Before going, check their website for times, they are really cool for kids and adults alike!

Villa Carlotta – beautiful and child-friendly gardens

Villa Carlotta is another very famous villa in this area and a cool place to visit with small kids on Lake Como since it has beautiful gardens.

• Address: Via Regina, 2, 22016 Tremezzina CO, Italy
• Stroller Accessibility: Villa Carlotta’s gardens are stroller accessible in parts. A carrier is easier. The villa has a good restroom with a changing station.

Villa Melzi Gardens – top pick for botanical gardens lovers

• Location: Lungolario Manzoni, 22021 Bellagio CO, Italy
• Stroller Accessibility: The Villa Melzi Gardens in Bellagio have well-maintained pathways that are in part stroller accessible. Website >> https://giardinidivillamelzi.it/en/home-eng/

Other villas you may want to visit are:

Villa Balbianello (James Bond fans will recognize this one!):
• Location: Via Guido Monzino, 1, 22016 Lenno CO, Italy
• Stroller Accessibility: limited to part of the gardens

Villa Monastero:
• Location: Via Giovanni Polvani, 4, 23829 Varenna LC, Italy
• Stroller Accessibility: limited

See and hike ‘orrido’

Lake Como is surrounded by mountains and therefore has some stunning gorges, or ‘orridi’ in Italian.

A great one you can use with kids who like to hike is Orrido di Bellano >> https://www.discoveringbellano.eu/it/orrido-di-bellano/

Things to do in Lake Como with kids when it rains

Lake Como is best enjoyed in good weather, as it is all about its views and the water. However, there are a couple of book things to do on Lake Como when it rains if you have a car.

Two in particular stand out:

California Aqua park in Switzerland – with indoor water play areas

Driver Como with race tracks, kids area, restaurants etc

How to get to Lake Como

The easiest way to get to Lake Como with kids is by train.

From Milan, you can get a direct train to Varenna that will drop you close to all Varenna’s amenities and the dock.

The train is the best way to get to Lake Como in the good season: by train, you don’t need to worry about winding roads, traffic, and parking, which can get stressful quickly!

You can also easily reach Lake Como by car. However, be advised that parking can be an issue: avoid heading there by car at the weekend or go very early to be among the first in town.

How to get around Lake Como

There are several convenient ways to get around and explore its picturesque towns and villages. Here are four of the best ways to get around Lake Como, along with information on the ferry schedule:

Ferry Boats: Lake Como’s ferry system is one of the most popular and scenic modes of transportation. It connects many towns around the lake, offering stunning views of the surrounding landscapes. The ferry schedule can vary based on the season, with more frequent services during peak tourist months.

You can find the most up-to-date ferry schedules on the official website >>> Navigazione Laghi <<< the company that operates the ferry services on Lake Como.

The schedules are subject to change, so checking closer to your travel dates is recommended.

Need to know: at busy times, the line for the ferry can be long. Stay flexible with planning and avoid weekends as much as possible to limit crowds.

Water Taxis: Water taxis are a pricier but more flexible transportation option. Water taxis can take you to specific destinations on Lake Como at your preferred time. This option provides a convenient way to explore the lake while enjoying a comfortable private ride.

The best time of year to visit Lake Como with kids

The best time to visit Lake Como with kids is late spring and summer. While these are the busies months, they are also the time of the year when kids can swim and enjoy the outdoor activities and boating the area offers.

At Christmas, the town of Como at Christmas specifically is pretty as it gets wonderful light and kid-friendly Christmas events.

Where to buy baby gear on Lake Como

Most towns on Lake Como have basic grocery shops of pharmacies where you can buy baby gear.

However, depending on where you are, these may be small establishments with limited selection or with shop opening hours.

Como is a big city and therefore has the best options, if you need to stock up, and you can find a large baby store near Lake Como in Grandate >>> Chicco Village https://www.chicco.it/negozi

I hope you enjoyed this quick guide to visiting Lake Como with kids and it helped you plan your stay. Safe travels!