{"id":2371,"date":"2012-07-01T01:32:42","date_gmt":"2012-07-01T00:32:42","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/walks.friday.ie\/?p=2371"},"modified":"2023-07-04T11:17:02","modified_gmt":"2023-07-04T10:17:02","slug":"italian-lakes-garda-como","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/things-to-do\/italian-lakes-garda-como","title":{"rendered":"Lake Garda or Lake Como: Choosing an Italian Lake"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Lake Como and Lake Garda are top travel destinations in Italy year-round\u2014but\u00a0<em>especially\u00a0<\/em>during the summer, when the weather&#8217;s hot and the water tempting. While both lakes are beautiful (and famous!), you might have to pick between the two. How can you possibly choose? Here&#8217;s some guidance!<\/p>\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_80 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/things-to-do\/italian-lakes-garda-como\/#Lake_Garda_vs_Lake_Como_Which_one_is_best_for_you\" >Lake Garda vs. Lake Como: Which one is best for you?<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/things-to-do\/italian-lakes-garda-como\/#Lake_Garda_is_easier_to_get_to_from_Venice_and_Verona_Lake_Como_is_closer_to_Milan\" >Lake Garda is easier to get to from Venice and Verona; Lake Como is closer to Milan<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/things-to-do\/italian-lakes-garda-como\/#In_search_of_celebrities_Head_to_Lake_Como\" >In search of celebrities? Head to Lake Como<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/things-to-do\/italian-lakes-garda-como\/#For_a_castle_and_Roman_ruins_go_to_Lake_Garda_for_opulent_villas_and_gardens_opt_for_Lake_Como\" >For a castle and Roman ruins, go to Lake Garda; for opulent villas and gardens, opt for Lake Como<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/things-to-do\/italian-lakes-garda-como\/#Both_lakes_have_their_touristy_and_less-touristy_spots%E2%80%94but_its_a_little_harder_to_get_to_the_more_tranquil_areas_in_Lake_Garda\" >Both lakes have their touristy and less-touristy spots\u2014but it&#8217;s a little harder to get to the more tranquil areas in Lake Garda<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/things-to-do\/italian-lakes-garda-como\/#Lake_Como_is_a_little_more_elegant_and_expensive\" >Lake Como is a little more elegant and expensive<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/things-to-do\/italian-lakes-garda-como\/#Both_lakes_are_enormous_and_spectacular%E2%80%A6\" >Both lakes are enormous, and spectacular&#8230;<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/things-to-do\/italian-lakes-garda-como\/#%E2%80%A6but_you_dont_actually_want_to_swim_in_either_one\" >&#8230;but you don&#8217;t actually want to swim in either one<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Lake_Garda_vs_Lake_Como_Which_one_is_best_for_you\"><\/span>Lake Garda vs. Lake Como: Which one is best for you?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Lake_Garda_is_easier_to_get_to_from_Venice_and_Verona_Lake_Como_is_closer_to_Milan\"><\/span>Lake Garda is easier to get to from Venice and Verona; Lake Como is closer to Milan<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Lake Garda is east of Lake Como, so it&#8217;s easier to get to from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/?s=venice&amp;post_type=posts\">Venice<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/things-to-do\/thing-to-do-in-verona\">Verona<\/a>. It&#8217;s just a 1.5-hour train ride (or 2-hour drive) from Venice, although Lake Garda is\u00a0<em>really <\/em>close from Verona: just a half an hour in the car, or 15 minutes on the train. (The train station you want at Lake Garda is\u00a0Peschiera del\u00a0Garda).<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_838\" style=\"width: 1010px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-838\" class=\"wp-image-838 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/06\/Lake-Como-Italy-2.jpg\" alt=\"You can get away from touristy towns in Lake Como\" width=\"1000\" height=\"687\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/06\/Lake-Como-Italy-2.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/06\/Lake-Como-Italy-2-768x528.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-838\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Lake Garda or Lake Como? It may depend on where you&#8217;re traveling. Beautiful Lake Como is just a short trip from Milan.<\/p><\/div>\n<p>From Milan, on the other hand, it&#8217;s an hour to the southernmost tip of Lake Como, by either car or train. (There, the train station you want is either\u00a0Como Lago\u00a0or Como San Giovanni,\u00a0depending on where on the lake you&#8217;re going).<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"In_search_of_celebrities_Head_to_Lake_Como\"><\/span>In search of celebrities? Head to Lake Como<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Both lakes have been beloved by celebrities since Roman times. In fact, Pliny the Younger built two seaside resorts at Lake Garda in the 1st century, and the Roman poet Catullus may have had a villa on Lake Garda!<\/p>\n<p>But these days, it&#8217;s Lake Como that&#8217;s getting the most Hollywood buzz. George Clooney&#8217;s shenanigans from his lakeside villa have been well-documented, while Madonna, Richard Branson, and Gianni Versace all own villas here, too.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"For_a_castle_and_Roman_ruins_go_to_Lake_Garda_for_opulent_villas_and_gardens_opt_for_Lake_Como\"><\/span>For a castle and Roman ruins, go to Lake Garda; for opulent villas and gardens, opt for Lake Como<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Lake Como&#8217;s town of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/things-to-do\/best-day-trips-from-venice#Sirmione_Lago_di_Garda\">Sirmione<\/a> may be touristy, but it also boasts two popular sights: the imposing Scaligero Castle, which dates back to the 13th century, and the ruins of the Grotte di Catullo, an ancient Roman spa. Although romantics believe it belonged to the poet Catullus\u2014hence the name\u2014there&#8217;s no actual evidence linking the two.<\/p>\n<p>Meanwhile, if you grab a ferry north from Sirmione (or rent a car and drive around the lake), there are rugged <a href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/travel-tips\/hiking-in-italy\">hiking<\/a> and biking paths far from any development.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_2375\" style=\"width: 574px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"http:\/\/walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/07\/Villa-la-Quiete-in-Tremezzo.-Lake-Como-Italy-.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-2375\" class=\" wp-image-2375 \" title=\"Villa la Quiete in Lake Como, Italy\" src=\"http:\/\/walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/07\/Villa-la-Quiete-in-Tremezzo.-Lake-Como-Italy-.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"564\" height=\"384\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/07\/Villa-la-Quiete-in-Tremezzo.-Lake-Como-Italy-.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/07\/Villa-la-Quiete-in-Tremezzo.-Lake-Como-Italy--768x523.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 564px) 100vw, 564px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-2375\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Villa La Quiete, in Tremezzo, is one of dozens of opulent villas on Lake Como.<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Lake Como has many sights of interest, too. It&#8217;s especially famous for its gorgeous villas and gardens. The 17th-century Villa Carlotta has a beautiful Romantic park and sculptures by Canova; the 18th-century <a href=\"https:\/\/fondoambiente.it\/villa-del-balbianello-eng\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Villa del Balbianello<\/a> is famed for its terraced gardens; and the <a href=\"https:\/\/giardinidivillamelzi.it\/en\/home-eng\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Villa Melzi d&#8217;Eril<\/a>, in Bellagio, is a neo-classical villa with an orangery, Japanese garden, and sculpture. And the lake has more development overall, so there are lots of lovely little villages clinging to the edge all around the lake.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Both_lakes_have_their_touristy_and_less-touristy_spots%E2%80%94but_its_a_little_harder_to_get_to_the_more_tranquil_areas_in_Lake_Garda\"><\/span>Both lakes have their touristy and less-touristy spots\u2014but it&#8217;s a little harder to get to the more tranquil areas in Lake Garda<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>The general perception is that Lake Garda is more touristy and crowded than Lake Como. That&#8217;s not entirely fair\u2014Lake Garda has plenty of quiet, tranquil spots. In fact, the northern part of the lake, which is surrounded by mountains, is rugged and undeveloped. The difficulty is that the northern part of the lake is trickier to get to (most people come into the towns of Sirmione or to the train station, and it takes some two hours on the ferry to get to the northern part of the lake from there). Meanwhile, Sirmione, in the south, is gorgeous, but full of day-trippers from Verona and Venice.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_2374\" style=\"width: 346px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"http:\/\/walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/07\/Monte-baldo-garda-lake.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-2374\" class=\" wp-image-2374 \" title=\"Off the beaten path at Lake Garda \" src=\"http:\/\/walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/07\/Monte-baldo-garda-lake.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"336\" height=\"223\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/07\/Monte-baldo-garda-lake.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/07\/Monte-baldo-garda-lake-768x511.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 336px) 100vw, 336px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-2374\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Yes, you can get off the beaten path at Lake Garda (and Lake Como!). This is near the Monte Baldo refuge at Lake Garda,on the northeastern edge of the lake.<\/p><\/div>\n<p>On the other hand, Lake Como is developed all the way around the lake&#8230; but with scattered villages that range between touristy and crowded and the more &#8220;authentic.&#8221;\u00a0 Como, Bellagio, and Varenna are especially popular with visitors.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Lake_Como_is_a_little_more_elegant_and_expensive\"><\/span>Lake Como is a little more elegant and expensive<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>In general, Lake Como tends to feel a little more well-heeled (remember all those opulent villas&#8230; and celebrity residents?) than Lake Garda. While accommodation and meals at either lake is pricey, particularly in the high season, Lake Como also tends to be a little bit more expensive, too.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Both_lakes_are_enormous_and_spectacular%E2%80%A6\"><\/span>Both lakes are enormous, and spectacular&#8230;<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<div id=\"attachment_2377\" style=\"width: 574px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"http:\/\/walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/07\/Lake-Garda-Trentino-Region-Italy-.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-2377\" class=\" wp-image-2377 \" title=\"Lovely Lake Garda\" src=\"http:\/\/walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/07\/Lake-Garda-Trentino-Region-Italy-.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"564\" height=\"423\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/07\/Lake-Garda-Trentino-Region-Italy-.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/07\/Lake-Garda-Trentino-Region-Italy--768x576.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 564px) 100vw, 564px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-2377\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Lake Garda or Lake Como? Gorgeous Lake Garda also happens to be more budget-friendly.<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Lake Garda is the largest lake in Italy. But Lake Como? It&#8217;s the third-largest. So both have plenty of opportunity for boating and windsurfing, and, from the shore, biking, hiking, and paragliding. They&#8217;re also both spectacular, although Lake Como is entirely ringed with the Alps, while Lake Garda&#8217;s northern half is.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"%E2%80%A6but_you_dont_actually_want_to_swim_in_either_one\"><\/span>&#8230;but you don&#8217;t actually want to swim in either one<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Or eat seafood from them, for that matter. It&#8217;s sad but true: Italy&#8217;s major lakes are polluted. Lake Garda and Lake Como are no exception. If you take a dip, be aware that getting a skin infection is a risk.<\/p>\n<p>Read more: <a href=\"https:\/\/walksofitaly.com\/blog\/lake-garda\/italy-lake-garda\">Lake Garda, Italy: Where to Stay, How to Get Around, and More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Lake Como and Lake Garda are top travel destinations in Italy year-round but especially during the summer, when the weather\u2019s hot and the water tempting. While both lakes are beautiful (and famous!), you might have to pick between the two. How can you possibly choose? Here\u2019s some guidance!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":1663,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[66,102,129,63,136,90],"ppma_author":[155],"class_list":["post-2371","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-things-to-do","tag-day-trips","tag-dolomites","tag-lake-como","tag-trip-planning","tag-venice","tag-verona"],"authors":[{"term_id":155,"user_id":3,"is_guest":0,"slug":"walksofitaly","display_name":"Walks of Italy","avatar_url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/9f4cd4dd0c5ab4b4bae57f3500298e23?s=96&d=mm&r=g","user_url":"http:\/\/walksofitaly.com\/blog","last_name":"of Italy","first_name":"Walks","job_title":"","description":"Walks began life as the passion project of two guys with one simple mission: To share their love for, and knowledge of, the city of Rome. Since then, Walks has grown into a team of over 100 ground staff and at any time up to 600 guides, operating across 13 of the world\u2019s most exciting cities (and counting!)\r\n\r\nToday we provide some of the most exclusive and beautifully designed small group tours in the industry through Italy-based Walks of Italy and around the world at Walks, where we offer special access to some of the world\u2019s most iconic landmarks and attractions as well as unique cultural experiences."}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2371"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2371"}],"version-history":[{"count":9,"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2371\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":18400,"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2371\/revisions\/18400"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1663"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2371"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2371"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2371"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/ppma_author?post=2371"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}