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Lake Como: Visiting Iconic Sites in Milano

The opinions expressed in this article are the writer’s own and do not reflect the views of Her Campus.
This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Exeter chapter.

Having arrived in Milan for my study abroad I was eager to explore the local beauty spots. Lake Como is an undoubtedly iconic lake destination. The captivating scenery and glorious mountain vistas were truly a sight to behold!

Lake Como is home to an array of cultural and historical gems, offering everything from water sports to cocktail bars. The area itself garners a great deal of tourism for a number of reasons. It’s reputation as the third largest lake in Italy, and one of the deepest lakes in Europe, is certainly an interesting aspect of its character. The lake itself is characterised by a unique shape – an inverted Y, which can be seen from a birds-eye-view.

Arriving in Milan at the start of September meant that I could enjoy my trip to Lake Como amidst a comfortable heat. While the streets were bustling with curious tourists and busy locals, one of my initial stops was, naturally, the beach! The area was filled with a number of sights, from Estonian streakers to picturesque mountain views. There were a number of boat trips and tours being offered in the area as well, providing an excellent opportunity to experience Lake Como at its best.

After a relaxing afternoon at the beach, I ventured into the local towns and villages. Some of the most popular destinations for tourists include Bellagio, Varenna, and (obviously) Como itself. Such areas offer a great number of restaurants and bars. I settled down at a popular-looking Pizzaria and treated myself to a Carbonara and an Aperol spritz – enjoying a delectable meal under the sun.

Highlights of the trip:

→ relaxing on the beach and taking in the ethereal views!

→ the local restaurants and bars were reasonably priced and nicely situated by the lake

→ the beach and docks were in close proximity to the train station; this made my journey very direct and took away a lot of my ‘travel anxiety’

A huge nerd with a passion for niche tv shows, RPGs, and playing my guitar. You will usually find me consuming unhealthy amounts of coffee, or stressing in the library!