Como, Slowly — My Personal Guide to the City
People visit Como all year round — for the lake, the postcards, the idea of it. But living here for almost three years has taught me that Como’s real charm isn’t in the glossy views or the grand hotels. It’s in the smaller things: the light on the water at 5 p.m., the coffee you always order from the same barista, the rhythm of the city when it’s not performing for anyone.
So this isn’t a guide to the entire lake — just to the city itself. The version you get when you actually live here, and start collecting favorite places like small treasures.
Breakfast & Coffee
Vik&A
Start here. Matcha, waffles and really good coffee.
Where to Eat (Lunch & Dinner)
Figli dei Fiori Bistrot
Inside a winter garden — all plants, sunlight, and people who speak softly. Come for lunch when the light hits the glass ceiling just right.
Da Rino
Tiny, Tuscan, and proudly old-school. The kind of place that makes you wish you were hungrier. Mostly meat, but all heart.
Dieci Nodi
For dinner: fresh fish, raw plates, and a gentle hum of conversations that stretch long into the night.
Sole Gourmet (Brunate)
If you’re feeling indulgent — take the funicolare up to Brunate and have dinner overlooking the entire lake. It’s romantic, a little theatrical, and fully worth booking ahead for.
A Cultural Pause
Museo Archeologico Paolo Giovio
Quietly beautiful — both for its collection and its interiors. Vaulted rooms, frescoes, and the kind of atmosphere that makes you lower your voice without knowing why.
Piazza Medaglie d'Oro Comasche, 1, 22100 Como CO
A Walk to Remember
If you have an afternoon to spare, take a slow walk from the lakefront toward Villa del Grumello and the botanical garden nearby. It’s an easy, peaceful route — a local favorite — that feels like stepping inside a postcard no one else has seen.
Keep walking along the Chilometro della Conoscenza (“the Kilometer of Knowledge”) — a scenic path that connects Villa Olmo, Villa del Grumello, and Villa Sucota. It winds through gardens, old trees, and lake views that change with every few steps. Bring a book, a camera, or just your thoughts.
If You Want to Wander Further
Walk (or ferry) over to Cernobbio — it’s about 30–40 minutes along the lake, one of those walks that quietly rearranges your thoughts.
Once there:
Vincenzo Dascanio Cafe — famous for its seasonal flowers and a hidden garden for coffee breaks.
Polletti Pasticceria — the kind of patisserie that redefines what a croissant should taste like.
Raimondi (at Villa Fiori Hotel) — serene, with a garden terrace overlooking the lake. Twenty minutes from Como’s center, or a quick cab ride if you’re in heels.
An Honorable Mention
If Pilates is your kind of meditation, visit Mys Pilates Studio. Classes are small (6–7 people), with trainers who actually see you — and windows that frame Como’s rooftops like a still-life painting.
I hope this small guide helps you see Como the way I do — not just as a postcard.
Anastasia,
Founder of Port’Arte