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Best Time to Visit Lake Como (For Great Weather, Scenery, & Events)

Find the ideal time to visit Lake Como for perfect weather, stunning views, and lively events. From April to October, enjoy the best of Como with insider tips.

Tobi Miles
August 17, 2022
Best Time to Visit Lake Como (For Great Weather, Scenery, & Events)

Lake Como is the third largest lake in Italy! Therefore, it is a great place to visit if you want to take an adventure on a boat. There are plenty of stunning views and lush gardens at Lake Como as well. Therefore, knowing when flowers bloom and when the weather is best is essential. Except, when is the best time to visit Lake Como?

Between April to October is the best time to visit Lake Como. July has the warmest temperatures at 86 F (30 C). However, there are chances of unpredicted rainfall during these months. September and October are best to see the mountains capped with snow and fall foliage. Visit in March for budget travel as it has a 5% price drop.

Como is a beautiful travel place with plenty of fun and exciting attractions. There is so much to do that it is essential to know the best time. That is why in this article we look at all the activities you can do each month to know the best time to visit for you.

Worst Time to Visit Lake Como

November has the most amount of precipitation in Lake Como at 11.77 inches. In addition to this, July is the hottest and driest month of the year. May experiences the most amount of tourism and increased prices.

Lake Como experiences plenty of rainfall year-round. However, some seasons will have less rain, allowing you to enjoy the various attractions.

Cheapest Time to Visit Lake Como

The cheapest months to visit Lake Como are February and March. However, you may have to deal with standby flights or other inconveniences.

Traveling for $103 per day for one person in Lake Como is possible. Moreover, you can get a one-star hotel room at $78 or book a vacation rental at $21 per night.

Those traveling with a family of four typically spend $369 per day. However, this is done by limiting the amount you spend and booking many reservations in advance.

Related Read: Italy: Travel Budget Calculator

Plan Your Trip To Lake Como: Monthly Breakdown

January: Three Kings Festival Bellano

While January is the coldest month in Lake Como, it is still a great time to visit. The average high temperature is 42 F (6 C), and its average low temperature is 33 F (1 C).

Many tourist attractions, shops, and restaurants stay open throughout the winter. However, it is important to plan your trip if you visit in January as the ferry schedule's hours are reduced.

You can also attend some fun festivals in January at Lake Como. You can attend the Three Kings Festival, a folkloric festival with many performers with colorful costumes.

  • Three Kings Festival Bellano
  • Festival Lago di Como
  • Citta dei Balocchi
  • Visit Piani di Bobbio for Skiing

February: Carnival Parades

The average daily high temperature in February ranges from 44 F (6 C) to 49 F (9 C). Moreover, Lake Como's daily low temperature ranges from 29 F (-1 C) to 33 F (0.5 C).

February is not the best time to visit, and there are not as many activities to do compared to other months. Therefore, it may be best to skip out on this month.

If you do visit in February, you can experience the Carnival parades. These parades will have floats, music, and entertainment for the whole family.

  • Carnival Parades
  • Go Skiing
  • Visit a Spa
  • Go Snowboarding

March: Easter Market

March has around 3-8 days of rain, averaging at 5.2 inches of total rainfall for the month. Furthermore, the temperature ranges from 41 F (5 C) to 53 F (11 C).

Visiting Lake Como in March is a good idea if you want to avoid the crowds. In addition to this, you get to see more tourist attractions than in other winter months because of Easter!

The Easter Market will be a fun place to explore if you visit Lake Como in March. There are market stalls lined up Viale Varese and the east city wall. At the markets, you can buy many regional products and delicious foods!

  • Easter Market
  • Visit Duomo of Como
  • Go to Villa del Balbianello
  • Explore Museum Moto Guzzi

Related Read: 40 BEST Restaurants in Italy

April: Lake Como Festival

Lake Como's average high temperature ranges from 58 F (14 C) to 64 F (17 C). Its daily low temperature ranges from 41 F (5 C) to 48 F (8 C).

April is one of the best months to visit Lake Como. April is when the weather becomes warm, and more of the tourist attractions are beginning to open with fewer crowds! Thus, the prices tend to be lower.

Music lovers should travel to Lake Como in April as you can attend the Lake Como Festival. This festival has modern classical music concerts by many international performers.

  • Lake Como Festival
  • Art History Tour
  • Enjoy the Easter Market
  • Visit Forte di Fuentes

May: Evening Markets

The high temperature in May is 66 F (18 C). In contrast, the low temperature for Lake Como in May is 54 F (12 C).

May is the most popular month for visiting Lake Como as the weather is excellent and all the attractions have officially opened up. However, because there are more tourists, the prices increase.

May brings fun for the whole family. If you want to shop, take a boat ride, or take a guided tour, there is something fun to do. Moreover, there is the beautiful Festa del Fiori in Menaggio Flower Festival!

  • Evening Markets
  • Festa del Fiori in Menaggio Flower Festival
  • Take a Guided Tour of Villa Monastero
  • Taxi Boat Varenna

Related Read: Best Time to Visit Switzerland

June: Lake Fireworks

June brings even better weather than May at a high of 73 F (22 C). In contrast, its average low temperature is slightly chilly at 60 F (15 C).

June is a great time to visit Lake Como as more of the lakeside flowers begin to bloom. Moreover, you can enjoy Lake Como's annual festival with music performances and fireworks!

Since most of Lake Como's flowers are in bloom during June, it is a great time to visit the Pian di Spagna Nature Reserve. You get to have plenty of beautiful sights of flowers that will be worth seeing.

  • Watch the Lake Fireworks
  • Take a Guided Tour in the Pian di Spagna Nature Reserve
  • Attend a Concert in the Villa Carlotta
  • Take a Boat Tour

July: Disco in the Park Villa Camilla

The weather in July at Lake Como tends to be hot and humid. The high average is usually 86 F (30 C), while its low is 64 F (17 C).

While July's weather in Lake Como is not the greatest, there are plenty of fun things to do to beat the heat. However, it rains eight days out of the month.

July has some great festivals and activities to do, such as watching the lake fireworks and attending the Ciapel d'Or Summer Festival. At this festival, you can taste local specialties and have dance entertainment!

  • Visit the Disco in the Park Villa Camilla
  • Attend the Ciapel d’Or Summer Festival
  • Visit the Festival Musica sull’Acqua
  • Watch the Lake Fireworks

August: Best Time to Visit the Beach in Lake Como

August has better weather than July, with the average high being 77 F (25 C). Lake Como's average low is usually around 64 F (17 C) in August.

During August, the ferries work late at night, making it one of the best times to take a ferry on the lake. Moreover, since it is a hot month, it is perfect for visiting the beach.

  • Visit the Beach
  • Take a Boat Tour
  • Visit the Jungle Raider Park
  • Hike at Sentiero del Viandante

September: Best Time to Hike in Lake Como

September offers some of the best weather in Lake Como. Its daily high average is 70 F (21 C), while its low average is 59 F (15 C).

Since September has such comfortable weather, it is the best time to visit some of Lake Como's hikes. Plus, there are some fun events you can partake in!

Lake Como in September also has the Festival Lago di Como. This festival holds performances by classical music artists and jazz artists.

  • Hike Greenway del Lago di Como
  • Festival Lago di Como
  • Autumn Specialty Festival
  • Trophy Renzo e Lucia and Palio Remiero

Related Read: 6 Best Ski Resorts in Switzerland

October: Best Month for Sightseeing in Lake Como

October starts to have mild weather with a high of 62 F (16 C). Furthermore, its low-temperature average is 53 F (11 C).

If you want to visit Lake Como and sightsee or take hikes, October is one of the best months. This is because October's weather is mild without being too cold or too hot.

Sightseeing around Lake Como in October can be one of the best months to do so. October gives beautiful fall foliage, so you can experience many beautiful colors around the lake.

  • Sightsee Around Lake Como
  • Attend Castagnata
  • Visit Mostra del Bitto
  • Visit Villa Carlotta

November: Best Time for Recreational Activities in Lake Como

Lake Como's high temperature decreases in November, averaging 53 F (11 C). Moreover, its daily low-temperature average is around 45 F (7 C).

November brings fewer tourists, lower prices, and plenty of fun recreational activities that you can do. Thus, it is perfect for fun with the whole family.

Since November is perfect for recreational activities, some that you can do are waterskiing, hiking, or kite surfing! Lake Como has plenty of trails that each will be breathtaking to see.

  • Go Waterskiing
  • Take a Hike at Villa Monastero
  • Visit the Snow Capped Alps
  • Go Kite Surfing

December: Best Time to See the Snow-Capped Alps

December is a cold month in Lake Como. The average high temperature is 49 F (9 C), while its low average is 41 F (5 C).

In many places, December brings holiday joy and cheer; Lake Como is no different. There are plenty of Christmas markets here that you can attend. In addition, you can take a cruise on Lake Como!

Since the holidays are a popular time for traveling, you may want to book all of your reservations in advance. Moreover, some areas may have a lot of tourists.

  • Visit the Snow-Capped Alps
  • Visit the Christmas Markets
  • Take the Silverster Cruise
  • Take a Ferry Around the Area

Best Time to Visit Lake Como Gardens

May and June are the best months to see flowers in full bloom. The temperature will also be comfortable, so you can walk along trails to see the beautiful flowers.

Those that visit Lake Como during May or June can also avoid the crowds with lower prices. Therefore, the lakeshore will be peaceful as you walk around, viewing the flowers.

Best Time to Visit Lake Como with Family

September to October is a great time to visit if you want to visit Lake Como with your family. These months are typically less crowded, and the prices are lower.

Lake Como has plenty of family-friendly activities and places to explore. Plus, during these months, the weather has cooled down from the summer heat, making it enjoyable for many outdoor activities.

September and October are also great if you want to experience the fall foliage during hiking trails. In addition to this, there are still plenty of open attractions.

Best Time to Visit Lake Como for the First Time

Early October and May are the best times to visit Lake Como for the first time. Both of these months have comfortable weather and fewer tourists.

Early October and May offer plenty of beauty. In October, the leaves start changing colors allowing you to see beautiful fall foliage. While in May, you can see various pastel flowers. In addition, May has all of the tourist attractions open to enjoy.

Tobi Miles
Article updated:
March 28, 2024
A nomadic wordsmith savoring the world's flavors and penning stories that turn every journey into an epic.
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