Volta: from the battery to the future
Stage event at Teatro Sociale di Como during the Festival della Luce, linking Alessandro Volta's legacy with future-facing themes.
Plizio Visual Lab
Como
Plizio editorial teamData Sources
City
ℹ️Practical info — Como
▾
🌤 Weather — 5 days
📍 Nearby
Sights nearby
💡 Tips
- Buy a day pass for the ferries to explore the lake cost-effectively.
- Take the Brunate funicular at sunset for the most spectacular views over the city and lake.
- Parking in the center is very limited; use parking houses outside the ZTL (traffic restricted zone).
- Visit the Duomo early in the morning to avoid the tourist crowds.
- Bring a light jacket even in summer, as the lake breeze can get chilly in the evenings.
🍽 Food
🍽
Risotto con filetti di pesce persico
A local specialty of risotto with perch fillets, best enjoyed at a lakeside restaurant.
🍽
Polenta uncia
A hearty dish of polenta mixed with cheese and butter, found in traditional trattorias in the surrounding hills.
🍽
Artisanal Gelato
Try local flavors at one of the gelaterias near the main squares or along the promenade.
🛍 Shopping · 🧘 Quiet spots
🛍
Silk Products
Como is world-famous for its silk. Look for scarves and ties in specialty boutiques in the historic center.
🛍
Mercato Coperto
The indoor market is great for buying local cheeses, cold cuts, and fresh produce directly from farmers.
🧘
Villa Olmo Gardens
The extensive, well-kept public gardens of this neoclassical villa offer a peaceful retreat right by the water.
🧘
Passeggiata Lino Gelpi
A scenic lakeside walk lined with elegant villas, well-suited for a quiet stroll away from the busy center.
Water temperature…
Highlights of 2026
4
Science on Demand at the Festival della Luce
Public festival-format event in Piazza Verdi as part of Festival della Luce Lake Como within the 200VOLTeVOLTA programme.
Science? A game for girls!
Event at the Tempio Voltiano within the 200VOLTeVOLTA programme, which marks the bicentenary of Alessandro Volta's death with scientific and cultural events.
Como Cup 2026
International football tournament at Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia featuring Como 1907, Crystal Palace, RC Lens, FC Famalicao, AlUla SC and Villarreal across four matchdays.
Como is situated at the southwestern tip of Lake Como and is globally renowned for its striking natural beauty and its historic silk industry. The city's history dates back to Roman times when it was established as Novum Comum by Julius Caesar. Its architectural centerpiece is the Como Cathedral, widely regarded as one of Northern Italy's finest Gothic-Renaissance structures, which took over 300 years to complete. Como is the birthplace of the famous physicist Alessandro Volta, the inventor of the electric battery; the Tempio Voltiano on the lakefront serves as a museum dedicated to his work. The historic center is still partially enclosed by well-preserved medieval walls and features a maze of pleasant narrow streets and squares. Visitors frequently take the funicular up to the village of Brunate for sweeping panoramic views of the lake and the Alps. Today, Como remains an upscale destination that perfectly combines cultural history with Alpine elegance.
Your journey, your memory
A postcard from Como
Turn your own photo into a personal postcard with a local stamp. Free and no sign-up required.
Create a postcard- Location: Italy
- Top sights: Museo della Seta · Museo archeologico Paolo Giovio · Pinacoteca Civica
- Nearby: Varese (20 km)
- Population: ~84.808
Best time to visit & climate
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun–Aug.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg °C | -1 | 1 | 5 | 9 | 14 | 18 | 20 | 20 | 15 | 11 | 5 | 0 |
| Rain mm | 51 | 59 | 70 | 102 | 139 | 120 | 107 | 129 | 99 | 112 | 147 | 73 |
Live webcam – Como
See what it looks like near Como right now.
Como › North: Basilica di San Fedele - Cattedrale di Santa Maria Assunta - Duomo di Como · 0.1 km · Open webcam on Windy · Webcams provided by Windy.com
Geography
Facts
- Construction of the Como Cathedral began in 1396 and concluded in 1770.
- Alessandro Volta invented the first electric battery in 1800.
- The Tempio Voltiano was opened in 1927 to mark the centennial of Volta's death.
- The Como-Brunate funicular has been in operation since 1894.
- Como has been a major hub for European silk production since the 16th century.
- The Broletto, the city's former town hall, was built in 1215.
Explore nearby
Notable places around
Route planner — Car & Motorhome
Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.
Vehicle
Only stops with (optional):
Motorhome dimensions
© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService
A day in the city
Pick weather + travel mode, get a concrete day plan.
09:00→15:242.4 km walk6 places0/6
Day budget: ≈ 17–23 €Entries 20€ · Transport 0€
Start your day at Porta Torre, the medieval gatehouse. After visiting the Romanesque Sant'Abbondio, head to the heart of the city to see the Broletto and the magnificent Duomo. Spend your afternoon by the lake, exploring the Volta Temple and walking out to the Life Electric monument for a stunning panoramic view of the Alpine foothills reflected in the water.
← swipe for more places →
📍
09:10 · 47'
Porta Torre
This medieval gate marks the main entrance to the fortified old town.
🚶 14'0.55 km
📍
10:11 · 47'
Basilica di Sant'Abbondio
A Romanesque basilica featuring impressive 14th-century frescoes.
🚶 20'0.86 km
🚶 4'0.04 km
🚶 18'0.74 km
🚶 6'0.16 km
09:00→14:124.4 km ride5 places0/5
Day budget: ≈ 26–35 €Entries 18€ · Transport 12€
Cycling offers the best way to see the lakeside villas. Start at the Duomo, then ride along the scenic waterfront to the grand Villa Olmo. Enjoy the gardens before pedaling back towards the Volta Temple and the Funicular station for a high-altitude finish to your tour.
← swipe for more places →
🚲 7'0.74 km
🚲 11'1.34 km
🚲 11'1.4 km
🚲 8'0.9 km
09:00→14:045.3 km drive5 places0/5
Day budget: ≈ 18–24 €Entries 20€ · Transport 1€
A car allows you to bridge the gap between the historic center and the grand lakeside villas. Start in the old town, then drive to Villa Olmo to explore its lakeside park. In the afternoon, head to the funicular station for a trip to Brunate, offering a bird's eye view of the lake, before finishing at the modern Life Electric sculpture.
← swipe for more places →
📍
09:10 · 47'
Duomo & Broletto (Old Town)
Park at Autosilo Valduce to explore the center on foot.
🚗 10'2.08 km
🚗 7'1.34 km
🚗 6'1.02 km
🚗 6'0.9 km
Sights in the town Como (19)
Museo della Seta🏛 museum
Museum in Como showcasing the history of the local silk industry and weaving techniques.
🌐 museosetacomo.com🕒 Tu-Su 10:00-18:00
Museo archeologico Paolo Giovio🏛 museum
Archaeological museum in Palazzo Giovio featuring local finds from prehistory to Roman times.
🌐 visitcomo.eu🕒 Tu-Su 10:00-18:00; Mo off; Jan 01,06,Nov 01,Dec 25-26 off
Frequently asked questions
What is Como's most famous product?
Como is world-famous for its silk production and high-quality textiles.
Is the funicular ride to Brunate worth it?
Yes, the funicular provides a spectacular panoramic view of Lake Como and the Alps.
What can you do at Lake Como?
Boat trips to villas (e.g., Villa Olmo), hiking, and visiting pleasant villages like Bellagio.
Is Como Cathedral worth seeing?
Absolutely, it is considered one of the most important Gothic cathedrals in Northern Italy.
When is the best time to visit?
From April to October, when the weather is mild and the villa gardens are in full bloom.
Como: where is it located?
Como is located in Italy.
Como: what is there to see?
Highlights include Museo della Seta, Museo archeologico Paolo Giovio, Pinacoteca Civica.
Como: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun, Aug.
Como: why is it worth visiting?
Como is situated at the southwestern tip of Lake Como and is globally renowned for its striking natural beauty and its historic silk industry.
Explore with Plizio
Discover more places in Europe
More places in Italy →
Nearby cities
Brescia
Brescia is an industrial city located at the foot of the Alps in Lombardy.
Parma
Parma is a university city in Emilia-Romagna, world-famous for its ham and cheese.
Prato
Prato in Tuscany is one of Europe's leading textile manufacturing centers.
Modena
Modena is the heart of Italy's Motor Valley and famous for balsamic vinegar.
Reggio Emilia
Reggio Emilia is famously known as the birthplace of the Italian Tricolor flag.
Mestre
Mestre is located on the Italian mainland opposite Venice.
Monza
Monza is located in Lombardy, north of Milan.
Piacenza
Piacenza is situated on the right bank of the Po River in Emilia-Romagna.
Novara
Novara is a major industrial city in Piedmont, located between Milan and Turin.
Alessandria
Alessandria is a major city in Piedmont, located at the confluence of the Tanaro and Bormida rivers.
Treviso
Treviso is located in the Veneto region, north of Venice.
Busto Arsizio
Busto Arsizio is located in the province of Varese in Lombardy.
Varese
Varese, the "Garden City," is nestled at the foot of the Alps between lakes, famous for its elegant villas and the sacred mountain of Sac…
Asti
Asti is located in Piedmont and is a major center for viticulture.
Pistoia
Pistoia is located at the foot of the Apennines in Tuscany.
More places
Parma Cathedral
Parma Cathedral is a primary example of Romanesque architecture in Northern Italy.
Livorno
Livorno is a major port city on the Ligurian coast in Tuscany.
MUSE - Science Museum
MUSE in Trento is an ultra-modern science museum designed by Renzo Piano.
Teatro Olimpico
The Teatro Olimpico in Vicenza is the first indoor theater of the modern era.
South Tyrol Museum of Archaeology
The South Tyrol Museum of Archaeology in Bolzano is world-famous for housing Ötzi the Iceman.
La Spezia
La Spezia is a major port city in Liguria, situated in the Gulf of Poets.
Guinigi Tower
The Guinigi Tower is the most iconic landmark of Lucca.