Como between the lakeshore, architecture and culture

Como between the lakeshore, urban history and culture

Como combines striking buildings, art and waterside paths to create a multifaceted city experience. The Tempio Voltiano is located on the shore of Lake Como at the end of Viale Guglielmo Marconi. The monumental neoclassical building is associated with an important scientist from Como. For your orientation, the distances to this destination are specific: From the Tempio Voltiano, you can reach the Lungolario Trento bus stops in 450 metres or six minutes. Como Lago railway station is 900 metres or twelve minutes away, while Como San Giovanni is 800 metres or also twelve minutes away.

In the city centre, the Broletto stands between the cathedral and the Bishop's Palace. The medieval palace was later given Gothic additions and is now used as an exhibition venue. The Pinacoteca civica in the 17th-century Palazzo Volpi has a different focus. Its collection includes paintings and sculptures from the Middle Ages to the present day. The Pinacoteca civica is accessible to people with reduced mobility and wheelchair users via ramps and a lift.

Fortresses, towers and neoclassical architecture

Castel Baradello leads into an older layer of the city's history. The fortification was built by Emperor Frederick Barbarossa on the remains of older structures. In the tower, you can visit a museum tour featuring archaeological finds from the excavations at Baradello. Castel Baradello can be reached on foot from Piazza San Rocco or Piazzale di Camerlata. The ascent to the tower leads via an external staircase suspended around 15 metres above the ground.

Villa Olmo is an outstanding example of monumental neoclassical architecture in Como. Since 1925, the municipality has used Villa Olmo as a venue for cultural events and art exhibitions. Villa Olmo is currently closed for restoration work.

Panoramic paths and green views

Parco di Villa del Grumello offers visitors free access to its panoramic paths. The grounds also include a botanical garden dedicated to Pliny the Elder. A panoramic footpath connects Villa Olmo, Villa del Grumello and Villa Sucota.

The Monumento ai Caduti also makes a distinct mark on the cityscape: it is 30 metres high. From there, you can look down over the city of Como and the lake. Culture enthusiasts can visit the church of San Giacomo and listen to the organ upon request. In Como's Basilica Cattedrale, the prescribed visitor route follows the indicated plan and ends at the “della rana” exit (9).

Como as a starting point for the Lario area

From Como, you can reach places around Lake Como via the historic Strada Regina or, more conveniently, by boat.

Other places in the Como area: Dosso del Liro, Tavernerio, Tremezzina, Albiolo, Canzo, Carlazzo, Albonico, Valbrona, Cerano D'intelvi, Pellio Intelvi, Mozzate, Lucino, Lomazzo, Lezzeno, Laglio, Griante, Dolo, Castiglione Dʼintelvi, Carimate, Cantù, Appiano Gentile, Moltrasio, Albavilla, Merone, Schignano, Civenna, Inverigo, Arosio, Nesso, Ossuccio, Erba, Casasco D'intelvi, Plesio, Lanzo D’intelvi, Cima Di Porlezza, Albogasio, Naggio, Trezzone, Vercana, Bugiallo, Osteno-claino, Sormano, Fino Mornasco, Consiglio Di Rumo, Gera Lario, Dizzasco, Peglio, Pianello Del Lario, Musso, San Fedele Intelvi, Turate, Mezzegra, Muronico, Dongo, Germasino, Grandola Ed Uniti, Gravedona, Lenno, Menaggio, Bellagio, Breglia, Brunate, Carate Urio, Cernobbio, Cremia, Colonno, Cermenate, Vassena, Brienno, Magreglio, Blevio, Campione D'italia, Faggeto Lario, Torno, Maslianico, Rovello Porro, Grandate, Luisago, Dascio, Livo, Santa Maria Rezzonico, Stazzona, Cusino, Domaso, Orsenigo, Valmorea, San Nazzaro Val Cavargna, Osteno, Val Rezzo, Novedrate, Uggiate-Trevano, Pusiano, Mariano Comense, Anzano Del Parco, Cavargna, Casnate Con Bernate, Zelbio, Veleso, Acquaseria, Caglio, Lurago D'erba, Como, Piano Porlezza, Porlezza, Valsolda, Montemezzo, Careno, Garzeno, Erbonne, Lurate Caccivio, Montorfano, Cassina Rizzardi, Sant Abbondio, Cavallasca, Tavernola, Villa Guardia, Argegno, Sorico, Corrido, Cirimido, Locate Varesino, Asso, Lurago Marinone, Olgiate Comasco, Albese Con Cassano, Lasnigo, Pognana Lario, Sala Comacina, Cagno, Castelmarte, Carugo, Tremezzo, Monguzzo.

To the higher-level travel overview: Lombardy.