Lake Como or Lake Garda: which is best for you?
You might wonder how different Lake Como and Lake Garda are, with their bijou villages clinging to the shoreline, promenades lined with swaying palm trees and Riva boats zipping across brilliantly blue waters.
On the surface, they may seem very similar but they're surprisingly different, both in terms of identity and topography. So, which is best for your next holiday? Read on to find out more.
Getting to the Italian lakes: be it holidays to Lake Como* or escapes to Lake Garda*, TUI Lakes & Mountains* has an epic selection of deals on adventurous breaks to Italy*.
What's Lake Como like?
Lying only one hour's drive north of Milan, Lake Como* is arguably the most stylish and sophisticated of the Italian Lakes, its shores studded with grand lakefront villas skirted by lush, exotic gardens.
The lake has been a fashionable holiday destination since Roman times, with wealthy Milanese families building grand villas along its shores, several of which have now been converted into elegant hotels.
Hemmed in by the snowy Alps, Lake Como's blue waters are the deepest of any lake in Italy, plunging to a depth of over 400 metres. The lake is shaped like an upside-down Y and comprises three branches.
There's the Como branch, undoubtedly the most popular, home to the great majority of the lake's opulent villas, gardens and attractions; the quieter Lecco branch, which lies away from the tourist crowds; and the Alto Lario, the northern basin of the lake, a laidback water sports destination that exudes an authentic feel.
Things to do on Lake Como
Lake Como has no shortage of spectacular villas and gardens, each deserving a good few hours' exploration. The most famous is Villa Carlotta, a gorgeous late 17th-century villa that sits majestically on the lakefront.
Admire masterpieces by Canova and Hayez in the main villa, then make for the exquisite gardens, with scores of endemic and exotic plants including camellias, azaleas and rhododendrons bursting onto shaded pathways that snake down towards the shore.
Magnificently sitting on the tip of a promontory that projects into the lake's waters is Villa del Balbianello, with a striking façade with two bell towers and impeccably manicured gardens home to pruned plane trees and sculpted laurel and boxwood hedges. You may recognise the villa from Star Wars Episode II and James Bond's Casino Royale.
Lake Como's pretty lakefront towns also merit plenty of exploration. Bellagio* is probably the prettiest, although it is also the busiest, attracting scores of visitors who come to stroll its narrow, cobbled streets.
Lying across the water is Varenna, a romantic spot with steep streets clinging to a hillside, although you won't be the only one strolling about here either; make sure you head up to the town's Castello di Vezio to take in sublime lake views.
If you're keen to head off the beaten track, travel north to the Alto Lario, with quiet lakefront villages and plenty of opportunities to take part in water sports.
Boating enthusiasts won't want to miss the Museo della Barca Lariana, with a fabulous collection of over 400 boats, from fishing and hunting boats to gondolas, barges and racing boats.
Lake Como also offers plenty of excellent hiking and biking trails in the surrounding mountains, with no shortage of scenic paths crisscrossing shaded woodland. Make sure you enjoy a leisurely boat ride around the lake too; it's the best way to get a feel for the lake while admiring its elegant villas.
What's Lake Garda like?
Spread out over three of Italy's regions, Lake Garda* is the country's largest lake, offering a hugely diverse topography.
The southern basin of the lake is largely flat, while to the east are gently rolling hills carpeted in olive and vineyards, with award-winning wines produced here. There's no shortage of pretty lakefront towns, including charming little Sirmione* on the southern tip, and Salò, a sophisticated lakefront town attracting a yachtie crowd.
As you travel north, the scenery becomes more dramatic, with sheer cliffs rising from the waters. The lake's Gardesana Occidentale, which snakes along the western shore, was the setting of the thrilling car chase in the opening scene of James Bond's Quantum of Solace.
Lined by the jagged Dolomites, the northern basin of the lake is a major hub for water sports and climbing enthusiasts, with international competitions regularly taking place here.
Things to do on Lake Garda
Lake Garda is a haven for outdoor types. Head to the small lakefront town of Torbole* on the northern shore, which exudes a sunny, easy-going vibe, with laidback surf shops and lakefront cafés.
Sun seekers can soak up the area's chilled vibes while wind chasers can take part in all manner of thrilling water sports, from sailing to kite- and windsurfing. Climbing is also big here, with the town of Arco a hugely popular climbing destination.
There are plenty of fantastic hikes and gentle treks too, with the Sentiero del Ponale one of the most scenic. Carved into the mountainside south of Riva del Garda, this panoramic trail is ideal for walkers or bikers; it's an easy trail, making it perfect for beginners.
As you take in the vistas, you'll also spot ruins of military fortifications, tunnels, trenches and outposts, built by the Austro-Hungarians in the 19th century.
Alternatively, catch the cable car up to Monte Baldo on the northeastern shore of the lake, and work your way down to the shore on foot or by mountain bike along one of the many scenic paths.
If gentle sightseeing is more your thing, don't miss a tour of Isola del Garda; it's home to a beautiful Neo-Gothic Venetian villa with gorgeous English terraced gardens.
Compare weather
Use the graphs below to compare the weather in the two destinations. Find out more about the weather in Lake Como and the weather in Lake Garda as well as conditions across the country in our complete guide to the weather in Italy.
Lake Como vs Lake Garda
Maximum daytime temperature (°F)
Hours of sunshine per day
Days with some rainfall
Monthly rainfall (inches)
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