Brunate and the Funicular: Como’s Balcony Over the Lake
There is a spot above Como where the lake opens up all at once — the first basin, the city rooftops, and on clear days the white line of the Alps in the distance. That spot is Brunate, and you reach it in a seven-minute funicular ride on a line that has run without interruption since 1894. It is one of the simplest and loveliest half-day trips you can make on Lake Como, and it slots perfectly around a cooking class in Como in the afternoon or evening. Here is what to see up top, how the funicular works, and a few practical tips so you get the timing right.
The Como–Brunate funicular, since 1894
The funicular links Como’s lakefront, near Piazza De Gasperi (a short walk from the historic centre and the Duomo), to the village of Brunate, roughly 700 metres above sea level. The climb covers over 500 metres of elevation and takes about seven minutes: the two cabins pass each other midway, on a track that is genuinely steep in places. Opened in 1894 and later electrified, it is one of the historic ways Como’s residents and holidaymakers used to ride up the hillside in search of cool air and a view you simply cannot picture from below.
The charm is in the contrast: you set off from the calm of the shore and, a handful of minutes later, you are in a quiet village perched above the drop. It is worth riding up in the late afternoon, when the light softens and the lake takes on the colours of sunset.
The village of Brunate and its Art Nouveau villas
Brunate is a small mountain village that, around the turn of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, became an elegant resort for the well-to-do of Como and Milan. From that era come its Liberty-style villas (the Italian Art Nouveau): decorated façades, wrought iron, coloured glass and gardens turned toward the lake, scattered along the village lanes. You do not need a rigid itinerary — just wander on foot through the alleys and look up.
- The village lanes — look for the decorated façades and wrought-iron details of the period villas.
- The natural lookouts — several spots in the village open straight onto the first basin of the lake.
- A coffee or a gelato — a couple of bars and terraced spots; check current reviews for opening hours and availability.
- The trails — panoramic walks start from Brunate, from short strolls to longer routes up toward the heights.
It is a place to enjoy slowly, without hurry: no museum queues, just quiet streets and windows onto the lake.
The walk to the Volta Lighthouse
The one thing not to miss is the Faro Voltiano, the Volta Lighthouse (dedicated to Alessandro Volta, the Como-born physicist who invented the battery). You reach it on an uphill walk of about half an hour from the funicular station, along a well-signposted road and path. The lighthouse, built in 1927 for the centenary of Volta’s death, is an octagonal tower that sends out a beam of tricolour light at night.
The real reward is the 360-degree view from the top: the Como branch of the lake below you, the city with its Duomo, and — when the air is clear — the crown of the Alps and Prealps on the horizon. Wear comfortable shoes and watch the daylight: the climb is easy but steadily uphill.
Practical tips on the funicular
A few things to keep the day running smoothly:
- Times and tickets — the funicular leaves from Como’s lakefront with frequent departures through the day; always check the official timetable and current fares before you go, as they change by season.
- Return ticket — a round-trip ticket is the sensible choice; at peak times and on summer weekends queues can build up.
- Timing — for Brunate, the lighthouse and a stop, allow at least half a day; a quick visit needs a couple of hours.
- What to bring — comfortable shoes, a light jacket (it is cooler up there) and water for the walk to the lighthouse.
If the weather is uncertain, remember the view depends a lot on how clear the air is: after rain, you can often see much farther.
Key takeaways
- The Como–Brunate funicular has run since 1894; the ride takes about 7 minutes.
- Brunate (~700 m) is a village above the lake, rich in Liberty-style (Art Nouveau) villas.
- From the village, a ~30-minute uphill walk reaches the Volta Lighthouse and a 360° view over the lake and Alps.
- Always check the official timetable and fares: they change by season, and weekends bring queues.
- A morning or afternoon in Brunate rounds off beautifully with a cooking class in Como.
A perfect day: Brunate in the morning, pasta in the evening
The best way to experience Brunate is to fold it into a slow day on the lake. Ride up in the morning or early afternoon, walk to the lighthouse, take in the view — then drop back into town on the funicular for the tastiest part. With us, a short walk from the historic centre, you see the behind-the-scenes side of Como’s cooking: you learn to roll the sfoglia by hand with our resident chef trained at Rina Poletti’s Accademia della Sfoglia, build your own Aperol or Campari spritz to enjoy as your aperitivo, and finish with gelato topped with a few drops of Traditional Balsamic of Modena DOP.
If you are planning your stay, you will find more ideas in our weekend in Como itinerary and our food lover’s day in Como, where the funicular and the class appear side by side. Want to see how it works up close? Take a look at the how it works page, or browse the four pasta school masterclasses.
Round off your day on the lake with a cooking class
€150 per person, ~3 hours, small groups: hand-rolled pasta, a spritz lesson and gelato with balsamic vinegar, a short walk from the centre of Como.
Book a class Back to Journal