Summer on Lake Como: Swimming, Boats and Long Evenings

Swimming: lidos and free shores

Yes, you can swim in Lake Como — and in summer it is a genuine joy. The water stays refreshingly cool even on the hottest days, which is exactly what you want when the sun is fierce. Along the shore you will find two kinds of spots: the lidos — set-up beach clubs with lawns, sunbeds, a bar and sometimes a pool, where you pay to get in but gain shade and facilities — and the public beaches and jetties, rougher but free, and much loved by locals.

Como town has a few long-standing lidos toward the western shore, while heading up the lake you find pebbly coves and small beaches in the smaller villages. A few pointers: the bottom is often stony, so bring water shoes; the water drops off quickly, so keep an eye on children; and on a bright day a towel in the shade is worth its weight in gold. Always check current reviews and up-to-date opening hours for the lido you have in mind, as openings and prices shift from season to season.

• Lidos — paid entry, but sunbeds, shade, a bar and often a pool.
• Public beaches and jetties — free, simpler, and where locals go.
• Water shoes — the bottom is stony almost everywhere.
• Morning or late afternoon — the best hours to dodge the crowds and the heat.

Boat trips: the best way to see the lake

In summer the lake is best seen from the water, and the boat is the loveliest way to do it. From Como’s pier, scheduled ferries call at the villages along the shore, alongside faster boats that reach the mid-lake in less time. From the deck you take in the villas set right on the water, the bell towers and the mountains plunging into the blue — a view you simply cannot get from land.

A classic outing is a day toward the mid-lake: we lay out the full itinerary in our guide to a day in Bellagio from Como. In high season the boats fill up, so buy your ticket ahead where you can, set off early, and always check the official ferry timetables, as summer schedules change and add evening sailings. As a bonus, a breeze out on the water is nature’s own answer to the heat.

The long evenings and the aperitivo ritual

The finest moment of a Como summer comes as the sun sinks: the lakefront fills up, the lights come on, and the aperitivo begins. It is the quintessential Italian ritual — a drink before dinner, a few nibbles, and all the time in the world to watch the sky change colour over the water. Around Piazza Cavour and the lanes of the old town you will find bars and tables looking out at the lake; find a spot with a view, order a spritz and settle into the slow pace of the evening. For what to order and when to go, take a look at our guide to the best aperitivo in Como.

The spritz here is an institution. At our class we do not just pour you one — we have you build it. There is a proper spritz lesson where you learn to measure and assemble your own, Aperol or Campari, and then enjoy it as your aperitivo before you sit down to eat. A small thing, but it is exactly a Como summer in a glass.

Escaping the midday heat

The middle hours, roughly noon to four, are scorching in summer. The trick is simple: enjoy the lake in the morning and evening, and move the worst hours into the shade. Here are three tried-and-tested ways to stay cool without missing a thing.

• The villa gardens — the great historic parks along the lake offer century-old trees, shaded avenues and the breeze off the water. Check official opening hours and tickets before you go.
• The Brunate funicular — in a few minutes you rise to the balcony village above Como, where the air is cooler and the view sweeps the whole lake. Check the funicular’s official timetable.
• An indoor cooking class — three hours out of the sun, hands in the dough and a drink in hand: the tastiest way to spend the hottest afternoon.

That last one is ours: the pasta school in Como runs for about 3 hours, in small groups of up to 12, and is perfect for tucking the heart of the day into the shade. You step out once the heat has passed, ready for an evening swim or an aperitivo. Want the full picture of how it runs? It is all on our how it works page.

A perfect summer day on the lake

Put the pieces together and a summer day in Como might go like this: a morning swim at a lido or a little beach, while the water is still calm; a cooking class in the early afternoon, in the cool, while the sun is high outside; and then, come evening, a stroll along the lakefront with an aperitivo and a light dinner by the water. If you are staying longer, we have built a full route in our weekend in Como guide, and a fully food-led day in things to do in Como for food lovers.

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Choose your masterclass

Whatever your summer plans, there is a pasta for you: the Tagliatelle Masterclass – Fresh Tomato, light and perfect for summer, the Tagliatelle Masterclass – Ragù Bolognese, the Ravioloni Verdi Masterclass – Ricotta and the Farfalle e Garganelli Masterclass – Ragù. Same full evening, same fee: just choose the pasta you want to learn.