FOR AGES 3 YEARS TO 18 YEARS
At Kidadl we pride ourselves on offering families original ideas to make the most of time spent together at home or out and about, wherever you are in the world. We strive to recommend the very best things that are suggested by our community and are things we would do ourselves - our aim is to be the trusted friend to parents.
We try our very best, but cannot guarantee perfection. We will always aim to give you accurate information at the date of publication - however, information does change, so it’s important you do your own research, double-check and make the decision that is right for your family.
Kidadl provides inspiration to entertain and educate your children. We recognise that not all activities and ideas are appropriate and suitable for all children and families or in all circumstances. Our recommended activities are based on age but these are a guide. We recommend that these ideas are used as inspiration, that ideas are undertaken with appropriate adult supervision, and that each adult uses their own discretion and knowledge of their children to consider the safety and suitability.
Kidadl cannot accept liability for the execution of these ideas, and parental supervision is advised at all times, as safety is paramount. Anyone using the information provided by Kidadl does so at their own risk and we can not accept liability if things go wrong.
The third-largest lake in Italy, the fifth deepest lake in Europe, and the deepest outside Norway, we can find some stunningly amazing hidden facts about Lake Como.
Como Lake has an inverted 'Y' like shape, which forms the 'Larian Triangle' with the little town of Canzo as its capital. In 2014, it was dubbed the most beautiful lake in the world for its microclimate and environment with prestigious villas and villages.
It's said that the average depth of the lake is 32 ft (10 m), but Lake Como's depth at its deepest point is estimated to be 1345 ft (410 m), with its total surface area of 56.3 sq mi (146 sq km). The lake is of glacial origin. Lake Como is a major tourist hotspot and even Mark Twain said that Lake Como is truly a paradise.
The northern branch originates in the town of Colico, while the southwestern and southeastern branches conclude in the towns of Como and Lecco, respectively. A triangle boat service connects the small villages of Bellagio, Menaggio, and Varenna, which are located at the intersection of the lake's three forks. The Adda River, which enters the lake near Colico and flows out near Locco, is the main source of water for Lake Como. Because the southwestern branch is a dead end due to geological formation, Como, unlike Lecco, is frequently flooded.
Lake Como, also known by various other names such as Lago di Como (in Italian), Lario, and Lake in Lombardy, is 25 mi (40.2 km) north of Milan and located in Northern Italy. It's located at a height of 653 ft (199 m) in a depression surrounded by limestone and granite mountains that rise to more than 8,000 ft (2438 m) in the northeast and 2,000 ft (609 m) in the south. Lake Como is around 29 mi (46.6 km) long and up to 2.5 mi (4 km) wide, with a surface area of 56 sq mi (146 sq km) and a maximum depth of 1,358 ft (0.4 km).
In Como, it's a humid climate. Summers are warm to hot and marked by a lot of sunshine and frequent thunderstorms, whilst winters are chilly and damp. The climate in Como is milder than in the Po valley due to the lake's effect. Other towns along the lake's coasts, such as Cernobbio and Bellagio, are in the same boat. Except when the 'fohn' blows, which is a warm, dry wind that flows down from the Alps and can provide bright sky and excellent visibility. The wind is often light or absent during the winter half of the year. The wind is weak and follows the 'breeze regime' in the hotter part of the year in the Lake Como area (which is more intense in the late spring than in the midsummer). The breeze blows from the plains to the mountains during the hottest part of the day, and vice versa after sunset. The average temperature ranges between 39 F (4 C) in January to 74.5 F (23.5 C) in July.
Rainfall is rather abundant and amounts to 51 in (1,300 mm) per year. Como is one of Italy's rainiest cities. Winter is the driest season (relatively speaking). Because Atlantic depressions pass over the area more regularly in the spring and autumn, the rains are heavier, partly because the southern currents condense when forced to climb the Alpine foothills. On the other side, thunderstorms in the afternoon or evening are extremely common in late spring and summer (and sometimes intense). The lake may overflow causing strong waves against the shores of the lake during poor weather, which often occur during fall (but can also occur in during spring), drowning the city's low-lying areas.
Beauty hides in every corner of Europe and none more so than Italy. If you'd like to visit Europe, you'll find that Lake Como, Lake Garda (three hours from Lake Como), and Lake Maggiore are the top travel destinations in Italy all year-round, but especially during the summer when the weather is hot and the water is tempting! The luxurious areas in Lake Como are hard to rival. However, given its proximity to Milan, it can get quite crowded during peak and public seasons. Though it's less touristy, Lake Maggiore is easier to travel by car.
Looking for the best things to do at Lake Como? It's recommended to spend at least four days here between April and October. Lake Como is an hour away from Milan and you can get around by public transport easily. Lake Como is famous for celebrities! George Clooney has a house here and Lake Como gets the most Hollywood buzz. George Clooney's home in a lakeside villa at Lake Como have been well-documented, while Madonna, Richard Branson, and Gianni Versace, and many other famous people own villas along the shores of Lake Como too. In the Lombardy region of Italy, Lake Como comprises many villages and villas that are worth a visit. Villa Serbelloni, Villa Carlotta, and Villa d'este are the prestigious palaces of the area built in ancient times, roughly around the 16th century and many tourists enjoy visiting these stunning villas. The lake and its environs are ideal for an Italian vacation, whether you want to learn about history at the duomo in August or get out on the water. The lake's western shore is Italy's most celebrated and arguably the most beautiful shore. One of the most pleasing areas is Lombardy. A visit to the west side of Lake Como- to Menaggio, Tremezzo, Lenno Villas is something you can't miss. Also, the Sacro Monte di Ossuccio (the 'Holy Mount of Ossuccio') is a sanctuary on a hillside slope between olive groves and oleander trees along the western edge of Lake Como, facing the island Isola Comacina.
If you want a less crowded holiday, October is the best time to visit Lake Como, which faces the island. In October, Lake Como changes into the ideal setting for a relaxing stay and a distinctive Italian experience. The stunning beauty of the lake and its beaches, as well as the city and the villages, is enhanced during the fall season when the weather is good and the towns are friendlier and less touristy. Your wallet will also thank you for visiting Lake Como during October, when food, lodging, and transportation are much cheaper. On your fall break in Lake Como, you can incorporate many activities into your itinerary. Take a ferry ride to see the scenery and the lake, going by small towns and villages. You can also buckle up for some sports and adventure. Try going local with your diet and experience amazing Italian cuisine. Go for a memorable walk in the city or town or take a day trip to neighbor island destinations.
Lake Como is truly a safe destination. When traveling to a new place, however, there are several measures that should be taken. As always, the most significant tool for staying safe is to practice common sense. Traveling alone at night is not a good idea. This is a general guideline for any new place, but it's especially important in Lake Como. Because Lake Como has so many water activities to offer, there are some risks involved.
Read The Disclaimer
At Kidadl we pride ourselves on offering families original ideas to make the most of time spent together at home or out and about, wherever you are in the world. We strive to recommend the very best things that are suggested by our community and are things we would do ourselves - our aim is to be the trusted friend to parents.
We try our very best, but cannot guarantee perfection. We will always aim to give you accurate information at the date of publication - however, information does change, so it’s important you do your own research, double-check and make the decision that is right for your family.
Kidadl provides inspiration to entertain and educate your children. We recognise that not all activities and ideas are appropriate and suitable for all children and families or in all circumstances. Our recommended activities are based on age but these are a guide. We recommend that these ideas are used as inspiration, that ideas are undertaken with appropriate adult supervision, and that each adult uses their own discretion and knowledge of their children to consider the safety and suitability.
Kidadl cannot accept liability for the execution of these ideas, and parental supervision is advised at all times, as safety is paramount. Anyone using the information provided by Kidadl does so at their own risk and we can not accept liability if things go wrong.
Kidadl is independent and to make our service free to you the reader we are supported by advertising.
We hope you love our recommendations for products and services! What we suggest is selected independently by the Kidadl team. If you purchase using the buy now button we may earn a small commission. This does not influence our choices. Please note: prices are correct and items are available at the time the article was published.
Kidadl has a number of affiliate partners that we work with including Amazon. Please note that Kidadl is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.
We also link to other websites, but are not responsible for their content.
Was this article helpful?
We’ll send you tons of inspiration to help you find a hidden gem in your local area or plan a big day out.
Check your inbox for your latest news from us. You have subscribed to:
Remember that you can always manage your preferences or unsubscribe through the link at the foot of each newsletter.