18 Lake Como Facts: The Lake At The Foothills Of The Alps!
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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 Geography Of Lake Como
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).
The Climate At Lake Como
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.
Tourism And Lake Como
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.
Safety Measures Around Lake Como
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.
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