A place that legitimately falls alongside a river and has one of the most popular lakes in the whole world, Como, Italy, is a city that remains in the memories of those who visit it even once. It is not overstating that the experience the lake provides is genuinely one of a kind, even for a country like Italy, which is known for its countless cultures and traditions.
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The size of the lake is enormous when compared to other lakes in Europe and, to prove its vastness, you can actually find islands with small villages along the coast of the lake, which can be visited via boat rides. These attributes have added to the experience tourists have felt on their trip to Como, because seeing these small villages with their distinct aesthetics and architecture through their villas, hotel rooms or beaches is always unlike anything else.
Apart from the size, the city of Como is also known for its art festivals, where the local musicians come and jam in their traditional music. Como is celebrated by many artists, who find the place inspirational because of the striking imagery it provides. Various Italian and European painters who were struck by the beauty of the lake have spent their time trying to capture it in their canvases but have majorly failed. The simple reason being that Como is as beautiful as it gets. The weather of the city changes throughout the day, with the cold breeze of the lake juxtaposing the warm sun, which is why the look and feel of the city keeps on changing.
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The city itself, similar to the lake, provides great experiences on the streets. Como consists of historical cathedrals, like the rest of Italy, which hold significant value for the religious population of the city. These cathedrals are led to the narrow streets where the possibility of you getting lost is quite high, but so are the chances of you stumbling upon something much more beautiful and extravagant.
Apart from that, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays are market days in Como, where local artisans come together and sell handmade goods in their little stalls. These products, being rich in artistry, are also really cheap. And as is usual with every local flea market, the artisans sell their products themselves, with no third party involved. You can get memorabilia for your friends abroad or cheap souvenirs that remind you of the beautiful Como once your trip ends.
Also, one of the small things that make Como a must-visit is the kindness of the locals. The inhabitants of Como always come together to celebrate their religion, culture, or arts, and for this reason, there is a sense of oneness involved all the time. These people know each other truly and deeply and welcome any tourist who wants to explore their city.

Click by Navin Rajagopalan from Flickr
Lake Como
Visiting the world-famous Lake Como should be on every tourist's bucket list. The lake is considered one of the most beautiful places in the world. Massive in terms of its size, it encompasses multiple villages along its coast. And each of these villages is equally rich in history and traditions, providing otherworldly sites to experience which cannot be experienced anywhere else. To travel to Lake Como, you can opt for multiple means of transport, such as trains, buses, taxis, and even boats or ferries. Many people look forward to these ferry rides from Lake Como to these small villages on the coast. To say that the boat ride would be like any other boat ride would be an understatement, because you get the view of the entire city in the background, on a boat ride from Lake Como. These boat rides cost only 10 to 25 euros for private or public boats. Lake Como is held in such high regard that if you visit Como and miss out on the lake itself, then that might be the most blasphemous thing you can do.

Click by Roberto Rolla from Flickr
Villa del Balbianello
Residing on the western side of Lake Como, Villa del Balbianello is another of the best places to visit in Como. Subjected to many film appearances for its aesthetic and historical significance, Villa del Balbianello could be a great addition to your traveling list. The quickest ride would be a taxi to this place since it would take only half an hour for about 60 euros. But, if you want to enjoy the lake, a ferry ride would do the service. A ferry ride would cost just 10 euros and take just around 30 minutes to take you from Como to Villa del Balbianello. Stopping at the Villa's main entrance as you get off the boat, you walk into the dreamy mansion with curved walking lines, where people get wedded. Yes, Villa del Balbianello can be booked for wedding events or events of other kinds as well.

Click by Claudio Marchiori from Flickr
Como Cathedral
Again, perpetuating Italy’s gothic impression on the world, Como cathedral is one of the last cathedrals built in the country. With architecture constructed by the Romans in the 14th century, the cathedral has managed to preserve its idiosyncrasies quite well and is at par with all the other cathedrals in Italy. The cathedral is mainly visited by religious groups of travelers who also want to experience history. This cathedral is known to be the seat of the Bishop of Como, a title accrued to a person by the Latin Church. The cathedral is just a distance of 2 kilometers from the Como city center and, therefore, can be traveled on foot in about 10-15 minutes.

Click by Norlando Pobre from Flickr
Bellagio
Testing on the doors of Lake Como, Bellagio is a small village comprising some of the most wonderful places in Italy. Known to be the perfect blend of Roman culture and the economic state of Milan, this place will surprise its explorers with the best sights ever. Make sure to keep this place in your list if you are paying a visit to Milan.

Click by VV Nincic from Flickr
Varenna
Many tourists often consider a small commune on Lake Como, Varenna, one of the best places to travel. The place provides experiences which can be enjoyed by people of all ages. You can get everything from stone-pebbled beaches to the best restaurants in Varenna. Many tourists believe having breakfast in Varenna is an experience unlike any other because the place is shrouded in a thick fog during the morning and having your meal by the lake is truly beautiful. Varenna also consists of different coloured buildings and narrow streets that you see on the highways of Como. These are the same places that snapped your attention from so far away. Apart from this, Varenna is surrounded by forests and mountains which can be trekked to, and you can find small old unrestored churches that have existed for many years. These churches genuinely provide a gothic, out-of-the-past experience. Similar to the other villages in Como, you can visit Varenna by bus, taxi, or ferry. The prices won't differ much, and neither will the traveling experience.

Click by gianni from Flickr
Lake Orta
Residing away from the urbanization and the hustle and bustle of the cities, Lake Orta has remained a secret among the few visitors who know about it. Although Lake Como has replaced it in terms of popularity, Lake Orta is still intact with the past. It is impossible to find one urban architecture in this small city. The reason is that the place is still filled with the romanticism of the past. The preserved villas consist of lavish gardens alongside the river and hand-picked fruits that make its cuisine. You are believed to start seeing the lakeside villas as you drive through the hills and vineyards surrounding the lake. The lake falls about 140 kilometers by taxi from Turin Airport, taking around an hour and a half.