A Gothic duomo, Volta's temple and a funicular to Brunate

Como's centre is a grid inside medieval walls, flat and small enough to cross in fifteen minutes. The best views are from the lake and from Brunate, and neither needs the car.

1. Look up at the Duomo

The Duomo di Como took from 1396 to 1740 to finish; the façade dates from 1457.

2. Walk under the Broletto

The striped Broletto beside it was the medieval town hall, built in the 13th century.

3. Measure Porta Torre

Porta Torre is the main gate of the walls, built in 1192 and 34 metres tall. It's where I'd start a walk round the old town.

4. See Volta's batteries

The Tempio Voltiano on the lakefront was finished in 1927, a century after Volta's death, and holds his original instruments.

5. Ride the funicular to Brunate

The Como–Brunate funicular has run since 1894 and takes about seven minutes. A return is €6.60 according to one guide, €13.20 for two. It's closed 9–27 November 2026.

6. Climb the Faro Voltiano

From Brunate, the Faro Voltiano lighthouse dates from 1927 and stands about 29 metres high.

7. Walk the lake to Villa Olmo

Villa Olmo was designed by Simone Cantoni from 1782 for the Odescalchi family. The lakeside walk from the centre is the reason to go.

8. Find Sant'Abbondio by the station

Basilica di Sant'Abbondio was consecrated in 1095 by Pope Urban II. It's a short walk from San Giovanni station.

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Perch risotto, missoltini and Como's Easter bread

1. Order risotto with perch

Lake perch fillets, fried in butter and sage, on a plain risotto. It's the dish I'd eat first.

2. Try missoltini once

Missoltini are salted, sun-dried shad, grilled and served with polenta. Strong, and very local.

3. Book Osteria del Gallo

Osteria del Gallo is inside the walls, so walk there. A food guide lists it for traditional lake cooking.

4. Eat by the theatre at Sociale

Ristorante Sociale is on the same guide's list. I'd book either one at weekends.

5. Buy resta or miascia

Resta is a citron-and-raisin Easter bread; miascia a bread pudding with fruit. Try Pasticceria Beretta.

A funicular pause in November, Christmas lights in December

1. Plan around the funicular closure

The Brunate funicular stops for works 9–27 November 2026. ATM's page gives no replacement service, so plan Brunate for another week.

2. Check Christmas dates in November

In 2025 Como had wooden market huts between Piazza Perretta and Piazza San Fedele, an ice rink on Piazza Cavour and light projections on the Broletto and Duomo. The 2026 dates weren't published when I checked. I'd park at Val Mulini those weekends.

3. Watch September for the Palio

The Palio del Baradello fills a September weekend with borough games and a historical parade through the streets. The 2027 dates aren't out.

Caesar's new town, Milan's revenge and Volta's battery

1. Thank Caesar for the grid

The Roman town was moved to its present site on Julius Caesar's orders as Novum Comum. Both Plinys, the Elder and the Younger, are counted among its people.

2. Remember 1127

Milan won a ten-year war in 1127 and destroyed nearly every building in Como except the churches. Como got its revenge when Barbarossa razed Milan in 1162.

3. Credit Volta for the battery

Alessandro Volta was born in Como and built the first electric battery. The Tempio Voltiano is the town's thank-you.