With Il Sereno as your base (and the hotel’s attentive concierge at your fingertips), the vacation of a lifetime awaits. Here are activities available throughout the year to help decide on the best time to visit Lake Como.

January 

Enjoy quiet moments cozied up inside during a January stay in Lake Como. With colder temperatures and limited sunlight, as well as many famous villas closed for the winter, you can instead focus on fantastic meals and relaxing indoors. Grab a table at Platea Ristorante for fantastic pizza and wine with incredible views of the lake and snow-capped mountains. 

February

As one of the months in the “low season” February is marked by fewer tourists and off-season pricing, making it a great time to visit the area without the crowds. Try your hand at snowshoeing through the clouds on the Monte San Primo trail, a 7.5 kilometer loop that highlights incredible views of the entire lake. Warm up afterwards with a classic cappuccino paired with a buttery cornetto at Bar Pasticceria Monti in the charming town of Como. 

March

Opening our hotel’s doors towards the middle of the month, Il Sereno awaits for a luxurious getaway. Reserve your stay to kick off the season and allow the blend of modern comfort and elegant ambiance to lull you into a state of tranquility. Enjoy a meal inspired by the classic flavors of the Lombardy region at Al Lago, a relaxing massage at our Spa, or wine tasting and cooking class hosted in our state-of-the-art wine cellar.

April

Step into the past during a stay at Villa Pliniana, a stunning 16th century Italian Palazzo set on 18 lakefront acres. This private estate holds the title of the most ancient Villa on Lake Como and features 17 bedrooms, a dedicated concierge team, a private boat dock, helicopter landing pad, spa and vast gardens, perfect for leisurely exploration. Located just 3 minutes by car, or 5 minutes by boat, from Il Sereno hotel, Villa Pliniana is an exquisite property for exclusive buyouts, weddings, celebrations or family stays. You’ll truly feel like a part of history while roaming the property and grounds.

May

Aptly positioned as Italy’s silk capital, Como remains at the forefront for sourcing silk for fashion designers worldwide. Visit The Silk Museum, adjacent to the Setificio silk trade school, to learn about the local history of this beautiful textile. As the only museum in the world able to show visitors the entire production process, it’s a fascinating way to spend a few hours. Following your visit, pick up a silk souvenir shopping in the city’s historic center.

June

Spend the day on the sparkling turquoise waters aboard a Jetto, one of Il Sereno’s custom-made self-driving boats available for guest use to explore the beauty of the lake, and create unforgettable maritime memories. For a slower pace, enjoy a romantic trip on the Inglesina, a beautiful rowing boat originally built by hand on Lake Como in the 1930’s. Temperatures in Lake Como in June offer warm-weather days ideally spent on the water, with an average high of 68℉/24℃ plus low humidity compared to other parts of Italy.

July

Lake Como, Italy weather in July is abundant with sunny days, making it the perfect time to embark on an adventure through the scenic landscapes of the area on a day hike. For those looking to combine the natural beauty of Lake Como with historical and cultural sites, check out the Greenway – Ossuccio Loop, a relatively easy 8-kilometer hike that meanders through charming villages, olive groves and past the Villa del Balbianello. For more advanced hikers, challenge yourself with the Monte Legnone trail, a difficult 16-kilometer hike that traverses rugged terrain and rocky peaks to reach a spectacular panoramic view of the lake and surrounding mountain vistas. 

August

Lounge in style at Il Sereno’s waterfront freshwater infinity pool and bask in the warm summer sun. Allow our attentive pool attendants to serve craft cocktails and dishes made from locally-sourced ingredients from our hotel’s Michelin-star restaurant for a truly relaxing experience. Lake Como weather in August is generally warm and pleasant, with an average daytime high of 77℉/25℃. The perfect atmosphere for a lakeside pool day.

September

As a lovely, crisp breeze starts to cool off the high heat of summer, the early autumn of September brings about some of the best time of the year for sight-seeing around the area. In fact, it may be one of the best months to visit Lake Como. Explore the town of Bellagio, known as the “Pearl of the Lake”, filled with aristocratic gardens, cobblestone alleys, and elegant villas intertwined with lush vegetation overlooking the shimmering waters of the lake.

October

Discover panoramic autumnal vistas aboard the Brunate Funicular, a cable railway system that climbs the mountainside near the charming village of Brunate. From the top of the ascent, you’ll be rewarded with breathtaking views of the historic town center, the ancient Roman castrum, the Alps mountain range, and the Brianza plain–all framed by the yellows and reds of the changing foliage of the surrounding countryside.

November 

A short drive from Lake Como sits the Valtellina Valley, heralded as a hidden gem of Northern Italy and one of the best wine tasting destinations in the area. Reserve a spot on the Valellina Wine Tasting Tour for a full day of indulgence, including a wine and cheese tasting at two wineries, a visit to a vineyard, and lunch at a local restaurant. Il Sereno typically ends its season towards the beginning of the month, so be sure to reserve your stay accordingly. 

December

Attend a Christmas Market in true Italian-style. The City of Toys festival in the town of Cernobbio is a jubilant spectacle featuring lighting displays on the facades of historic buildings and monuments, an artisanal market, an ice rink, and live musical performances. Get into the spirit of the holiday season during this multi-day celebration available for visitors of all ages.

Whether you choose to visit Lake Como in the spring, summer, fall, or winter, there’s always an atmospheric presence of la dolce far niente – the sweetness of doing nothing. Guests are encouraged to relax and take it easy, strolling, shopping and enjoying the scenery. And with Il Sereno as your home base, there’s no better place to embrace the Lake Como lifestyle. Reserve your stay during our hotel’s open season, from mid-March through early-November and until then, begin dreaming of living in lakeside luxury.