Non-Touristy Lake Como Itinerary For 5 Days

Nestled in the narrow valley of Val Cavallina, amidst the stunning peaks of the Italian Alps in the province of Bergamo, lies the picturesque Lake Endine. This small gem offers a ‘Lungolago’, a scenic walking route that unfolds breathtaking views of the lake. As you stroll along the lake, you’ll discover well-appointed picnic spots equipped with tables and garbage cans, allowing you to enjoy a leisurely meal while preserving the pristine beauty of nature, in line with the ‘Leave No Trace’ principles. 

On the map, you’ll find a good parking spot by Lake Endine. There are also more parking lots along the lake, but you can use them for a limited time, for example, 1 hour, such as the one marked on the map.

Lake Iseo, also known as Lago d’Iseo or Sebino, is the fourth largest lake in Lombardy, Italy. It’s located in the northern part of the country, near the cities of Bergamo and Brescia, in the Val Camonica area. You’ll find a lot of stunning views of the lake all around.

Enjoying the views of Lake Iseo will take around 3-4 hours of Your time. A short and beautiful walk from Esmate to the Eremo di San Defendente viewpoint of Lake Iseo will reward You with some stunning views. More details about this walk You’ll find on the map. Take Your time and explore the area, make sure to use some app to navigate through and plan Your route.

The lake is known for its unique landscape, and less crowded environment, and is considered a hidden gem among the lakes in Northern Italy. If You have more time You can visit Monte Isola – Europe’s largest inhabited lake island located in Lake Iseo.

Since Switzerland’s border is very close to Lake Como and Switzerland is awesome, it’s worth visiting and enjoying views of Lake Lugano and the surrounding landscape even for one day.

San Salvatore is a picturesque 912-meter peak offering breathtaking views of the Swiss Alps. You can reach the summit via a funicular, with a return ticket costing 32 Swiss Francs and a one-way ticket at 25 Swiss Francs. For those who prefer hiking, the trails are free and quite scenic. If you’re traveling by car and want to save money, it’s advisable to park in the nearby public underground parking, as the parking next to the funicular is more expensive.

Once at the top, you’ll find the stunning panorama of Lake Lugano and the surrounding mountains well worth the trip. Plan to spend 2-3 hours exploring if you’re using the funicular for both the ascent and descent. Additionally, San Salvatore boasts a fascinating geological museum, restaurant, and a small church at its peak.

From the top, you’ll see the beautiful alpine landscape all around. Overlooking the stunning Lake Lugano is, of course, a must. Additionally, if you’re traveling in the off-season, you won’t encounter crowds, making it a more pleasant and serene experience.

Less known but equally amazing are the Swing The World swings, which add a unique touch to Switzerland’s beautiful nature and views. Swing The World is a project designed to entertain people creatively, encouraging them to spend time outdoors and have fun. The selected locations include breathtaking panoramas, remote villages, and natural attractions. You don’t have to hike far to reach some of these beautiful spots. Here’s a map of all the Swing The World swings.

In the Lugano area, there are two Swing The World locations: Parco San Grato (pictured) and Swingtheworld by Radio Morcote International. Both swings offer stunning views of Lake Lugano and the surrounding alpine landscape. These spots are not well-known among tourists, so they are unlikely to be overcrowded. They are particularly beautiful during the golden hour, just before sunset, when most people have already left. Enjoy the serene and picturesque setting at this time!

Important: There are large paid parking lots in Carona, but you need cash to pay at the machines. Further up the road, closer to Parco San Grato, there is a very small free parking area by the road next to the trail (pinned on the map) that can accommodate a maximum of three small cars. You can check for available space there, but if it’s full, the paid parking is a convenient and reasonably priced alternative.

Located near Lake Como, Acqua Fraggia Waterfalls offers a serene spot to unwind and enjoy a picnic amidst the soothing sounds of cascading water on a warm, sunny afternoon. This uncrowded haven is home to several hiking trails that lead to the top of the falls and Lago dell’Acquafraggia, the source of the torrent. The water descends 1800 meters over 5 kilometers, cascading through cliffs to form a stunning double waterfall.

Whether you sit by its side in quiet admiration or hike all the way up for an adventurous journey, the beauty of the falls is sure to captivate you. However, be prepared for some challenging trails and stairs if you opt for the hike.

In 1984, the Region of Lombardy declared Acqua Fraggia Waterfalls a natural monument.

Parking is available at several nearby lots, some free and some paid. While you’ll find plenty of spots in the free parking lots during the off-season, it may be more challenging in the summer. Be sure to explore the map to locate them.

On your way home, stop by Lecco. Be aware of the signs that do not allow you to enter by car if you’re not a local. Leave your car in one of the parking lots and enjoy Lecco on foot. Lungolago di Lecco is perfect for a peaceful evening walk overlooking the beautiful Lake Como.

Orrido di Nesso may be one of the most popular tourist spots on this itinerary, but the peaceful and beautiful view is worth a short walk through the charming stairs of the town. The bridge over the gorge and the view of the waterfalls are picturesque.

If you’re looking for a less touristy experience, you should consider a stroll from the top of the waterfall and Ponte di Tronno all the way down to Ponte della Civera via the stairs. That’s a walk that most tourists tend to skip, opting instead to go to Ponte della Civera by foot from the parking lot or on boat tours.

In the summer, when the water is warmer, people swim there and jump from the bridge into the water. If you’re adventurous, you should try it. It must be a fun experience.

The roads are very narrow, almost like one-way roads, even though they’re two-way roads. Therefore, locals, especially buses and trucks, tend to honk when in road bends so you know that they’re there. Be careful!

Once you’re done with Nesso, make your way to Bellagio. If you love quaint old town streets, small shops, and cafes, make sure to explore the Old Town and the coast of Lake Como. Then, take a car ferry (Traghetto) that will take you to Varenna. The ferry costs 11 euros for one car and driver, plus 8 euros per additional person. The ferry to Varenna departs approximately every hour. Make sure to check the timetables and current prices at Navigazione Lago di Como. Prices may vary based on Your dates.

Varenna is a small, charming town worth exploring, starting from La Passeggiata Degli Innamorati (a great walking route along the lake) to the amazing Castello di Vezio. Tourists love this town, so explore it if you have time and are interested. Of course, the beautiful views and architecture will be worth your precious time.

The next stop is Orrido di Bellano where visitors can explore the beautiful gorge where the Pioverna River flows, via footbridges anchored on the high walls overlooking the river. In the end, You’ll find a beautiful waterfall falling through the lush vegetation that looks kinda tropical and nice.

Some say it’s not worth the money but the territory is beautifully cleaned up and looked for, during our visit the price for 1 person was 6 euros, so I’ll say it’s worth it. This place is charming so enjoy it slowly, because the walk is not that long.

Just next to it, when you exit the territory, is a communal cemetery. It’s absolutely gorgeous, overlooking the amazing snowy peaks of the Alps and Lake Como. Make sure to look around.

The free parking lot next to Orrido di Bellano is for a time limit of one hour. It’s not huge, so there may not be free spots. You may need to park your car in paid parking or find a spot in the free parking areas around.

It’s time to end a day full of adventures in Domaso, if it’s on your way to your accommodation. It’s a nice little town with huge campsites and a river flowing through it. The Livo River runs through the valley of the same name and flows into Lake Como in Domaso.

Here you’ll find a beautiful Lungolago via Garibaldi and another walking route just on the other side of the river. They both offer scenic and peaceful views of Lake Como and the beautiful peaks of the Alps, especially in the golden hour before sunset.

Leave your car somewhere along the road when you’re in Domaso and close to the walking routes. There should be some free parking spots or paid parking lots!

Parco Valentino provides a perfect conclusion to your explorations around Lake Como. After seeing everything you desired, take in the view from the top. Located in the locality of Pian dei Resinelli, at an altitude of 1,200 meters above sea level, the road leading there is narrow and filled with sharp turns, so be cautious.

An easy and spacious path leads to Belvedere Parco Valentino at Piani Resinelli—a beautiful balcony perched on a cliff face, offering breathtaking views of Lake Como in all directions. Along the trail, you’ll encounter amazing views. There are numerous other trails waiting to be explored throughout the area.

Once you reach the top, consider parking your car alongside Via Escursionisti for free. If spots are scarce, head closer to the restaurants where you’ll find paid parking options.