Located just a few miles from Como, Cernobbio is a typical Italian town, situated on the edge of the lake and just in front of the majestic Monte Bisbino. The name Cernobbio derives from an old convent, 'Coenobium', which was situated where the luxury Villa D'Este hotel can now be found.
While the town is largely made up of terracotta-roofed houses, it also boasts a range of impressive attractions, with La Via dei Monti Lariani – the region’s most spectacular footpath – being one of the best. Starting close to the town, this hiking trail follows an incredible 80-mile route through the foothills and peaks around the lake’s edge, and is a must-do, even if you only follow a small section of the trail. One of the town’s lesser-known gems is the beautiful Il Giardino della Valle (Valley Gardens), which can be found nestled in Mount Bisbino’s foothills.
There is a good selection of restaurants and cafes on offer, ranging from lively bars to busy gelaterie, and from authentic trattorie to classy modern restaurants. In terms of getting out and about, Cernobbio is just a short drive from Como, and close to many smaller towns strung along the lake’s shore.
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Lines open: Monday to Saturday 09:00 to 17:30 (Wednesdays from 9:30), Bank Holidays 10:00 to 16:00.
The closest airport to Lake Como is Milan Malpensa (MXP). Direct flights to Milan are available from Birmingham, Edinburgh, London Gatwick, London Heathrow, London Luton, London Stansted and Manchester and take approximately 2 hours.
Direct flights to Milan Bergamo (BGY) depart from London Stansted, Bristol, Manchester, East Midlands and Belfast and take approximately 2 hours.
When to go
Lake Como is a summer destination, with the season generally running from April to October. Temperatures are at their hottest in July and August and this is when Como is at its busiest. The ideal time for swimming in the lake is from July to September when the water temperature exceeds 20 degrees. The climate in the spring and autumn is still warm which makes it perfect for visiting at the beginning or end of season too. For those who want to avoid the busiest crowds but still enjoy warm temperatures, May, June and September are ideal months to visit.
Visa Information
At the current time, British citizens do not require a visa to visit Italy.
Tipping
Whilst tipping isn’t embedded into Italian culture it is always appreciated as an acknowledgement of good service. Nowadays people generally round up a bill in a bar or cafe and leave 5-10% extra on a restaurant bill. Taxi bills are usually also rounded up.
On guided tours/excursions, it is customary to leave a token of appreciation for the driver and guide.
On small group escorted tours, it is customary to leave a token of appreciation for the driver and guide at the end of the tour.
Introduction to languages
The official language of Italy is Italian. English is widely spoken too, so getting by is easy.
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