Our Lake Como, City of Milan and Bergamo Italy Visit: Day 5

For our second day in Milan we already had planned a day trip to Como, Italy. So, back to Lake Como! We couldn’t stay away from it. We took the train from Milan to Como, visited the old town, had lunch and then we saw the lake shore many villas, ending with Villa Olmo. Afterwards, back in Milan, we strolled through Chinatown.

We started our day with a buffet breakfast at Leonardo Hotel Milan City Centre and then we had to get to Cadorna train station to go to Como. So we took the tram to Cairoli and then we crossed Castello Sforzesco’s yard towards West and after exiting the park we crossed the street, continued forward on Via Marco Minghetti and at the first intersection there was the station.

Morning Departure from Milan and arrival in Como by train

We took the train R17 to Como Lago train station. There was no change, the train trip from Milan to Como took an hour only, and our 2nd class tickets costed 4.8 euros each.

And we finally arrived at the Como Lago train station.

Strolling the Como Lakeside

We walked to the roundabout and from there we went towards west on Lungo Lario Trieste. On the left side we found the elegant Garden Bar Ceccato with its pond, fountain and also a lakeshore terrace. The Garden Bar Ceccato it’s famous in Como since the early 20th century thanks to its renowned home-made ice cream.

Then, continuing along the lakeshore we got to the elegant Albergo Terminus Hotel with its Bar delle Terme. We will get back there later for our lunch reservation at 12.

A little further ahead, we reached Piazza Cavour.

Exploring Como Old Town

We went left towards the old town on Via Caio Plinio Secondo, a pedestrian street and so we continued south on this street full of shops and restaurants. We could see the Broletto (Torre Civica) rising in the distance.

And continuing ahead along the shop windows we eventually reached Piazza Guido Grimoldi and we found the Cattedrale di S. Maria Assunta.

In front of the cathedral there is Piazza del Duomo with its elegant terraces.

The cathedral has a stunning architecture. In fact, it’s said to be one of the most beautiful cathedrals in Lombardy.

Historic Streets and Museums of Como

Then from Piazza del Duomo in front of the cathedral we went towards south on the narrow Via Vittorio Emanuele II, full of shops and of people.

We continued straight until we finally arrived at the Municipio – Como town hall.

And when the street ended, we noticed an archway – Vecchio passaggio tra palazzi.

Then we saw the Civic Museum of the Risorgimento and the Museo Archeologico Paolo Giovio – united by the arcaded passage. And we found the Historical Museum nearby, located in Palazzo Olginati.

As facing the Civic Museum we headed to the right on Via Giovio and at the second intersection we went left on Via Cesare Cantu. We could see Porta Torre at the end of the street. This is a medieval town gate and there every Saturday a market is held. It was Sunday when we visited Como, so we didn’t have the chance to see the market.

On Via Cesare Cantu we found on the left the beautiful church of Saint Cecilia. It was a nice Sunday morning and the streets were full of people, many locals and maybe also tourists. They were perfectly dressed and were walking theirs also perfectly groomed dogs. We admired all kinds of dog breeds, all of them very beautiful and well behaved.

Then we returned the same way to Piazza Duomo and then to Piazza Cavour. We entered some of the many shops along the way. There were many nice designer clothes stores, some of them also offering good discounts.

Lunch in Style at Bar delle Terme

We had lunch reservation at 12 at Bar delle Terme within Albergo Terminus Hotel. The restaurant has a classic elegant beautiful interior, frescoes on the walls and also a nice terrace. It is a little expensive, 15 – 30 euros a course, but it is worth trying. The place is a surprising blend of modernity and Belle Epoque beauty. Gucci chose the superb Terminus Hotel for its shooting for an elegant and glamorous editorial.

The Bar delle Terme has an unique style, it seems intimate and cozy; inside there are velvet upholstery, period lamps and painted walls. The terrace – garden is also elegant, balancing the natural beauty of the lake and the vibrant city life.

We weren’t hungry because we ate well at breakfast so we chose to eat something light at lunch – some salads called L’ Insalatona: Mixed lettuce, tomatoes, eggs, ham, tuna, anchovies, black olives. For two tasty fresh salads and some soft drinks we paid 50 euros.

Afternoon by the Lake in Como

Then after lunch we went on the lake shore towards north on Lungo Lario Trieste.

We arrived at Parco Comunale Regina Margherita where it’s the Funicolare Como – Brunate. There was a huge line for the funicular.

We didn’t take the funicular up to Brunate, but instead we continued our stroll on the lakeshore back to Piazza Cavour.

We descended by the water on a small beach we encountered along the lakeshore.

Life Electric and Como Lakefront Promenade

Afterwards we got back to Piazza Cavour. We continued along the lakeshore, and headed on the alley in the lake that lead to Life Electric modern sculpture dedicated to Alessandro Volta, inventor of the electric battery.

From the platform we admired the view of the city center, we noticed the Dome among the elegant buildings.

Straight forward, on the opposite shore of the lake we could see the 1600 meters tall Brunate Mountain with its cable car.

Tempio Voltiano Gardens and Beach

Then we got back on the shore alley called Lungolago Mafalda di Savoia and continued to the right along the lake shore and we eventually reached the Tempio Voltiano.

We passed through the Giardini del Tempio Voltiano. The park was full of people that Sunday. It was also very hot. People were sitting in the shade, as we also did for a while. Kids were playing and some people were sitting with their towels on the grass tanning and some of them even bathing in the lake – in the back of Tempio Voltiano there was a small nice public beach.

Tempio Voltiano looks like a smaller Pantheon. It looks perfect on the lake shore. It hosts a museum dedicated to Alessandro Volta, the inventor of the electric battery.

Afterwards we continued our itinerary on the lakeshore towards west. We got by a stadium and then passed by the Circolo della Vela marina – a private yacht club.

Como Classic Cars Exhibition

After the stadium, on the left we reached Aero Club Como – flight school. That day they were hosting a big event, there was a classic cars exhibition.

Near the Aero Club we also spotted a nice church – Saint George Parish.

But we didn’t go near the church, instead we continued our itinerary on the lakeshore on the alley called Passeggiatta Lino Gelpi.

Villas Along Lake Como

Beautiful villas started to show up, and we tried to find the most famous ones.

Villa Saporiti was the first we could identify. Once even Napoleon was a guest of the villa. Now the building is the headquarters of the Provincial Administration Office of Como. 

We continued forward on the Passeggiatta Lino Gelpi to spot another beautiful villa.

And then we found Villa Gallia. It was a nice location to sit on a bench and take in the beautiful views.

Along the way we were surprised to met some costumed people, probably hurrying to a photo shooting of some kind.

Then we reached the superb Villa Parravicini Revel – wedding venue, a wedding actually being prepared in the garden at that moment. We stayed for a few minutes to admire the location and also listen to the beautiful music they were playing.

We continued our promenade further on. We captured nice views and encountered many nice spots. There were stairs descending into the water, fountains where we could refill our bottles with fresh cold water, and moreover some boats were approaching. Also, we could admire the colorful flower beds and small beaches with people bathing.

Villa Olmo, Lido and Grumello Park

We finally reached Villa Olmo. We wanted to visit it, but unfortunately it was closed.

But we could admire the garden and the small public beach in front of Villa Olmo.

Near the villa there was the entrance to Lido Villa Olmo. We thought of having a drink at the bar within the lido – Terraza Olmo, but it was too crowded.

So, we turned back towards Villa Olmo and took the paths that passed by the back of the villa that led to the Ponte del Chilometro della Conoscenza. We crossed the road on the pedestrian bridge and eventually we got to Serre del Parco Grumello.

Evening Return to Milan

Sadly we had to decide not to go to Cernobbio given that we were very tired. Moreover, the buses might not be that reliable and we certainly didn’t want to miss the train from Como back to Milan. We also had to gave up on the trips to Torno, Nesso, Blevio and Fagetto Lario because it would have taken plenty of time which we didn’t have at that moment. Thus, we promised ourselves we would visit all those great places during our next vacation to Lake Como, and we would also visit Brienno, Argegno and all the places on the Greenway of Lake Como that we missed this time: Colonno, Sala Comacina, Ossuccio, Spurano, Lenno, Azzano.

Therefore, we got back the same way and we stopped a little in the Giardini del Tempio Voltiano for some hot dogs and also refreshments from a booth in the park. The park was very animated, kids were playing, different funny activities were organized, music was playing, people were strolling along the lakeshore having a relaxing afternoon.

Then, after our snack in the park on the shore of Lake Como we went straight to Como Lago train station and took the first train to Milan.

Dinner in Chinatown and Night Walk in Milan

After a short train trip from Como finally back to our hotel in Milan, we took a nap and then we went out for dinner in Chinatown. We didn’t make reservations for dinner, we had one that we canceled – at Ristorante Vapore in Fagetto Lario, where we were supposed to go from Como, but instead we took the train back to Milan.

So, we walked through Milan Chinatown in order to find a nice place for dinner. A few steps from the hotel we found the Chinese Cultural Center, we had a look around their yard.

Then we had a look at various Milan Chinatown stores selling all sorts of goods.

Finally we chose a place for dinner: I Sapori Di Shanghai, and we entered. The prices were low. But we didn’t know what to order, so we ordered a little of everything that sounded appetizing to us: some spring rolls, some delicious duck, and also some shrimp – each dish had specific sauces. We also had a desert called zuppa dolce, and we tried both coconut water and coconut milk and both were delicious. And it all costed only 35 euros.

After dinner we thought a walk would be great after all the food we ate. So, we kept ahead towards east on Via Paolo Sarpi until we got to a big intersection, exiting thus Milan Chinatown. Then we crossed the intersection and turned right, after a modern Microsoft office building.

Porta Garibaldi and Modern Milan

Then we finally reached the imposing arch, Porta Garibaldi, surrounded by shops and with some modern glass skyscrapers in the background.

Then, opposite the arch starts Corso Como shopping street.

Then at the next intersection we turned right on Via Vincenzo Capelli and we arrived to a shopping center situated in Piazza Gae Aulenti.

The place was interesting and also very modern.

Moreover, from the piazza we could see the famous Bosco Verticale: the two residential towers both covered in trees and ground.

Then we exited the piazza and discovered a nice modern park where many young people were gathered enjoying the evening on the grass.

Finally back in Milan Chinatown, we entered a store and bought some snacks and drinks that looked very interesting. They also tasted good.

Read On

Don’t miss Our Lake Como, City of Milan and Bergamo Italy Visit: Day 6 for the next chapter of our Italian journey — from hidden corners to breathtaking views, there’s so much more to discover. You can also find all our posts about Lake Como on this page, and about Milan on this page. Moreover, for more inspiration and practical travel tips, don’t miss our maps and travel guides, and also visit our Italy Travel Hub and Italy Bucket List — your go-to resources for exploring Italy in depth. Are you looking to expand your itinerary? Don’t miss our posts on Venice!

Thanks for reading!

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