Lake Como

Lake Como – What you should know

Lake Como does not have the Mediterranean microclimate familiar from Lake Garda. It lies deeper in the Alps, hemmed in by steep slopes — and the figures show it: 26°C in July, but only 6°C in January with night frost. The palms and lemon trees along the promenades of Bellagio and Varenna thrive thanks to the body of water buffering temperatures, not to southern warmth.

The most striking figure is the rainfall. At 180 mm in May, 168 mm in November and 160 mm in October, the area is among the wettest in Italy — the Alps trap moisture arriving from the south. Even in midsummer 150 mm falls per month across nine rain days, usually as heavy afternoon thunderstorms over the mountains.

The best time is therefore early summer and early autumn. June and September offer 21–24°C, either side of the peak season. For walks above the lake — the paths above Menaggio, for instance — these are the most dependable months. Anyone who only wants to see the villas and lakeside towns will find passable conditions in April and October too, with far fewer people.