Located right on the waterfront of Cernobbio, this restaurant definitely has some of the best views in town. The food is on the pricier side, but if you are looking for a nicer meal this is a good option. Their lasagna is to die for. We suggest making a reservation, especially if you are going for dinner.

A family-owned spot just a few minutes from the waterfront. Known for their service and homestyle cooking, this place is a great option if you are looking for a more casual sit-down option. Their risotto is a must-try. Worth making a reservation if you’re checking them out for dinner.

Set in a courtyard surrounded by twinkle lights, this is a perfect option if you’re looking for great food and even better ambiance. They serve both pizza and pasta and have a pretty extensive menu (not something you’ll find commonly in the area). Their price points are also very reasonable.

This is a family-owned wine bar that also serves pizza, pasta & desserts and is a great option if you want incredible service and some cheap eats (and probably way too much wine). The food is nothing fancy, but all of the pasta is handmade by the owner and is incredible.

Set in a courtyard garden of a small hotel, this is definitely a hidden gem and is by far our favorite pizza in the area. They have an expansive menu with a tons of pizza options as well as pasta if that’s what you’re craving.

A tapas style wine bar with dishes created by Michelin chef Samuel Carugati. They offer a mix of traditional and unexpected Italian entrees and appetizers and have a beautiful courtyard space. We suggest their creative cocktails, their extensive app menu and any of their homemade pastas.

Located close to Hotel Miralago, this place has a limited menu of local dishes ranging from risottos to lake fishes. If you’re looking for that local, curated menu - this is the place to go, but you won’t find items like pizza on their menu.

Found on Villa d’Este’s grounds, Veranda is a fine dining restaurant with gorgeous views of their gardens and the lake. This is the most expensive option in the area, but they’re known for their exceptional service and offer a five-course tasting menu. You must make a reservation in advance for lunch or dinner service.

Also located at Villa d’Este, Il Platano is an internationally inspired experience, offering 3, 4 or 5-course tasting menus all paired with wines from around the world. They are open for dinner only and reservations are required.

The lake is best seen from the water, so spend as much time as you can on it. There are various ferry terminals in the area, and there is a small one located right in Cernobbio. You can take the ferry up and down the lake stopping in as many towns as you’d like, just make sure to check the schedule. The ferries to Como run frequently, and from Como you can get on the high speed ferries that run to Bellagio, Menaggio and Varenna. They offer both one-way tickets as well as day passes.

Small motor boats are available to rent through Cernobbio Boat Rental, located right on the promenade. The boats fit 4-5 people and are 90 Euro/hour. They’re not the fastest boats in the world, but it’s definitely worth it to explore the lake on your own boat. You can also book cruises through a site like Viator, they offer lots of options across various price points.

The city of Como is at the southernmost point of the lake and is a quick 10 minute ferry ride away from Cernobbio. They run every 20-40 minutes, we suggest downloading the Rome2Rio app to look at daily schedules. Como is easy to walk around, has lots of restaurants and the best shopping in the area. While you’re there visit the Duomo of Como, one the architectural highlights in the Lombardy region. Lastly, we suggest taking a ride on the funicular from Como to Brunate where you can enjoy panoramic views of the lake.

If golfing in Italy is on your bucket list, we would suggest taking a day to golf at this course. Built in 1907 by J.H. Taylor, the Menaggio & Cadenabbia Golf Club is the second oldest golf club in Italy. It is an 18-hole course surrounded by greenery with views of the lake. It’s a 45-minute drive from Cernobbio and costs 80 Euro for 18 holes. We suggest making reservations in advance on their website.

These three towns are in the center of the lake and are accessible by ferry from Como. They’re the most popular tourist destinations and offer some great restaurants, shopping and views. In Menaggio, there are also hiking trails and some of the best gelato at La Fabrico del Gelato. Like-I-could-go-there-every-night-and-eat-that-gelato kind of gelato. If timed right, you could visit all three in one day via ferry. We suggest getting the high speed ferry from Como.

Milan is just a short 45-minute train ride away from the city of Como and can definitely be done in a day. Highlights include the Duomo, shopping at the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II and exploring Castello Sforzesco. If you want to add viewing The Last Supper on your list of must-dos in Milan make sure to get tickets well in advance.