Italy, Europe

Lake Como in August

Italian holiday peak around Ferragosto. Lovely water, but the most crowded and expensive weeks of the year.

TradeoffsHot and humid, highs near 81F (27C), thunderstorms

Lake Como Varenna, Italy — Lake ComoPhoto: Diego Delso, CC BY-SA 4.0

The straight answer

August is a month of real tradeoffs in Lake Como. Italian holiday peak around Ferragosto. Lovely water, but the most crowded and expensive weeks of the year.

Weather: Hot and humid, highs near 81F (27C), thunderstorms
Crowds: 5 of 5
Prices: 5 of 5

What August is like in Lake Como

August is the Italian holiday peak around Ferragosto on August 15. Highs near 81F (27C) come with humidity and thunderstorms. The lake water is lovely, but these are the most crowded and expensive weeks of the year. Ferries and villages are busy from morning to evening.

Families tied to school holidays can still have a great time with lido days and early starts. Couples and anyone who dislikes crowds should pick September, which offers warm water and fewer people. If August is your only window, book a hotel with a pool or lido access and do sightseeing before 10am.

Make the most of August

What is especially good about Lake Como this month.

Warm lake swimming

The water is at its best for swimming at a lido.

Boat days

Renting a small boat for a few hours gives you space from the crowds.

Ferragosto

August 15 brings Italian holiday energy, with busy lakefronts and celebrations.

What to pack for August

Swimsuits
A hat and sunscreen
Light clothing
A rain jacket for storms

Our timing tip

Book hotels months ahead for August, and avoid the week around August 15 if you can.

Book Lake Como for August.

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Hotels. Expedia
Hotels in Lake Como
Opens a hotel search for Lake Como in August, dates filled in. Book early for the best months: the good rooms go first.
Hotels for August
Vacation rentals. Vrbo
Vacation rentals in Lake Como
Whole homes, condos and villas. Usually the better deal for families and groups, with a kitchen and room to spread out.
Rentals on Vrbo
Tours and tickets. Expedia
Tours and tickets in Lake Como
Timed-entry tickets, day trips and guided tours in Lake Como for August. Popular slots sell out in the best months.
Tours and tickets

Things to do in Lake Como

Full guide

Villa del Balbianello

On a wooded point near Lenno, reached by boat or a walk. Visits are limited and it typically closes one weekday, so check the schedule.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

Villa Carlotta

Famous for its azaleas and rhododendrons from roughly mid April to mid May. Right on the ferry line at Tremezzo.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

Bellagio

The lake's centerpiece town. Arrive by the first ferry or stay the night to see it without the day crowd.

Tickets and tours →

Varenna and Villa Monastero

The prettiest arrival by boat on the eastern shore, and the lakeside garden walk at Villa Monastero.

Tickets and tours →

Lake ferries (Navigazione Laghi)

A day pass on the central lake is the best value way to see it. Faster hydrofoils cost more.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

Greenway del Lago

An easy walking route through the villages of the western shore, roughly from Colonno toward Griante, using ferries or buses back.

Tickets and tours →

Beat the crowds

Sleep in Varenna, Bellagio, or Menaggio rather than day-tripping from Milan. The villages are quiet before 10am and after the last day-trip ferries leave.
Do the most famous villas at opening, then spend midday on the less-visited shores like the eastern shore north of Varenna or the far southern arm near Lecco.
Avoid weekends in June through September if you can. Milanese day-trippers fill the ferries and lidos on Saturdays and Sundays.
Take the slow ferry instead of the hydrofoil when lines are long. It stops more often but usually has more room and better deck views.

Know before you go

Most of the major villas, including Villa del Balbianello and Villa Carlotta, open from about mid to late March to early November, and are closed in winter. Confirm dates each year.
Many of the grand lakefront hotels in Bellagio, Tremezzo, and Cernobbio close from about November to March.
Ferries run all year but with a much thinner winter timetable; the fast hydrofoils and some routes are seasonal.
Lidos (swimming clubs) generally open from late May or June to early September.

Lake Como in August, quick answers

Is August a good time to visit Lake Como?

August is a month of real tradeoffs in Lake Como. Italian holiday peak around Ferragosto. Lovely water, but the most crowded and expensive weeks of the year.

What is the weather like in Lake Como in August?

Hot and humid, highs near 81F (27C), thunderstorms.

Is Lake Como crowded in August?

August is peak crowd season in Lake Como; expect lines at the headline sights.