Lake Como, Italy is heaven on Earth. But, there is a lot to consider along this massive Italian lake. After many seasons shooting weddings and elopements along the lake, I’ve summarized all my tips here. This guide is for laid back couples who want equal parts luxury and adventure on their elopement day, with as little stress as possible.

Table of Contents

Skip to what you’re looking for:

1. Why Elope at Lake Como?
2. How to Budget for a Lake Como Elopement
3. How to Get to Como, Italy
4. Where to Go for Elopement Photos
5. How to Book a Wedding at Villa del Balbianello
6. Best Places to Eat in Como
7. Where to Stay in Como
8. Other Activities to do Near Como
9. Best Lake Como Florist
10. How to Plan a Legal Marriage Ceremony
11. Is Same Sex Marriage Legal in Italy?
12. Hiring a Lake Como Elopement Photographer

Why You Should Elope at Lake Como

Water, warmth and Italian culture. Everything you could want in an elopement and honeymoon is here. You can easily hop on a train and head south through Tuscany, the Amalfi coast and Rome. The Italian Dolomites or Swiss Alps are just a couple hours drive away.

Lake Como has world class restaurants, hotels, shopping and entertainment. There are plenty of amenities for you and your guests of all ages and abilities. Boat excursions make sightseeing extremely accessible, and there is also lots of great hiking for those who want to explore more by foot.

IMPORTANT GEOGRAPHICAL NOTE:

Don’t forget that “Como” is a city at the southernmost point of this massive glacial lake. Lake Como is 56 square miles, with a distinct upside down “Y” shape. The city of Como is on the western tip of that fork.

The most popular and convenient places on the lake to stay for an elopement are actually Bellagio, Lezzeno, Cadenabbia, Menaggio and Varena. This blog focuses on those areas.

Average Budget for a Lake Como Elopement

~€15,000 – €20,000+

Como is expensive and extremely popular for weddings. It’s not a budget elopement option. There is no way around that. How expensive is a matter of taste, and what you as a couple value most when allocating your money.

These are the biggest factors to consider when setting your budget:

• Entertaining Guests. As soon as you include guests in your Lake Como Elopement budget, things will increase in cost (and stress) quickly.
• Hotels. You can book a 4 star luxury spa resort at €700 – €1,000+ a night, or more modest accommodation at around €150.
• Photo or Ceremony Location Permits. You can explore the city and neighboring villages for free, or book an event at Villa del Balbianello for as little as €3,300 or as high as €60,000+.

The average cost for a modest elopement or intimate wedding on Lake Como is therefore €15,000+. That includes 2 international economy flights, 5 days of accomodation for two people, basic florals, hair and makeup, and a full day of photography coverage.

Here’s the breakdown for a modest “just us” summer elopement booked 9+ months in advance:

• 2 round trip economy flights, nonstop from NYC to Milan: €2,000
• 10 hours of photography coverage: €5,000 – €10,000
• 5 days of 3 star hotel stays near Como city center: €1,750
• Florals (bouquet, flower crown): €300 – €500
• 4 hour boat tour on lake: €1,200+
• 7 days of food, and one splurge for elopement dinner: €1,850
• Hair and makeup artist: €500 – €800
• Photo permit for photos inside villa gardens: €300 – €1,200

This total generally cranges between €13,000 and €20,000. However, be sure to plan in around 10%-20% on top of your final tally to account for tips, additional costs and a little bit of shopping!

READ MORE: The best month to elope on Lake Como

How to Get to Como, Italy

The closest major European city with an international airport is Milan. It takes about 45 minutes to arrive there by car. Alternatively, a train ride takes about 120 minutes, and is a great option. There are about 30 trains a day, leaving every 30 minutes.

• Book a Rental Car from Milan Airport
• Book a train from Milan Airport to Como
• Hire a taxi from Milan Airport to Como, about €120-150

Parking in Como is very difficult, particularly in the high seasons of July and August. If you can avoid renting a car in this area, you should. Public transportation is very good, and you can always use hotel shuttles or taxis to get around the city.

Where to Go for Elopement Photos Around Lake Como

Explore the lake by boat, on foot or with a driver. While the lake is the highlight, the surrounding mountains have incredible views of the Swiss Alps, hidden waterfalls and serene hiking trails. There are of course the many villas around the lake.

Here is a summary of the most famous ones:

Villa	Best For
Villa del Balbianello	Iconic, cinematic, luxury rental
Villa Balbiano	Luxurious, opulent, exclusive affairs
Villa Pizzo	Romantic gardens, historic elegance
Villa d’Este	Glamorous multi-space luxury, gardens
Villa Erba	Grand-scale, architectural drama
Villa Monastero	Botanical beauty, intimate ceremonies
Villa Carlotta	Artistic, floral backdrop, Rose Garden ceremonies
Villa Sola Cabiati	Belle Époque elegance, privacy
Villa Pliniana	Unique natural design, waterfall features
Hotel Villa Cipressi	Iconic gate to the water, gardens, proximity to Varenna

Aside from villa gardens and their historical architecture, the region itself has impressive landscapes. There are many hidden waterfalls and overlooked mountain trails as well.

READ MORE: Surnise Villa Elopement on Lake Como

How to Book a Wedding at Villa del Balbianello, Lake Como, Italy 2025/2026 rental fees

Villa del Balbianello is one of Como’s most iconic villas. It’s been a movie set for scenes in Star Wars, and the venue of choice for weddings ranging from humble and intimate to star-studded glamor.

If you would like to book a wedding services at Villa del Balbianello, consider the following:

• Number of guests: parties between 10 and 20 people come with large savings. Non-private events during the week where the villa remains open to the public are cheaper, but due to crowds, I don’t recommend it.
• Day of the week: Mondays and Wednesdays are most expensive, as they are reserved for private events.
• Ceremony only: max 2 hours
• Ceremony plus cocktail hour: max 3 hours
• Ceremony, dinner and cocktail hour: max 6 hours
• Photo permit only, no ceremony or private hours: €1,200

VILLA DEL BALBIANELLO 2025 VENUE RENTAL PRICE SHEET

Booking an event at Villa del Balbianello is a great option for couples who want an iconic and luxury Italian villa as the backdrop to their wedding experience. It’s also great for couples who have invited guests.

If it will just be the two of you, consider reserving a photography permit to walk the grounds and gardens during the normal visiting hours. Reach out early for these, as slots are limited and book quickly.

SEE MORE: Villa del Balbianello pre-wedding shoot

Restaurants: Best Places to Eat around Lake Como

The entire region of Lake Como is packed with great food. The variety is almost overwhelming. You can grab fresh pizza to go, lounge at a traditional trattoria, or elevate the entire day with a multi course Michelin star meal. Cute cafes and bistros line the lake in all direction, many accessible by boat taxi.

Here are some of my favorite options, no matter the vibe you’re going for:

Category	Restaurant & Location	Highlights
Michelin-Starred Excellence	Il Sereno al Lago (Torno)	Chef Raffaele Lenzi’s modern, ingredient-driven tasting menus in a boathouse with sweeping lake views (Como Lake Today, serenohotels.com)
	Kitchen (Como)	One star; seasonal, garden-farmed ingredients in hotel’s botanical gardens; Chef Andrea Casali (Como Lake Today)
	Materia (Cernobbio)	Michelin-starred fusion of Italian/Asian cuisine focused on herbs and seasonal produce by Chef Davide Caranchini (Como Lake Today)
Other Michelin-Star Diners	Trattoria Contemporanea (Lomazzo)	New Michelin entry since 2023; contemporary, daring cuisine elevating humble ingredients (Como Lake Today)
	Il Cantuccio (Albavilla)	Longstanding one-star spot that values simplicity and thoughtful reinvention of classics (Como Lake Today)
Romantic Lakeside Bistros	La Terrazza and La Veranda, Grand Hotel Tremezzo	Elegant atmospheric fine dining with white-tablecloth service and lake panorama (ladolceguida.com)
	Locanda La Tirlindana (Sala Comacina)	Charming hidden gem serving seasonal pasta and local fish; private boat access (Page Six, ladolceguida.com, Emily’s Travel Guides)
	Il Gatto Nero (Cernobbio)	Hilltop gem with romantic terrace and classic seasonal menu (ladolceguida.com, tours-lake-como.com, themysterytraveler.com)
	La Punta (Bellagio)	Peninsula-perched, seafood-focused dining with irresistible lake views (Como Lake Today, themysterytraveler.com)
Authentic & Cozy Trattorias	Trattoria del Glicine (Varenna)	Warm, rustic courtyard, homemade dishes with local ingredients (ladolceguida.com, themysterytraveler.com)
	Momi (Blevio)	Farm-to-table charm: homemade pasta, fresh lake fish, owner-chef hospitality (Como Lake Today)
	Da Luciano (Laglio)	Lakeside café with regional meat specialties and a relaxed family vibe (Como Lake Today, Condé Nast Traveler)
	Darsena, Tremezzo	Casual lakeside terrace blending tradition and modern Italian cuisine (Como Lake Today)
	Villa Belvedere, Argegno	Family-run, traditional cuisine served in a charming lakeside village setting (Como Lake Today)
Romantic Terrace Dining	Al Prato (Varenna)	Romantic terrace in Varenna, great fish and pasta dishes (Emily’s Travel Guides)
	La Baia di Moltrasio (Moltrasio)	Scenic lakeside terrace; carpaccio, perch, and seafood standout (Emily’s Travel Guides)
Traveler Favorites & Local Tips	Ristorante Crotto dei Platani (Cernobbio area)	Loved for boat-access dinner; “gorgeous,” per Reddit (Reddit)
	Ristorante Cervo (Varenna)	“Really good,” quaint and right by the water (Reddit)
	La Golletta, La Dolce Vita (Bellagio)	Enjoyed for quality food and lake proximity (Reddit)
	Bar Il Molo (Varenna)	Great views over food; casual lakeside spot (Reddit)
	Bilacus (Bellagio)	Cozy family-run with delightful ravioli and tiramisu; Reddit favorite (themysterytraveler.com, Reddit)
	Dispensa 63 (Bellagio)	Intimate space in the heart of bellagio, or in their new glass greenhouse (website)

Where to Stay along Lake Como, Italy

When you’re planning a Lake Como elopement, the first thing you have to do is narrow down the location along the lake. Lake Como is massive, and there are hundreds of small towns and villages lining the lake from north to south.

I really recommend staying in the center of the lake, in Cadenabbia, Menaggio, Lenno or Varenna. Generally, Como City is very far from the locations you want to see on your wedding or elopement day. That adds travel time on the roads, which are often congested and slow moving. Boat is the best way to zip up and down the lake, but you’ll need an extra two hours of boat taxi service to go back and forth.

By basing yourself higher north, you eliminate a lot of stress. Avoid Bellagio, however, as it’s isolated on the peninsula and way too crowded.

Where to Rent a Boat tour on Lake Como, Italy

There are a lot of boat tour companies along the lake. Prices range a lot depending on the company and the type of boat you request. The venetian taxis tens to be the cheapest per hour, whereas a classic Riva speedboat can be a thousand per hour or more.

I also recommend asking your photographer if they have captains they recommend. Some can be super friendly, and others can be pretty rude. I’ve come across a large range of drivers, and have a list of ones I like working with from each company.

Here are my favorite companies:

• Como Classic Boats
• Lake Como Boat
• Boat Tour by Giacomo
• Cadenazzi Boats

Other Activities to do During your Lake Como Elopement

Como has a range of entertainment, whether you’re an urban explorer or a hiker. If you’re looking to elevate your elopement with unique activities, try these:

• Go hiking in the Menaggio area for incredible views of the Swiss Alps
• Hire a puddle jumper plane with Aeroclub for private plane rides
• Consider an alternative ceremony space, like a waterfall
• Book your stay at Grand Hotel Tremezzo, and have a pre-post wedding pool shoot, or tennis match on their beautiful red clay court
• Hire a private chef to cook at your villa
• Grab pizza and gelato
• Have a picnic at one of the beautiful lakeside parks
• Wander the streets of Bellagio or Varenna at sunrise to avoid the crowds

SEE MORE: B&P’s two day Lake Como Elopement, Grand Hotel Tremezzo and Villa del Balbianello

Best Lake Como Florists

Alessia Serdino – I have worked with Alessia on so many elopements around Como. Not only is she such a sweet and positive person to work with, she is so dedicated to your vision and is a true floral artist.

Figli dei Fiori – describe themselves as an “all around concept store.” The deliver boutique elegance with excellent craft and artistry.

The Garden of Love – wedding design and floral atelier focused on bespoke experiences and fairy tale events around Lake Como

The Blonde Flower – luxury floral designer for destination weddings and events in Italy

Great Hikes Around The Lake

Don’t worry – you don’t need to do a crazy hike to get to beautiful locations near Como. There are many moderate and well maintained hiking areas, and even a funicular to the top of the mountains.

Sentee di sort (Cernobbio to Moltrasio) hike: 5.1-km out-and-back trail near Cernobbio, Lombardy. A moderately challenging route which takes an average of 2 hours to complete. It is a great opportunity for birding as well, but a busy trail. You will likely encounter other hikers.

Mt Bisbino (from Cernobbio): this area has many hiking trails, and I would recommend starting from Cernobbio closer to the mountain. The higher you are able to hike, the more privacy you’ll have on the trails.

The Como-Brunate Funicular (built in 1894): the funicular car leaves every 15 minutes and can be booked anytime, but there is often a long line. Plan ahead for this if on a schedule. It takes seven minutes to zip up 720m to the rustic village of Brunate. From there, it’s just a 30-minute walk and 143 steps to San Maurizio, where you can climb to the top of the iconic Volta lighthouse. Be prepared for the steep 30-45 minute climb!

Hike to From the Lighthouse to Torno, and take the ferry back to Como to make it a day trip.

SEE MORE: Epic two day Lake Como elopement, lake luxury and mountain views

How to Plan a Legal Marriage Ceremony in Italy

The best way to plan a legal marriage ceremony in Como is to hire a local wedding planner or officiant. They know the ins and outs and can help you with the Italian paperwork.

There is no residency requirement to get married in Italy, but you will need to gather a number of documents. Use this resource here to figure out what you need based on nationality. Keep in mind that in Italy, same sex marriage is not legal, although culturally very tolerated. Since June 2016, Italy has recognized civil unions for same-sex couples, granting most—but not all—of the rights afforded to married couples.

Celebrants I recommend are:

• Fabio with Como Lake Celebrant
• Roberto with Lake Como Celebrant
• Beth from Italian Lakes Celebrants

LOOKING FOR A *LOCAL* ELOPEMENT PHOTOGRAPHER FOR LAKE COMO?

Hi! I’m Mariah. I am an elopement photographer based in Austria and Italy. I specialize in intimate destination weddings and adventure elopements all across Europe.

I’m originally from the U.S., so I’m also the perfect bridge between cultures on your elopement day!

I truly want you to have the most relaxing and fun experience possible.

If you and your partner are looking for something low key and non-traditional on Como, then I know the places, the vendors and the areas for you.

MORE LAKE COMO ELOPEMENT AND WEDDING BLOGS FOR YOU:

• The best month to elope on Lake Como
• B&P’s two day Lake Como Elopement, Grand Hotel Tremezzo and Villa del Balbianello
• Sunrise Villa Elopement on Lake Como
• The best lakes in the Alps for elopements
• Villa del Balbianello wedding shoot