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The Italian Lakes: 5-Day Plan You Can Actually Drive

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The 5-day version for June: every day fits real transit, opening hours and daylight. Prefer more or fewer days? 5-day plan · 6-day plan · 7-day plan · best time to go.

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5
days
300 km
distance
12.3 h
driving
29
curated stops

💡 Good to know for this plan

Day 1 Como → Bellagio

5 curated stops
Transit
2h13
Finish
~17:15
Temperature
13.1°C–20.9°C
Rainy days
~18
Daylight
15.5h
09:00
Como 1907 read more map ↗
Cheer on the local Serie A soccer team in an intimate stadium.
90 min · Como
10:40
Cattedrale di Santa Maria Assunta cattedraledicomo.it read more map ↗
Admire statues of Pliny the Elder and Younger at this ornate cathedral.
50 min · Como
11:40
Pinacoteca Civica read more map ↗
View portraits, sculptures, and tapestries by renowned artists in this art gallery.
50 min · Como · €4
open: Tu-Su 10:00-18:00
12:30
Panino Buono search map ↗
Savor classic Italian sandwiches, perfect for a quick lunch nearby.
60 min · Como
15:25
Villa Melzi read more map ↗
Stroll through serene neoclassical gardens and chapels.
50 min · Bellagio · €6.50
open: Late March to October 09:30–18:30
16:25
Villa Serbelloni read more map ↗
Listen to captivating tales of the villa's grand history.
50 min · Bellagio · €9
open: Mid-March to October Tu–Su only by guided tours (min. 6 people) at 11:00 and 15:30 (14:30 during solar time)
Overnight: Bellagio
e.g. Grand Hotel Villa Serbelloni · Hotel Fioroni
Find a stay → Tours & tickets for the evening →

Day 2 Como

6 curated stops
Transit
1h58
Finish
~16:20
Temperature
13.1°C–20.9°C
Rainy days
~18
Daylight
15.5h
09:45
Basilica di Sant'Abbondio read more map ↗
Discover Romanesque architecture and ancient frescos inside this historic basilica.
50 min · Como
10:45
Museo Storico Giuseppe Garibaldi read more map ↗
Step into a museum showcasing Como's rich historical past.
50 min · Como · €4
open: Tu-Su 10:00-18:00
11:45
Tempio Voltiano read more map ↗
Explore a neoclassical temple dedicated to the inventor of the electric battery.
50 min · Como
12:45
War Memorial read more map ↗
Marvel at the imposing height of this tall structure honoring wartime heroes.
50 min · Como
13:45
Villa Olmo villaolmocomo.it read more map ↗
Stroll through lush gardens and admire ornate interiors in this lakeside palace.
50 min · Como · Free
14:45
Faro Voltiano search map ↗
Enjoy breathtaking lake views from a towering 1927 monument.
50 min · Como · €2 adult; €1 child
open: Daily 08:00-19:00
Overnight: Bellagio
e.g. Grand Hotel Villa Serbelloni · Hotel Fioroni
Find a stay → Tours & tickets for the evening →

Day 3 Varenna → Stresa

6 curated stops
Transit
3h16
Finish
~17:30
Temperature
14.1°C–22.2°C
Rainy days
~17
Daylight
15.5h
09:20
Vezio Castle read more map ↗
Witness majestic birds of prey and ancient Lariosaurus exhibits.
50 min · Varenna · Adult €4, child 6–12 years €2, student or over-65 and others €3
open: Daily Mar–Oct, opens 10:00, closes 17:00 or later depending on month & day of the week (check hours ); closed when it rains
10:20
Villa Cipressi gardens hotelvillacipressi.it map ↗
Admire charming gardens, though not as grand as others on the lake.
50 min · Varenna · Costs a few euros, or a Villa Monastero ticket may give you entrance here too
open: Daily Apr–Oct 09:00–18:30 (last entry)
11:20
Villa Monastero villamonastero.eu read more map ↗
Explore a converted convent's furnished rooms and lush gardens.
50 min · Varenna · €9 for garden and house museum (free for children up to 13 years old); €6 for garden only
open: 09:30–19:00 (last entry 18:30). Garden: daily 1 Mar – 1 Nov; house museum: Jun, Jul, Aug – daily; 1 Sep-4 Oct – Tu-Su; 5 Oct-1 Nov – F-Su, holidays, Tu only …
14:30
Isola Bella search
Admire a grand Baroque palace framed by lush Italian gardens.
50 min · Stresa · Palace, painting gallery & garden, adult €22, child 6–15 €13. Same day ticket for this & Isola Madre, adult €34, child €19
open: Late Mar – late Oct 9am–5:30pm last entrance
15:35
Isola Madre search
Explore a relaxed botanical garden within a grand palace.
50 min · Stresa · Palace & garden, adult €19, child 6–15 €11. Same day ticket for this & Isola Bella, adult €34, child €19.
open: Late Mar – late Oct 9am–5:30pm last entrance
16:40
Parco della Villa Pallavicino search
Wander gardens filled with exotic plants and towering trees.
50 min · Stresa · Adult €14.50, child 6–15 €9.50
open: Daily mid-Mar – 31 Oct 9am–6pm
Overnight: Stresa
e.g. Hotel Della Torre · Villa Camilla
Find a stay → Tours & tickets for the evening →

Day 4 Sirmione

5 curated stops
Transit
2h59
Finish
~17:05
Temperature
17.1°C–26.6°C
Rainy days
~11
Daylight
15.5h
11:35
Terme di Sirmione termedisirmione.com map ↗
Relax in sulphur springs renowned for healing properties.
90 min · Sirmione
13:15
Chiesa di Santa Maria della Neve search map ↗
Admire a graceful 15th-century church facade and interior.
50 min · Sirmione
14:15
Castello Scaligeri search map ↗
Explore a sturdy 13th-century castle perched above the town.
50 min · Sirmione · €4
open: Tu-Sa 8:30-19:30, Su 8:30-13:30
15:15
Chiesa di San Pietro in Mavino search map ↗
Visit a church with roots tracing back to the 8th century.
50 min · Sirmione
16:15
Grotte di Catullo search map ↗
Walk through ancient Roman ruins on a historic hillside.
50 min · Sirmione · € 6.00
open: Winter Tu-Sa 8.30-17.00 (Museum 8.30-19.30), Su 8.30-14.00; Summer Tu-Sa 8.30-19.30, Su 9.30-18.30
Overnight here
e.g. Piazzale porto 7
Find a stay → Tours & tickets for the evening →

Day 5 Malcesine

5 curated stops
Transit
1h53
Finish
~17:00
Temperature
10.4°C–18.5°C
Rainy days
~15
Daylight
15.5h
10:25
Sanctuary of Madonna della Corona read more
Pray at a sanctuary carved into dramatic cliffside rock.
50 min · Malcesine
11:30
Castello Scaligero search map ↗
Climb a medieval castle's towers for sweeping lake vistas.
50 min · Malcesine · €6
open: Apr-Oc 9:30-19:30; Nov-Mar Sa Su 11:00-16:00
12:30
Palazzo dei Capitani search map ↗
Step inside a historic seat of regional governance under Venice.
50 min · Malcesine
13:30
Pieve di S. Stefano search map ↗
Marvel at a church blending 9th-century roots with Baroque design.
50 min · Malcesine
14:30
Funivia Malcesine Monte Baldo funiviedelbaldo.it map ↗
Rise by cable car to panoramic mountain and lake views.
90 min · Malcesine · Malcesine – Monte Baldo €15. return €20; Prà Alpesina – Monte Baldo €5, return €7
open: 20 Mar 2016 - 1 Nov 2016 08:00-18:00 (every 30 min., descents 08:15-18:45); for special schedules for mountain bikers see web site; chairlift Prà Alpesina – …
16:00
Re Lear search
Dine on innovative, high-quality cuisine in an elegant atmosphere.
60 min · Malcesine · 40 Euro
open: from 10 m. to 11:30PM

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🔍 Check before you book

Every stop is a real, sourced place, but opening hours change, roads close and businesses move. Check anything you're paying for before you book.

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