Only a few hours in Como?
See the historic centre with a licensed local guide on a 2-hour small-group walk from Piazza Cavour.
Arriving in Como for a few hours, by train from Milan or on a break from a lake tour? The good news is that the town’s historic centre is compact: the lakefront, the cathedral, the old squares and the medieval walls are all within a short walk of each other. This guide shows what to see in Como in a few hours and how to plan your time.
Quick answer
- Start at Piazza Cavour, on the lakefront, about a 10-minute walk from Como San Giovanni station
- Must-sees: the lakefront promenade, Como Cathedral and Piazza Duomo, Piazza San Fedele and the medieval Porta Torre
- With extra time: the funicular up to Brunate for the view over the lake
- Easiest option: a 2-hour guided walk with a local guide, starting in Piazza Cavour
How much time do you need in Como?
Two to three hours are enough to see the essentials of Como’s historic centre on foot. With half a day you can add the funicular to Brunate or a longer walk along the lake. Most sights are flat and close together, so you do not need any transport inside the centre.
What to see in Como in a few hours
- Piazza Cavour and the lakefront: the town’s main square opens straight onto Lake Como. From here the promenade leads along the water towards the Tempio Voltiano.
- Como Cathedral (Duomo): the cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta mixes Gothic and Renaissance styles and stands in Piazza Duomo.
- Palazzo Broletto: the 13th-century town hall right next to the cathedral, with its Gothic-Romanesque façade.
- Piazza San Fedele: once the Roman forum and later the market square, surrounded by old buildings and the Romanesque Basilica of San Fedele.
- Porta Torre: the tall medieval gate built in 1192 to defend the entrance to the city.
- Tempio Voltiano: the neoclassical temple on the lakefront built in 1927 in honour of Alessandro Volta, inventor of the electric battery and a son of Como.
A simple plan for a short visit
| Time | What to do |
|---|---|
| Arrival | Walk from the station or the boat pier to Piazza Cavour |
| First hour | Lakefront, Piazza Duomo, the cathedral and the Broletto |
| Second hour | Old town lanes, Piazza San Fedele and Porta Torre |
| If you have more time | Funicular to Brunate (about 7 minutes) for the view, or coffee by the lake |
Only a few hours in Como?
See the historic centre with a licensed local guide on a 2-hour small-group walk from Piazza Cavour.
On your own or with a guide?
On your own you can follow the route above with a map: the centre is small and easy to walk.
With a guide you get the stories behind the squares and churches without spending time on planning. Our Como walking tour is a 2-hour small-group walk through the historic centre, Piazza Cavour, the Cathedral of Como and the lakeside promenade, with a licensed local guide. It starts at 2:00 PM in front of the main entrance of Hotel Barchetta Excelsior, in Piazza Cavour, and is rated 4.6/5 from 35 reviews on Viator.
As one of our guests wrote on Viator: “Nick was fantastic. His knowledge and love of Como brought the city alive for us.” (Linda_K, June 2026)
Como walking tour
2 hours through Como’s historic centre and lakefront with a licensed local guide, in a small group. Starts in Piazza Cavour at 2:00 PM.
Practical tips
- Wear comfortable shoes: the old town has cobbled lanes.
- If you take the funicular to Brunate, it leaves from the lakefront near Piazza Cavour.
- Cover shoulders and knees if you want to go inside the cathedral and churches.
- In spring and summer the lakefront is busy at midday: early morning or late afternoon are calmer.
Coming from Milan?
Como is an easy trip from Milan. If you prefer to have the train and the guide organised for you, see our Lake Como day trip from Milan, or browse all our Lake Como tours. Staying longer in Milan? Read our guide to the Venice day trip from Milan by train.
FAQ
Is a few hours enough to see Como?
Yes. Como’s historic centre is compact: in two to three hours you can see the lakefront, the cathedral, the main squares and the medieval gate on foot.
Where should I start a visit to Como?
Start at Piazza Cavour, the main square on the lakefront, about a 10-minute walk from Como San Giovanni station.
How long is the funicular to Brunate?
The Como–Brunate funicular is about 1 km long and the ride takes around 7 minutes. It leaves from the lakefront.
Is there a guided walking tour of Como?
Yes. Our Como walking tour is a 2-hour small-group walk through the historic centre with a licensed local guide, starting at 2:00 PM in Piazza Cavour.