A visit to Como · 8 hours
Como and Brunate in one day: an 8-hour itinerary
A day in Como can begin with a view from above. Start at Parcheggio Centro Como in Viale Innocenzo XI 14, take the funicular up to Brunate and continue through the old town and along the lake. At the end, walk back to your car.
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The route
Car park · Funicular · Brunate · Como · Cathedral · San Fedele · Porta Torre · Life Electric · Volta Temple · Car park
Times show how long has passed since leaving the car park and include walking and stops. They are a planning guide, not measured journey times. Links open each section in Google Maps.
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0:00–0:45 from the start
From the car park to the funicular
Walk to Piazza Volta, continue through Piazza Cavour and reach the funicular station in Piazza Alcide De Gasperi. Starting here lets you assess the crowds straight away and adjust your day if needed.
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0:45–3:00 from the start
Brunate and the view over Como
Take the funicular up; the ride lasts about 7 minutes each way. In Brunate, visit the viewpoint and stroll around the village before returning to Como by funicular. This block includes around 45 minutes in total for tickets and queues.
Como–Brunate return by funicular. The ticket is separate from the parking fee.
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3:00–4:00 from the start
Lunch in Como
Back by the lake, stop for lunch between the waterfront and the old town. An hour allows for a proper break before the afternoon stops.
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4:00–5:30 from the start
Cathedral and old town
Visit the Cathedral and the Broletto, then continue to Piazza San Fedele and Porta Torre. Check visitor information before entering the Cathedral, or use the time to explore the squares and old-town streets.
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5:30–6:15 from the start
Back towards the lake
From Porta Torre, cross the centre towards Piazza Volta and Lungolago Mafalda di Savoia. The route returns to the water for the final part of the day, with time for a stop along the way.
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6:15–7:15 from the start
Life Electric and the Volta Temple
Walk along the breakwater to Life Electric, return to shore and continue to the outside of the Volta Temple. After seeing the lake from above in Brunate, here you experience it at the city’s level.
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7:15–8:00 from the start
Final break and return to the car park
Use the final stretch for a break, then return to Parcheggio Centro Como at Viale Innocenzo XI 14. The itinerary includes the walk back, so the day ends where it began.
Before you set off
- The 8 hours include lunch and the return walk. The Brunate section allows around 45 minutes in total for tickets and queues; long waiting times may require shortening the itinerary.
- Brunate includes uphill stretches. The Volta Lighthouse is not included, as it requires a further excursion beyond the village stop.
- If the funicular is suspended, visibility is poor or the queues are very long, choose the 6-hour Villa Olmo route and allow more time for the stops.
One walk, one car park.
The route ends at Viale Innocenzo XI 14. Check the rates before setting out and keep the directions to the car park handy.