Varenna
Reddit take
AI summary of the Reddit excerpts below — not a quote
Varenna is highly regarded as a scenic and accessible base for exploring Lake Como, often praised for its "breathtaking" views and relatively quiet atmosphere compared to neighboring Bellagio. It is a popular choice for travelers arriving by rail due to its direct train connection from Milan, offering a walkable village experience with opportunities for hiking and local dining.
Pros
- Direct train access from Milan (approx. 2 hours)
- Generally quieter and more affordable than Bellagio
- Excellent hiking opportunities, specifically the trail toward Vezio castle
- Highly walkable with a charming, "non-touristy" village feel
- Convenient ferry access for day trips to other Lake Como towns
Cons
- Extremely hilly terrain compared to other nearby towns
Caveats
- The steep and hilly nature of the town makes it a poor choice for travelers with mobility issues.
Best for
- Travelers relying on public transportation
- Hikers and active tourists
- Those seeking a more relaxed, less crowded Lake Como experience
Avoid if
- You or your travel companions have mobility issues
- You prefer flat, easily accessible walking paths
This summary uses balanced time weighting with about a 18-month half-life. The evidence is based on a small set of 10 mentions from early 2026, primarily within the r/travel community.
Sentiment
18 positive (75%) · 5 mixed (21%) · 1 negative (4%)
Trust + time weighted score: +72% · raw score 71%
What redditors said (10 of 24)
DAY 13-14 Varenna
We love Varenna because the train goes right there from Milan and it’s a very small non-touristy walkable place to just stroll, enjoy the village, eat the food and shop the few little shops.
I would train from Zurich to Milan--beautiful views--and then take a train from Milan to Varenna to explore Lake Como.
Milan > Varenna (3 nights to include day trips all around Como) > Verona (3 nights to include daytrip to Sirmione and other places on Garda) > Ortisei (2-3 nights depending how much hiking you want to do) > Venice (2 nights) > Florence (3-4 nights depending on Ortisei) and fly home from Florence.
Varenna is definitely the hilliest of the towns I visited. If your parents have mobility issues, I’d recommend just about anywhere else - Como, Bellagio, Menaggio, Tremezzo, Cernobbio.
We’re coordinating our Lake Como stay with my parents, so the 2 full days in Varenna are fixed.
We have planned for lunches in Bellagio an Varenna but will dine in the evenings only on the west side of the lake.
Stay in Varenna, great location one of the mid lake towns, also connect to the rail network this mean you can just hop off the train then walk straight to your hotel, rather than que on a long line for ferry ride to other towns.
Varenna will be busy also but I don't think it's as busy as Bellagio.
Bellagio and Varenna are pretty cool (and quite close to each other).