Argegno, Italy: 10 Reasons Why We Love This Village on Lake Como

When trying to decide where to stay on Lake Como in northern Italy’s Lombardy region, most people end up shortlisting the same four towns & villages; Como, Menaggio, Bellagio and

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When trying to decide where to stay on Lake Como in northern Italy’s Lombardy region, most people end up shortlisting the same four towns & villages; Como, Menaggio, Bellagio and Varenna. In this post, we’d like to introduce a fifth option for you to consider - the peaceful & idyllic village of Argegno.

Argegno (pronounced ar-GEE-nioh) may not have the glitz and glamour of its larger, more popular neighbours, but it makes up for it with plenty of Italian authenticity, fewer crowds and a tranquil & welcoming atmosphere.

If you're feeling inspired after reading this post, we've included lots of helpful information on how you can plan your trip to Argegno at the bottom of this post.

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10 reasons why you'll love Argegno

We’ve collated ten reasons why we think Argegno is worthy of your consideration. If you’re open to the idea of staying somewhere a little quieter and quainter than Lake Como’s big four tourist destinations, read on.

Almost all of Argegno can be seen from the pedestrian bridge near the marina
Almost all of Argegno can be seen from the pedestrian bridge near the marina
The quiet narrow streets behind Piazza Roma are great for exploring
The quiet narrow streets behind Piazza Roma are great for exploring
Jade glamorously props up a doorway in the quiet back streets
Jade glamorously props up a doorway in the quiet back streets

1. Argegno is Super Cute

Argegno is a small village that is home to around 650 permanent inhabitants and boasts only a handful of amenities (as you’ll see as we delve further into this post). Since the village is penned into a small area of land between two mountains to the West and Lake Como to the East, there’s not a great deal of room for expansion. Newcomers have come along and built new homes on the upper slopes, but thankfully the new builds are out of sight and haven’t affected Argegno’s irresistible ancient charm.

To get a flavour of Argegno’s ‘super cute’ status, we recommend an exploration of the narrow cobbled alleyways leading off of the village’s central square, Piazza Roma. Head towards the orange building at the top of the square with ‘panificio’ (bakery) written on its awning and turn left. Then just keep walking to see what you can find.

To take in ALL of Argegno’s cuteness at once (or at least most of it), there are two options. The first is to take the cable car to Pigra (see further on for more details). The views of Argegno and the surrounding area from the gondola are fabulous.

Another great view of the village can be enjoyed from the pedestrian bridge crossing the stream between the Marina and Via Lungo Telo di Sinistra. This spot is particular good for selfies.

An appropriately named boat is moored in Argegno's small marina
An appropriately named boat is moored in Argegno's small marina
Climb Argegno's steep back streets and be rewarded with splendid views of Lake Como
Climb Argegno's steep back streets and be rewarded with splendid views of Lake Como
Argegno's small central square is home to a selection of cafes and restaurants
Argegno's small central square is home to a selection of cafes and restaurants

2. Argegno Feels Authentically Italian

Lake Como’s ‘mid-lake’ towns of Varenna, Menaggio and Bellagio are very popular with tourists, offering lots of options for shopping, restaurants, accommodation and things to do. Their popularity means they can get rather busy, particularly in the peak Summer season.

Argegno doesn’t have a long list of amenities at its disposal and therefore isn’t as well known. Since there are fewer crowds and fewer businesses specifically targeting tourists, Argegno feels much more authentically Italian than it’s busier cousins. While by day, the village might see some visitors, particularly those who are keen on taking the cable car up to Pigra, by the evening the tourists have left and the village returns to its naturally tranquil state.

A fast passenger ferry arrives at Tremezzo for onward travel to Argegno and Como
A fast passenger ferry arrives at Tremezzo for onward travel to Argegno and Como
On-board a vehicle ferry crossing Lake Como from Varenna to Menaggio
On-board a vehicle ferry crossing Lake Como from Varenna to Menaggio

3. Decent bus & boat links to/from Argegno

Like most of the towns and villages on the edge of Lake Como, Argegno is served by fairly regular buses and passenger ferries.

Busses

ASF Autolinee operates busses between Como and Menaggio that call at Argegno. Services are not as frequent as they should be and are therefore very busy, but it is better than no service at all. If you’re keen on visiting nearby Villa Carlotta, the bus will be able to take you there from Argegno in around 15-20 minutes.

Similarly to many parts of Italy, buying bus tickets can be a bit of nuisance. Occasionally, we found it was possible to buy a ticket on board the bus, but typically, you’re advised to buy before you board.

In Argegno, bus tickets can be purchased from Bar Mota on Piazza Testi.

Ferries

Gestione Navigazione Laghi operates ferries across Lake Como and some of them (a mixture of slow and fast services) call at Argegno. Similarly to the buses, services are a bit hit and miss, so study those timetables carefully.

Tickets can be purchased from ticket offices that can normally be found alongside the jetty. Ticket offices in smaller towns and villages are only open a short time before a departure, so don’t panic if you find an office is closed. Just wait by the window and someone should come along to help you.

Go with the flow

Since busses and ferries to/from Argegno are fairly infrequent compared to other larger towns, we often needed to transfer between busses and ferries to get to our intended destination. Ensure you make a note of departure times and, in particular, the time of the final departure of the day and you’ll be fine.

Our advice would be to take as relaxed an approach to Italian public transport as the Italians do and allow for delays and long waits. Just go with the flow and take any delay as an opportunity to soak in your surroundings.

The lounge and dining area in our stunning Airbnb in Argegno
The lounge and dining area in our stunning Airbnb in Argegno
One of the many ceiling frescoes found in our Airbnb in Argegno
One of the many ceiling frescoes found in our Airbnb in Argegno
More frescoes and sculptures could be found in the lobby of our Airbnb
More frescoes and sculptures could be found in the lobby of our Airbnb

4. Villa Emma - An Incredible Airbnb

There are a few hotels in Argegno with decent reviews, but we didn’t look them up while we were planning our trip. Instead, we headed straight for Airbnb and, to our delight, found an absolutely incredible place to stay.

When we saw the photos of Villa Emma* on Airbnb’s website, we knew instantly it was somewhere we had to stay. The photos showed a grand Italian villa with a terracotta exterior and lavish frescoes adorning the walls and ceilings throughout the property. It looked so exceptionally unique, we booked it almost immediately.

Upon arrival at Villa Emma, we were warmly greeted by Emma herself. She lived on the first and second floors of the villa. We would be staying on the ground floor. Despite a language barrier, she showed us around her home and we followed, mouths agape and consumed by a growing feeling of disbelief that this was going to be our home for the next week.

The decorations were even more decadent than the photos let on. Marble statues sat alongside brightly-coloured 5 metre-high frescoes. Candelabras and chandeliers lit rooms filled with fine mahogany furniture. The sweet smell of Jasmine wafted in through huge open windows that allowed us to see the surrounding mountains. It was like a film set!

During our stay, both Emma and her daughter-in-law Mara were brilliant hosts. Mara was keen to help us make the most of our stay and kindly gave us a lift to the nearby Villa Carlotta. On another occasion, Jade and I were welcomed upstairs by Emma’s extended family who were celebrating a birthday and were keen to share their cake and wine with us.

Jade and I couldn’t believe our luck. Villa Emma* is still, by some considerable margin, the best Airbnb we’ve ever stayed in.

The independently-run La P’Osteria is in a lovely location alongside the stream
The independently-run La P’Osteria is in a lovely location alongside the stream
A delicious and well-presented filled-pasta dish at Ristorante la Piazzetta
A delicious and well-presented filled-pasta dish at Ristorante la Piazzetta

5. Great High-End Restaurants

Argegno has a reasonable number of great restaurants and while there is some variation, most tend to cater to the upper end of the market.

During our stay, Jade and I treated ourselves by eating out at two restaurants that were recommended to us by our Airbnb hosts.

La P’Osteria

Address: Via Lungo Telo di Sinistra, 3, 22010 Argegno CO
Save on Google Maps | View on Tripadvisor*

La P'Osteria can be found in a pretty spot away from the main road and alongside the stream that runs through the centre of the village. We chose a table outside so that we could enjoy the peaceful ambiance and the scenery and enjoyed two simple pasta dishes, both of which were fresh and tasty. The pasta seemed to be homemade and was perfectly al dente. Though perhaps a little bit pricey for what it was, we really enjoyed ourselves, thanks largely to a steady flow of local wine.

Ristorante la Piazzetta

Address: Piazza Roma, 4/8, 22010 Argegno CO
Save on Google Maps | View on Tripadvisor*

For something a bit fancier, try Ristorante la Piazzetta on Piazza Roma. If you’re after a truly authentic Italian dining experience, you’ll like it here. We decided to dine al fresco again (we live in the UK, so we don’t get to do it very often) and loved the peaceful and cosy atmosphere. Around us, fellow diners quietly chatted amongst themselves and clinked glasses of local wines whilst others strolled past, stopping to peruse menus or take photos of the nearby fountain. It was a lovely experience.

Wow! Gelato di Zoe serves homemade gelato stuffed inside brioche buns.
Wow! Gelato di Zoe serves homemade gelato stuffed inside brioche buns.

6. This Awesome Ice Cream Place

We could wax lyrical about Gelato Di Zoe*, a small ice cream kiosk on Argegno’s small Piazza Roma central square. We’ll keep things simple though by saying that Zoe’s rich, creamy and silky smooth gelato is the best we’ve ever had.

Keen to provide you with a fair and balanced review, we popped over to sample Zoe’s wares on our final evening in Argegno and promptly ordered three generous scoops stuffed neatly into a brioche bun. It was a spectacularly decadent treat and a memorable part of our entire trip.

Believe me, it’s a hard life being bloggers!

You might like: Como to Lugano: Our Cross-Border Day Trip from Italy to Switzerland

Another tiny gondola full of excited passengers ascends towards Pigra.
Another tiny gondola full of excited passengers ascends towards Pigra.
Belvedere: Follow the signposts through pretty woodland towards the viewpoint
Belvedere: Follow the signposts through pretty woodland towards the viewpoint
The views from Pigra of Lake Como and the surrounding mountains are fabulous
The views from Pigra of Lake Como and the surrounding mountains are fabulous

7. Catch the Cable Car to Pigra

Despite all of the mountains surrounding it, Lake Como is home to only a handful of cable cars. This is a shame. We love cable cars!

Thankfully, Argegno is the base station to a cable car system, taking passengers 540 metres up to the tiny & scenic village of Pigra. A return ticket costs €3.90 and the journey takes just five minutes.

Not only do you have to be okay with heights on the Pigra cable car, but you also have to be okay with enclosed spaces. The gondola fits only 12 people inside and even then, it’s at a squeeze. Don’t be discouraged however, as the views are so ridiculously gorgeous and the journey is so quick, you won’t have much time to panic.

Upon arrival in Pigra, most visitors spend the first 15 minutes taking in the stunning views of Lake Como below from the cable car station. They then follow the signs to ‘belvedere’, or ‘viewpoint’ in Italian. The viewpoint provides more fantastic views, though they are somewhat obscured by pylon lines, so don’t expect amazing photos. The walk through shady woodland is lovely though, particularly if it’s a hot, sunny day.

The rustic centre of Pigra is deserted. Follow the signposted guided walk to explore
The rustic centre of Pigra is deserted. Follow the signposted guided walk to explore
The views of Argegno from the window of gondola
The views of Argegno from the window of gondola

After filling your camera’s memory card with breathtaking shots, there’s only really two other things to do in Pigra. The first is to get a drink and perhaps something to eat from one of the few restaurants in the village. We found a nice, modern restaurant tucked away alongside a small sports field on Via Santa Margherita. We were warmly welcomed and upon informing the owner we were vegetarian, he made us a tasty mixed salad with fresh bread.

The second thing to do in Pigra to explore the historic centre of the village. Helpfully, the local Friends of the Council Association have set up a sign-posted walking route around the village, taking in all of the major points of interest. You can find out more and see the map on their website. Jade and I really enjoyed exploring the peaceful cobbled alleyways and rustic architecture.

Pastries & Cappuccino - Always a great way to start the day
Pastries & Cappuccino - Always a great way to start the day
Gazing out over the sparkling waters of Lake Como in Argegno, Italy
Gazing out over the sparkling waters of Lake Como in Argegno, Italy

8. This Pretty Lakeside Cafe

Jade and I visited Il Porto* for pastries and cappuccino on our final morning in Argegno.

Having ordered, we found a table underneath a canopy of foliage and overlooking Lake Como. The hazy morning sunshine made the clear water sparkle and clouded the adjacent mountain peaks. We both found it hard to leave.

Argegno's Lido (white building on right) is said to have been built without planning permission.
Argegno's Lido (white building on right) is said to have been built without planning permission.

9. Argegno’s Controversial Lido

You wouldn’t think something as innocuous as a Lido would be the cause of fierce consternation within a local community. In Argegno however, the local swimming pool is a controversial topic.

The locals we spoke to told us that Lido di Argegno* was developed without planning permission and was therefore operating outside the law. This, together with concerns that the Lido’s minimalist architecture was out of place with the existing style in the village had put some noses out of joint.

It appeared the dispute had peaked during our visit. The gates were firmly locked all week and a notice from the local authorities indicated that they had stepped in to try and find a resolution.

Since our visit, it does appear the the Lido is open again, though only during warmer months. The pool is small (and apparently unheated), but there is an on-site bar and a pontoon that leads into the lake itself. Online reviews are largely positive, so it might be worth checking out.

Swim in Lake Como for Free!

If you’re keen to splash about but you’re not willing to pay for the privilege, there are ways of getting into the lake itself for free. Look for some stone steps leading from the walls of the stream opposite the marina and then walk along the shingle towards the mouth of the stream.

If you do take a dip in the lake, take great care. There’s no life guards, so you go for a dip at your own risk. Also bear in mind, the lake is made up of glacial meltwater, so it’s pretty chilly (or ‘refreshing’ depending on your point of view) even in the Summer.

Fresh, locally-grown produce at Argegno's weekly food market
Fresh, locally-grown produce at Argegno's weekly food market

10. Fresh Local Produce from this Market

A travelling fresh food market visits Argegno every Monday and offers locals and visitors a way to avoid the trouble of getting fresh produce from neighbouring communities. The produce we saw was notable in its size and quality. The aubergine (egg plant) and onions were enormous and seemed to be reasonably priced too.

Plan & Book your visit to Argegno

In this section, we’ll go through how you can plan and book your visit to Argegno.

Trains to Argegno

There are no direct trains to Argegno. The nearest train station is in Como which has southbound services to/from Milan and northbound services across the Swiss border. We travelled by train from Milan to Como and from there, caught the local bus to Argegno (see below).

Trains are operated by Trenord and run frequently between Milan Centrale station and Como San Giovanni station throughout the day. Tickets are cheap and journey time is just 38 minutes. Trains are mostly clean, modern, air-conditioned and safe.

You can also catch train services to Como from other stations in Milan.

You can buy tickets right before travel from vending machines (in multiple languages) or from ticket office windows. Alternatively, you can save yourself any potential stress by buying mobile tickets in advance using Trainline*.

Booking your train tickets in advance not only brings peace of mind, it also often means you pay the lowest fare. To find the best value train tickets to Argegno from anywhere, we recommend Trainline*.

Since trains produce significantly less CO2 than planes, taking the train is a Responsible Travel Choice.

Flights to Argegno

Milan is the nearest major city with international airports. We flew in from London to Orio al Serio International Airport (often called Milan Bergamo Airport due to its proximity to the town of Bergamo)

Skyscanner* is a great place to start your search for the best prices on flights to Argegno. They compare fares from multiple airlines and travel agents all at once.

Transfers from the airport

Three bus companies run direct non-stop services from Milan Bergamo Airport to Milan Centrale railway station. They are TerravisionOrioshuttle & Autostradale. Each company is highly rated, run modern air-conditioned coaches and cost just €5 per person each way. You can buy tickets from the ticket office windows in the arrivals area of the airport.

If you can’t decide which company to travel with, we have a great tip for you. Above the ticket windows is a screen displaying all of the forthcoming departures for each of the three bus companies. If you’re ready to leave, simply travel with the company running the next departure. We were going to travel with Terravision since we’re more familiar with their brand, but ended up travelling with Autostradale since they were departing from the airport first.

Buses to Argegno

ASF Autolinee operates buses between Como and Menaggio that call at Argegno. Services depart Como Stazione Autolinee adjacent to Como Nord railway station every 30 minutes throughout the day and journey time is around 40 minutes.

Buses can be very busy, particularly during peak season, so expect to stand the entire journey. If you get a seat, count yourself lucky.

Tickets can be purchased from the ticket office right before you travel. Particularly during peak season, the bus station can be a bit chaotic. Try not to get too stressed out and keep reminding yourself that getting to Argegno is completely worth the hassle.

Taking public transport is a Responsible Travel Choice, as sharing your journey with others is much better for the environment than taking journeys by car.

Getting around Argegno

Argegno is tiny, so it can be explored on foot very easily. For onward excursions, buses and boats serve the village very nicely, though do study those timetables as services, particularly boat services, can be sporadic even during the peak season.

Those with limited mobility may find the cobbles and steep hills challenging.

Hotels and Holiday Homes in Argegno

{Hand selected accommodation options (Vrbo, Booking.com etc.)}

For general accommodation searches, we recommend Tripadvisor*.

Search for hotels in Argegno with Tripadvisor*

Argegno is Your Best Bet

In this post, I’ve presented ten reasons why Argegno should be on your shortlist when trying to decide where to stay on Lake Como. While the ‘mid-lake’ towns might offer you lots of tourist-friendly hotels, restaurants and attractions, if you’d rather get a peaceful dose of authentic Italian village life, we think Argegno is your best bet.

43 thoughts on “Argegno, Italy: 10 Reasons Why We Love This Village on Lake Como”

  1. What a brilliant post! I’ll be staying in Varenna for 5 nights in September and I’ll surely spend a day in beautiful Argegno. Thank you guys!

    Reply
  2. We have traveled a bit around Lake Como but haven’t yet been to Argegno. We are moving to Italy (for one year) in the late fall and are considering a property in Argegno. This is has been tremendously helpful. That gelato and brioche alone may do it for me : ) Grazie mille!

    Reply
  3. We are four Canadians currently staying in Argegno and found your post to be very informative. Bellagio and Como may be bigger and more touristy but we love the authenticness of Argegno. Thanks for the great tips.
    Ruth and Terry, Cam and Les

    Reply
  4. Hi! We’ve spent 6 days from 30 august to 5 september at Lake Como and our apartman was in Argegno ???? We’ve felt and experienced the same about this small, but very kind village. ???? Just one thing is missing from this post. There is a boat hiring opporunity in Argegno, almost opposite of the cable car. It’s worth to hire a boat 2-4 hours. You don’t need any driving licence and the hosts are very kind ????
    Above all thanks for the post, i would like to go back!

    Reply
    • Hey Zsuzsanna! Thanks for your comment. I can’t believe we missed the opportunity to sail the waters of Lake Como. Thanks for the tip! We’ll definitely check it out next time we’re there.

      Reply
  5. Great post and we are convinced to visit this authentic village during last week of Aug 2019! Our base is Bellagio for 6 nights.

    Reply
    • Hi Lisa,

      Really pleased you found our post useful. We hope you have an amazing time. If there’s anything else we can help you with, just give us a shout.

      Reply
  6. Just been reading your very interesting post on Argegno. I discovered this village several years ago and eventually visited in October 2015. We stayed in a small cottage overlooking the lake and loved every minute of our 4 days there. We always said we would love to go back (something we don’t usually do in Europe as there are so many places to visit) and this year we will be there again in May. We cant wait!! We are flying into Milan en route to Corfu and Paxos and couldn’t resist a few days in our favourite place. The one restaurant we loved in Argegno was Barchetta – friendly service and good food!

    Reply
    • Hi Barbara. Thanks you so much for your lovely comment. It seems you love Argegno just as much as we do. It’s an incredible part of the world. We both hope you have a splendid time. Please do come back and tell us how your trip went.

      Reply
  7. Ciao!
    I read your article about Agregno while in Australia. I went straight to Air bnb and found Villa Emma available. We are currently staying in this amazing place. Thank you for the information!
    Molto gracie

    Reply
    • Prego!

      We’re so pleased you found your way to Villa Emma and that you did so via our article. We have such happy memories of staying there. Please say hi to the guys upstairs for us. :o)

      Enjoy the rest of your stay in Italy.

      Matt & Jade

      Reply
  8. We have just started the 2nd week of out fortnight in Argegno. We booked based on the fabulous views from the stunning apartment. After booking I got a little worried as the very limited info I could find on Argegno had photos which made it look somewhat run down and lifeless. Oh dear, we should have booked Bellagio, I thought Then my husband found your blog and I was reassured. Now we are here we are delighted. As you say, it has an authenticity…..so much nicer ( in our opinion) than Bellagio. Travel has been a breeze – though bus tickets can no longer be bought from Bar Motta. You have to go to the Tabac just after the bike shop across the bridge. I love taking trips on the ferry, making sure to know ferry times for the return journey. We’ve sampled the gorgeous restaurants , though still to try Zoe’s gelato. Planning on doing Pigra, when the haze has worn off and we can take in the views and extra pleased to find a walking route back down too.

    Reply
    • We are so incredibly pleased we were able to offer you some reassurance and that Argegno is providing everything we promised it would. Thanks for the info regarding bus tickets. We’ll update the post in due course.

      Enjoy the rest of your trip and safe travels!!!

      Reply
  9. Coming over for the first time in October 2019 to what looks like a beautiful place. However a little concerned that for the week myself and the wife are over if their is enough things to do, to keep us busy? Will we in your opinion need to hire a car?

    Reply
    • Hi Stuart,

      Thanks for your comment.

      We stayed in Argegno for a week and didn’t run out of things to see and do. Argegno itself doesn’t have a great many things to do, but it’s a good base for exploring other towns and attractions in the area.

      Opening hours for attractions and public transport timetables are seasonal, so it’s worth keeping that in mind. I would check that attractions you wish to visit will be open during your stay and that ferries and buses are running a good schedule. Argegno doesn’t get as many stops as other towns, but that’s because it’s a quieter, more authentic and less touristy village.

      In terms of hiring a car, we didn’t hire one during our stay and relied entirely on public transport. We didn’t feel inhibited by this and wouldn’t hire a car if we went again. Parking in Argegno can be difficult, so ask your hotel or hosts whether they can provide a parking spot.

      Hope that was helpful.

      Reply
  10. We stayed in Argegno May of 2019 and loved it, wish we had seen your blog, but found all and more you have shared, we are so glad we did that trip, we did travel around Italy, mostly Northern Lakes, we first visited Lake Como in 2012 and stayed just outside Bellagio, our walk through the Villa’s famous gardens, that said I prefer the small village of Argegno to stay, day trips around the lake are easy and part of the great adventuring around that great Lake, we had a hire car when needed, so best of everything, I walked the road to Pigra (didn’t know about that cable car till I got down) that night in the back street retruant the Barman told me about it? funny, with I had known, but would have missed the wild boars and Foxes playing in the meadows, still can not believe that’s the road to pigra, a old Roman cart road, never saw one car? all the best to you, and all that read and take notice of your great post, like to think one day we will be there again………..cheers Nev, Papamoa Beach, New Zealand.

    Reply
    • Hi Nev,

      Can I find out more about this ‘hire care when needed’ you mentioned in your post? Do you have the costs or company it is with? Me and my partner are planning to visit and we are thinking this might be a good idea.

      Reply
    • Hiya Nev. We’re Papamoa locals! Can we connect to talk about your trip in 2019? Matt makes this part of Lake Como sound so appealing!

      Reply
  11. Hi, My wife and I visited Argegno in 2018. We were on holiday with our granddaughter who was 12 , and our friends are their 2 girls aged 15 and 12. We stayed at Villa Argegno having booked through Lake Como Homes.
    Arriving at the village on an August on a very busy Saturday parking was extremely difficult , but once we had found a place we decided the car would stay there for the week. Carried our luggage up the beautiful streets to the villa which was absolutely wonderful with a small roof terrace with Lake views.
    We used the ferries and busses to get everywhere we went, Como, Bellagio,etc.We had an amusing morning where we tried to find a supermarket that we had driven past on our way from Germany. We knew it was on the outskirts of Como and visible from the motorway, but, dear me, not as easy to find as we imagined. Eventually asked a Police Officer for directions.
    I told hime that we were looking for , I think it was Beckett’s supermarket, and he replied that it was in Italy. Somewhat perplexed I asked him, ‘ Where are we , if not in Italy “. He replied ” Switzerland”. We had unknowingly crossed the border. Anyway, we did find the supermarket and did our shopping.
    Back to Argegno, we absolutely fell in love with the village. The children adored the Lido. We spent hours there.Really fabulous times that we all remember fondly.Nice snacks and drinks available, very reasonably priced with access to the Lake from the pontoon.The small pool was wonderful but definitely on the refreshing side!
    Lovely Lake view bars and the blog is absolutely spot on about the Gelato parlour, best ever.
    We all fell in love with Argegno and it was part of our best ever holiday . So much so that my wife and I planned a break in Italy the following year, and drove down through France and stayed 4 days at Hotel Argegno. Lovely room with Lake views, 20 seconds from the ferry
    terminal and bus stop. Really helpful staff and delicious pizzas in the restaurant.
    Left Argegno and had a week in stunning Lucca. That’s another story for another time.
    Please visit Argegno, ( but don’t tell anyone about it. )

    Reply
  12. I have just booked an Air bnb in Argegno next spring. I have loved reading this as it’s given me lots of ideas for my visit. It’s my first solo trip abroad so hopefully I’ll be getting off to a great start!

    Reply
  13. Hi Matte, I have planned a trip to Argegno at the being of October, this will be the first time I have been to Italy. From what I have read on here and elsewhere it seems to be a lovely place to visit. I am arriving at Malpensa airport and it seems I can get a train straight to Como. Just a bit worried about public transport at that time of year. Is there any other advise you can give me.

    Reply
    • Hi Rose. You’ll need to be more specific about what your concerns are, as I don’t know why you’d be worried about using public transport in October compared with any other time of year.

      If you’ve taken a train in the UK, you already know everything there is to know about taking a train in Italy. The process is effectively identical.

      If you have any specific questions, do let me know.

      Reply
      • Hi Matt, just to say I am not worried about using the public transport, I think I should have said getting on the right train or bus and where to get them. I thought the buses might be a bit less frequent in October. You have said in your blog where to get the bus to Argegno which is great. It’s a bit harder been a solo traveler and in my 60’s, I try and be adventurous but carful.
        I will do my best to do the day trip to Lugano which looks stunning. Any tips you can give me will be very welcome. Thanks again.

        Reply
        • Hey Rose. It’s quite possible that the buses might be less frequent in October. Do check online before you head out.

          In terms of getting on the right train/bus, don’t worry – there’s very, very clear signage on the front of the buses and on the trains and train platforms. If in doubt, just point at the train/bus and state your destination in a questioning tone. Ask anyone and they’ll help you out.

          Everyone in the area is very used to non-Italian speaking tourists, so don’t worry about the language barrier. Generally speaking, if you need any help, just ask and you should receive it.

          It’s very easy to worry about the small details before you visit somewhere new (I know, I do it all the time), but trust me, once you’re there, you’ll find it all very easy.

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          • Hi Matt,
            Thanks for all your help. I have just come back from Argegno and it was all you said it was. It’s a beautiful place. When I arrived at Malpensa airport maybe I was a bit anxious, I got a bit confused as to which train stopped at Saronno to change for Como but I got it sorted. Please make sure you validate your train tickets or you will be charged more.
            I arrived at Como Nord lago, got my bus ticket from the cafe/bar in the station to Argegno, after that either on the bus or ticket office.
            I stayed at Hotel Argegno, the bus stopped right outside and the ferry was opposite, could not be easier to get about. Went up the funicular to Pigra a couple of times the views are stunning. Did the walk around Pigra which was very interesting. Then walked down the old mule track into Argegno, wear good walking shoes it took me about 11/2hrs.
            I did a coach trip to Lugano which was lovely, carried onto Bellagio then back by ferry which luckily stopped at Argegno. A long day but very interesting.
            Just to say I did the funicular in Como and managed to walk up to the top where the light house is. Stunning views from there.
            If I can do it at 69yrs of age anybody can. Thanks again Matt for all your help. I did as you said if I got stuck I asked and people helped. Where to next?

          • Hi Rose,

            Apologies for the very late reply to your lovely message. I’m so delighted that you had such a lovely trip and that you found our advice helpful. Please let us know where you head to next! :o)

  14. After reading this I am a bit worried about staying here and getting around. We are traveling from Venice by train, and have rented a house for a week directly on the lake. That being said, we were rather hoping for a reliable ferry service between here and other towns along Como’s coast. Is there a place close by to rent Vespas, etc?? I do know there is a place in Como, so I suppose we could do that, but getting our luggage back and forth to the train station in Como to the house, I am wondering about. Thank you for your insight in this little town.

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    • Hey! Sorry, we don’t know of anywhere to hire scooters in the area. What I will say though is that we saw the relatively reduced ferry service as a blessing. It slowed us down and made us think more carefully about our itinerary. I also think the lower ferry traffic helps to maintain Argegno’s authenticity.

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  15. Thanks for this post! Spending 3 days in Lake Como this May, I’ll be based in Bellagio and have been trying to decide what other towns to hit while I’m there. You’ve convinced me to add Argegno!

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  16. It’s evident that you have a genuine desire to make a positive impact through your blog.

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  17. One thing I love to do when I stay in Argegno is to walk the Lake Como Greenway (https://greenwaylagodicomo.com/en/). It is approximately 10km/6mi long and leads through many of the hamlets along the lake. It begins just north of Argegno and is well marked. You can walk part or all of it.

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  18. Your blog about Argegno is very helpful! We are planning a trip to Argegno in June 2024 and I have questions about the best way to get to Argegno from Malpensa. Is it reasonable to rent a car at the airport for the short drive to Como city and drop it off there? Then take a ferry from Como to our Hotel Belvedere in Argegno? (I would like not to take the bus to Milan Centrale if possible.)
    Is there a timetable posted online for the ferries from Como to Argegno for the month of June?
    Thanks for your help.

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    • Hi Fran. We would never suggest hiring a car unless it was absolutely necessary. In this case, we don’t think it is. Malpensa Airport has its own train station, so we would suggest getting the train. It’ll take around 1hr20m with 1 change in Milan. Taking trains in Italy is very, very easy, great value for money and eco-friendly. You can buy tickets from English-language vending machines and if you need help, just show your ticket to a uniformed staff member and they’ll point you in the right direction (no knowledge of Italian required). We hope you have a great trip. Let us know if you need any further assistance.

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