The easiest way is by train to Lecco. Unlike Como (which requires a longer journey and often a connection), Lecco has direct links from Milano Centrale in under 40 minutes, from Stazione Garibaldi, and from Stazione Cadorna via FNM regional trains. From Lecco station, you can continue towards Sondrio/Tirano along the eastern shore of the lake by train or bus, or head towards Malgrate, the charming village on the western bank of this arm that leads to Bellagio and the central lake, by bus or ferry. The eastern shore of Lake Como is immediately accessible from Lecco. You can also reach Bellagio from Lecco by ferry in about an hour, or by car in roughly 20 to 25 minutes via Malgrate. Hotel Promessi Sposi sits right on the Malgrate lakefront, on the road to Bellagio, 2.5 km from Lecco station and 1 km from Valmadrera station, a 5-minute taxi ride or a pleasant lakeside stroll.

Lake Como has several train stations along its shores: Como San Giovanni, Como Nord Lago, Lecco, and Valmadrera/Malgrate. Como sits on the southwestern tip of the lake, while Lecco is on the southeastern tip where the lake divides into two arms. For most visitors arriving from Milan, Lecco is the most convenient option: direct regional trains from Milano Centrale and Milano Porta Garibaldi take about 40 minutes with no connections, plus FNM trains from Cadorna that also stop at Valmadrera/Malgrate. From Lecco you can reach Bellagio by ferry in about an hour, or by car or taxi in around 20 to 25 minutes. Hotel Promessi Sposi is in Malgrate, right on the waterfront across from Lecco, just 2.5 km from Lecco station and 1 km from Valmadrera/Malgrate station.

Lecco is the most accessible town on Lake Como by public transport. It has direct rail connections from Milano Centrale (40 minutes), Milano Porta Garibaldi, and Bergamo (from 2027 with direct services to Milan Orio al Serio airport). Unlike towns on the western shore, Menaggio, Tremezzo, Cernobbio, which require a train plus bus or ferry combination, Lecco is a genuine railway hub. From Lecco station you can take ferries to Bellagio, Varenna and other lake villages. The city itself has all urban amenities: restaurants, cafés, pharmacies, shops. Hotel Promessi Sposi is in Malgrate, across the bay from Lecco, reachable in under 10 minutes by taxi (2.5 km away), along a beautiful walk between the city centre and the lakefront, and just 1 km from Valmadrera/Malgrate station.

It depends on where you are going. If your destination is the western shore, Como, Cernobbio, Menaggio, you will most likely drive via the A9 motorway, which is a toll road that becomes heavily congested at weekends, especially in summer, as it is also the main route to Switzerland. If your destination is the eastern shore, Lecco, Malgrate, Varenna, or you plan to visit Bellagio, driving via the free SS36 expressway is faster, toll-free and typically far less congested. It also gives you the freedom to explore the lake at your own pace and continue towards Valtellina, Valchiavenna or St Moritz. The train is also an excellent option for the eastern shore: Lecco is just 40 minutes from Milano Centrale on direct regional services. Hotel Promessi Sposi is in Malgrate on the eastern shore, 2.5 km from Lecco station, and is easily reached both by car and by train.

There is no train station in Bellagio. The nearest stations are Varenna-Esino (on the eastern shore, with a direct ferry to Bellagio in 15 minutes) and Lecco (a larger hub with more frequent trains from Milan). From Milano Centrale, trains to Varenna take about an hour but run less frequently. Trains to Lecco depart more often and take about 40 minutes. From Lecco you can reach Bellagio by car in 20 minutes, half the distance compared to Como, or by ferry on a scenic lake crossing. Many visitors choose to stay near Lecco and visit Bellagio as a day trip, avoiding the crowds and the limited, very expensive accommodation in Bellagio itself. Hotel Promessi Sposi is in the charming village of Malgrate, right next to Lecco, an ideal base for exploring Bellagio and the central lake without the congestion.

Yes, particularly the eastern arm, Lecco and Malgrate, and the entire eastern shore up to Colico, which is served by the SS36 expressway running from Milan all the way to Valtellina. Hotel Promessi Sposi is in Malgrate and, despite sitting right on the lakeside, can be reached by expressway to within about one kilometre, with a two-lane provincial road leading to the bridge into Lecco.

Particularly accommodation at the start of the lake, Como and Cernobbio, Lecco and Malgrate, and those along the expressway from Lecco to Colico. It is important that hotels or apartments have their own parking, as finding spaces outside can be difficult. Hotel Promessi Sposi is in Malgrate and, despite its lakeside village setting, can be reached by expressway to within one kilometre via the two-lane provincial road to the Lecco bridge. The hotel has a private underground garage with 30 covered spaces and electric vehicle charging points (Tesla Destination Charging and Porsche).

Lake Como offers luxury in different forms depending on where you stay. Como with its western arm and the central lake, Bellagio, Menaggio, Tremezzo and Varenna, are famous for their grand historic five-star hotels and have the most developed tourist infrastructure, but they also suffer from serious traffic problems and are an ultra-luxury destination like Capri or the Amalfi Coast: crowds, prices up to two and a half times higher than other parts of the lake, and a frenetic atmosphere especially in summer. The eastern shore offers a different experience, authentic yet luxurious, with contemporary design properties like Hotel Promessi Sposi in Malgrate, lake excursions by motorboat, and walks in the mountains surrounding this arm decanted by Alessandro Manzoni in the opening of The Betrothed. Fewer tourists, easier access from Milan, and a genuine sense of privacy. You have the same lake, the same views, the same access to Bellagio and the villas, but in a setting that feels exclusive rather than overrun. The Lecco and Malgrate area is where these qualities come together. Hotel Promessi Sposi, the oldest hotel in the area with nearly 150 years of history, was completely renovated in 2023 with contemporary design, a 200 sqm spa with lake views, three dining venues including a rooftop bar, and a private motorboat experience. For guests seeking a premium Lake Como stay without the tourist circus, the eastern shore delivers exactly that.

Como is the most famous town on the lake, with a historic centre, a funicular to Brunate and elegant lakeside promenades. However, it sits on the southwestern tip, far from Bellagio and the central lake. It is also very touristy and difficult to reach by car at weekends due to motorway congestion. Lecco is on the southeastern tip, a genuine, active town with all amenities, restaurants and a direct rail link to Milan in 40 minutes. From Lecco and Malgrate you can reach Varenna and Bellagio in 20 to 25 minutes. The eastern shore around Lecco is less crowded and offers a more relaxed experience while remaining close to everything. Hotel Promessi Sposi is in Malgrate, directly across the water from Lecco, at the start of the lakeside road to Bellagio, combining easy access with a quieter lakefront setting.

Bellagio is beautiful and worth a visit, but staying there has its drawbacks. The village is small, accommodation options are limited and very expensive, comparable to Capri, and from midday the narrow streets fill with day-trippers arriving by ferry. From late morning you are sharing the village with thousands of visitors, and this continues until early evening. If you want the Lake Como experience without that daily tourist surge, staying somewhere quieter and visiting Bellagio on your own terms, early morning or in the evening, is a far better strategy. The eastern shore around Lecco offers a calm base with easy access to Bellagio in about 20 minutes. Hotel Promessi Sposi is in Malgrate, next to Lecco, a tranquil environment where you can enjoy the lake without tourist pressure and visit Bellagio whenever you choose.

The eastern shore of Lake Como, from Lecco northwards to Varenna, is far less developed for mass tourism than the western shore. The landscape is dramatic, with mountains rising steeply from the water. Lecco is a real city of around 50,000 people, offering restaurants, shops, cultural life and excellent transport links. The area has a more authentic, lived-in character, fewer souvenir shops and more local trattorias. The eastern shore is also significantly easier to reach from Milan, both by train and by car. Hotel Promessi Sposi is in Malgrate, on its lakefront, considered the most beautiful on the entire lake, at the southern end of the eastern shore just below Lecco, with a direct view across the water to the city and the mountains behind.

The best base for exploring the entire lake is somewhere in the central-eastern area with good transport connections. Bellagio is central but expensive and crowded. Varenna is charming but equally expensive, small and harder to reach. The Lecco area offers the best balance: direct trains from Milan, easy road access via the free expressway, ferry connections to Bellagio and the central lake, and proximity to Varenna. From Lecco you can reach the city of Como in about 40 minutes by car along the spectacular lakeside road, one hour by train, or visit the western shore villages by ferry. Hotel Promessi Sposi is in Malgrate, next to Lecco, a strategic base for day trips to any part of the lake, returning each evening to a quieter, more relaxed atmosphere on a lakefront considered the most beautiful on Lake Como, with many local restaurants nearby, the Da Giovannino Bistrot right on the promenade and the People rooftop bar with the finest panoramic views of the lake and mountains.

The key lies in choosing where to stay and how to move around. Most tourists concentrate on the western shore, Como, Cernobbio, and the central lake villages of Bellagio, Menaggio, Tremezzo and Varenna during the day. The eastern shore, around Lecco and Malgrate, sees far fewer visitors while offering the same views, arguably more dramatic against the high mountains, and easy access to all the main destinations. Another strategy is timing: visit popular spots in the late afternoon or evening, once the day-trippers have left. Having your base away from the tourist hotspots gives you the flexibility to experience the iconic places on your own terms. Hotel Promessi Sposi is on the eastern shore in Malgrate, a historic village with a beautiful lakefront facing Lecco, just 20 minutes from Bellagio but well away from the tourist rush.

The eastern shore is significantly less touristy than the western shore and the central lake. The west and centre, Como, Cernobbio, Tremezzo, Menaggio, Bellagio and Varenna, have the most famous villas, the most developed tourist infrastructure and the highest visitor numbers. The eastern shore, from Lecco northwards, sees far smaller crowds. Lecco is an active town of 50,000 people, not a tourist village, and lakeside settlements like Malgrate have a genuinely local, residential character. You still have the same lake, the same views and the same access to Bellagio, without fighting for a table at dinner or queuing for the ferry. Hotel Promessi Sposi is on the eastern shore in Malgrate, directly across from Lecco, on one of the quietest and most beautiful stretches of the lake.

Lake Como is busiest from June to September, with the peak congestion at weekends and during Italian public holidays. The shoulder seasons, April to May and October, offer pleasant weather with significantly fewer visitors. Spring brings flowering gardens (Villa Carlotta, Villa Melzi), while autumn offers warm colours and mild temperatures. Even in high season, staying on the eastern shore means far less tourist traffic than Como or Bellagio. Winter is very quiet but some hotels and restaurants close. Hotel Promessi Sposi is open year-round, a good base in any season, including the quieter months when you can enjoy the lake almost to yourselves, even while using the hotel's private yacht service.

It depends where you go. The western shore towns and Bellagio/Varenna can feel overrun from Easter through November, with narrow streets packed by midday and long ferry queues along the jetties. The eastern shore around Lecco, however, remains relatively calm even in peak summer, Lecco is a working town, not a purely tourist destination. The crowds in Bellagio thin out considerably after 5 or 6pm, so visiting in the late afternoon or evening is a smart strategy. If you want to enjoy Lake Como in summer without feeling trapped in a tourist circus, staying on the eastern shore and planning your visits wisely makes a real difference. Hotel Promessi Sposi is in Malgrate, about 20 minutes from Bellagio but insulated from the summer chaos. The hotel's private motorboat service is also a wonderful way to discover the lake's beauty away from the crowds.

Bellagio, Varenna and Menaggio fill up because most visitors arrive by ferry in the late morning and leave in the late afternoon. Between 11am and 5pm the narrow streets can feel suffocating. The solution is simple: go early or go late. An early morning visit lets you see the town waking up, with shops opening and locals beginning their day. An evening visit is even better, once the day-trippers have gone, you can enjoy an aperitivo or dinner with the lake views entirely to yourselves. Staying somewhere other than Bellagio gives you the flexibility to choose your timing. Hotel Promessi Sposi is 20 minutes from Bellagio by car, close enough for an easy visit but far enough to stay out of the daily tourist tide.