Northern Italy is known for its gorgeous lakes and mountain landscapes. Both, Lake Garda and Lake Como are top areas to visit, yet you might need to choose between the two.
We visited both areas to create this quick, unbiased Lake Garda VS Lake Como guide.
Comparing the two lake destinations
Both lakes, lake Como and Lake Garda, are very scenic and offer stunning views. They are equally beautiful in all seasons and therefore, non is better than the other one.
This is why it's so difficult to pick between the two. Of course, if you can do both, visit Lake Garda and lake Como on a single north Italian trip.
If you are short on time or money, pick either one with the help of my comparison table.
| Lake Garda | Lake Como | |
| What is the lake known for and who's visiting? | Garda Lake has a reputation for being a stronghold for German speakers. The lake is close to the Austrian border, and many Austrians and Germans vacation on the shores of Lake Garda. Families tend to visit theme parks such as Gardaland. This is also Italy's largest lake. The atmosphere here is more down to earth in the north, while the south is very commercialized. | Lake Como is considered a Jet-Setter luxury hangout, George Clooney and other celebrities have a house there and the lake is a stones-throw away from Switzerland. Beautiful villas around the lake add to the romantic appeal of this lake, and therefore you will see many couples visiting lake Como. Tourists from all over the world flock to this lake. Weddings are held in some towns, such as in Varenna. |
| Top attractions | castles, Roman ruins, nightlife, theme parks, wine. | Villas, gardens, picture-perfect villages, boat-rides. |
| Nearest airport | The Verona International Airport is about 20 minutes from the closest Garda lake access point, which is Peschiara del Garda to the south of Lake Garda. | Via the Milan Bergamo international airport or the Milan Malpensa international airport. Most international arrivals come through the Malpensa airport, while the Bergamo airport is known to cater to budget airlines. Both airports are about 30 to 60 minutes away from major Como lake towns. |
| Best suited for | Families and solo travelers, those touring Austria and Germany as it's not far from the border, theme park visitors and history enthusiasts exploring the southern towns of Sirmione and Peschiere del Garda. Here you will find vineyards and plenty of water sports options and beaches to go for a swim. If you are visiting Verona, add Lake Garda to your itinerary. | Couples, newly-weds on honeymoon, great for hiking, cyclists (to cycle up to the Ghisallo cycle shrine and museum), Gucci motto fans (to visit the Gucci motto home in Mandello del Lario) and also families. If you are visiting Milan or Bergamo, add lake Como to your itinerary. |
| Nearest City and Day Trip Options | Verona is a stunning city known for its architecture and the Roman arena. It's also a place where romantic couples feel home, thanks to the Romeo and Juliet tale. Keep in mind, that Lake Garda is close to Venice and the alps, including the Trentino (Trento city) and South Tyrol provinces. | Milano is the fashion capital. The city is known for the cathedral, basilicas, Roman ruins and museums. You can plan a day trip from como lake to Bergamo, Tirano or even to St. Moritz in Switzerland. Lake Maggiore is also not too far. |
| Most prevalent age group | Boomers, Gen X and Millennial families with their kids. | A lot more Millennials and Gen Z compared to Lake Garda. A few families, boomers and Xers. |
| Lake Garda | Lake Como | |
| Budget Type | If your budget is limited, visit Lake Garda. | If you have a large travel budget, visit lake Como. |
| Standard price per night range all seasons and room experience | Expect to spend €60 to €300 per room and night. The areas around the lake in the south offer more family-friendly accommodations, but they are also pricier. You will get wonderful rooms for a reasonable price and good quality near Riva del Garda and Limone sul Garda. If you want to hang out in the south, so to visit Verona as well, and you have a car, get a room in an Agroturismo near the lake to get the best Italian experience. | You can expect to spend about €100 to €500 per night. Rooms around the Como lake count as some of the most expensive in Italy. I, personally, think, the room quality doesn't always justify the price, and the same goes for Milan, the nearest largest city. |
| Approximate and expected 3 day budget for a couple | €800-€1100 and you can enjoy yourself, depending on where you spend time. | €1000 to €1400 is the minimum and you will be counting every Euro. |
| Lake Garda | Lake Como | |
| Swimming | Yes, most villages and towns have a pebble beach for swimming in the crystal clear waters. Naturists will want to head to the nudists beach near Punta San Vigilio. | Yes, you can swim in Lake Como but only at designated beach swimming areas. The water isn't that clean. |
| Boat tours | Boat tours are less common on Lake Garda compared to lake como, but they are also much cheaper. To give you a perspective, a 1.5 hour garda lake boat tour can be booked at just €40 per adult online. Day trip boat tours are more common and come with special wine and food perks, and these cost about the same as a 2 hour como lake trip. | Yes, you can hire a boat for a tour. Most 2 hour boat tours are priced between €80-100 per adult, and you can book a como lake boat tour online, or you can organize one in all the major towns. |
| Most beautiful lakeside towns | Limone Sul Garda, Riva del Garda, Toscolano Maderno, Sirmione, and Peschiera del Garda. | The most beautiful Lake Como towns. Avoid sticking around in Como city, it's just a city to transfer from Milan to the lake como region. |
| Best suited mode of transportation to explore | The best way to see and explore Lake Garda is either via rental car or moto bike. You can drive around the lake to other destinations. There is also a ferry system, but it's not as busy and well-connected as the Como lake ferry. | Take the Lake Como ferry, it's affordable as gets you from A to B faster than any other transportation option! The shape of lake Como and the way the major towns are situated make it great for ferries to move between the Bellagio, Varenna and the Menaggio triangle. The ferry also takes you to Belano and Mandello del Lario. That said, if you want to see a less touristy mountainous side of lake Como, take a road trip up the winding roads to Ghisallo |
| Pros | Not yet that well known in the international context. It's a travel gem waiting to be explored! The nightlife is better at lake Garda, such as in Desenzano del Garda and Sirmione. | Easily accessible via public transport from Milano. The food is so much better compared to lake Garda in the Lombardy region and therefore also at lake Como. |
| Cons | Many German-speaking tourists and most places do Italian and German. English is slightly less common in some areas that are not that touristy. The roads near Limone sul Garda are deadly but so stunning. lol | This lake is Insta and Tiktok famous and photoshoots or video shoots are common. It's almost surreal. We visited in October last and this place was bursting with tourists! |
Lake Garda Photos
Lake Como Photos
Map
Lake Como is situated in the Lombardy province to the north-west of Italy near Switzerland, while the Garda lake is split between the Lombardy, Veneto and Trento provinces, and it's situated to the east of lake Como.
The map shows the two lakes and nearby lakes such as Lake Maggiore, as well as all major cities and towns and the road/train connection between lake Como and Lake Garda.
FAQs
What's the distance between lake Como and Lake Garda?
The distance between lake Como and Lake Garda is about 110 miles (ca. 180 kilometers) only. You can get from Como city to Peschiera del Garda in about 2 hours by car or 2 and a half hours by public transport.
How to travel from lake Como to Lake Garda, and how much does it cost?
By car, take the speedy A4 highway and pay the €14.20 toll at the exit booth. The train costs about €35 per person for a one-way trip.
What is the clearest lake in Italy?
Lake Garda is known for its crystal clear waters and we can confirm the same.
Which lake is cheaper, Lake Garda or lake Como?
Lake Garda offers a cheaper travel experience compared to lake Como.
Can you do a day trip from Lake Garda to Milan or Bergamo?
Yes, you can definitely plan a day trip to Milan or Bergamo if you chose Lake Garda as a base, as the travel distance is about 2 hours one way. Yet, I recommend that you do Milan and Bergamo if you are visiting lake Como to make the most of your time. When at Lake Garda, visit Verona city instead.
What are some other great lakes to visit in northern Italy?
Lake Maggiore, Lugano, and Varese are just near lake Como and are equally beautiful.
Very informative