November suits travelers who come for villas, gardens, food events and quiet lakeside towns. It doesn’t suit anyone counting on warm sun. Afternoons are cool, and the Tremezzina Gastronomica food program runs through mid-December.
The days are short, with just over nine and a half hours of daylight in mid-month, and rain falls on about one day in three. The boat timetables the lake operator has published stop at November 1, so check the current schedule before you plan a crossing.
At a glance
- Afternoon high: 53°F (12°C)
- Night low: 42°F (6°C)
- Rainy days: 9 in the month
- Sunshine: 3.5 hours a day
- Daylight on November 15: 9 hours 33 minutes
- Events: ONde LARIANE until November 19, Tremezzina Gastronomica until December 13
What is the weather like on Lake Como in November?
| Month | Average high | Average low | Rain | Rainy days | Sunshine per day | Daylight (15th) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| October | 62°F (17°C) | 50°F (10°C) | 5.9 in (150 mm) | 9 | 4.6 h | 11 h 02 |
| November | 53°F (12°C) | 42°F (6°C) | 6.6 in (167 mm) | 9 | 3.5 h | 9 h 33 |
| December | 46°F (8°C) | 36°F (2°C) | 3.1 in (80 mm) | 6 | 3.5 h | 8 h 43 |
*Long-term monthly averages.*
November on Lake Como is cool and damp. Afternoons reach 53°F (12°C) and nights drop to 42°F (6°C), so a walk along the lakefront is pleasant with a coat, and a long sit on a terrace is not.
Rain falls on 9 days of the month, and the sun shows for only a few hours a day. Plan outdoor sights such as gardens and viewpoints for the drier hours, and keep a museum or a lunch in reserve. Boat routes can be suspended in bad weather or strong waves, so leave room in the day for a change of plan.
October is milder, with afternoons near 62°F (17°C) and more sunshine. December is colder, with highs of 46°F (8°C), but it has fewer rainy days, 6 against November’s 9. November sits between the two: cooler than autumn proper, wetter than midwinter.
Where to go on Lake Como in November
Bellagio
Bellagio stands on the central promontory of the lake, and its villas make a good rainy-day circuit. Villa Serbelloni dates to the 16th century, and its park is visited on a 2-hour guided tour, morning or afternoon, from Tuesday to Sunday. The gardens of Villa Melzi d’Eril stretch 800 meters along the water.
Varenna
Varenna sits on the Lecco branch of the lake. Vezio Castle looks down on the village.
Como
The Duomo is the last Gothic cathedral in Lombardy. The Silk Museum keeps the story of Como’s textile tradition, and Villa Olmo hosts exhibitions and cultural events. A funicular from Piazza Alcide De Gasperi climbs to Brunate for the view over the city and the lake.
Tremezzina
Tremezzina holds two villas on the lake: Villa Carlotta at Tremezzo and Villa del Balbianello at Lenno. The Greenway del Lago di Como starts near here and covers about 6 miles (10 km) between Colonno and Cadenabbia di Griante. Lenno also has a Tuesday market on the lakeside.
Isola Comacina
Isola Comacina is the only island on Lake Como. It can be crossed on foot in about half an hour, so it fits a short outing. Taxi motorboats run from Ossuccio, and Navigazione Laghi boats also call. Access is subject to a fee. In Ossuccio, the Antiquarium holds about 250 finds from the island.
What to do on Lake Como in November
Villa del Balbianello and its November trekking day
The villa stands in Lenno on a promontory that once held a Franciscan monastery, and it was a set for Casino Royale and Star Wars II. On November 7 it hosts a trekking event on landscape and climate change. The FAI, the Italian heritage trust that manages it, includes a guided tour of the interiors in the ticket, with the garden, terraces and Loggia Durini left to explore on your own.
There is no cafeteria inside. The bookshop sells water, drinks and small snacks, so eat before you go.
Villa Carlotta in the cool season
Villa Carlotta, at Via Statale 5605 in Tremezzo, keeps an original Italian garden. The villa also offers themed tours and workshops for individuals and groups.
The Caffetteria Antica Serra is on site, which makes a rainy visit easy to split into garden, interior and a warm drink. A membership card gives free entry and suits anyone who plans to return.
Crossing the lake by Navigazione Laghi boat
The boats link Como, Bellagio, Varenna, Menaggio, Cadenabbia, Lecco and Colico. The operator advises reaching the ticket office about 20 minutes before departure. Where a landing has no ticket office, you can buy on board at no extra cost, including contactless with NaviTap.
Boats are the easiest way to see the villas, and they avoid the traffic and parking hunt on the roads. The published timetable ended on November 1, so look up the current one the day before.
Brunate by funicular from Como
The funicular runs from Piazza Alcide De Gasperi, a stone’s throw from the lake, and there is an intermediate station at Carescione. The rack railway climbs to 700 meters of altitude.
Go up when the clouds lift. Down in Como, the Duomo and the Silk Museum stay dry while you wait.
Food events: Tremezzina Gastronomica and ONde LARIANE
Tremezzina Gastronomica runs from October 3 to December 13, so it is on throughout November. The ONde LARIANE cultural festival runs until November 19, which makes the first half of the month the richer one for culture.
Is Lake Como busy in November?
The warnings about heavy traffic, parking trouble and ticket office queues apply to weekends, summer and holidays. A November weekday is the easier choice, and the roads around the villas are the part to watch on a weekend.
Book ahead for anything that is limited, such as the Révolt da Stazuna cellar tour, which caps its group.
2026 prices:
- Guided tour ‘Le bellezze del Lago di Como’: from €300, entrance fees and transport not included
- Private cruise: from €200, for 1 or 2 hours, 6 passengers maximum
- Villa del Balbianello guided tour at sunset: €30
- Star Wars locations tour: €20, villa entrance not included
- Villa Carlotta membership card: €75, free entry
- Como Open Pass: €15, with a return train journey to Como and unlimited daily local ASF bus travel
What to pack for Lake Como in November
The month asks for layers, rain gear and shoes that grip, since much of the day is spent outdoors between boats, gardens and lakeside paths.
- A warm jacket, because nights fall to 42°F (6°C) and the boat deck is exposed.
- A rain jacket or umbrella for the 9 rainy days.
- Comfortable walking shoes for the Greenway, about 6 miles (10 km), or the Sentiero del Viandante above Varenna.
- Water and a snack for Villa del Balbianello, which has no cafeteria.
- A phone and a contactless card, so you can pay on board with NaviTap.
- A small day bag for the Serbelloni park tour, which lasts 2 hours.
What to know before visiting Lake Como in November
Boat service is the main planning point. The published timetables are valid until November 1, and routes can be suspended in bad weather. Vehicles travel only between the ferry stops marked Traghetto, such as the car ferry from Cadenabbia to Bellagio and Varenna.
The U.S. State Department lists Italy at Level 2, Exercise increased caution, issued September 10, 2026, due to terrorism. It recommends enrolling in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) and buying travel insurance before you go.
Is November a good time to visit Lake Como?
Yes, for travelers who want villas, gardens, food events and lakeside towns without the summer traffic. No, if you want warm sun and long evenings outside.
October gives warmer afternoons and more sunshine. December is colder, with highs near 46°F (8°C), though it has fewer rainy days.
For culture, come in the first half of November, while ONde LARIANE is still on until November 19 and the trekking day at Villa del Balbianello falls on the 7th. For food, any week works, since Tremezzina Gastronomica runs until December 13. For fewer crowds, choose weekdays.
Sources
- italia.it (https://www.italia.it/en/lombardy/lake-como), checked 2026-10-25
- in-lombardia.it (https://www.in-lombardia.it/index%2Ephp/de/wohin-gehen-lombardei/comer-see), checked 2026-10-30
- navigazionelaghi.it (https://www.navigazionelaghi.it/avvisi/guasto-tecnico-sistema-vendita-online/), checked 2026-10-25
- italia.it (https://www.italia.it/it/lombardia/cosa-fare/itinerario-per-le-ville-sul-lago-di-como), checked 2026-10-25
- in-lombardia.it (https://www.in-lombardia.it/index%2Ephp/en/activity/lake-como-villas-0), checked 2026-10-25
- ncei.noaa.gov (https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/products/wmo-climate-normals), checked 2026-10-30
- in-lombardia.it (https://www.in-lombardia.it/evento/visite-guidate-alla-villa-del-balbianello), checked 2026-10-30
- in-lombardia.it (https://www.in-lombardia.it/attivita/le-bellezze-del-lago-di-como), checked 2026-10-30