Lake Como Isn't Just For Rich Couples: Here's How To Visit It As A Solo Traveler On A Budget

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On the train from Milan, I dream of a perfect weekend on Lake Como. Lazy waterside walks, ferry rides to delicious hidden spots, and swoon-worthy Italian cuisine. I'm just as ready to shut down and reset.

What I realize too late, however, is that there are transportation strikes planned for the weekend I'm there, affecting buses, trains and more, and storm warnings for next Sunday. This means that the rough route I have in mind is suddenly up in the air.

Surprisingly, how rare it is solo traveler With high stress, I find the lack of routine strangely liberating. Without a list of must-see attractions, I don't have to worry about checking any boxes: I can take this trip however I want.

Here's how others solo Budget travelers can do Lake Como without feeling the pinch or pressure.

Where to stay in Lake Como on a budget

Although stays at Lake Como can be notoriously expensive, skewed toward romantic and luxury hotels, I was pleasantly surprised by the number of hostels and budget accommodation available.

I stayed at Ostello Bello Lake Como in Como town for its affordability as well as its proximity to the lake. A bed in a six-room dorm cost me €133 for two nights – but it will probably be much cheaper during off-peak seasons.

I loved the fun, laid-back atmosphere of the inn, which offers plenty of activities like sunset lakeside picnics, family dinners, beer pong, and game nights. It also has plenty of pleasant outdoor seating, a spacious and very well equipped kitchen and excellent cuisine.

Other property economical stays in Como include New Generation Hostel Lake Como and Hotel Il Loggiato dei Serviti – but keep in mind that they are a little further from the city center.

There are also a number of reasonably priced apartments available, but these are generally less central.

What to do in Lake Como on a budget

Lake ComoThe coastline is dotted with extravagant villas surrounded by botanical gardens that visitors can explore. But I have to admit that it's not really my thing. Regardless, ongoing transport strikes and bad weather have made traveling from one villa to another quite difficult.

Instead, I much prefer exploring hidden towns and tiny villagesdrink in the scenery and dine at local restaurants. To avoid the late summer tourist crowds in big cities like Bellagio and Varenna, I chose to visit the small village of Nesso instead.

Nesso, most famous for Orrido di Nesso, a steep waterfall, is a small hamlet located at the western end of the lake. Its few restaurants, cafes and shops are perched on the top of a cliff, accessible by steps, while the houses cling to the edge at the top.

I found the hiking it turned out to be surprisingly long and steep, but the crisp, cool weather was definitely a bonus and the view from the top was absolutely mesmerizing.

The stairs can be quite steep and slippery in places, especially in rainy weather. It is therefore worth noting that there is a bus every hour from the summit returning directly to Como, as an alternative to ferry.

Argegno is another great option. Although it is much smaller than other tourist towns, it offers a wide variety of reasonably priced restaurants, many facing the lake.

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One thing I really liked in Como was the Como-Brunate funicular. Tickets cost €6 one way and the journey itself takes around seven minutes. At the top, you're rewarded with stunning views, as well as restaurants, cafes and bars for a quick snack.

You may have to wait a while to board, both down and up, so be sure to set aside a few hours for this trip. It's best to get there early in the day for the best views and less crowds. Como Cathedral, the Teatro Sociale and the Roman Baths are also worth a visit.

How much money do you need to visit Lake Como?

I didn't have a very big one budget So for activities, I planned to explore Lake Como by ferry. I had a free traffic ticket, which allows you to get off at any stop on a certain route, such as Como to Bellagio, for the day for €23.

If you don't plan on taking expensive boat trips, €60-80 per day should be more than enough to get by in Como.

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However, the ferry is not always the best way to get around, as it can be slow, infrequent in some cases, and weather dependent. Bus are often a better option, being much more regular and reliable.

Overall, I loved the relaxed pace of this trip and enjoyed spending time alone with my thoughts, free from everyday stress.

However, I sometimes felt a little out of place, especially when I was with lots of couples and families, like at the top of the funicular. It was also a little awkward to ask other people to take a photo of me, so I mostly stuck to selfies.

Where to eat in Lake Como on a budget

Como itself is not really known for having the best foodwith better options in Bellagio and Varenna. However, some good budget-friendly places include Ristorante Osteria dal Pain, which has good pizzoccheri (a type of buckwheat pasta with potatoes, cabbage, and Casera cheese), as well as several polenta options. A dinner here cost me €25 for a main course, side and drink.

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Ostello Bello also had a very varied breakfast, for €6.90, and an excellent dinner, with a number of pasta and pizza options. A pizza and drink here was €11, followed by a generous portion of watermelon on the house.

In Argegno I ate a very good lasagna at the Argegno hotel – with a drink my bill came to €10.50. I then popped into the neighboring Ristorante Barchetta for a tiramisu, a little more expensive at €7, but definitely worth it.

I remained faithful to without alcohol drinks throughout this trip, so costs would probably be slightly higher if you drink.

For iceNeedless to say, there are a number of options. I was pleasantly surprised by one of the shops on Lake Como, Al Molo, which had a divine Nutella flavor for €4.50 a scoop. Even though it's a bit more than I would normally pay, the view was worth every penny.

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Bar Gelateria Lol in Nesso also offers delicious ice cream, with a particularly sublime coconut flavor, for less than €3 a scoop.