Lake Como in Northern Italy is the place to go to in the summer months, but it is also a beautiful place to go in December. It will be cold but is worth it, just wrap up warm.
The city centre is beautiful to walk around and is full of lovely shops, bars and restaurants.
Christmas Lights and Market
The city is lit up with some of the most stunning Christmas lights, not just the tradition lights. The lights are projected onto buildings.
These lights are really thought out. This year the lights were in the scenes of old houses, stars, Christmas scenes of Santa, presents, Christmas trees, snow, all in different colours.
Christmas music is playing in the cathedral square and it is magical!
Como has a lovely Christmas market with each stall in a wooden house, selling all types of things. Including Christmas decorations, sweets, chocolates, cheeses, cold cuts, chestnuts, toys, clothing, shoes and novelty items.
The Christmas Market is beside the lake in the city centre and near the cathedral, between the streets Piazza Cavour and Via Plinio.
The beautiful lights are located all around the cathedral and theatre. In the cathedral square and in some of the other shopping areas, just keep a lookout.
What to Wear
Como in the summer is boiling hot, but in winter it is freezing cold! So, dress appropriately in warm attire.
A warm coat is a necessity and in Italy, everyone wears a quilt type coat, as they are warm and stylish. Wear a hat to keep the wind out of your ears and warm.
Gloves for those cold days and evenings.
The streets in Como are mainly cobbled so I recommend a flat pair of boots, for easy walking!
Essential Info
- Weather in winter: 0*C – 5*C
- Language: Italian, some English spoken
- Currency: Euros
- Avoid the second weekend of December as it is a bank holiday on Friday in Como and Milan (this year Friday 8th, 2017) as Como is packed!
- The Christmas Market runs from 25th November 2017 – 7th January 2018
I hope you have enjoyed reading about Lake Como, please share on Facebook and Pinterest so your friends and family can read too. Sharing is caring!
Have you been to Lake Como in winter? What would you recommend doing?
Happy Travels
Love Lucy x
Beautiful capture…..
Author
Thank you very much ✨
I love when communities quick care and effort into their holiday traditions. So adorable and I love how much time they put into their Christmas lights. I also really love your outfit ideas for this time of year. This place is definitely a bucket list for me – now especially during Christmastime!
Author
Me too, makes it special. Thank you, so pleased you like the outfit ideas for the cold weather ❄️
Looks like a beautiful place to visit. I don’t think I’ve heard of this specific place before.
Author
Lake Como is a beautiful place in Italy to visit, if you have not been.
We’ve been several times to Lake Como as my sister lives in Milan, but never at Christmas! Great tips for the clothes, especially the warm coat, it can get pretty cold!
Author
Now are in the know! Hope you get to go next year.
I love Italy at Christmas time, there’s such a sense of enthusiasm isn’t there. The Christmas lights look stunning too. What does the lake itself look like? Do the mountains around get snowy?
Author
The mountain were not snowy when I was there, but they can do. You can see photos of the lake on my other Lake Como blog https://lucywilliamsglobal.com/2017/06/22/lake-como/
Looks beautiful at Christmas, we visited for the first time back in May and loved the area. We must try and get there again next year,
Author
Lake Como is just one of those beautiful places all year round!
The Christmas market and decorations look amazing! Thanks for the suggestions on what to wear – people who don’t know much about a city often look for this information ( I was researching what to wear in Vienna this winter because I’ve never been to a place this cold before) and it’s very helpful to see the kind of clothes and accessories that can help you in the weather you will have in a city you’re visiting.
Author
Thank you! I think it is important to include what to wear, as we have an idea, but not really until we get there and then it’s too late!
Wow, it’s so colorful there! I actually was working at the Christmas Market in Edinburgh, but it would be really fun to see one in another country. I wonder if it’s a bunch of Germans selling their products there too as it is in Edinburgh.
Author
The lights were lovely! I didn’t hear any German accents at the Christmas market, but I’m sure there were! Hope you enjoyed Edinburgh.
This looks like an ideal destination for Christmas. I have always wanted to visit Lago Como, but I never had a chance. I dont have any more excuses any more.
Author
I hope you get to go next year, it is beautiful experience.
Lake Como is name of place or a lake?
The place does look incredibly beautiful with festive lights on. I love traveling during festivals because cities look best then.
Author
Lake Como is the name of the lake and the area, or just Como, but most people know the area as Lake Como. There are houses, restaurants and bars along the lake and the lake comes right up to the city.
I love how they project the lights onto the buildings – that’s a really cool touch! Would love to stroll around the Christmas markets in the evenings while enjoying the light displays. Thanks for the tips on what to wear – I always forget a hat to cover my ears when I’m in cold weather destinations and always regret it. Writing it on a checklist this time!
Author
It was beautiful to see. Glad you like my what to wear section, I think it is helpful if you have not been before in that season.
Como is definitely a good place to visit during Christmas time i love the night photography stroll capturing the lights and colours!
Author
It is, so beautiful!
Most of the articles I’ve read about Lake Como are always focused on visiting in the warmer weather. I love this article that captures the Christmas season and delights. The market looks like a fun with all sorts of delicious treats. Great tips about what to wear in the winter.
Author
Thank you! Italy is not just for the summer season, in winter it is beautiful too, just colder!