Como has always been an area of intense activity, as it has acted over the centuries as a crossing point between Central Europe and the Mediterranean. Built by the Romans at the end of the Piedmont road, it was an important communication point between Rome and its northern territories. In more recent times Como became famed for its silk.
Como was the birthplace of the Roman scientists Pliny the Elder and Pliny the Younger, as well as Alessandro Volta, 18th century inventor of the battery and the man who gave his name to the unit of electrical force - the Volt.
The area around Lake Como, or "Lago di Como" in Italian, is pretty characteristic. It has a kind of flair and sense of history that tends to impress its visitors in a sense deeper than only from a touristic point of view. It has been appreciated for its beauty and uniqueness for ages, and even as early as the Roman Times. Its atmosphere and natural surroundings have been the inspiration for an important part of the creation of Naboo, in the Star Wars movies. (In the same way as the atmosphere in Tozeur and Matmata have been recreated in Episode IV, "A New Hope")
Nearly all visitors to Como will arrive via Milan. Other routes in are via Lugano, Switzerland.
The nearest airports to Como are:
The Servizio Ferroviario Regionale connects Como by train to other major cities in Lombardy (R lines). Services are provided by Trenitalia (a.k.a. Ferrovie dello Stato: FS [http://www.trenitalia.it]) and LeNORD ([http://www.lenord], timetables [http://www.fnmgroup.it/orario/index.htm]) through two main stations: Como S. Giovanni (Trenitalia) and Como Lago (LeNORD). There is another urban station served by Trenitalia (Albate) and three more urban stations served by LeNORD (Como Borghi-Universita, Como Camerlata and Grandate Breccia). A trip to Milan costs 3.50?. From 2008 Como will also be connected to Milan with the line S9 of the Servizio Ferroviario Suburbano (''S'').
The E35 motorway (toll costs 1.60 for the A9 stretch, 1.10 for the A4 section, about 1.50 for the E35 section west of Milan) runs past Como from Milan, and goes on into Switzerland. There are many exits to Como; avoid Como South, choose the next ones (signed Como Nord and Monte Olimpino) for the city, and the last exit (signed ''ultima uscita per l'Italia'') before Switzerland for Cernobbio, Bellagio and for towns on the western lake shore.
The centre of Como is rather compact and can be covered easily on foot.
The local public transport network comprises several lines. Some are mostly within city limits (''Urbani'') and some are ''Extraurbani'' (crossing city limits). (C) lines connect Como with most of the provincial centres. They are provided by SPTLinea [http://www.sptlinea.it].
'''Urban Lines'''<br/> ''Line 1'': Chiasso FS - S.Fermo timetable([http://www.sptlinea.it/pdf/invernale_0607/1.pdf])<br/> ''Line 3'': Lora - Grandate timetable([http://www.sptlinea.it/pdf/invernale_0607/3.pdf])<br/> ''Line 4'': S.Giovanni FS - Camnago V. timetable([http://www.sptlinea.it/pdf/invernale_0607/4.pdf])<br/> ''Line 5'': S.Giovanni FS - Civiglio timetable([http://www.sptlinea.it/pdf/invernale_0607/5.pdf])<br/> ''Line 6'': Maslianico - Albate timetable([http://www.sptlinea.it/pdf/invernale_0607/6.pdf])<br/> ''Line 7'': Sagnino - Lora timetable([http://www.sptlinea.it/pdf/invernale_0607/7.pdf])<br/> ''Line 8'': S.Giovanni FS - Casnate timetable([http://www.sptlinea.it/pdf/invernale_0607/8.pdf])<br/> ''Line 9'': P.za Cavour - Cimitero timetable([http://www.sptlinea.it/pdf/invernale_0607/9.pdf])<br/> ''Line 10'': Albate - Navedano timetable([http://www.sptlinea.it/pdf/invernale_0607/10.pdf])<br/> ''Line 11'': P.Chiasso - Bassone timetable([http://www.sptlinea.it/pdf/invernale_0607/11.pdf])<br/> ''Line 12'': Camerlata-S.Fermo-Tavernola timetable([http://www.sptlinea.it/pdf/invernale_0607/12.pdf])<br/>
You must buy a ticket '''before''' boarding; the driver does not sell them and carries no money. Buy them at newstands, some bars and all Tabacchi. An urban ticket for a single ride costs ?1, while a ticket for 75 minutes costs ?1.05. The complete ticket fares can be found online at [http://www.sptlinea.it/documenti/tariffe_urbane.pdf].
Tickets vary depending on the start and destination stops:
Tariffa U tickets also have the text "''Valido 75'''", which means it is valid for 75 minutes from when it was validated (you do this in a machine onboard the bus).
Wait until the bus is about to depart before validating in order to maximise your use. You can exit the bus at one stop and get on another bus within the Como urban area with the same ticket, as long as you leave the last bus before the 75 minutes expire. The driver will likely want to see your ticket when you get on, and spot checks are sometimes done by uniformed officials. For example you can travel 20 minutes, get off, look around for 30 minutes and return on the same ticket (if the bus arrives on time).
The Tariffa B tickets with black text are usually validated by the driver tearing off the top and bottom sections. Inspectors may further validate it by punching it with a quarter circle hole - the ticket already has a circular hole in it.
The Tariffa B tickets with red text will have a list of towns, starting with Como. When you purchase it you say which town and the seller will punch a hole in that town (or have some already punched). This makes the ticket valid only for journeys between Como and the punched town, or viceversa.
Como buses do not have route plans onboard, and the driver does not announce stops (you could ask nicely though). Follow the route with a map to be sure.
'''Ferrovie Nord Milano''' also provides other bus lines connecting Como to Varese in substitution of the original railway line that was dismissed in the 1960s.
The '''funicolare''' (funicular) connects the center of Como with Brunate, a small village (1800 inhabitants) on a mountain at 715 meters above sea level. The journey takes about 7 minutes and the view is worth the trip: it can also be the starting point for a stroll on the mountains. Timetables can be found online[http://www.sptlinea.it/pdf/invernale_0607/CF1.pdf].
The boats and 'aliscafi' of '''Navigazione Lago di Como''' connect the town with most of the villages sitting on the shores of the lake, the former are slower and right for sightseeing, the latter are faster and make less stops.
A taxi service is provided by the Comune di Como, local phone numbers are 031-2772, and 031-261515.
Prior to or during your visit to Lake Como it is suggested that you look at the local news site[http://www.lakecomopages.com] which has all the local news and events that are happening around the lake.
Petrol is considerably cheaper in nearby Switzerland, while Diesel is about the same price, (in 2004) so remember to top-up the car in the cheapest place.
Keep the receipt of anything purchased in Switzerland as the Italian customs may ask to see it, and if a large value item, you will need to pay the difference in the two Value Added Tax rates (approximately 13 percent). As of 2004 there is a limit of 12,500 Euros equivalent that may be brought into Italy at any one time.
Birreria . Relax in the bohemian and friendly atmosphere of this pub, where you can sit down at the wooden tables and enjoy beer (and any other drinks) and snacks. The walls are covered with all sorts of objects from around the world, musical instruments, paintings, photos etc. You are likely to hear Bob Dylan, Simon & Garfunkel or Fabrizio de Andre (Italian singer/songwriter) playing on the Hi-Fi system.