Lake Como · Italy

Where to Stay in Como: Complete Neighborhood and Location Guide

Which part of Como to sleep in, what a modern apartment there is really like, and the suitcase problem nobody mentions.

Personally verified · October 2024

Our Accommodation: Via Giulio Rubini Reality Check

The Location: Why Via Giulio Rubini Works

Our Airbnb sat on Via Giulio Rubini, 7 – a street that runs roughly parallel to the lake, about 3-4 blocks inland from the waterfront. This location proved to be the sweet spot for Como city accommodation.

Distance to key locations:

Why this location worked:

Location downsides:

The Apartment: Modern But VERY Small

The Airbnb listing photos showed a clean, modern apartment with minimalist design – white walls, contemporary furniture, efficient use of space. What the photos didn’t convey: just how small “efficient use of space” actually meant.

Actual size:

What “very small” meant practically:

What we wish we’d done:

Book a one-bedroom apartment instead of a studio, even though it cost €30-40 more per night. The extra space would have been worth it for comfort and sanity after day two.

Modern Amenities: What Worked

Despite the size limitations, the apartment delivered on modern amenities:

WiFi: Fast and Reliable

This was crucial for me as someone who needed to check work emails and make a few video calls during the trip.

Kitchen: Minimal But Functional

We used the kitchen primarily for breakfast (buying bread, cheese, fruit from grocery stores) and morning coffee, which saved significant money compared to daily cafe breakfasts.

TV: Slow and Frustrating

Not a dealbreaker, but the TV was the one modern amenity that underperformed.

The Shower Issue and Host Response

On our first evening, we discovered the shower had water pressure problems – initially strong, then dropping to barely a trickle after 3-4 minutes of use.

How we handled it:

Why this mattered:

A responsive host transforms minor issues from trip-ruining problems into manageable inconveniences. The shower problem was annoying, but the host’s quick action and clear communication prevented it from escalating.

Red flag indicators we didn’t encounter:

We got lucky with a professional host who had systems in place for handling issues. This is worth verifying through reviews before booking.

The Rolling Suitcase Problem: A Serious Issue

Why Como Cobblestones Destroy the Rolling Luggage Experience

This deserves its own section because it genuinely affected our arrival experience and comfort level:

Como’s historic center features beautiful cobblestone squares and streets. These cobblestones are:

What this means for rolling suitcases:

Walking from Como San Giovanni station to our Via Giulio Rubini apartment took about 12 minutes without luggage. With two rolling suitcases, it took 22 minutes and left us sweaty, frustrated, and regretting our luggage choices.

The Backpack Alternative

After struggling with rolling suitcases in Como, I’m convinced backpack travel is superior for Italian historic cities:

Backpack advantages for Como:

What size backpack makes sense:

If you’re staying in Como for just 2-3 nights, seriously consider packing in a backpack instead of a rolling suitcase. Your shoulders might get tired, but your sanity will thank you.

If You Must Bring Rolling Luggage

Damage control strategies:

We took the train both directions and walked with rolling luggage both times. If I could redo it, I’d taxi at least one direction.

Como Neighborhoods: Where to Actually Stay

Waterfront/Ferry Terminal Area

Best for: First-time visitors prioritizing convenience, people with mobility issues, travelers on tight schedules

Pros:

Cons:

Recommended if: You’re only in Como for 1-2 nights, prioritize ferry access above all else, or have mobility limitations making extra walking difficult.

City Center/Via Giulio Rubini Area (Where We Stayed)

Best for: Travelers wanting balance between convenience and authenticity, people staying 3+ nights, those seeking good value

Pros:

Cons:

Recommended if: You’re staying 3+ nights, want authentic Como atmosphere, prioritize value, and don’t mind 10-minute walks.

Como San Giovanni Train Station Area

Best for: Train travelers with early departures or late arrivals, budget-conscious visitors, people using Como as a base for regional exploration

Pros:

Cons:

Recommended if: You’re on a tight budget, arriving/departing via train at inconvenient hours, or planning day trips by train more than Lake Como exploration.

Uphill Residential Areas (Above City Center)

Best for: Travelers seeking quiet, people who enjoy walking/stairs, visitors wanting local atmosphere

Pros:

Cons:

Recommended if: You don’t mind steep walks, prioritize quiet over convenience, or are very budget-conscious.

Airbnb vs. Hotel in Como

Our Airbnb Experience Takeaways

Why we chose Airbnb:

Airbnb challenges:

When Hotels Make More Sense

Choose Como hotels if you:

Hotel options in Como:

What to Look for in Como Accommodation

Non-Negotiable Features

1. Location within 15-minute walk of ferry terminal

Como is small enough that anything farther doesn’t make sense unless you have specific reasons.

2. Fast WiFi (if you need it)

Ask hosts for speed test results. Anything above 50 Mbps download is sufficient for remote work and streaming.

3. Responsive host/management

Read reviews specifically mentioning how hosts handled issues. Response time matters.

4. Accurate size information

Ask for square footage/meters. Photos are deceptive. Our “spacious studio” was under 350 square feet.

Nice-to-Have Features

Kitchen (even basic)

Saves money on breakfasts and allows grocery store shopping for snacks, wine, water bottles.

Washing machine access

Valuable for trips longer than 4-5 days.

Ground floor or elevator

Como has many old buildings with stairs. If you have heavy luggage, this matters.

Bathroom with good water pressure

Seems obvious, but many old Italian buildings have plumbing issues.

Air conditioning (summer) or heating (winter)

October was cool enough that we didn’t need AC, but summer Como gets hot. Verify heating works if visiting November-March.

Budget Expectations for Como Accommodation

What We Paid (October 2024)

Our Airbnb costs:

This was mid-range for Como city center. Similar quality hotels would have cost €110-130 per night.

Realistic Como Budget Ranges

Budget (€40-70 per night):

Mid-range (€70-130 per night):

Upscale (€130-250 per night):

Luxury (€250+ per night):

FAQ Section

Q: Is Como city or Bellagio/Varenna better for accommodation base?

Como city for: transportation hub access, lower prices, more dining variety. Bellagio/Varenna for: smaller village atmosphere, immediate lake access, quieter evenings. We stayed in Como and were happy with that choice for a 3-night visit.

Q: How far in advance should I book Como accommodation?

2-3 months for summer peak season (June-August). 3-4 weeks for shoulder season (April-May, September-October). Last-minute deals exist in winter.

Q: Do I need air conditioning in October?

We didn’t. Daytime highs were 60-68°F. Evening windows provided comfortable sleeping temperatures. Summer (June-August) absolutely needs AC.

Q: Are Como accommodations safe?

Generally very safe. Como has low crime rates for tourists. Standard precautions (lock doors, don’t leave valuables visible) are sufficient.

Q: Can I find accommodation with parking in Como city center?

Difficult and expensive. Most city center options don’t include parking. If you have a rental car, stay in outskirts or budget €15-25 daily for parking garages.

Q: What’s the best Como neighborhood for families?

City center (Via Giulio Rubini area) offers balance – close to attractions but quieter than waterfront. Look for one-bedroom or larger apartments.

Q: Is Via Giulio Rubini noisy at night?

No. Residential street with minimal traffic. We heard occasional voices from street or neighboring apartments but nothing disruptive.

Q: Should I book lake view accommodation?

Nice but not essential. You’ll spend most time exploring, not in your room. Lake views add 30-50% to accommodation costs. Better to save money for dining and activities.

Bottom Line

Como accommodation comes down to balancing location, size, and budget. The Via Giulio Rubini area proved to be the sweet spot – close to attractions and ferry terminal, near authentic restaurants, quieter than waterfront zones, and better value than tourist-heavy areas.

Our main regret: booking too small. The modern 350-square-foot studio looked fine in photos but felt cramped after two days. If I could redo it, I’d spend an extra €30-40 per night for a one-bedroom apartment with legitimate separate living space.

Second regret: bringing rolling suitcases. The cobblestone streets made luggage transport genuinely unpleasant. Backpacks or taxi service would have solved this.

What worked: fast WiFi, responsive host, kitchen for breakfast savings, and the location itself. Ten-minute walks to the ferry terminal felt perfectly reasonable, and being near authentic restaurants instead of tourist traps made evening dining much better.

For first-time Como visitors staying 3-4 nights, I recommend the city center area (within 10-12 minutes of both the main square and ferry terminal), booking slightly larger than you think you need, and packing light in backpacks instead of rolling luggage.

Key takeaways:

Last Updated: November 2025

Author Experience: Personal travel experience, October 2024