This article was published in September 2024 and has been updated to include details of the Como Cup – a pre-season festival of football by the lake, featuring hosts Como, Celtic, Ajax and Al-Ahli, running from July 23-27.

Como is hardly a hidden gem. Linked to blockbuster movies and celebrity residents (rumour has it that George Clooney shoots hoops with local kids and carries groceries for the nonnas), it’s perfectly reasonable to arrive in the lakeside city loaded with high expectations.

After a smooth 40-minute car ride from Milan Malpensa, I arrived at the Palace Como Hotel with my usual checklist for an Italian escape – great food, friendly locals and that dolce vita feeling I struggle to replicate at home.

Italy is my city break country of choice and after many trips I have become wonderfully spoilt in my nonchalant attitude to what was once a novelty (of course I’m wandering by an ancient Roman ruin while eating artisan gelato). So I was surprised when Como reinvigorated my inner tourist and had me captivated from the minute I arrived.

Nestled against the foothills of the Alps, you immediately feel the pull of the lake. The third-largest in Italy and one of the deepest in Europe, with a maximum depth of 410 metres (that’s 100 vertically stacked double-decker buses – no, I don’t like thinking about it either) and shaped like an inverted ‘Y’, Como sits at the southwestern tip.

Even on a rainy day, the lake calls your name, drawing you in as your eyes take in the sight of hundreds of villas nestled next to each other from the shores to the hills, ranging from sprawling historical villas to modest (yet still remarkable) homes.

Luckily, the sun was beating down on the water, and after quickly unpacking, I ducked into Al Molo, a popular gelateria and bar opposite the train station, to pick up a takeaway Aperol Spritz to sip on whilst meandering down the Lungolago.

On any given day, the lakeside pathway is filled with gelato-tasting pedestrians, joggers and perhaps the odd fellow Spritzer (I like to think that I inspired a few people to follow suit).

After devouring a pizza at Fratelli Coppola, I headed towards the town centre to walk off my Neopolitan feast. 

I envy those who have yet to see the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta for the first time. Standing proudly in the Piazza del Duomo, the vast white marble façade is impossibly ornate adorned with Gothic features paired with Romanesque, Renaissance and Baroque elements. With a Latin Cross floor plan, the inside is as captivating as the exterior. To experience the full effect, I recommend taking a seat opposite at the equally historic Da Pietro and sip on a glass of Prosecco as you soak up the atmosphere.

Three days later, I was still in awe of this city and its beautiful architecture, sprawling streets, luxury shops and fantastic restaurants. The lake somehow became more beautiful every night, ensuring my post-dinner evening walks never once became tiresome.

Just when I thought it couldn’t get better, I secured tickets to a Como game – an experience unlike any other stadium visit.  

As I headed up the stairs to the main stand, the incredible view of the lake complete with a plane flying impossibly low, scooping up water as it soared by, took my breath away. If a movie experience was what I was expecting, Como certainly delivered. Home fans decked in blue and white surrounded me with the rowdy away fans to the right. 

A 2-1 win over Bari was an incredible experience that left me craving my next calcio hit.

Plus, with hiking, water activities and boat trips to the surrounding towns and villages on offer, there are so many reasons to return to Como again and again.

Football On The Lake

Billed as a ‘celebration of sport, sound and style’, Como hosts European giants Celtic and Ajax as well as Saudi Pro League outfit Al-Ahli for a five-day festival of football, fashion, food and fun, and Destination Calcio is there all week to bring you the very best bits.

The Stadio Sinigaglia and its surrounding area will host nightly DJ sets, culinary events, and pop-ups for fans and visitors to explore from July 23-27.

Each evening will see live music down by the waterfront, while Michelin-star chefs and local kitchens will be serving up the region’s finest food. Fashion and football culture pop-ups will also be on site, while there will be late-night lounges to enjoy and ‘surprise performances’ are also promised.

“Football On The Lake is more than just a tournament – it’s a glimpse of what the future holds for Como,” said club president Mirwan Suwarso. “Great football, unforgettable experiences, and one of the most beautiful settings in the world, all coming together in celebration. This is just the beginning.

“We’re building something special here – something that brings our community, our city, and the global game together in a way only Como can.”

The Como Cup promises a complete remodelling of the pre-season tournament, with previous summer competitions having a strong focus on events on the pitch – such as Arsenal’s Emirates Cup or the Audi Cup hosted by Bayern Munich.

“Our goal is to position Como 1907 as the heartbeat of luxury football travel,” added Suwarso. “We’re not just hosting fans—we’re inviting the world to live football through the lens of Como: stylish, soulful, and uniquely Italian.”

Como play Al-Ahli on July 23 before Ajax and Celtic meet the following day. After a rest day on Friday, there is a third-place play-off on Saturday July 26, before the winners of the opening two matches meet in the final on the Sunday.