The best time of the year to visit Lake Como, Italy, is summer. Compared to much of Italy — and any other warm-weather destinations — Lake Como stays relatively cool year-round. June, July, August, and September are the only months out of the year when the temperatures average above 70°F during the day, but tourism will also be at its peak.
So if you don’t want to deal with other tourists and have crowds, you might want to consider visiting in May or October, but the temperatures are a bit cooler (typically in the low to mid-60s. It’s also one of the wettest places among the popular tourist destinations in Italy, with well over half the months in the year averaging over 5” of rain annually.
Weather in Lake Como
If you’re looking to make a trip to Lake Como, you want to be sure you go when the weather is ideal for the best possible experience. The best months of the year for great weather are during the summer, including June, July, August, and September. During these months, the average daytime temperature will be around 70°F to 80°F, perfect for exploring the town or going out on the lake.
The late spring and early fall months of May and October aren’t too bad, but the temperatures only get into the low 60s most days. The rest of the year is relatively cold for most places in Italy, with daytime temperatures only reaching the mid-40s on most days.
The winter is the dry season in Lake Como, with the least precipitation falling between December and March. April through November typically have about 5-8” rainfall each year.
| Month | Average High | Average Low | Precipitation | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 45°F (7°C) | 30°F (-1°C) | 2.8 in (71 mm) | Coldest month, occasional snowfall |
| February | 48°F (9°C) | 32°F (0°C) | 2.4 in (61 mm) | Cool, occasional sunny days |
| March | 55°F (13°C) | 37°F (3°C) | 3.1 in (79 mm) | Transitional month, increasing sunshine |
| April | 61°F (16°C) | 43°F (6°C) | 4.3 in (109 mm) | Pleasant, spring-like weather |
| May | 70°F (21°C) | 52°F (11°C) | 5.2 in (132 mm) | Warm, ideal for outdoor activities |
| June | 77°F (25°C) | 59°F (15°C) | 4.3 in (109 mm) | Start of summer, perfect for lake activities |
| July | 81°F (27°C) | 63°F (17°C) | 3.7 in (94 mm) | Hottest month, ideal for swimming |
| August | 80°F (27°C) | 62°F (17°C) | 4.3 in (109 mm) | Warm, perfect for water activities |
| September | 73°F (23°C) | 56°F (13°C) | 4.6 in (117 mm) | Pleasant, ideal for hiking and sightseeing |
| October | 63°F (17°C) | 48°F (9°C) | 5.2 in (132 mm) | Cooler, autumn colors emerge |
| November | 52°F (11°C) | 39°F (4°C) | 4.6 in (117 mm) | Chilly, occasional rainy days |
| December | 46°F (8°C) | 32°F (0°C) | 2.8 in (71 mm) | Cold, festive atmosphere |
Best Time for Outdoor Activities: June through September
The best time to travel to Lake Como if you want to do some outdoor activities in the area is during the summer months. During June, July, August, and September, the temperatures are optimal during the year, with average daytime high temperatures being around 70°F to 80°F on most days.
Although the other nearby months of May and October still have reasonably pleasant daytime temperatures, ranging from about 60°F to 65°F, they are typically rainier than the months suggested here. Especially May. May typically has upwards of 8” of rainfall or more every year, so you don’t want to plan many outdoor activities to have them rained out and ruined.
The only issue with traveling to Lake Como during these pleasant summer months is that most other people planning a trip to the town have the same thought process: wanting to enjoy the nice weather. That said, crowds can get a little busy during the summer months, but it won’t be anywhere close to as bad as the crowds in other major Italian cities like Venice, Rome, or Florence.
Best Time for Sightseeing & Museum Hopping: May through October
If you’re considering traveling to Lake Como for sightseeing and hopping around to the museums and other similar indoor activities, then you might not mind the chance of rain nearly as much as someone planning on spending most of their trip outdoors. That said, the best time of the year to travel to Lake Como for sightseeing and museums is between May and October.
The daytime temperatures during this year range from around 60°F up to 80°F, with the summer months bringing in the warmest temperatures. But this time of the year is also smack dab in the middle of the long rainy season of Lake Como, which lasts from April through November.
But that shouldn’t deter you from making the trip since the only dry times of the year here are during the winter months, and it can be too cold to enjoy your trip fully.
When the weather is nice and sunny, we recommend taking care of your outdoor activities and sightseeing on the lake because it could get rainy the next day and leave you stuck indoors. And if that happens, no worries. Head down to town and explore indoor activities, such as the many museums, or check out the Lake Como Duomo (cathedral) to stay dry while exploring the town.
Best Time for Honeymooners: June through October
Planning a honeymoon to Lake Como is an incredibly romantic option that easily has the potential to be the best trip of your new lives together. But when should you go? The best time of the year to visit Lake Como for a honeymoon is from June through October for many of the same reasons.
With the average daytime temperatures typically around 60°F to 80°F during these months, you and your new spouse can head outside any time you want and be comfortable in shorts and a t-shirt. We excluded May from this section since it’s the rainiest month of the year by far. We wouldn’t want you to risk getting your honeymoon rained out by planning your trip then.
During these months, you must contend with the high summer travel season and the general rainy season (except for May!). But those are two things that are expected when traveling to Lake Como. However, it is an incredible honeymoon spot because tourism is a far smaller issue than in other parts of Italy. So you can still feel like you have some privacy and time.
See Related: Best Villas in Lake Como for Rent
Best Time for Budget Travelers: November through March
As you can probably guess from all the other recommendations you’ve seen so far, one time of year isn’t ideal for traveling to Lake Como. This is, of course, any time from November through March, basically late-fall, winter, and early spring. But this is the best time of year to go for anyone looking to make the trip on a budget.
With daytime temperatures only reaching an average of low-40s, often not getting out of the 30s, it’s far too cold for most people to travel to the area. That said, it coincidentally brings the prices of everything — lodging, shops, food, etc. — to their lowest points of the year.
So if you’re willing to brave the cold temperatures, you can save some good money by traveling to Lake Como during winter. As a bonus to making the trip, the winter season is the dry season in Lake Como. So, although it’s a little cold outside during the day (especially overnight), you have an excellent chance of staying dry!
Best Time for Going Out on the Lake: July and August
Anyone who’s planning on traveling to Lake Como to go out on the lake itself and spend most of their trip on the water will want to hone in on the two months with the absolute best weather — July and August. Although these are the same two months, we don’t recommend traveling to much of Italy because of the sweltering heat. Lake Como is different and stays much cooler during the summer.
The average daytime temperatures during July and August in Lake Como range from around 75°F to 80°F, with highs rarely reaching even 90°F. This makes it almost perfect weather for anyone visiting the lake. These two months are also a bit drier on average than the other summer months, so you’ll have a smaller chance of getting rained out.
Another great reason to go out on the lake during these months is that tourism is at its peak, so the town will be full of visitors. Crowded streets and restaurants bustling with activity throughout the day. Going out on the lake is the perfect escape, and the weather could not be better. It’s the perfect Lake Como trip, full of peace and relaxation.
FAQ
How many days do you need in Lake Como?
We recommend you set aside at least three full days to enjoy Lake Como. From exploring the town to going out on at least one boat tour to spending time on the lake’s beaches. There’s plenty to do in Lake Como, and you don’t want to rush it.
What is the rainiest month in Lake Como?
Lake Como is one of the wettest tourist towns in Italy, and any month from April to November can produce substantial amounts of rain. On average, however, May is the rainiest month of the year, with nearly 8” of rain falling yearly.
When should I not visit Lake Como?
We don’t recommend visiting Lake Como during the winter months unless you want to save money on your trip. The temperatures around the lake get much colder than many places in Italy, with the average highs only getting into the low-40s at the most on most days.
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