The Perfect 24 Hours in Lake Como

Some destinations demand an itinerary, places you must visit and lines you unfortunately will have to queue in. Other destinations require a certain amount of surrender. Lake Como belongs firmly to the latter. Mornings begin slowly behind open shutters, afternoons disappear over over long lunches, and the journey across the water is often as memorable as the destination itself.

At Rewind Vintage Affairs, we spend a lot of time in Como. Our permanent pop-up, which features a curated selection of pre-owned and vintage pieces with Tessabit is locted on that beautiful lake. The lake’s enduring glamour lies not only in its grand villas and immaculate gardens, but in the contrast between polished luxury and the quieter rituals of Italian life: an espresso taken standing at the bar, a family-run bottega, a perfectly chilled glass of wine as evening settles over the mountains.

For those with only one day to spare, this is Rewind Vintage Affairs’ guide to the perfect 24 hours in Lake Como, including where to stay, where to shop for exceptional vintage fashion, and where to experience the art of aperitivo.

All image rights belong to their respective owners. If you are a rights holder and would like an image credited or removed, please contact us.

Morning: Wake up at Passalacqua

There are hotels, and then there is Passalacqua. Set within an 18th-century villa overlooking the lake in Moltrasio, Passalacqua feels more like the private home of an exceptionally well-travelled Italian family than a traditional resort. Its 24 individually styled rooms are layered with antiques, Murano glass, ornate textiles and unapologetically romantic colour.

The hotel was named The World’s Best Hotel in 2023, but its appeal extends far beyond accolades. The real luxury is in the atmosphere: breakfast beneath striped parasols, gardens tumbling towards the water and the sense that nothing needs to happen particularly quickly.

Begin the morning on the terrace with coffee, fruit and pastries still warm from the kitchen. Lake Como is best experienced before the day becomes crowded, when the water is glass-like and the mountains remain softened by morning haze. Leave enough time for a swim before checking out... or, preferably, deciding not to check out at all.

Late morning: Vintage shopping

From Moltrasio, make the short journey to Villa d’Este, where shopping comes with one of Lake Como’s most beautiful settings. At Tessabit’s Villa d’Este boutique, discover a vintage edit sourced and selected by Rewind Vintage Affairs, with exceptional pieces from houses including Hermès, Chanel, Louis Vuitton and Dior.

Each is chosen for its rarity, condition and place within fashion history. The pleasure of vintage lies in never knowing exactly what will be waiting. It might be a sculptural Chanel evening bag, a silk scarf from a long-forgotten collection or an Hermès piece whose patina makes it more desirable than anything newly produced.

In a destination defined by historic villas, immaculate gardens and objects made to endure, archival fashion feels especially at home.

All image rights belong to their respective owners. If you are a rights holder and would like an image credited or removed, please contact us.

Afternoon: Aperitivo at Da Luciano in Laglio

Continue north towards Laglio, a small lakeside village known internationally as one of George Clooney’s preferred corners of Lake Como. Despite its famous residents, Laglio retains a quieter, more residential character than many of the lake’s better-known towns.

Its essential address is Da Luciano, a traditional bottega and caffè overlooking the water. Part neighbourhood grocery shop, part café and part local institution, Da Luciano serves everything from morning espresso and homemade cakes to regional cheeses, cured meats and generous glasses of wine.

It is relaxed, unpretentious and almost impossibly photogenic — exactly the kind of place that increasingly feels difficult to find in more heavily visited destinations. George Clooney is reportedly among its admirers, although the real endorsement comes from the local regulars who continue to gather there throughout the day.

Reservations are not accepted, so arrive early, embrace the wait and order another drink if necessary. (Da Luciano)

Choose a table overlooking the lake and order a tagliere of local salumi and cheese. This is not the place to rush through lunch in pursuit of the next reservation. The waiting, watching and occasional second glass of wine are all part of the experience.

All image rights belong to their respective owners. If you are a rights holder and would like an image credited or removed, please contact us.

Early evening: Take the scenic route to Bellagio

No Lake Como itinerary would be complete without seeing the lake from the water. For the smoothest version of this 24-hour guide, arrange a boat in advance and travel across to Bellagio during the late afternoon.

Approaching the town by water reveals precisely why it remains one of the lake’s most celebrated destinations: ochre villas, cypress trees and steep cobbled streets rising from the shoreline.

Once ashore, resist the temptation to follow a rigid route. Wander uphill through the town’s narrow passageways, stopping to browse its independent shops and admire the views that appear unexpectedly between buildings.

Bellagio can be busy during the middle of the day, but towards evening it begins to soften. Day visitors depart, restaurant terraces fill and the town regains some of its old-world romance.

Evening: Wine at Aperitivo Et Al

End the day at Aperitivo Et Al, an intimate wine bar tucked into the centre of Bellagio. The setting is charming without feeling overly polished: a small, characterful space devoted to Italian wine, local food and the increasingly rare pleasure of allowing the sommelier to choose for you.

The bar offers around 40 wines by the glass, while its cellar contains approximately 1,500 bottles spanning some of Italy’s most representative producers. Pair a glass of Franciacorta, Barolo or a lesser-known regional wine with a selection of local dishes and settle in for the evening. (Aperitivo Bellagio)

There is no need for an elaborate conclusion to a day on Lake Como. A good bottle, a table on a cobbled street and nowhere else to be are more than sufficient.

Return to Passalacqua by boat as the lights begin to appear along the shoreline — the lake dark beneath you, the illuminated villas suspended against the mountains.

All image rights belong to their respective owners. If you are a rights holder and would like an image credited or removed, please contact us.

Lake Como, the Rewind way

The perfect day in Lake Como is not about seeing everything. It is about choosing a handful of exceptional places and allowing enough time to enjoy them properly.

Stay somewhere with history. Shop for pieces with stories of their own. Order what the locals are drinking. Take the boat rather than the fastest road. Leave space in both your schedule and your suitcase for something unexpected.

After all, the greatest luxury Lake Como offers is not excess. It is time — and the freedom to spend it beautifully.