Last Updated on July 29, 2026 by Themigonikitchen

Where to Stay in Lake Como with Kids: Why We Chose Bellano

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Planning a family trip to Italy is an absolute dream—until you look at the actual geography of Lake Como. If you’ve spent any time researching online, you’ve probably fallen in love with the postcard-perfect photos of Bellagio and Varenna.

But here is the reality check for anyone traveling with a toddler, a baby, or multiple young kids: those famous towns are built almost entirely on steep vertical inclines, feature endless stone staircases, and are packed shoulder-to-shoulder with tourists during peak travel seasons.

When we planned our 10-day trip to Italy last summer with our 5-year-old and 7-month-old, my primary goal was avoiding the stress of steep steps and crushing crowds. That’s exactly why we skipped the “Golden Triangle” hubs and spent 5 nights in Bellano instead.

If you are trying to figure out where to stay in Lake Como with kids without losing your sanity, here is our honest, real-life parent review of why Bellano is the ultimate family travel hack.

The Hidden Pitfalls of the Most Famous Lake Como Towns

Before jumping into why we loved our base, it’s important to understand why the traditional tourist spots can be incredibly tough with little ones:

• Bellagio & Varenna: These towns are staggeringly beautiful, but they are highly vertical. Pushing a heavy stroller up those vertical stone alleys is a brutal workout, and navigating them with a baby carrier in the summer heat gets exhausting fast.

• The Crowd Factor: Because these towns are small, the narrow streets get intensely congested. Managing a sensory-overloaded 5-year-old while trying not to lose a stroller in a crowd of tour groups is not my idea of a relaxing vacation.

Why Bellano is the Perfect Alternative for Families

Located just a few minutes north of Varenna on the eastern shore, Bellano feels like a different world. It’s a real, breathing Italian town rather than just a tourist destination, and it makes slow family travel incredibly easy.

1. A Slower, Flatter, and Safer Pace

Bellano is significantly flatter and less congested than its famous neighbors. We could lazily stroll through the town, stop by local bakeries, and head down to the water without conquering a small mountain of stairs every time we left our front door.

2. Direct public ferry access

Choosing a quieter town doesn’t mean you miss out on the classic sights. Bellano has its own direct ferry stop. We loved taking the boat to explore other towns—it doubled as a fun, breezy boat ride for our 5-year-old!

Ferry Tip: Lines at the ferry ticket kiosks in Bellagio and Varenna can get shockingly long and chaotic. In Bellano, we walked right up to the stand early in the morning and bought our tickets with zero wait. You can also pre-purchase online if you want to save time.

3. Built-In Kid Activities Right in Town

When you stay in the busier towns, you constantly have to travel to find open spaces for kids. In Bellano, the family-friendly activities are right there:

• • Lido di Bellano: A brilliant local beach club right on the water featuring a pool, lake access, and an onsite restaurant/bar. It’s perfect for letting the kids splash around while parents relax. (Note: You must make reservations online in advance, and they require swim caps for the pool, which they sell on-site!)

• • Orrido di Bellano: A beautiful natural gorge right in the middle of town. An easy, narrow paved walkway takes you right through the canyon over roaring water. Our 5-year-old loved it! (Stroller warning: The walkway is too tight for strollers, so this is where you’ll want to wear your baby carrier)

    • Buy your tickets ahead of time here

• • Incredible Food without the Tourist Premium: The food in this town was exceptional and way more affordable. We got daily pastries at Pasticceria Lorla, incredible pizza at Ristorante Pizzeria Bernina, and our absolute favorite gelato at Il Gelataio Matto

Where We Stayed: Our Bellano Apartment Rental

Instead of cramming our family of four into a tiny historic hotel room, we booked a spacious vacation rental apartment in Bellano, and we would absolutely stay there again.

Having separate bedrooms is a non-negotiable for us when traveling with a baby and a toddler to ensure everyone actually sleeps. The absolute highlight of this property was a massive, jaw-dropping outdoor terrace overlooking the lake. During our afternoon downtime hours when the baby needed a nap, we could sit outside, drink espresso, and enjoy the views while our 5-year-old hung out safely nearby.

The property also included a dedicated parking spot for our rental car, which was essential since we drove up from the Milan train station.

👉 Search Here to Find and Secure Family-Friendly Vacation Rentals and Hotels in Bellano

How to Do a “Day Trip” to the Crowded Towns (Without the Meltdowns)

You absolutely should still visit the other towns while staying in Bellano, but do it strategically. When we took the ferry over to explore Bellagio, we didn’t even try to push our stroller up the massive hills.

Instead, we hopped straight onto the Trombetta Express (The Bellagio Train Tour). It’s a 40-minute mini-train ride that winds through the town and features an audio guide. It was the perfect way to sightsee without the physical struggle: our daughter loved the novelty of the train, and it was smooth and quiet enough that our son fell fast asleep for a contact nap right on us!

Getting Around Lake Como with Kids: Our Transport Breakdown

• Arriving: We flew direct from Dallas to Venice, took a high-speed train to Milan, and then rented a car from the Milan station to drive to Bellano (about a 1.5-hour drive). Minimizing transfers and flights was key to keeping everyone regulated.

  • • Book your rental car via Discover cars for transparent pricing. Clear breakdown of costs with no hidden fees, showing details like security deposits, fuel policies, and mileage limits upfront

• Daily Travel: Keep the car parked! Once we settled into Bellano, we relied almost entirely on the public ferries to get around the lake. It’s easier, more scenic, and far less stressful than navigating the narrow, winding lakeside roads with kids in the back seat. We did use it to do a winery tour one day, which made it worthwhile for us!

If you want a peaceful, realistic, and truly enjoyable trip to Lake Como that respects your kids’ schedules and your own sanity, look outside the main tourist hubs. Bellano gave us the space, the slow rhythm, and the authentic Italian experience that made this one of our favorite family vacations ever.