Lake Como, also called Lake Lario, is the third largest in Italy, after Lake Garda and Lake Maggiore. It is one of the most picturesque of the Prealpine lakes and the only one of the three large northern lakes to be situated entirely in Lombardy. It lies in a valley scoured out by the ancient Adda glacier and is unusually shaped like an upside-down Y, with three branches running from Colico in the north, Como in the south west and Lecco in the south east. The point where the three branches meet is called the lake centre and is the most interesting part on account of its beautiful panoramic views.

Lake Como has about forty tributaries, the most important being the Mera and the Adda. The latter is the only outlet river and it flows out of the lake at the most southern point of the Lecco branch. The climate is generally mild, especially in the central area, which makes it very suitable for winter holidays. The lakeside vegetation is luxuriant – rhododendrons, azaleas, camellias and olive groves flourish, and lemon trees, date palms and other subtropical plants grow in sheltered areas.

There are attractive tourist resorts with many gardens and fine country houses all along the lakeside. The most popular of these are in the lake centre where the most important health resorts of Bellagio, Tremezzo, Cadenabbia and Menaggio are situated. Cernobbio, Gravedona, Bellano and Varenna are also interesting places, and Como and Lecco are well known tourist centres.

Trains run from Milan to Como and Lecco and all the way down the east side of the lake. Roads in excellent condition make it possible to drive all round the lake and a regular ferry service connects the towns on each side.