Lake Como, an Italian gem nestled in the Lombardy region, has exerted an irresistible fascination on travelers from around the world for decades. With its crystalline waters reflecting the majestic peaks of the Alps, charming villages with colorful facades, and luxurious lakeside properties, Lake Como is more than just a natural jewel. It is a haven of peace, a dream destination, and for some lucky ones, a place to fulfill the ultimate dream: buying a house on Lake Como.
Purchasing a property on the shores of this iconic lake is more than just a real estate investment; it is an invitation to a life of elegance and serenity. The majestic villas and sumptuous residences lining the lake offer an idyllic living environment, where one can reside peacefully while enjoying breathtaking scenery. Imagine yourself as the proud owner of your own lakeside property, waking up each morning to a stunning view of the shimmering waters, majestic mountains, and picturesque villages.
But before diving into this adventure, it is essential to understand the Lake Como real estate market, current trends in real estate offerings, and the intricacies of buying a house on Lake Como.
- Holidays on Lake Como
- Things to do on Lake Como
- Why buy a house on Lake Como?
- Lake Como real estate prices
- Having a second home on Lake Como
- Home fo sale Lake Como Italy
- Living in Lake Como
Holidays on Lake Como
In 2022, the tourist flow was concentrated between April and October, accounting for 88.3% of the annual arrivals, according to the report by the Chamber of Commerce of Como-Lecco. Also in 2022, ISTAT recorded the presence of 3,975,524 people in the province of Como and 1,003,842 people in the province of Lecco.
According to the report published in 2022 by Polis Lombardia, the majority of visitors to Lake Como come from abroad, with German tourists still in the first position and the French still in fourth. But in the ranking of nationalities represented by tourists who come to Lake Como every year, we also have the Swiss, Americans, Belgians, English, Dutch, but their position in the ranking changes from year to year.
Things to do on Lake Como
If you take a map of Lake Como, you will see that there are a lot of things to do not only in Como!
That’s why more and more people are flocking to Italy’s deepest lake.
The best time to visit Lake Como is between May and September; in winter, the city empties of tourists and attractions, but prices drop, and it may be worth spending a few days there even off-season.
The variety of things to do and the tranquility over time have attracted VIPs from around the world to choose Lake Como for their vacations: George Clooney, Madonna, Avril Lavigne, Matt Damon, Brad Pitt with Angelina Jolie, Julia Roberts, … the list is endless, but it must be said that the success of Lake Como is undeniable.
The most visited towns on Lake Como are Menaggio, Brunate, Cernobbio, Varenna, Laglio, Bellagio, Argegno, Torno, Tremezzo, Nesso, but in our guide to things to do on Lake Como, you will find all the points of interest of this beautiful place.
Why buy a house on Lake Como?
The success of tourism on Lake Como, the increasing demand for short-term rentals to meet high tourist demand, and the shortage of long-term housing for Italian cross-border workers who work in Switzerland, create a scarcity of properties for sale in the local real estate market. Indeed, the seasonal rental market is attracting more and more foreign investors, but this is making it increasingly difficult for cross-border workers to access housing in this city.
Lake Como real estate prices
The real estate prices in Como are very high; according to Immobiliare.it, the price in the city center was €2600 per square meter in August 2023, one of the highest prices in the lake area. While house prices for sale continue to rise, so do rental prices in Como. However, prices are decreasing on the other side of the lake. In the province of Lecco, prices have decreased from €1850 per square meter in 2015 to €1562 per square meter in 2023 for real estate sales, but rental prices have been rising since 2020. Whether you want to buy an apartment in the center of Como or a house with a view of Lake Como, market research is essential to optimize your investment.
Nevertheless, this information can already help you get a first idea and guide you in choosing the best area to invest in.
Having a second home on Lake Como
Most foreigners see Lake Como as a superb investment opportunity. The climate in Como is very pleasant most of the time, and its proximity to Switzerland and other European countries makes it an ideal destination for weekend getaways and renting out property the rest of the time. The majority of purchases on Lake Como by foreigners are made with the idea of having a second home in Italy rather than living there year-round,
Home fo sale Lake Como Italy
If you wish to buy an apartment in the center of Como or with a view of the lake, you can search for listings on casa.it, immobiliare.it, idealista.it, which are the references in the Italian real estate market.
Living in Lake Como
Living in Como is undoubtedly a beautiful experience! From the center, you can easily reach Switzerland, but also Milan, which should not be missed during a stay in Lombardy.
In Como, there are 4 main train stations: Como San Giovanni, Como Borghi, Como Sole, Como Lago. A funicular to reach Brunate, a bus service, and a boat service allow tourists and residents to move easily around the lake.
As mentioned, Como empties of its tourists in winter, and it is also the time when there are fewer attractions. Working on Lake Como means having opportunities for permanent employment, especially in the manufacturing sector, while tourism mainly offers seasonal contracts. According to data gathered on Monster, other job opportunities on Lake Como are found in the industrial, commercial, and logistics sectors.
Are you ready to buy a house on Lake Como?