Como sits at the southwest tip of Lake Como, where ferries leave from the waterfront and the walled old town begins behind Piazza Cavour. Stay near the docks for lake trips, or near Como San Giovanni for early trains.
Inside the medieval walls, the cathedral faces Piazza Duomo and the streets around San Fedele lead south toward Porta Torre. The lanes are compact and mostly walkable, with cafés and shops between the squares. A central room saves trips across town, but on pedestrian streets a taxi may not reach the door.
Piazza Cavour opens onto the lakefront and the boat piers. East of the square, Sant'Agostino is close to the Como–Brunate funicular. To the west, the promenade passes the Tempio Voltiano and continues toward Villa Olmo. Ferries reach other lake towns, but routes and frequency vary by season, so check the boat back before you plan a day trip.
Como has two stations that matter. Como Lago ends beside the waterfront and links to Milano Cadorna through Saronno. Como San Giovanni, west of the center, has trains toward Milano Centrale and Switzerland. Stay on the lakefront for boats. A San Giovanni address can spare you a walk uphill with luggage.
Walk the shore in spring or early autumn. July has average daytime highs around 86 °F, and spring has more rainy days than midsummer. The funicular climbs to Brunate for views over the city and the western branch of the lake. Como is the town at the lake's southern end, not a hotel base for every lakeside village.