For photographers, both amateur and professional, autumn is the season when Lake Como becomes a living canvas. The combination of golden foliage, soft mist rising from the water, and historic villages reflected in the lake’s surface offers endless opportunities for striking images. While the region is photogenic all year round, autumn adds depth, texture, and color that transform familiar landscapes into something entirely new.
Whether you are traveling with a camera in hand or simply capturing memories on your phone, these are some of the best spots to experience and photograph the colors of autumn on Lake Como.
Varenna: lakeside charm with vivid contrasts
Varenna is one of the most picturesque villages on Lake Como, and in autumn it reaches another level of beauty. The colorful houses along the waterfront stand out even more vividly when framed by golden trees and the deep blue of the lake. Walking along the Passeggiata degli Innamorati — the “Lovers’ Walk” — you’ll find countless perspectives for shots that balance architecture, water, and nature.
From the higher paths above the village, the view over Varenna with autumn foliage in the foreground creates compositions that feel almost like paintings. It is the perfect combination of intimacy and grandeur.
Bellagio: the pearl framed by autumn light
At the tip of the peninsula that divides the lake’s two southern branches, Bellagio is renowned for its elegance and sweeping views. In autumn, the light softens, and the gardens of Villa Melzi turn into a photographer’s paradise. The linden and plane trees lining the lakeside path transform into golden tunnels, while the reflections of the mountains shimmer with reddish hues.
Capturing Bellagio from the water is also a must. A ferry ride gives you a vantage point where the village appears framed by mountains dotted with autumn forests — a composition full of depth and harmony.
Brunate and the hills above Como
For panoramic photography, Brunate and the nearby hills are unbeatable. Reached by a funicular from Como, Brunate offers sweeping views over the city, the lake, and the Alps in the distance. In autumn, the forests around Brunate glow with shades of amber and copper, providing both wide panoramas and close-up opportunities for detail shots of leaves and textures.
From Brunate, hiking trails lead to viewpoints like Faro Voltiano and Monte Boletto. At sunrise and sunset, the interplay of warm autumn colors with the soft light creates dramatic and atmospheric images.
The Sentiero del Viandante: colors along the traveler’s path
The Sentiero del Viandante is a historic trail on the eastern side of the lake, stretching for about 45 kilometers. In autumn, sections of this path become corridors of color. Chestnut trees, vineyards, and small villages create a patchwork of tones that shift with the light throughout the day.
Photographers will appreciate the variety: wide panoramas over the lake, intimate village scenes, and textures of leaves and stone walls. It is a route where every curve hides a potential photograph.
North Lake reflections: Colico and Domaso
The northern part of Lake Como is less crowded and has wider horizons. In autumn, the calmer atmosphere makes it perfect for reflection shots. Early in the morning, the surface of the lake becomes a mirror, capturing the fiery tones of the mountainsides.
Colico’s broad shoreline and Domaso’s long beaches offer open spaces where you can set up your camera and wait for the light to shift. These locations are especially suited to wide-angle shots and long exposures that emphasize the serenity of the landscape.
Monte Legnone: the grand view of the northern lake
Towering above the northern tip of Lake Como, Monte Legnone is the highest peak in the area, rising to 2,609 meters. For photographers willing to make the climb — or even capture it from mid-altitude trails — the reward is a breathtaking panorama. In autumn, the contrast is striking: golden forests and vineyards lower on the slopes, deep blue lake waters below, and the snow-dusted Alps stretching into the distance.
The summit provides a 360-degree view that is unmatched, but even without reaching the very top, the trails around Pagnona and Roccoli Lorla offer exceptional photographic opportunities. Monte Legnone embodies the drama of autumn on Lake Como — vast, colorful, and unforgettable.
Chestnut forests and alpine meadows
Away from the lakeshore, the hills and valleys hide chestnut forests that are at their peak in autumn. In places like Alpe Giumello or the slopes above Lecco, you can photograph trails covered in golden leaves, wooden huts framed by larch trees, and meadows with unobstructed views of the lake below.
These settings are ideal for those who enjoy combining landscape photography with nature details. Mushrooms, moss-covered stones, and the texture of bark add a micro-scale richness to the grand autumn scenes.
Tips for capturing autumn photography on Lake Como
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Timing: Early morning and late afternoon are the golden hours. The low sun highlights the colors and adds depth.
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Weather: Don’t fear mist or light rain. Fog over the lake creates atmospheric shots that are unique to this season.
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Equipment: A wide-angle lens captures panoramic views, while a telephoto lens isolates details like villages on distant hillsides.
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Clothing: Dress in layers and be prepared for changing conditions, especially if hiking to higher elevations.
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Respect the environment: Many of the best photography spots are in natural areas. Stay on paths and be mindful of the landscape.
Why autumn photography on Lake Como is special
What makes autumn photography here so compelling is the combination of contrasts. The stillness of the lake mirrors the vibrancy of the trees, the historic villages add architectural lines to the natural palette, and the play of light transforms ordinary views into extraordinary compositions.
Unlike summer, when crowds can make it difficult to find quiet moments, autumn offers space and silence. You can wait for the perfect shot without distraction, listening only to the rustle of leaves or the distant sound of church bells.
For photographers, Lake Como in autumn is not just a destination; it is a season of discovery. Each corner, each trail, each village offers its own interpretation of the colors of fall. And once captured, these images hold not only beauty but the memory of a time when the lake shows its most intimate, poetic side.
