EZTrip.com International Destination Guide and Hotel Listings

Como has three train stations : Como San Giovanni, on the main line from Chiasso to Milan, and Como Borghi and Como Lago, from where trains run to Milan Nord, Saronno, Varese Nord and Novara Nord. Como Lago is, as its name suggests, on the lake shore, opposite the ferry jetty and across the road from the bus station . Como San Giovanni, ten minutes' walk from the lake and old centre, is connected with the jetty (and the bus station across the road) by buses #4 and #7. Como Borghi is on the southern side of the town centre, a short walk down Via Sirtori from Viale Battisti. Como San Giovanni has a small tourist office , but the main office is situated on Piazza Cavour (Oct-May Mon-Sat 9am-1pm & 2.30-6pm, Sun 9.30am-12.30pm; June-Sept Mon-Sat same hours, Sun 2.30-6pm; tel 031.269.712, www.lakecomo.com ).

Como's youth hostel is at the Villa Olmo , Via Bellinzona 2 (tel 031.573.800; L16,000/¬8.26; March-Nov); it also serves dinner (L15,000/¬7.75), has laundry facilities, rents out bikes, and can get you a discount on the funicular. To get there take bus #1 or #6 from Como San Giovanni or walk for twenty minutes along Via Borgo Vico (on the left as you walk down the steps from the main train station). An alternative for women is the Ostello per la Protezione della Giovane at Via Borgo Vico 182 (tel 031.573.540; L21,000/¬10.85). Grotty as Via Borgo Vico is, it also holds some of the town's cheaper hotels and is close enough to Como San Giovanni. The Sole , at Via Borgo Vico 91, is about as rough and ready as they come in Como (tel 031.573.382; L60,000-90,000/¬30.99-46.48); for around the same price, you could stay more centrally at the nicely positioned but very basic Teatro Sociale , in a fine arcade right by the duomo at Via Maestri Comacini 8 (tel 031.264.042; L60,000-90,000/¬30.99-46.48). Prices rise abruptly in the two-star bracket, but the Fontana , behind Piazza Cavour at Via D. Fontana 19 (tel & fax 031.271.110; L120,000-150,000/¬61.98-77.47), is at least a fairly central choice.

The liveliest of the cheaper places to eat is La Scuderia , Piazza Matteotti 4 (closed Tues), right next to the bus station; the pizzas here are pretty standard, so go for something simple. Alternatively, try the Osteria del Gallo at Via Vitani 16, centrally located and good value. Opposite the duomo in the restaurant of Teatro Sociale , at Via Maestri Comacini, you can get a good set meal for L30,000/¬15.49. If you crave something sweet, try the pastries at Belli on Via Vittorio Emanuele, or the ice creams at Bolla on Via Pietro Boldoni.