Lake Como is the Y-shaped lake in the north of Italy. It's known for its quaint villas, views of the Alps, and wonderful hikes throughout the pre-alps. For centuries, Lake Como has been known as a popular vacation spot for the wealthy. Taking water ferries between Lake Como, Bellagio, Varenna, and other nearby villages.

With a history dating back to the Ice Age, Lake Como has grown into a popular tourist destination. It doesn't hurt that actor George Clooney has a home in Como and has the most beautiful things to say about the area. With a lush background, water activities, and some of the best food you'll eat in Italy, Lake Como (and the city of Como) has developed more tourists than actual locals. And sadly, the number of tourists that flood Como and the surrounding areas have grown so much that it can inhibit a person's stay. Let's take a look at some of the most popular areas and downfalls to vacationing here.

19 Driving In Como As A Tourist Is Not Smart

Renting a car and driving through the countryside may sound like a scene right out of a movie but it's not as easy as it looks. Due to Como's tight and windy roads, driving isn't always safe. The number of complications and accidents actually increases because tourists are too busy looking around at the scenery to focus on driving. And with the city being so old, Uber isn't a thing (and neither are many sidewalks).

18 Ferries Are Constantly Packed

Como is known for its water taxis. There's only so much you can do in the city of Como, so hopping on a boat and visiting other nearby villages and cities is encouraged. However, people tend to visit this area in the warmer months, which makes ferries and other boats incredibly crowded. Finding a seat can be very difficult.

17 You'll Be Waiting A Long Time For Dinner In The Summer

Similar to any vacation hot-spot in the summer, when you're heading out to dinner be aware of long lines and wait times. Not many people cook for themselves on vacation. And when in Italy, the idea of eating authentic food from Italy is more sought after than not. You can call for a reservation in advance but not every restaurant takes reservations.

16 But In The Winter, You'll Be Lucky If One Restaurant Is Open

On the flip side, the winter months are dead. Not too many people explore Italy in the winter — summer and spring are where it's at. But if you do choose to go see Como in the winter, be aware that the experiences will be different. The water is freezing, not many ferries are running, and you'll be lucky to find one or two restaurants open.

15 Is Bellagio Overrated?

Across the water from downtown Como, you can see another adorable village, Bellagio. Bellagio is also a very popular tourist destination known for its cobble-stoned walkways and luscious views. There are some beautiful alleyways to get lost in in Bellagio, however, one blogger explained that the city was "overrated." It's so overrun with tourists that it takes the beauty out of it.

14 Some Show Up To Como With No Plans And Camp Out

For some nomads, hearing that Lake Como is a place of luxury and high-profile people is enough to make anyone want to move there. The problem is, some are setting up shop wherever they please — as long as they have a tent. With the high level of interest in the area, there are many unauthorized people setting up camp, which can make roaming the city a little hectic.

13 On Second Thought, Maybe Renting A Car Is Smart...

Remember how we said renting a car in Como was a bad idea? On second thought, it may be the only way to get around Lake Como. With no Ubers, tourists take taxis around the city. But when every tourist that's visiting is taking a taxi, this can make waiting times extremely long and, you guessed it, expensive.

12 Two Days May Be Long Enough

One person took to Reddit to share their experience with the northern city. After hopping and back and forth between Como, Bellagio, Varenna, and Bergamo, they noted that staying the night in Como is a better idea than a day trip because everyone is doing a day trip and this can make the trip stressful. "It was beautiful in the daytime but there were far too many people in these tiny lake towns to enjoy them," they said sadly.

11 Plan Your Trip Accordingly

Many people don't realize that Lake Como is just the lake. The city of Como is often referred to as Lake Como, but it's simply the city surrounding it. However, Como is actually quite large, which is why travelers need to do their homework. "Bellagio is very small and you can walk around the whole thing in less than half a day," one tourist told Reddit. "Como itself is nice but you really need to pick a few of the places along the water and get the ferry to each."

10 Biking Around Is Not For The Faint Of Heart

With taxis being expensive, Ubers being non-existent, and renting a car not being a good idea, what's a tourist to do? Bike! You can rent a bike around Como or some Air BnBs and hotels can help find one for you. The problem with biking is that "locals tend to speed, and visitors can let their eyes wander to the stunning scenery," one tourist wrote on their blog. 

9 Water Taxis And Ferries Can Be Pricey

Leaving and arriving every 20 minutes or so, water taxis or ferries are a great way to get to and from different cities near Como. After all, Lake Como deserves to be explored. Sadly hopping on and off isn't as easy as one would expect; the prices can be very high — especially in the summer.

8 Sundays May As Well Be The Busiest

In Europe, many cities are closed for business on Sundays. It's a time to rest and to be with family. In more touristy areas (like Como), there will be more cafes and restaurants open in the warmer months but don't always count on it. And due to Lake Como's proximity to Milan and other larger cities in the area, it's a great day-trip for traveling tourists and locals nearby. And according to Reddit, Sunday is Como's busiest day.

7 The Lakes Are Always Packed

There's Lake Como, Lake Lugano, Lago del Segrino... the lakes in this region are stupendous. It makes sense why so many tourists are trying to spend their holidays nearby. But if you're expecting to spend the day in the water, your dreams may not come true. Water sports are very popular in this area, which can make the waters cramped and busier than usual.

6 Not All Beaches Are Free

It would be glorious if every beach or stretch of sand around Lake Como was free but that's not the case. According to Lake Como Travel, there are lake-side pools, chaired areas, and beach clubs that cost a pretty penny to attend. There are free beaches, of course, but you better believe those spots are taken by 11 am.

5 And Most Beaches Aren't Big Enough For The Loads Of Tourists That Come

Funny enough, Lake Como doesn't have that much sand or beach to stretch out at. According to one local, she only went swimming in the lake one time and as far as beaches go, there's not many that are longer than "100 or so feet-long." She continues saying, "for the most part, the shores of the lake are either inaccessible rocky slopes or made out of stone (think a super-wide cobblestone sidewalk) and mostly reserved for boats."

4 The Lake Is Beautiful But There's A Reason There Aren't Too Many Swimmers

In the entry above, we learned a local only went swimming the beautiful Lake Como once. How can that be? Well, swimming is allowed but the same local explains the water isn't the cleanest. Thanks to the ferries and boats, the waters become polluted. Not to mention the lake is colder than you may think!

3 Parking Is A Joke

Not only is renting a car expensive and complicated in terms of driving throughout Como and the villages surrounding it, but parking can also be a problem. "Your odds of finding a parking space in the likes of Bellagio are slim to none" one Redditor noted. You mas well take trains, buses, or ferries instead of driving around for an hour trying to find parking.

2 Bags On Bags On Bags

When planning a trip to quaint cities like Como, Bellagio, or Varenna, how much luggage you have can make all the difference. Trecking your luggage in and around Lake Como's cities can cause a real strain. You'll be winded, the cobblestones will bother your wheels, and there's not much place for your luggage on the ferry!

1 Hotels Are Always Expensive

Hotels tend to be expensive in places like Lake Como because they know there are not many places to stay. Travelers want to feel safe and connected, which is why hotels are so great. They also may have other amenities that make your holiday feel at home. Knowing how badly tourists need a place to stay, you better believe those prices are jacked up.