Why this road
There is only one road along this shore, so the fastest route uses the same SP583. The difference is that this version leaves it to dip into Torno and Nesso, which adds about a quarter of an hour and is worth every minute. The road runs right above the water through Blevio, Torno and Nesso, with the steep, villa-dotted west shore across the lake and the mountains closing in further north. The west shore road on the other side is busier and needs a ferry to reach Bellagio; this one gets you there on four wheels, with the lake beside you all the way.
The route
- AComo
Leave Como along the lakefront past the stadium and follow the signs for Bellagio on the SP583. Watch out for the limited traffic zone in the old town.
- 1Blevio
The road climbs a little above the water. Between the trees you see villas on the shore and Cernobbio across the lake.
- 2Torno
A small village around a harbour with a church right on the water. Worth a short stop.
- 3Nesso
The road crosses the deep gorge of Nesso, where a stream falls through the village into the lake.
- 4Lezzeno
A long, quiet stretch right along the shore, with the lake at its widest view towards Tremezzo and Villa Carlotta across the water.
- BBellagio
The village at the tip of the peninsula, with lanes of steps, the lakefront and ferries to Varenna and Menaggio.
Stops worth it
Fifteen minutes for the little harbour and the church of San Giovanni. Parking is tight, use the spaces above the village.
Walk down the steps from the main road to the old stone bridge where the gorge meets the lake.
Walk out to the point for the view up the lake where its arms divide.
Light and the best time
The road runs along the east side of the Como arm and looks west across the water. In the morning the far shore, with Moltrasio and Argegno, is front-lit by the sun behind you, while your side of the lake is still in the mountain's shade: soft, clear light and the calmest water. From late afternoon the sun is on your side and in front of you over the west shore mountains, the water glitters and the far shore turns to silhouettes. A morning start around 9 also beats most of the traffic.
April to June and September to October are best: mild, green and much quieter. July and August are hot and busy, the narrow road gets slow and parking in Bellagio is hard. The road is open all year. Weekends bring more traffic than weekdays.
By vehicle
Lovely with the roof down at an easy pace. You will not go fast here anyway, so enjoy the views and the smells of the gardens.
Curvy and fun, but narrow and full of blind corners. Expect buses and delivery vans in the middle of the road.
Perfect: slow road, short distances, and parking is easier in the villages and in Bellagio.
Doable in any car, but a small one is easier. In some places two cars barely pass, and the local buses take up the whole road.
Good to know
No tolls. The SP583 is narrow in places with blind bends, so it is not a road for large campers. Como's historic centre is a limited traffic zone with camera checks, do not drive into it. Parking in Bellagio is limited and paid, arrive early. If you want to see the west shore too, a car ferry crosses from Bellagio to Cadenabbia and Menaggio.
Route checked against OpenStreetMap on 2 November 2026. Roads, closures and rules change: always check before you go and follow local signs.
Questions
How long does it take to drive from Como to Bellagio along the lake?
About an hour of pure driving on the lakeside road, about a quarter of an hour more than driving straight through without the detours into the villages. With stops in Torno and Nesso, plan half a day.
Is the road from Como to Bellagio difficult?
It is not hard, but it is narrow and twisty, with blind bends and buses. Drive slowly and use your horn sparingly on the tightest bends.
Can I park in Bellagio?
Yes, but spaces are limited and paid. Come in the morning, especially at weekends and in summer.
Is it better to take the ferry to Bellagio?
If you are coming from the west shore, the car ferry from Cadenabbia or Menaggio is the quickest way. From Como, the lake road is the more beautiful way and needs no ferry.