I arrived from Switzerland (Locarno) and rode through the Lake Como area before continuing on to Malgrate and later Bormio. The rides themselves weren’t very long, but they gave me a realistic picture of what riding around the lake is like in summer: busy, hot and sometimes chaotic, but with moments that make it all worthwhile.
In this blog, I share practical tips: which sections are the most enjoyable, where you need extra patience, what the local riding style is like and where I would personally stay if I returned.
Italian riding style: chaotic, busy but manageable
My first real encounter with Italian traffic felt immediately different from Switzerland. At the border, traffic backed up at a customs post where all vehicles were forced into two lanes. On a motorcycle, I managed to save some time using a side lane, though it wasn’t clearly signposted.
- Indicators sometimes seem optional.
- Cars suddenly turn into parking spots, or pull back out just as suddenly.
- Traffic logic follows its own rules.
One car in front of me suddenly turned into a parking area without indicating, forcing me into a near full stop on my front brake. Moments like that demand full focus.
- Keep extra distance to allow margin for sudden manoeuvres.
- Expect the unexpected: driveways, parking entrances, sudden stops.
- Don’t let yourself get rushed: ride defensively, especially in heat and traffic.
- In summer it easily exceeds 30°C: plan plenty of water and shade breaks.
Which parts of Lake Como are worth riding?
Not every part of Lake Como is equally enjoyable by motorcycle. This is how I experienced the different sections, on a scale of riding enjoyment:
The day I rode along the lake itself delivered exactly the image I had in mind: gentle curves, shaded streets between houses and almost constant views over the water. Not every memorable route needs hairpins.
Focus on the roads between the two ‘arms’ of the lake and a stretch of hill route: that's where you get the most enjoyment for the least frustration.
Treat Como town as a destination only if you truly want to visit it, not as a fun riding road. I rode the stretch between the two ‘arms’ myself, and it's exactly why I wanted to bring my motorcycle to Lake Como in the first place: no crazy hairpins, just easy riding along the water.
Dealing with traffic and heat around Como
In summer, Como can feel like an oven. During one ride, I was stuck in 30°C heat behind a truck wedged between two houses. Twenty minutes without movement. The building façade showed this clearly wasn’t the first time.
In moments like that, it’s easy to think: Why am I doing this? But a few smart choices make a big difference.
- Ride outside peak hours: early morning or later in the evening.
- Avoid tight schedules around Como: delays are the norm.
- When stopped for a longer time, step off your bike and find shade.
- Make sure your mesh or rain jacket is easy to ventilate: airflow is essential.
Where to stay at Lake Como with a motorcycle
During my stay, I chose hotels located slightly higher up on the hills above the lake: a short but twisty climb, a quieter setting and usually better views.
One hotel offered covered parking with a barrier: a big plus when travelling solo by motorcycle. A glass elevator took me from the garage up to the hotel, with lake views along the way. Pool, terrace, Aperol in hand: instant holiday mode.
Another hotel had a hidden bonus: a small path behind the building led to a neighbouring hotel where an elevator brought you straight down to the lakeshore. There I found stone steps with flowing water, the perfect place to sit, cool down and breathe after a hot riding day.
What I look for in hotels around Lake Como:
Is Lake Como a destination or a stopover?
Honestly? I see Lake Como more as a stopover than as a main motorcycle destination. It’s beautiful to soak up the atmosphere: a cocktail with lake views, fireworks over the water, a swim in the pool, a walk to a hidden terrace…
But for pure riding pleasure, you’ll find more joy elsewhere: Alpine passes, quieter mountain regions or further on towards Bormio and Stelvio. For me, Lake Como is a place to arrive and unwind, where you accept some chaos for the views, before continuing towards roads that feel truly made for motorcycling.
In short: if you plan to ride around Lake Como by motorcycle, plan smart. Pick the best sections, account for traffic and heat, and use the region as a place to enjoy the atmosphere, not as a technical riding paradise.
Travelling between the Alps (Grimsel, Furka, Gotthard) and later Stelvio or Gavia? Then Lake Como makes a perfect one- or two-night stop. A place for Aperol, views and a refreshing swim, before heading back into the mountains with renewed energy.
- Traffic: around Como and major towns, summer traffic can be intense. Plan extra time and patience.
- Tunnels: some lake sections consist mostly of tunnels: practical for transit, less scenic.
- Heat: 30°C in traffic jams is common. Hydrate well and plan shade breaks.
- Parking: choose hotels with covered or secured parking, especially if travelling solo.
- Best riding experience: focus on the roads between the two lake arms and hillside routes.
