With one day, you'll have time to see up to three towns (such as Como, Bellagio, and Varenna) if you take the direct train from Milan and then make use of the Lake's extensive ferry system. If you have even more time available, you should stay longer in Lake Como.

Yes, Bellagio is a highly feasible and popular day trip from Milan in 2026. The most efficient way to get there is to take a 1-hour train from Milano Centrale to Varenna-Esino, then catch a 15-minute ferry across the lake to Bellagio. This route takes about 1 hour and 45 minutes total each way and is very scenic. Alternatively, you can take a train to the city of Como and take a "hydrofoil" (fast boat) to Bellagio, which takes about 45 minutes on the water. While Bellagio is small enough to see in a few hours, a day trip allows you to explore its steep cobblestone streets, the beautiful gardens of Villa Melzi, and enjoy a lakeside lunch. For 2026 travelers, it is a "pro-tip" to book your ferry tickets online in advance during the summer months, as the queues at the Varenna dock can be quite long, and the last ferries back to the train station are often crowded.