Lake Como

Why Visit?

Lake Como is a beautiful lake in the Italian Alps, about 50 km north of Milan. Immerse yourself in the untouched beauty of nature, captivated by the extraordinary charm of quaint villages inspired by this remarkable land's rich culture and traditions, and embark on thrilling outdoor adventures. Lake Como has been a beloved romantic destination for poets such as Stendhal and Mark Twain and a residence for numerous celebrities, including George Clooney, Gianni Versace, and Ronaldinho.

Lake Como, also known as Lario, is the third largest among the Italian lakes and boasts one of Europe's greatest depths, reaching approximately 410 metres. Its distinctive shape, resembling an inverted Y, was carved through centuries by melting glaciers. For avid hikers the lake features an abundance of natural trails, and the surrounding rolling hills and soaring mountains provide ample opportunities for adventures at every level.

Lake Como's special conditions make it a paradise for water sports enthusiasts, from sailing and windsurfing to kitesurfing. The microclimate weather system assures a nearly daily wind during the summer months.

Wind and Weather

The windy months for kitesurfing on Lake Como are April through to October. The weather is very similar to the Mediterranean climate, but the alpine location and proximity to the lake create a unique microclimate that fosters diverse trees, including palm trees you would not expect to find in a mountainous area.

In summer the weather is excellent even for kitesurfing in a short wetsuit, though from May until mid-July and in September a long wetsuit is more comfortable. Water temperatures reach an average of 24 degrees Celsius during July and August.

Lake Como provides an ideal kiting experience thanks to consistent thermal winds from April to October. The lake experiences four significant winds.

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Epic Gust Kite Coaching

Lake Como

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Breva: blowing from the south, this thermal wind is the prevailing wind on Lake Como when it is sunny. It usually starts mid-day at the Dervio and Cremia level, where the lake narrows and creates a bottleneck venturi effect. Wind strength ranges from about 12 to 22 knots, making it the perfect wind for kitesurfing or learning.

Tivano: this wind occasionally blows from the northeast when Foehn pressure and Swiss weather conditions support it, usually between 6am and 12pm. It typically reaches 15 to 25 knots and advanced riders find it favourable for early morning sessions.

Ricadutta: originating from the north, this wind often occurs after a thunderstorm in the mountains or above the lake and can bring gusts of up to 25 to 30 knots. It is not recommended for inexperienced riders and rarely lasts more than 3 to 4 hours.

Forecasting: we recommend not relying on Windguru or Windfinder, as they are unreliable for Lake Como and do not predict thermal winds. These platforms base their forecasts on larger-scale pressure systems and cannot account for smaller-scale thermal regimes or the influence of local topography on wind strength. The MeteoSwiss app is a better option, as it extends its visual predictions outside Switzerland so Lake Como and Lake Garda are both visible. Foehn charts are also useful for predicting thermal wind strength. Wind stations around the lake give actual real-time conditions. Everything combined can be found at comowind.org.

What Do Kitesurf Lessons Look Like on Lake Como?

Kitesurfing schools on Lake Como begin their lessons directly on the water by launching the kites from a boat in the middle of the lake. The thermal wind is ideal for beginners and typically starts at Dervio and Cremia due to the venturi effect caused by the narrowing of the lake, and blows through the lake till the North tip.

Teaching from a boat ensures maximum safety and an endless playground for students. They first practise body dragging, board recovery, and then water starts, riding, and tricks with the help of the instructor. The best thing about boat lessons is that walking upwind on the beach is completely removed. Students have a 10 km downwind area and endless practice space.

From the many kite school options on the lake, we recommend the top-rated Epic Gust Kitecoaching based in Domaso. They offer semi-private and private lessons, including wingfoil lessons, with radio-assisted instruction throughout each session. This approach allows the student to fly a kite uninterrupted during the session, which is why kitesurfing students on Lake Como can reach riding level on the first day. After the session, enjoy the evening at the Kite Bar with fellow kiters.

Where Are the Best Kitesurfing Spots on Lake Como?

A note before the list: every shore launch on Lake Como requires confident, competent riding. The shoreline is close to rocky beaches and banks, fixed moorings, trees, and mountain terrain. An unplanned swim or kite damage is possible if you are not prepared. If in doubt, go out by boat, there are plenty kite shuttle services.

Visiting Lake Como

Exploring Lake Como is a delight, especially with a car that allows you to move to other spots, cities or mountain tops. The public transport is ok and the ferries are great too. Discover picturesque ports in each enchanting town. We highly recommend visiting Menaggio, Varenna, and Bellagio on a less windy day, or before or after a session. These towns are south of the wind zone and are connected by ferry several times a day from the north of the lake.

No Wind Activities

Luckily Lake Como's wind system is reliable, offering five to six windy days per week during the summer. On non-windy days, boredom is not an option, especially for those who thrive on outdoor adventures. Colico has a remarkable wakeboard park that caters to water sports enthusiasts regardless of wind conditions, and it has a fantastic Go-Kart track too. Paragliding also remains a highly popular activity with tandem flying options in the northern region, offering views of the scenery that are hard to match from the water. And there is always Milan, less than an hour away, with enough to fill any number of non-windy days.

Food and Drink

Although Larian cuisine is prominent by the lake, plenty of delightful mountain flavours and hillside delicacies exist alongside it. You will find charming trattorias and restaurants throughout the villages, as well as agriturismos where you can taste local wines, homemade pasta, and the fish of Lake Como. The northern villages operate on aperitivo time in the late afternoon, where drinks arrive with small snacks and sandwiches as a matter of course.

Nightlife

The northern part of the lake, where the wind blows, offers little nightlife. Small bars and clubs exist in towns like Domaso, Colico, and Dervio, but the social culture here revolves around aperitivo rather than late nights. A more vibrant nightlife can be found in the larger southern towns of Lecco and Como, which also host outdoor concerts and festivals during summer, along with pubs and clubs. These are one to two hours from the wind zone.

Internet

Internet connection is available in restaurants and hotels throughout the area. During the summer months speeds can be slower due to higher demand.

Accommodation

Accommodation on Lake Como ranges from simple campsites close to nature through to five-star lakeside hotels, Airbnb options, and private villas. In Domaso various campsites can be found depending on your needs. Many villages are north of the lake from Dervio up to Colico, and on the northwest coast from Domaso through Dongo and Gera Lario to Cremia. Whether you are looking to stay near waterfalls, rivers, or an old town with a medieval Italian feel, the options are there.