Ride a century-old funicular from Como's lakefront to the hillside village of Brunate and the view opens across the entire lake basin to the Alps. Pair it with a morning in Como's silk-city streets and cathedral — a day that layers urban history with Alpine panorama, all within easy reach of Malpensa.
Expect 1 hour to Lake Como, then 30 minutes to Brunate. A private driver from Malpensa Airport ensures you explore both the elegant lakeside villas and panoramic funicular viewpoint at your own pace.
Yes, several easy and marked walks lead through chestnut woodland from Brunate village. The walk to the San Maurizio Lighthouse takes around 30 minutes one way and offers especially fine panoramic views. Longer trails connect Brunate to surrounding villages and ridges, ideal for active travelers wanting to combine sightseeing with a hike.
Brunate sits above Como on a hillside about 28 miles (45 km) northeast of Malpensa Airport. The drive to Como takes around one hour, then a seven-minute funicular ride climbs to Brunate at over 720 meters elevation. A private driver makes the trip seamless by handling both ends without rental car parking issues.
Como's highlights include the Duomo with centuries of Gothic and Renaissance stonework and Flemish tapestries inside, the Silk Museum dedicated to Como's extraordinary textile heritage, and the lakefront promenade. Stop for coffee and a cornetto in one of the old-town cafes before the funicular climb to Brunate.
On clear days, Brunate offers panoramic views stretching from the Swiss Alps in the north to the Lombardy plain in the south. The entire Lake Como basin spreads out below, with Bellagio's promontory visible in the distance. Liberty-style villas, a lighthouse memorial, and easy walking trails through chestnut woodland make the village itself worth exploring.
In Como, try risotto al pesce persico (lake perch risotto) or missoltini (dried lake fish) at a lakeside restaurant. Brunate has a few rustic trattorias serving traditional Lombard cooking and Alpine flavors. Local wines from the Valchiavenna and Valtellina regions pair well with both lakeside and mountain dishes.
The Como-Brunate funicular has operated since 1894, climbing the steep slope from Como's waterfront to the hillside village of Brunate. The ride takes about seven minutes and delivers sweeping views over Lake Como and surrounding mountains. It runs frequently throughout the day, though queues can build during peak summer hours.
Comfortable walking shoes are essential for Como's cobbled streets and Brunate's woodland paths. Dress in layers, as the hilltop village can feel noticeably cooler and breezier than the lakeshore. Bring a light jacket year-round and waterproof gear if rain is forecast. Sun protection is important even on partly cloudy days at altitude.
Early mornings offer the best light for photography and the shortest queues. Spring and autumn provide clear visibility and comfortable weather for the hilltop walks. Summer is busiest, with longer waits during peak hours. Winter rides can be magical when the lake is misty, though some hilltop trails may be slippery.
Day trips offer travelers private round-trip transportation to popular sightseeing locations. One of our professional drivers will pick you up in a luxurious, climate-controlled car, take you to the site of interest, and wait for you while you explore before driving you back to your hotel.
Yes! You’re free to choose the pickup and drop-off times that work best for you. However, the time spent at the destination is fixed and cannot be changed.
Each sightseeing stop has a recommended duration that includes plenty of time to explore. However, it is possible to customize the time spent at each sightseeing stop at a later stage in the booking process to best fit your unique schedule.
Your Daytrip driver will wait for you nearby for the duration of your exploration, meaning you’ll never have to wait for your return trip transportation to arrive. Your comfort and convenience are our top priorities, and we aim to close out your day trip with a return on your schedule.
The price of a day trip does not include any entrance tickets, guided tours, or meals you may partake in at your destination. The price covers round-trip transportation in a luxury vehicle with a professional driver who can provide local insights en route.
Day trip bookings can be canceled up to 24 hours before your trip for a full refund, no strings attached. While the destination and stops are predetermined, it is possible to change your pick-up point, whether it is at your hotel or some other location within the city.