Looking for things to do in Brunate? This hilltop village is one of the best-kept secrets on Lake Como. While most visitors stick to the lakeside towns, this hilltop village at 500 metres above the water offers a completely different experience — panoramic views, Art Nouveau architecture, Alpine trails, and some of the best food on the lake. Here are 7 experiences you cannot miss.
1. Ride the Historic Funicular
The journey is the first experience. The Como-Brunate funicular has been running since 1894, climbing from Piazza De Gasperi in Como to Brunate in just 7 minutes. Watch the lake unfold below you as you rise through the forest — it is one of the most photogenic rides in Italy.
2. Walk to the Volta Lighthouse
A 20-minute walk from the village takes you to the Faro Voltiano, the octagonal lighthouse built in 1927 to honour Alessandro Volta. From the top, on clear days, you can see from the Orobie and Lepontine Alps to Monte Rosa, then the Po Valley and the Madonnina of Milan — arguably the finest panorama on Lake Como.
3. Discover the Liberty Villas
Brunate is an open-air museum of Art Nouveau architecture. During the Belle Epoque, wealthy Milanese families built elaborate summer villas here, decorating them with ornate facades, wrought-iron balconies, and lush gardens. A stroll through the village reveals one architectural gem after another.
4. Watch the Sunset from the Terrace
Brunate faces west, which means spectacular sunsets. The best vantage point? MamaGina’s terrace, where you can sip an Aperol Spritz while the sky turns gold, pink, and purple over the Alps. It is the moment that makes every visitor understand why Brunate is called the Balcony of the Alps.
5. Hike the Mountain Trails
Brunate is the starting point for several beautiful hikes. The trail to Monte Boletto (1,236m) takes about 2 hours and rewards you with 360-degree Alpine views. For something easier, the path along the ridge to San Maurizio offers gentle walking with constant lake views. All trails start within 10 minutes of the funicular station.
6. Taste Authentic Italian Cuisine
MamaGina brings the best of Italian home cooking to Brunate. Gina’s kitchen serves dishes that celebrate Lombard tradition — from the legendary Spaghetti MamaGina to the slow-cooked Polenta Taragna, from fresh bruschette to the famous Mega Tiramisu. Every dish is prepared with love and served with that view.
7. Take the Last Funicular Down by Night
End your Brunate day the best way possible: dinner at MamaGina, then the funicular ride back to Como after dark. The descent through the night, with the city lights reflected in the black lake below, is pure magic. It is the kind of ending that makes you start planning your next visit before you reach the bottom.
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