Brunate Funicular & Village Panorama
A century-old red funicular hauls you 700 metres above sea level in just seven minutes, depositing you in the tiny hillside village of Brunate where the entire southern arm of Lake Como unfolds below like a painted map. On a clear day the Alps march across the northern horizon in a full-width sweep.
The Ride and the Ridge
The Funicolare Como–Brunate has been running since 1894 and the original Belle Époque cabins have been lovingly preserved. The ascent is steep enough to feel genuinely dramatic — hang on to the rail and watch Como's terracotta rooftops shrink below you.
At the top, the village itself is worth a slow wander: Liberty-style villas peek through cypress trees, and the church of Sant'Andrea offers a free, crowd-free belvedere with a railing you can lean on while you photograph the lake.
Beyond the Summit
Serious walkers can continue on foot from Brunate to the Faro Voltiano lighthouse, a 20-minute uphill stroll rewarded with a 360-degree panorama that takes in both arms of the Y-shaped lake simultaneously — one of the finest viewpoints in all of Lombardy.
The trail continues further to Torno and other lakeside villages for those who want a half-day hike back down to the water. Sturdy shoes and a water bottle are all you need.
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