Brunate Funicular & Monte Brunate Terrace
A four-minute funicular ride from the lakeside town of Como lifts you 720 metres above sea level to the hillside village of Brunate, where a panoramic terrace rewards you with one of the most jaw-dropping views in all of Lombardy — the entire southern arm of Lake Como laid out below like a crumpled silk map.
The Ride & the View
The funicular has been running since 1894 and the vintage red cars still creak reassuringly as they haul you up through forest and villa gardens. Step off at the top and walk two minutes to the main belvedere terrace: on clear days you can see as far as Milan's skyline and, beyond it, the faint smudge of the Apennines.
Sunrise here is extraordinary — the lake surface catches the first light while the valleys below remain in blue shadow. Serious photographers hike a further 45 minutes up to the Faro Voltiano lighthouse (built 1927) for an even higher vantage point.
Brunate Village & the Walk Down
The village itself is a cluster of belle époque villas built by Milanese industrialists as summer retreats — many are now private but their ornate facades, wrought-iron balconies and overgrown gardens are visible from the lanes. The single main bar serves excellent espresso and sells homemade walnut cake.
The walk back down to Como through chestnut forest takes about 50 minutes on a well-marked path and deposits you near the lakefront gardens. It's steep in places but entirely manageable; wear proper shoes and you'll arrive at the bottom ready for a Campari spritz.
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