Shopping on Lake Como

Part of the joy of travel is finding that perfect keepsake, a memento that brings a smile to your face, a souvenir that, no matter how small, rekindles sweet memories of your time away.

Italy’s Lake Como has shops galore peddling all manner of merchandise, from baubles and local delicacies to artisanal crafts and apparel, but without insider insight on where to find them, the best of the best can get lost among the typical tourist trinkets.

That’s where we come in. Not only have we hand-selected an exclusive range of items in our own boutiques — providing a true “Sense of Lake” — but we also have put together some of our favorite spots to shop around Lake Como below as well.

So, whether you want a little something for yourself or a treat for that special someone back home, join us for a journey through the best shopping Italy’s Lake Como has to offer.

Sense of Lake

Our Sense of Lake boutique is a veritable Wunderkammer of made-in-Italy treasures, available in person at the shops in Passalacqua and our sister hotel Grand Hotel Tremezzo or online — Lake Como shopping no matter where you are in the world!

This unique store began when guests asked to buy the signature scents, tableware and even bedding they grew to love at the Grand after they returned home. It has since expanded to include collaborations with some of Italy’s most successful niche brands. As the curators of this delightful range, Valentina De Santis and her mother Antonella travel through Italy collecting captivating stories of artisanal excellence and finding crafts(wo)men capable of turning dreams into tiny masterpieces.

It speaks to the keen eye and whole-hearted curiosity of these two women that many of the relationships with these producers have blossomed into true friendships: Francesca from For Restless Sleepers who designed the silkiest pyjamas with motifs of our properties, or Emilia Wickstead with swimwear and kaftans inspired by the vibrant hues of Passalacqua and the Grand, or Fiorella from Le Ninè with a limited edition of their bedazzled wicker bags. Then there are special somethings from our neighbors who share our passion for Lake Como’s artisanal traditions: Bric’s retro-style hold-alls and trolleys emblazoned with our motifs and custom silk scarves created just for us by Mantero.

We have often wished we could bottle up the feeling of being on Lake Como and give it as a gift to those we love — that is precisely what Sense of Lake is all about!

Shopping around Lake Como

Outside of Passalacqua (assuming you can tear yourself away from the pool(s)!), Lake Como offers a wide range of distractions: guided (boat) tours, wine tasting or feasting on local delicacies. But let’s be honest, sometimes you just want to spend an afternoon wandering in and out of local shops! In these windows, main streets and back alleys, you can learn about local culture and Italy’s inimitable style. Virtually every lakeside village is worth exploring, but two stand out as the top Lake Como shopping destinations.

Como town

Passalacqua is just a short drive from Como, which has a vibrant economy that doesn’t rely solely on tourism. In fact, it even attracts commuters from Lugano as well as Milan. That means you’ll find a great selection of shops and restaurants in Como town as well as a great vibe all year round, even in the slow season when other places get quiet. The city came to fame for its silk production in the 15th century and is still an important supplier for the global fashion industry. Mantero Seta is one of them (with an outlet by the main production facility just outside town), while A. Picci and InComo are good spots to source locally produced silks in town.

Como’s meandering alleys have serious old-world charm and arguably the best shopping on Lake Como. Via Vittorio Emanuele II is the main street, with everything from big name brands to quaint boutiques. Still run by the Como family that founded it in 1953, Tessabit has multiple outlets along this bustling pedestrian street, each selling fashion-forward shoes, accessories or apparel in historic architecture. Quaint Via Vitani has a few of our favorite places: Gioielleria Lopez, a jewelry shop, tearoom and museum where you can enjoy afternoon tea surrounded by eclectic vintage trinkets and one-of-a-kind baubles made by the resident goldsmith. And also Vineria Vitani, offering some 11,000 labels as well as tastings and small plates. Don’t miss the concept store Figli dei Fiori right across from the train station. In addition to selling flowers, plants and home décor, the bistro serves food garnished with edible flowers that looks too good to eat.

Bellagio

The Pearl of Bellagio is a quaint little town with some of Lake Como’s best window shopping. Lungo Lario Manzoni runs along the lake shore and is home to Quelli della Pelle with seriously stylish leather bags, belts and footwear, the fashion-forward boutique Saraceno and not one but two Tessabit properties — a flagship store at number 44 as well as an amazing pop-up shop under the arcades created in collaboration with Isabel Marant at number 16. 

On the way up to Basilica San Giacomo, stop into the legendary Pierangelo Masciadri on Via Roma, where you can channel Barack Obama and George W. Bush and buy exclusive silk neckties (as well as bags and scarves!) — and maybe even meet the maestro himself. Outside the Basilica, you might find stalls selling crafts and jewelry if you’re lucky; if not, the church itself is still worth the climb! From there, Via Garibaldi offers countless spots to browse: Da Caio and Dai Viga both have delicacies stacked to the rafters (and scrumptious takeaway treats), a smaller Saraceno branch focused on handbags, scarves and amazing resin jewelry in all the colors of the rainbow, while La Bottega del Legno di Mario Tacchi is a veritable artisan’s paradise with hand-carved olive wood bowls, wooden toys and inlaid wooden boxes. 

The other main artery of Bellagio, Salita Serbelloni, is a cobbled staircase lined with shops and restaurants leading from Via Garibaldi all the way down to lake level: Azalea sells silk scarves and neckties, Alba boasts eye-popping minimalist fashion, Quelli della Pelle has a smaller sister branch and Enoteca la Principessa offers a self-service tasting machine featuring local vintages you won’t find elsewhere (bonus: they ship worldwide!). The quaint alley parallel to the Salita, Via della Musica, is home to another lovely shop for bags, jewelry and watercolor paintings, QR Bellagio Bags and More.