Lake Como International Music Festival between music and stunning landscapes
The Lake Como International Music Festival is one of the most fascinating cultural events held during summer on Lake Como. The festival features classical music concerts, jazz performances, contemporary music and artistic shows hosted inside historic villas, ancient churches, botanical gardens and panoramic lakefront venues.
Every year the event attracts international musicians, culture lovers and tourists from all over Europe, transforming Lake Como into an open-air cultural stage surrounded by breathtaking scenery.
Where the festival takes place on Lake Como
The festival is hosted in several towns and villages around Lake Como, with concerts taking place in historical and scenic locations.
Among the most iconic venues often included in the program are:
- Como
- Cernobbio
- Bellagio
- Tremezzina
- Villa Carlotta
- Villa Olmo
Venues may vary every year depending on the official program, allowing visitors to discover Lake Como through music, art and unforgettable landscapes.
For updated dates and the official schedule, visitors should check the festival website.
Lake Como International Music Festival Official Website
When the Lake Como International Music Festival takes place
The festival is usually held between June and September, one of the best periods to visit Lake Como thanks to pleasant weather and long summer evenings.
Many concerts are organized at sunset or during evening hours, creating a magical atmosphere inside illuminated villas and lakeside gardens.
What to see during the festival
Besides the concerts, the festival offers a perfect opportunity to explore some of the most beautiful destinations around Lake Como.
Historic villas and botanical gardens
Several performances are hosted inside elegant historic villas known for their architecture and panoramic gardens overlooking the lake.
Historic villages of Lake Como
Visitors can combine the festival with sightseeing tours through picturesque villages, lakeside walks and traditional restaurants.
Boat tours on Lake Como
Traveling by boat between festival venues is one of the best experiences during the event.
Lake Como Boat Services
Public ferries make it easy to move around the lake without using a car.
How to reach the festival
Getting to Como
Como can be easily reached from Milan thanks to frequent train connections.
The main railway stations are:
- Como San Giovanni
- Como Lago
Moving between venues
Visitors can travel between festival locations using:
- public boats
- local buses
- taxis
- private cars
Booking accommodation and parking in advance is highly recommended during summer weekends.
Where to stay during the festival
The festival takes place during the busiest tourist season on Lake Como, so hotels and apartments should be booked well in advance, especially in popular destinations such as:
- Bellagio
- Varenna
- Menaggio
- Como
Lake-view accommodations are particularly popular during concert evenings.
Experiences to combine with the festival
The Lake Como International Music Festival can easily become part of a wider Lake Como travel itinerary.
Scenic hiking and panoramic walks
Many visitors combine the concerts with panoramic hikes and outdoor experiences overlooking the lake.
Traditional Lake Como cuisine
During the stay, tourists can taste local specialties such as perch risotto, missoltini and polenta in traditional lakeside restaurants.
Sunset aperitifs on the lake
Concert evenings are often paired with sunset aperitifs in panoramic bars and terraces around Como, Bellagio and Cernobbio.
A Contemporary Tribute to Alessandro Volta
Life Electric is one of Como’s most recognizable landmarks and one of the most striking contemporary artworks along the lakefront. The sculpture is dedicated to Alessandro Volta, the great scientist from Como and inventor of the electric battery, and was designed by Daniel Libeskind. It stands at the end of the Pietro Caldirola breakwater, in the first basin of Lake Como, in a truly unique panoramic position overlooking Piazza Cavour and the city center.
Completed in 2015, Life Electric stands out for its soaring shape and strong symbolic meaning. The sculpture, which is over 13 meters high, recalls the electric tension between the two poles of a battery, clearly referencing Volta’s most famous invention. Its two large sinuous steel lines interact with the surrounding landscape and seem to rise from the water, blending art, science, and nature into a single architectural gesture.
Where Life Electric Is Located in Como
The monument stands on Lake Como, at the far end of the breakwater, and can be reached with a pleasant walk from Lungolago Mafalda di Savoia. Its central location makes it easy to visit even for those spending just one day in Como: from Piazza Cavour, the historic center, or Como Lago railway station, it can be reached on foot in just a few minutes.
Why It Is Worth Visiting
Visiting Life Electric means discovering a place where the beauty of the lake meets contemporary architecture. During the day, its metal surface reflects the light, the sky, and the water, while in the evening the monument becomes even more fascinating thanks to its illumination. It is a perfect stop for anyone who enjoys photographing Como, taking a scenic lakeside walk, or learning more about the deep connection between the city and Alessandro Volta.
A Symbol of Como’s Volta Route
Life Electric is often seen as an ideal link with other important landmarks dedicated to Volta, such as the Tempio Voltiano and the Volta Lighthouse in Brunate. For this reason, it can easily be included in a tourist itinerary focused on the history, culture, and scientific heritage of Como.
Useful Information
Access to Life Electric is free, and the monument can be visited at any time of day. The best moments to reach it are early in the morning, at sunset, and in the evening, when the light makes the view over the first basin of the lake even more scenic. The visit only takes a short time, but it offers one of the most beautiful viewpoints over the center of Como.
Address: Pietro Caldirola Breakwater, Como
Admission: Free
Website: Life Electric
