Autumn Activities on Lake Como
A Season for the Senses

When the summer crowds drift away and the Lake Como hillsides light up in russet and gold, Italy reveals its most authentic self. Autumn here is a quieter, more reflective season—one of slow mornings, long lunches and the comforting rhythm of harvest life. At Passalacqua, dolce far niente takes center stage in fall, inviting guests to pause, savor and simply be. Our 18th-century villa is nestled in seven acres of terraced gardens with countless ways to embrace the art of autumn idleness: reading in the glasshouse, savoring a spa ritual under vaulted stone ceilings or indulging in our chef’s seasonal specialties.
That does not, however, mean the slow season on Lake Como will slow you down. For curious travelers, autumn provides a full palette of experiences—from wine tasting at Passalacqua and vineyard tours in the nearby hills to culinary experiences inspired by the harvest season and soothing treatments in our underground spa. Whether you come seeking serenity or adventure, autumn activities on Lake Como promise an unforgettable immersion into Italy’s finest flavors, colors and culture.

Valtellina: A Journey into Wine and Tradition

One of our favorite autumn activities on Lake Como is a day trip into the neighboring Valtellina valley—a region celebrated for its breathtaking terraces, historic cellars and traditional food culture. The drive itself is a feast for the eyes: winding roads reveal steep slopes covered in vines, stone villages clinging to cliffs and the promising scent of fermenting grapes in the air.

Our guests are invited to enjoy a vineyard tour near Lake Como that transports you into the heart of this remarkable wine region. You’ll meet local producers who still harvest by hand, learn about the chiavennasca grape (the local name for nebbiolo) and sample artisanal cheeses and cured meats that have nurtured these mountain communities for centuries. Valtellina’s “tall and fearsome mountains”, as Leonardo da Vinci once wrote, produce wines of uncommon strength and character—and tasting them here, surrounded by the very terraces where they are born, is an experience unlike any other. 

Savor the Harvest: Culinary Experiences at Passalacqua

The harvest season on Lake Como is a time of abundance—chestnuts fall from the trees; trusty hounds unearth truffle treasures, and the air is filled with the scent of apples and pressed grapes. At Passalacqua, Chef Viviana Varese celebrates these gifts in a culinary experience on Lake Como that honors both tradition and innovation.

Viviana Varese, Passalacqua’s resident cuoca di casa, has curated a seasonal menu that brings the region’s autumn bounty to your table. Her signature fall dishes include tajarin pasta with white truffle from Alba, Parmesan risotto crowned with shaved truffle or a melt-in-your-mouth filetto di manzo with porcini mushrooms and Barolo jus. Each course tells a story of the land, paired with vintages from Italy’s proudest winemaking traditions.

Our For You team would also be delighted to arrange a Lake Como food tour for our guests, with excursions to local producers, hidden culinary treasures or the many fall food fairs in the area—all delightful experiences of the season’s finest culinary traditions. From the chestnut festival in Peglio on the north shore and a culinary tour of Como town to cooking lessons in the Passalacqua kitchens, countless gastronomic adventures await.

Underground Serenity: Me-time at the Passalacqua Spa

Alongside the villa’s grand salons lies another world entirely—our spa, a sanctuary of calm and connection carved into the estate’s historic stone foundations. Housed in the outbuildings affectionately known as the Palazz, this serene retreat blends old-world charm with contemporary wellness. Vaulted ceilings and candlelit alcoves create an atmosphere of hushed tranquility, while Moroccan-inspired interiors and soothing herbal aromas invite you to unwind.

Our treatments feature Seed to Skin, an organic skincare line born in Tuscany that merges ancient botanical wisdom with modern green science. Few autumn activities on Lake Como rival the peaceful pleasure of a private spa ritual starting in the hammam before sinking into the warmth of our signature Candle Massage—an experience that balances body and mind in perfect harmony. For couples, we can even arrange a bespoke ritual, complete with snacks prepared by our chef—a reminder that at Passalacqua, every detail is designed to nourish both soul and senses.

The Art of Wine: Passalacqua Wine Tasting

No stay would be complete without exploring our charming wine cellars, where more than 300 labels await discovery. Here, under the flicker of candlelight, our resident sommelier takes guests on a journey through Italy’s great wine regions. Whether you’re a connoisseur or simply curious, wine tasting at Passalacqua offers a fresh perspective on the country’s diverse terroirs.

Each experience is personalized, from guided flights of Nebbiolo to comparative tastings featuring Tuscany’s sangiovese and volcanic wines from Mount Etna. Our Passalacqua wine tasting sessions are designed not only to delight but to deepen appreciation, pairing each pour with bites crafted by Chef Viviana’s team—authentic, atmospheric, and deeply rooted in the rhythm of the season.

Cultural Curiosity: Exploring the Arts on Lake Como 

For those who love culture as much as cuisine, autumn brings another glittering highlight to the lineup of autumn activities on Lake Como: an evening at the historic Teatro Sociale di Como. Opened in 1813, this neoclassical theater is affectionately known as the “mini-Scala” for its opulent red velvet seats, gilt detailing and world-class performances—the grandeur of Milan’s La Scala meets the intimacy of Lake Como’s cultural heart.

We’re delighted to share that we have recently acquired a private box at Teatro Sociale, available for our guests to enjoy. It’s a wonderful opportunity to experience Como’s elegant nightlife, mingling with locals over champagne during intermission before savoring dinner nearby at Ristorante Sociale or Ristorante in Teatro.

This fall’s calendar includes Alice nel Paese delle Meraviglie, a musical with fantastical imagery and mesmerizing performances based on Lewis Caroll’s classic and a performance by the renowned NoGravity company that explores Dante’s Divine Comedy in dance, among other performances. As our guests, an evening at Teatro Sociale offers a memorable glimpse into Lake Como’s living culture.