The Balcony of Lake Como: Discovering Brunate

Seven minutes. That’s all it takes for the Funicolare Como-Brunate to lift you from the bustle of Como’s lakeside to a world suspended between mountain and sky. Since 1894, this historic railway has been carrying visitors up the steep slopes to Brunate, a quiet residential village perched 720 meters above sea level, where the air is clearer, the views are breathtaking, and the pace of life slows to something altogether more peaceful.

The journey itself is part of the experience. As the funicular climbs through gardens and past elegant villas, Como unfolds beneath you. The lake stretches out in both directions, the Alps rise in the distance, and if you look carefully, you’ll spot the Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia tucked into the landscape below. On match days, the stadium comes alive in a way that’s uniquely visible from Brunate. You can see the crowds gathering, the colours of the supporters, and when the wind is right, the roar of the fans carries up the mountain, a distant but unmistakable reminder of the passion that defines Como 1907.

Brunate has long been known as the “Balcony of Lake Como,” and the nickname is well earned. From the village’s various viewpoints, particularly the lighthouse at Faro Voltiano, you can take in panoramic views that stretch from the Swiss Alps to the Lombard plains. The lighthouse itself has a fascinating history. First proposed in 1899 by Saint Don Luigi Guanella as a tribute to Alessandro Volta, the great scientist who invented the battery, it wasn’t until 1927, marking the centenary of Volta’s death, that the permanent structure was finally built. Standing 99 meters high at 909 meters above water level, its intermittent red, white, and green lights can be seen from 40 kilometres away. Inside, a winding staircase of 140 steps leads to two balconies offering breathtaking panoramas. The lighthouse is open from April to October, every day except Wednesdays and in bad weather.

But Brunate is more than just a viewpoint. The village’s narrow, sloping streets tell stories of its transformation from a small medieval rural settlement into a fashionable holiday centre for wealthy Milanese families in the 1800s. Until the early 19th century, Brunate remained isolated from Como below. It was only in 1817 that the Via delle Scalette was built—a muletrack of exactly 1,630 steps connecting the two. Today, elegant Art Nouveau villas stand alongside historic buildings, and hidden courtyards reveal glimpses of a quieter time.

When you arrive at the top of the funicular, one of the first places you’ll encounter is Capolinea Bistrot, a Como4Como touchpoint that has become much more than just a place to eat and drink. Owner Elena Moroni relocated from Milan to Brunate, drawn by the incredible opportunities the Como area presented. “Our concept of gastronomy revolves around utilising high-quality local ingredients,” she explains. “When you factor in the breathtaking view of Como from our location, something truly special is created.”

What makes Capolinea Bistrot particularly special for Como 1907 supporters is its role as a gathering place where football and community intersect. The bistrot stocks official club merchandise, making it easy to pick up a memento of your visit. But it’s the atmosphere on match days that truly sets it apart. “An air of Como1907 permeates Brunate,” Moroni says. “Historical fans sit at the bar, sharing tales of the club’s history with tourists, accompanied by the echoes of chants from the Sinigaglia stadium during home games. On some days, an atmosphere of enthusiasm envelops everyone in a shared sense of unity.”

From various points in the village, you can actually catch glimpses of the match being played at the Sinigaglia. It’s not quite the same as being in the stands, but there’s something special about watching from above, hearing the crowd’s reactions echo up the mountainside, and feeling connected to the action even from a distance.

At the centre of Brunate’s hospitality scene is Hotel Paradiso, a family-run establishment, led by CEO and founder Roberto Cattaneo, deeply rooted in the traditions of the area while constantly evolving to offer guests something authentic and memorable. The hotel combines comfortable accommodation with a genuine commitment to showcasing the best of the region, from its cuisine to its cultural heritage.

Hotel Paradiso manages two exceptional dining venues that capture different sides of Brunate’s culinary identity. M’ama Gina offers refined dining with a terrace that overlooks the lake, a setting where the food is matched only by the view. Here, the menu celebrates local ingredients and traditional recipes reimagined with a modern touch. For a more rustic experience, the hotel’s polenteria serves up hearty, traditional dishes centred around polenta, the cornerstone of Lombard mountain cuisine. It’s comfort food at its finest, prepared with care and served in a warm, welcoming atmosphere.

Hotel Paradiso also offers hands-on cooking classes for those who want to dive deeper into the region’s culinary traditions, giving you the chance to learn authentic recipes with local ingredients and techniques passed down through generations. Beyond food, the hotel has established Smart Family Connection, an independent cultural association presided by Mario Franchi, which organizes events and initiatives that bring the community together while celebrating Como’s rich cultural heritage.

HThe hotel is also partnering with Como 1907 to develop unique experiences for fans and visitors. Among the most exciting is a Vespa tour that will take you through the winding roads around Brunate and the surrounding hills, offering a thrilling way to explore the area while soaking in those famous views. These tours are being designed to coincide with match days, creating a full day of experiences that combine the excitement of Como football with the beauty and culture of the region.

Beyond the football connection and hospitality offerings, Brunate rewards those who take the time to explore. The baroque Chiesa di Sant’Andrea Apostolo, upgraded to parish status in 1654 and restructured between 1927 and 1932, features a faded pink exterior and a giant bell tower that dominates the village skyline. Inside, you’ll find 16th-century frescoes by Como painters and memorial tablets honouring Blessed Maddalena, Saint Guglielma, Alessandro Volta, and the brothers Pietro and Maurizio Monti.

One of Brunate’s more unusual attractions is the Campari Fountain, designed by sculptor Giuseppe Gronghi in 1935. It’s one of only three surviving fountains from a series of thirty commissioned by the Campari company as three-dimensional advertising elements. Located on Via Roma near the funicular’s lower exit, the fountain features a bas-relief with grotesque elements from which three sources flow. It’s worth a stop for a photograph, though, as locals joke, it’s a shame that only water flows out.

For those who want to venture beyond the village centre, Brunate serves as a starting point for numerous hiking routes. The historic Regia Road, a route of about 35 kilometres connecting Como-Brunate to Bellagio, has probable pre-Roman origins and was definitively mapped in the 1721 Theresian Land Register. Today, it offers a spectacular multi-day hiking option. Closer to Brunate, paths lead to Monte Boletto and Monte Bolettone, offering spectacular views. From here also begins the ridge of the Larian Triangle, a splendid high-altitude route that connects Brunate to Bellagio. Walking paths wind through forests and past hidden viewpoints, and in spring and summer, the hillsides are covered in wildflowers. In autumn, the forests turn gold and red.

The funicular itself is a piece of living history. Built in just 18 months and inaugurated on November 11, 1894, it was an engineering marvel of its time. With a maximum gradient of 55 percent and a height difference of approximately 500 meters across its 1,084 meters of rail, the journey takes about six to seven minutes. The locals have even given the little train an affectionate nickname: “Brucone,” a playful combination of Brunate and Como.

Today, the funicular runs regularly between 6:00 and 22:30, with some variations between weekdays and holidays, making Brunate an easy addition to any visit to Como. Whether you’re in town for a match, a weekend getaway, or a longer stay, the seven-minute ride up the mountain opens up a different side of the region.

Brunate works as a half-day excursion or a full-day out. You can ride up in the morning, stop at Capolinea Bistrot for a coffee and browse the Como merchandise, have lunch at M’ama Gina or the polenteria, take a walk through the village or along one of the trails to the Campari Fountain or the lighthouse, and be back in Como by afternoon. Or you can make it a longer experience, staying at Hotel Paradiso, taking a cooking class, joining a vespa tour, hiking a section of the historic Regia Road, and settling into the rhythm of mountain life.

For Como 1907 fans, Brunate offers something unique: a way to combine match day with a broader experience of the region. Start your day with the funicular ride, explore the village, meet fellow supporters at Capolinea Bistrot, where you can hear stories from historical fans about the club’s rich history, have lunch with a view, then head down to the stadium for the match. Or reverse it: catch the game, then escape to Brunate for dinner and a night in the mountains, where you can still hear the echoes of the crowd but enjoy the peace of being above it all.

What makes Brunate special isn’t any single attraction. It’s the combination of history and hospitality, views and village life, tradition and innovation. It’s the way Hotel Paradiso and Capolinea Bistrot have created experiences that feel both authentic and welcoming. It’s the funicular that makes it all accessible. And it’s the connection to Como below, visible and audible, that reminds you you’re not far from the action even when you’re surrounded by mountains and sky.

Brunate is waiting, just seven minutes above Como. The funicular departs regularly from the lakeside station. The views are guaranteed. The hospitality is genuine. And whether you’re a football fan looking to connect with fellow supporters, a food lover seeking authentic Lombard cuisine, a history enthusiast drawn to Art Nouveau villas and ancient churches, a hiker ready to explore historic mountain routes, or simply someone looking for a different perspective on Lake Como, you’ll find something here that makes the journey worthwhile.