🔷 Como Beats Milan - By 0.01

🔹 Hello, Lake Como.

The numbers suggest Italians are already on holiday: traffic over the first big August weekend was up 4.5% on last year.

If you’re a true Italian, you may not even have opened this email. Although you might want to skim the ICYMI headlines - 3 new openings are coming to Lake Como!

If, like me, you work internationally with people who have no idea why labour should effectively be cancelled in August, first of all: I’m sorry. You’re not alone. Second: let’s get into it.

P.S. You really showed up for last week’s vote - thank you. Apparently, that edition hit the right spot. I’m taking notes.

-Simona

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What's Happening:

Como attracted slightly more demand per property listing than Milan in the second quarter of 2026. But homes here also stayed online considerably longer.

Facts:

See the full ranking here.

What does it mean for us?

Como remains in demand. Each listing attracted slightly more interest than in Milan -and more than in any of the nearby provincial capitals included above.

But the 94-day average tells the more interesting story: people are looking, but they are not rushing to buy.

Idealista measures how long an advert stays online before it is withdrawn, so it does not necessarily mean every property took 94 days to sell. Some listings may simply remain online after a sale or change of plans. Still, the gap with Milan is too large to ignore.

Buyers here often compare several towns, take longer to organise an international purchase and walk away when the asking price feels too ambitious. Strong demand, after all, does not mean every Lake Como price makes sense.

For sellers, the audience is clearly there - but realistic pricing still matters. For buyers, the 94-day average is a useful reminder: not every good-looking listing disappears overnight, and there may be more room to negotiate than the headlines suggest.

What do you think? Reply to this email and let us know.

💍 Villa Erba Wedding. Harper’s Bazaar Arabia covered a 178-guest wedding at Villa Erba, planned in just two months.

🛶 Il Sereno Check-In. The Independent checked into Il Sereno in Torno: 40 lake-facing rooms, Michelin-starred dining, boats on the water, and the more modern side of Lake Como luxury.

🎥 Creator Trip. A new luxury brand is looking for creators for a 3-day Lake Como launch trip: flights, accommodation, Riva boats, dinners and cocktail events included.

☕ Wolfox Opens. Wolfox opens its second Como location on Friday 14 August at Via Cinque Giornate 49. Coffee and pastries start Friday; brunch starts Saturday.

🥖 Oro in Grano. Oro in Grano, a new focacceria, opens Friday 7 August at 7pm with free focaccia and drink tastings. Opening week comes with 30% off the whole menu. Dangerous news for carb people.

🍸 Al Tramonto. Il Sereno added Al Tramonto, a sunset-focused food and drink spot.

💶 Poste Hiring. Poste Italiane is selecting financial consultants in Como.

🚗 August Traffic. The first big August travel weekend is heavier than usual, with traffic reported up +4.5% versus last year.

⚽ Blueprint Club. Original Football argues Como 1907 may be building a new kind of football-club blueprint: part sport, part culture, part global brand (we cannot disagree).

🏨 Tourism Grants. Tourism, hospitality and cultural businesses in Como-Lecco can apply for a 2026 grant covering 50% of eligible costs, up to €10,000. Applications open on 8 September and close on 15 October, unless funds run out first.

Thursday, August 6

OPEN-AIR CINEMA · 🎬 Disclosure Day · 21:00 · Area Feste Sant’Abbondio, Como

Friday, August 7

VILLA CONCERT · 🪗 Tango Nostalgia · 11:00 · Villa Bernasconi, Cernobbio

FOOD & MUSIC FESTIVAL · 🍻 Sorico Beer Festival · 17:00 to 24:00 · Via Lago, Sorico

WINE TASTING · 🍷 Bonzanigo in Cantina · from 18:00 · Bonzanigo, Mezzegra di Tremezzina

CLASSICAL CONCERT · 🎻 Strings · 18:30 · Villa Carlotta, Tremezzina

OPEN-AIR CINEMA · 🎬 Disclosure Day · 21:00 · Area Feste Sant’Abbondio, Como

Saturday, August 8

CITY MARKETS · 🛍️ City Markets · from 08:00 · Como city centre

ROMAN HERITAGE · 🏺 Roman Baths of Como Opening · 10:00 to 18:00 · Viale Lecco 9, Como

ART TOUR · 🖼️ Turner and the Romantic Landscape · 16:30 · Pinacoteca Civica, Como

FOOD & MUSIC FESTIVAL · 🍻 Sorico Beer Festival · 17:00 to 24:00 · Via Lago, Sorico

WINE TASTING · 🍷 Bonzanigo in Cantina · from 18:00 · Bonzanigo, Mezzegra di Tremezzina

VILLA DINING · 🦞 Sapori di Mare at Villa d’Este · from 19:30 · Sundeck, Villa d’Este, Cernobbio

SOCIAL DANCE · 💃 Dancing Under the Stars: Ballroom Night · 20:30 · Piazza Martinelli, Como

SACRENIGHT CASTLE TOUR · 🏰 Night at the Castle · 21:30 · meeting point Piazzale Camerlata, Como

OPERA RECITAL · 🎙️ From Baroque to Verismo · 21:30 · Sala Bianca, Teatro Sociale, Como

Sunday, August 9

WELLNESS MORNING · 🧘 Raja Yoga · 09:15 · Cedro del Grumello, Como

FOLK MATINÉE · 🎶 Gruppo Musica Popolare D’Altrocanto · 11:00 · Grande Cedro, Villa del Grumello, Como

FOOD & MUSIC FESTIVAL · 🍻 Sorico Beer Festival · 17:00 to 24:00 · Via Lago, Sorico

VILLA DINING · 🦞 Sapori di Mare at Villa d’Este · from 19:30 · Sundeck, Villa d’Este, Cernobbio

EXCLUSIVE CONCERT · 🎤 Sting Live at Villa d’Este · 19:00 aperitivo; 20:00 concert · Mosaic Garden, Villa d’Este, Cernobbio

OPEN-AIR CINEMA · 🎬 Duse · 21:00 · Villa del Grumello, Como

Monday, August 10

VILLA DINING · 🦞 Sapori di Mare at Villa d’Este · from 19:30 · Sundeck, Villa d’Este, Cernobbio

SACRED MUSIC · 🎼 Mary and the Mystery of Redemption · 21:00 · Duomo, Como

Tuesday, August 11

OPEN-AIR CINEMA · 🎬 Palestine 36 · 21:00 · Area Feste Sant’Abbondio, Como

ORGAN CONCERT · 🎹 Lorenzo Pestuggia on the Organ · 21:00 · Duomo, Como

Wednesday, August 12

OPEN-AIR CINEMA · 🎬 La vita va così · 21:00 · Area Feste Sant’Abbondio, Como

SACRED MUSIC · 🎼 Open Rehearsal of Como Cathedral’s Musical Chapel · 21:00 · Basilica di San Fedele, Como

CANDLELIGHT CONCERT · 🕯️ Candlelight Open Air: Hans Zimmer and More Soundtracks · 22:15 · Terrazza 241, Como