Lake Como, 102 Years Later

🔹 Hello, Lake Como.

Did you know that the world’s first toll motorway was built to connect Milan with the lakes? The first part of the Autostrada dei Laghi, from Milan towards Varese, opened exactly 102 years and three days ago. Como followed nine months later.

So next time someone starts the sea vs lake debate, you have one more completely unbiased argument.

Back to 2026: eight Lake Como hotels have just received MICHELIN Keys, Como 1907 picked up another international award, and this week’s job board is quite strong. The real estate listings, if I’m being honest, are not.

In Spotlight, we looked at three new property reports. The Italian housing market is still growing, but underneath the headline numbers, the gap between new and existing homes (and between traditional and temporary rentals) - is getting pretty interesting.

Let's get into it.

-Simona

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What's Happening:

Three new reports point in roughly the same direction.

Scenari Immobiliari’s European Outlook 2027 expects Italy to remain one of Europe’s faster-growing property markets. A new Centro Studi IPI report, based on Agenzia delle Entrate data, shows that home sales are still growing, although the pace slowed sharply in Q2. And a new idealista study shows how much the rental market has changed over the past decade.

Facts:

What does it mean for us?

The market is still moving, but the gains are becoming much more selective.

New homes are clearly outperforming the existing market, while Scenari expects quality, efficiency and location to matter increasingly in the years ahead. At the same time, Italy’s rental stock has not disappeared so much as changed format: a much larger share is now being offered on temporary contracts.

One important distinction: idealista’s figures on temporary rentals do not include tourist short lets such as Airbnb.

🤖 AI for SMEs. A free workshop with former BCG partner Andrea Gay on how AI is changing finance and administration in smaller companies. 30 September, 18:30 · Como · Registration approval required

☀️ Free Solar Support. Confapi Lecco Sondrio has opened a free helpdesk for member SMEs considering solar panels.

🗝️ Eight Key Hotels. Eight Lake Como hotels received MICHELIN Keys, led by three-Key Passalacqua. Italy ranks first in Europe and second worldwide, behind the US.

⚽ Como Wins Fan Award. Como 1907 won the World Football Summit’s inaugural Best Fan-Centric Initiative award.

📰 Design Festival Press. ICON selected its festival highlights, while C41 covered the expansion into Lecco and local schools.

🤖 Driverless 500 Trials. Autonomous Fiat 500e cars are being tested in Italy, with an engineer still required on board.

🅿️ Telepass Parking Arrives. Telepass is now available at Parcheggio Centro Como on Viale Innocenzo XI.

🔌 Charger Bonus Opens. The scheme covers 80% of eligible domestic EV-charger costs, up to €1,500 for individuals or €8,000 for condominiums.

🚲 Lake Cycleway Starts. The €14.66M Brezza cycleway is moving into construction across seven municipalities between Colico and Abbadia Lariana.

🛍️ OVS Opening Delayed. OVS’s second Como store, at Piazza Perretta 5, will open in October instead of September.

📊 Tourism Data Tool. Como and Lecco are developing new tools to monitor tourist flows and plan transport and local services.

🏭 BorgWarner Layoff Plan. BorgWarner has begun a process that puts all 96 jobs in its Electric Hybrid Systems business at risk, including 81 in Orsenigo.

⛺ Camping Europa Sale. Menaggio’s only campsite is for sale, with €5M indicated as the starting figure for the 5,000m² lakefront site.

🏨 Hotel Plans Challenged. Italia Nostra is challenging tourism developments in Torno, Gravedona, Nesso, Pognana, Bellagio and other lake towns.

🪟 2026 Bonus Deadline. Current renovation deductions fall after 31 December; a possible 65% Ecobonus is being discussed but remains unapproved.

THU 24 + SAT 26 SEP

OPERA · 🎭 Turandot
A new production opens Teatro Sociale’s opera season.
20:00 · Teatro Sociale, Como · Tickets required

FRI 25 SEP

MUSIC · 🎶 Sunset Concert at Villa Carlotta
The Briar Rose Quintet plays European and South American dances.
18:30 · Sala Marmi, Villa Carlotta, Tremezzina · Ticket includes museum and gardens from 16:30

SAT 26 SEP

SPORTS · 🏃 Marathon Trail Lago di Como
A 42 km trail, 21 km race and swim-run through Menaggio and Plesio.
From 08:30 · Piazza Garibaldi, Menaggio · Spectators welcome

SAT 26 SEP

SCIENCE · 🔬 Materials for the Future
Part of the Festival della Luce, featuring Nobel laureate Kostya Novoselov.
18:00 · Piazza Verdi, Como · Booking required

SUN 27 SEP

OUTDOORS · 🚲 Cycling with Taste
A ride through Forte Fuentes and Piona, with local tastings.
09:30 · Parco Cariboni, Colico · Registration from 08:30; helmet required

SUN 27 SEP

YOGA & BRUNCH · 🧘‍♀️ Autumn Rituals
Gentle yoga for the new season, followed by brunch.
10:00 · Baita Patrizi, Albavilla · Booking required

SUN 27 SEP

ARCHITECTURE · 🏛️ Inside Villa Saporiti and Villa Gallia
A rare chance to visit two historic villas normally closed to the public.
Tours from 10:00 to 17:00 · Via Borgovico 148, Como · Free; booking required

WED 30 SEP

BUSINESS & AI · 🏢 AI for SMEs
Lake Como Future hosts a workshop on using AI for finance and administration.
18:30 · Sala Recchi, Como · Free; registration subject to approval.