10 Best Things to Do After Dinner in Como

The Teatro Sociale is one of the mainstays of Como's cultural scene. It sports a handsome neoclassical façade right in the thick of the old town. It's literally a few steps away from the Piazza del Duomo, fronting a small square to the back of the main cathedral. You can't miss it – just look for the grand colonnades and temple-style porticoes.

Built at the start of the 1810s, the theatre has since been expanded and added to. It has hosted a medley of prestigious opera singers and, for a short time, was even the leading opera venue for the Milanese when La Scala was damaged during the war. Today, you can come here for evening dance and music shows but be sure to book ahead.

Vintage Jazz Food & Wine is a classic late-night music spot that's tucked into the heart of the medieval centre of Como. You can walk here from all corners of the old town, making it a fantastic option for those post-dinner Negronis – though it's probably wise to book ahead since the venue doubles as a bistro earlier on.

Just as the name implies, the backing track here is jazz, jazz, and more jazz. That echoes through the romantic interior – a top spot for sharing sommelier-chosen wines with the other half – and out to the exterior dining terrace – a doozy for people-watching in the early evening.

Gelateria Lariana is the place to go to cap that evening off in the most Italian way possible – with an artisan gelato. The establishment has prime positioning right on the lakeside, opening up onto the boulevard of Lungo Lario Trento. It's quite small and there's often a queue, but persevere because the ice cream is top-quality.

Flavour options run the gamut from chocolate and pistachio to strawberry and Stracciatella mixes of vanilla and dark cocoa. Cone in hand? Now head across to the Giardini del Tempio Voltiano to find a spot to sit and watch lights come on along lakeside villas.

The Lungolago di Como is little more than a promenade walking path along the edge of the lake. It's easy to find, even after a big Italian dinner. Simply head north from the Piazza del Duomo and you'll eventually hit the waterside, which is where the Lungolago curves along from Piazza Cavour to the Tempio Voltiano.

The  Lungolago di Como offers ample space for people-watching. During the evening, it's great for loved-up strolls with your other half. You can gaze out to see the silhouette of the Lombard Alps darkening in the sunset. There are also a few gelato shops and wine bars to drop by along the way.

The Teatro La Lucernetta is a mid-sized playhouse that showcases the best of local Como and Lombard performance art. It's located on the south side of the old town area, where it occupies a uniquely Art Deco-style building on the Piazza Medaglie d'Oro. You can reach it after 15 minutes on foot from the lakeside.

The box office chops and changes a lot. One night, you might get an avant-garde dance troupe that does contemporary interpretive shows. The next, it could be a pantomime-esque show that's great for the whole family. The main season tends to run from September to March.

Il Sorso Enoteca Winebar is a stylish option for that post-dinner nightcap. Drop into the location on Piazza Alessandro Volta on the north side of the old town to be met with a ramshackle speakeasy-style drinking hole. It's lit by neon and has all sorts of nooks and crannies to settle in.

During the summer months, you'll often find an in-house jazz band at Il Sorso Enoteca Winebar. They serenade the al fresco sitting area, providing an excellent backdrop to a night of cocktails and nibbles. The drinks are eclectic to match, ranging from potent Negronis to mellow Moscow mules.

The Minimalismo Livingroom Wine & Cocktail Bar has been serving after-dinner drinks to the people of Como since just about anyone can remember. Its reputation is nothing short of legendary, which is why you almost certainly won't be the only person heading its way. The venue sits on Via Dante Alighieri, on the eastern side of Old Town Como.

Inside, you'll find a tight-knit and intimate atmosphere. A range of vodka-based cocktails spills from behind the bar while patrons chat, meet and mingle in the bijou seating area. You can find ample nibbles on the menu, including some indulgent oyster platters just in case you're on the champagne.

The Pin Umbrela is one of the more accessible lookout points over the town of Como and the lake itself. The trail to the top starts at the parking in the area of Cavallasca in San Fermo della Battaglia, a short 10-minute drive from the town centre. From there, you walk a relatively easy 30-minute trail through scented pine forests.

The reward? How does a 180-degree panorama of the rising Lombard Prealps and the rugged ridges that run along the Swiss-Italian border sound? At golden hour, you'll see the light fading on Monte Boletto to the east, and the small lake villages of Blevio and Torno get all lit up. 

Brunate is a tiny little village perched on the ridges of Monte Boletto. You can either drive up (the better option after a heavy Italian dinner with red wine) or hop on the dedicated Brunate Funicular, a vintage cog railway that's been transporting sightseers up and away from the lakeside since opening in 1894.

Brunate itself is known as the "balcony of the Prealps." Accordingly, stunning vistas of the whole lake and Como town unfold to the north. Clear days even allow for views of the snow-capped glacier mountains deeper into Switzerland. Try to arrive early enough to see the last hurrah of the sunset if possible – it's a great way to cap off a day in these parts.

The Como Music Festival should provide ample after-dinner activities if you happen to be in town during the first 2 weeks of August. It takes place on the grounds of exquisite Villa Olmo, which occupies its own grand gardens just to the north of the Como promenades, but is still within walking distance of the town centre.

The main stage showcases a variety of performers, bridging various genres. One night, there might be Italian folk music, the next, it could be ballet productions with dance troupes to match. There's also a good showing of the classical canon, with renditions of Bach, Chopin, and Beethoven to get through, plus various poetry and spoken word artists.