Looking for a smooth escape from Milan to the hills above Lake Como? Here’s a usable, hour-by-hour plan that gets you from the train station to a historic Art Nouveau estate and back without a hitch. Follow the steps below and you’ll have a relaxed day without the usual guesswork.
Table of Contents
- Step 1: Travel from Milan to Como and catch the train to Brunate
- Step 2: Transfer from Brunate station to Villino Rubini
- Step 3: Explore Brunate and enjoy the estate grounds
- Step 4: Return to Milan after a relaxed day
- FAQ
- Conclusion
Step 1: Travel from Milan to Como and catch the train to Brunate
Start early at Milano Centrale or Milano Porta Garibaldi. Direct regional trains to Como San Giovanni run every 20-30 minutes and take between 37 and 43 minutes. Ticket prices vary and are available on request. Frequent daily services allow you to select a departure that fits your morning.
Once you arrive at Como San Giovanni, follow signs to the historic funicular that climbs to Brunate. The funicular departs every 15 minutes and the ride lasts about 7 minutes, delivering you to the hilltop village in under ten minutes from the train platform. By now you should be perched above Como, ready for the next leg of the journey.
When you step off the funicular, you will see the stone façade of Villino Rubini. The estate offers ten rooms across three buildings, a heated pool, spa, sauna and a gym, all set within four acres of beech forest. Villino Rubini: Luxury Villa & Wedding Venue Lake Como, Italy provides a private shuttle that can meet you at the Brunate station, so you do not have to carry luggage up steep streets.
Step 2: Transfer from Brunate station to Villino Rubini
The estate’s shuttle runs on the hour, aligning with the funicular’s timetable. If you miss the shuttle, a short walk of 300 meters brings you to the front garden where a private taxi can be arranged. The walk lets you soak in the quiet of the beech trees before you step inside the Art Nouveau rooms.
Check-in is effortless: the staff greets you with a continental breakfast of fresh pastries, fruit and espresso. Your room will have original ceiling mouldings and period-era floors, preserved in a recently restored setting that kept every historic detail. The estate can accommodate up to nineteen guests, making it ideal for small families or a private retreat.
Step 3: Explore Brunate and enjoy the estate grounds
Brunate is known as the “Balcony of the Pre-Alps” , a title that reflects its altitude of roughly 700 metres and the crisp mountain air. A short walk from the estate leads to the Funicolare exit, where a map points to two popular trails: the Faro Voltiano path and the Pissarottino spring route. Both walks take about an hour and offer glimpses of historic villas, old stone walls and quiet chapels.
We recommend the Pissarottino trail for its blend of nature and history. The spring is tucked behind a small shrine and the path winds through a beech forest that feels like a living museum. After the hike, return to Villino Rubini’s gardens where you can unwind by the heated pool or enjoy a light lunch on the terrace. The estate’s outdoor dining area can seat up to one hundred guests under a marquee, perfect if you decide to celebrate a birthday or a small wedding ceremony. Local information highlights the village’s historic charm and the ease of reaching the trails from the funicular station.
Back at the estate, you can book a session in the sauna or a quick dip in the pool. The gym is equipped for a short workout, and the studio offers space for yoga or meditation if you prefer a mindful finish to your day.
Step 4: Return to Milan after a relaxed day
When you are ready to head back, the estate’s shuttle will collect you in time for the next funicular departure. The funicular runs until the evening, giving you flexibility to linger over dinner or a glass of wine on the terrace.
From Brunate, the funicular brings you back to Como San Giovanni. Trains to Milan run frequently; the fastest service covers the 39 km in 39 minutes, while most regional trains arrive in about 43 minutes. Tickets can be purchased on the day, with discounts for advance purchase. The nearest airport, Malpensa, is also reachable by a direct train-bus combo if you prefer to fly out later in the day.
Arrive at Milano Centrale, collect your luggage and enjoy a coffee on the platform before continuing on to your next adventure. By now you should have a full day of mountain air, historic architecture and relaxed hospitality under your belt.
FAQ
What is the quickest way to get from Milan to Brunate?
The fastest route combines a regional train to Como San Giovanni (about 39 minutes) with the historic funicular to Brunate (7 minutes). Total travel time is roughly 50 minutes if connections line up.
Can I store luggage at Villino Rubini?
Yes, the estate offers complimentary luggage storage for guests arriving early or departing late, so you can explore Brunate unburdened.
Is public transport the only option to reach the estate?
Public transport is the most convenient: the train-to-funicular combo drops you within a short walk of the shuttle. A taxi can be arranged for the final stretch, but it adds extra cost.
Are meals included in the stay?
Breakfast is included and served in the dining room. Lunch and dinner are available on request; the estate can arrange a private outdoor dinner for groups up to one hundred under a marquee.
Do I need a reservation for the funicular?
No reservation is required; tickets are purchased at the funicular station and the service runs every 15 minutes throughout the day.
Conclusion
Villino Rubini makes the perfect base for a Lake Como day trip from Milan, offering easy access, historic charm and spacious grounds. Book your stay, catch the morning train and enjoy a smooth, relaxed day in Brunate.
Occasional stories from the estate, sent a few times a year at most.