Cash, card, and contactless

Italy is one of the more cash-using European countries but Como tourist businesses accept Visa/Mastercard widely. Contactless works at most cafés and restaurants. American Express has narrower acceptance — keep a Visa or Mastercard as backup. For gelato, bus tickets, small bars, public toilets, and tipping bag/coat porters carry €30-50 in cash, ideally in €5/€10 notes. ATMs at banks have lower fees than the touristy free-standing Euronet machines on the lakefront.