7 Gorgeous Lake Como Villas & Gardens You Have to Visit
Are you looking for the most beautiful villas to visit in Lake Como? You are in the right place!
Lake Como is a stunning destination in Northern Italy, home to some of the world’s most breathtaking villas and gardens. From luxurious estates to romantic courtyards, you can easily spend days exploring the area’s majestic villas.
To help you plan your Lake Como getaway, here are the most stunning Lake Como villas and gardens you absolutely have to visit.
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Quick Tips for Lake Como
Best Hotels in Lake Como
Most Beautiful Lake Como Villas You Need to Visit
1. Villa del Balbianello
Location: Via Guido Delmati, 22016 Monzino CO, Italy
Opening times: Open daily from March to January, except Mondays and Wednesdays
Entrance fee: €13 for adults, €10 for children for the garden only; €24 for adults, €16 for children for both the villa and garden.
Website: https://fondoambiente.it/villa-del-balbianello-eng
Villa del Balbianello is easily one of the most iconic spots on Lake Como. Perched on a stunning promontory with panoramic lake views, this 18th-century villa feels like something straight out of a movie – and it literally is! It’s been featured in Star Wars: Episode II and Casino Royale, which only adds to its charm.
It’s one of the most stunning Lake Como villas and probably the most popular among visitors. Make sure to book your tickets well in advance because they tend to sell out quickly, especially in the busy summer season.
If you only want to visit the garden, you can usually find tickets a few days in advance. However, if you also want to explore the inside of the villa, you should book your tickets at least 3-4 weeks in advance.
The villa can only be visited with a guided tour with limited spots available each day. If you’re lucky enough to get a ticket to tour the interior, you’re in for a treat.
The rooms are packed with history, from period furniture to intricate artwork and fascinating artifacts. You’ll get to wander through opulent salons, admire elaborate frescoes, and imagine what it must’ve been like to live here back in the day.
We’ve already been twice to Villa del Balbianello but never managed to snag a ticket to see the inside of the villa, but at least we have something saved for next time!
Even if you can only get tickets to the garden, it’s more than worth visiting. The gardens are absolutely beautiful with perfectly manicured lawns, vibrant flowerbeds, and statues scattered throughout. And let’s not forget the breathtaking views of the lake and mountains from the terraces! Trust me, it’s pure magic.
Whether you’re exploring the gardens or the villa itself, Villa del Balbianello is one of those places you’ll never forget. It’s one of the places that has to feature on every Lake Como itinerary!
How to Get There
Villa del Balbianello is located on the tip of a small peninsula on Lake Como, and due to its somewhat remote location, it’s a bit tricky to reach.
The closest ferry station is Lenno, so if you plan to arrive by ferry, this is the one to head to. If you’re taking a car, there’s a small parking lot right next to the start of the pathway to the villa.
It fills up really quickly though, so I would only recommend using a car if you can arrive really early, otherwise, you are better off with the ferry.
There are no public roads leading up to the villa, so whether you arrive by ferry or car, you’ll have to either follow the pathway that leads up to the villa or take a taxi boat service.
The taxi boat is definitely the easiest way to get to Villa del Balbianello. It’s only an 8-minute walk from the ferry port, and the taxi boats leave every 20 minutes. The boat can only fit 10-12 people at a time, so you might have to wait in line if you plan to take it during the day.
If you don’t want to pay for the boat and are up for a little workout, follow the pathway to the villa. It’s an uphill climb, but it’s not too strenuous, and in 20-25 minutes, you will arrive at the villa.
Best Time to Visit
To make the most of your visit to Villa del Balbianello, consider planning your trip during the spring or autumn months. The mild weather and fewer crowds allow for a lot more enjoyable experience.
Keep in mind that the villa is super popular all year long, but the crowds can be brutal in the peak tourist season. I recommend choosing the earliest ticket possible and taking the first taxi boat in the morning to beat the crowds. Alternatively, visiting in the late afternoon could work well too!
2. Villa Carlotta
Location: Via Regina, 2, 22016 Tremezzina CO, Italy
Opening times: Open daily from March to November
Entrance fee: €15 for adults, €6 for children aged 6-18, free for children under 6 years old
Website: https://www.villacarlotta.it/
Located on the shores of Lake Como in Tremezzina, Villa Carlotta is another one of the most beautiful Lake Como villas you can’t miss.
Originally built in the late 1600s by a Milanese marquis, this villa has seen its fair share of transformations over the centuries. It got its name in 1843 when Princess Marianne of Nassau dedicated it to her daughter, Carlotta, and turned the property into a paradise for art and botany lovers.
Unlike other Lake Como villas, the interior of Villa Carlotta is open to the public, and it’s already included in your entrance ticket. Inside, you’ll find stunning frescoes, elegant period furniture, and an impressive collection of antiques and artwork. Walking through the rooms truly feels like stepping back into the 18th century.
The gardens around Villa Carlotta are just as impressive. Make sure to wear comfortable shoes – the gardens are bigger than they look! It takes 90 minutes to complete the whole tour of the gardens but there is also a shorter itinerary that takes 45 minutes.
How to Get There
Villa Carlotta is one of the easiest villas in Lake Como to reach. There’s a ferry port located right in front of the villa so if you’re traveling by ferry, you’ll be dropped off right at the entrance.
If you’re taking a car, you can find free and paid parking options near Villa Carlotta. However, these fill up quickly during the busy tourist season so it’s best to arrive early.
Best Time to Visit
To witness the gardens of Villa Carlotta in their full glory, plan your visit during the spring and summer months. The blooming season is just so beautiful!
Keep in mind that Villa Carlotta can get quite busy, especially during the peak tourist season. Similar to Villa del Balbianello, arriving early in the morning or opting for a late afternoon visit is the best.
3. Villa Monastero
Location: Viale Giovanni Polvani, 4, 23829 Varenna LC, Italy
Opening times: Open daily, the exact time changes seasonally
Entrance fee: Entrance to the garden only is €10 for adults, €5 for young people aged 15-25, and free for children under 15. Entrance to the garden and the museum is €13 for adults, €9 for young people aged 15-25, and free for children under 15 years old.
Website: https://www.villamonastero.eu/en/
Varenna is one of the cutest towns in Lake Como, and if this wouldn’t be enough, it’s also home to two of the most stunning Lake Como villas.
One of them is Villa Monastero, which started as a Cistercian convent way back in the 12th century. It has transformed over the years into a private residence that now showcases its rich monastic past alongside its elegant architectural styles.
Similar to Villa Balbianello, you have the option to visit the gardens only, or the gardens and museum. I would 100% recommend choosing the combined ticket as the interior of the villa is fantastic.
With 14 rooms filled with original decorations and furniture, every corner has a story to tell. Highlights include the beautiful Sala della Musica and the intimate chambers and bathrooms.
The garden of Villa Monastero is absolutely beautiful too, and there’s plenty to see and explore. Stretching nearly two kilometers from Varenna to Fiumelatte, the park is perfect for a leisurely stroll.
You’ll be treated to breathtaking lake views wherever you look, along with lush greenery and charming architectural touches like small temples, fountains, and sculptures. Make sure you give yourself enough time to soak it all in!
How to Get There
Varenna is very well connected to the other towns of Lake Como, and it also has a direct train connection to Milan, making it very easy to get to the villa.
Whether you arrive by ferry or train, it’s only a 10-15 minute walk to the villa. If you’re driving, there’s a large parking garage conveniently located just across the street.
Best Time to Visit
Villa Monastero is a year-round gem, with each season offering something unique. Spring bursts with color, summer showcases the gardens in full bloom, and fall brings warm, golden hues. Even December has its own charm here.
If you want to skip the crowds, aim to arrive right when it opens. That said, thanks to the garden’s size, it rarely feels too crowded, so you can visit whenever it best fits your itinerary.
4. Villa Cipressi
Location: Contrada del Duca, 1, 23829 Varenna LC, Italy
Opening times: Open daily, the exact timing changes seasonally
Entrance fee: €10 for adults, €5 for young people aged 15-25, and free for children under 14 years old
Website: https://www.grandigiardini.it/lang_EN/259-visit-Villa-Cipressi-event-tickets
The second villa you can visit in Varenna is Villa Cipressi. While it’s smaller than Villa Monastero, it definitely deserves a spot on the list of Lake Como’s most beautiful villas.
Villa Cipressi is actually a collection of buildings that date back to the 14th-19th centuries. Over the years, it’s served various purposes, but today it operates as a stunning hotel managed by R Collection Hotels. If you’re looking for a Lake Como hotel with breathtaking views, this could be the perfect place to stay!
The gardens at Villa Cipressi are the real highlight. Characterized by ancient trees, vibrant flowers, and exotic plants, the terraced gardens slope gracefully down towards the lake. A network of paths and stairs leads you through this botanical paradise, with panoramic viewpoints tucked among the lush greenery.
While the villa’s interiors are reserved for hotel guests, the gardens are open to the public, and they’re more than worth a visit so make sure not to miss them!
How to Get There
Villa Cipressi is just a short walk from Varenna’s town center. Varenna is well-connected to other Lake Como towns by ferry, so getting here is easy. If you’re driving, there’s a parking garage nearby, and it’s only a few minutes’ walk to the villa.
Best Time to Visit
The gardens are stunning year-round, but spring is when they truly shine. If you’re lucky enough to visit in late April, you’ll catch the wisteria in full bloom, filling the air with color and fragrance.
For a more peaceful experience, try visiting early in the morning or late in the afternoon. That said, Villa Cipressi tends to be quieter than some of the other Lake Como villas, so you can enjoy it pretty much anytime.
5. Villa Melzi
Location: Via Lungo Lario Manzoni, 22021 Bellagio CO, Italy
Opening times: Open daily
Entrance fee: €8 for adults, free for children under 11 years old
Website: https://giardinidivillamelzi.it/en/home-eng/
In the charming town of Bellagio, where the three branches of Lake Como meet, you’ll find Villa Melzi, a neoclassical marvel designed by the famed architect Giocondo Albertolli.
Built between 1808 and 1810 for Francesco Melzi d’Eril, Napoleon’s vice president of the Italian Republic, this villa is definitely one of the best places to visit in Bellagio.
While the villa itself remains private, the surrounding gardens and a small museum are open to visitors, and they’re absolutely worth exploring.
The gardens, designed in an English style, are a perfect mix of art and nature, with exotic trees, vibrant rhododendrons, and classical statues scattered throughout. A highlight of the garden is the Japanese pond, complete with water lilies, a charming bridge, and even a hidden cave nearby.
The lakeside path offers incredible panoramic views, with cozy benches along the way where you can stop and take it all in. Inside the museum, you’ll find Napoleonic artifacts and fascinating historical pieces, making it a must-visit for history buffs.
How to Get There
Villa Melzi is a short, scenic walk from Bellagio’s town center along the lakefront promenade – an attraction in itself! If you’re arriving by ferry, it’s about 15 minutes on foot from the Bellagio ferry port. For those driving, there’s public parking nearby, but keep in mind it can get busy during peak season.
Best Time to Visit
Villa Melzi’s gardens are stunning in any season, and it doesn’t get as crowded as some of the more popular villas like Villa del Balbianello or Villa Carlotta. I personally love visiting in the afternoon when the gardens are bathed in sunlight, and the vibrant colors of the flowers really pop.
6. Parco di Villa Serbelloni
Location: Piazza della Chiesa, 14, 22021 Bellagio CO, Italy
Opening times: Open daily from April to October, except Mondays. The gardens can only be visited on a guided tour, which runs twice a day at 11 am and 3.30 pm.
Entrance fee: €10 for adults, €5 for children aged 7-13, free for children under 6 years old
Website: https://www.bellagiolakecomo.com/en/bellagio-lake-como-italy/poi-points-of-interest/villa-serbelloni-garden
Perched on the hilltop above Bellagio, Parco di Villa Serbelloni is a must-visit for anyone seeking some of the best views of Lake Como.
This historic villa dates back to the 15th century and has undergone many transformations over the years. Today, it’s owned by the Rockefeller Foundation and serves as a retreat for artists, scholars, and scientists from all over the world.
While the villa itself isn’t open to the public, you can explore its massive park on a guided tour. Tours run twice daily at 11 am and 3:30 pm, lasting about two hours. Make sure to reserve your spot a few days ahead of time, as each tour is limited to just 30 people.
The park is one of the largest in the Lake Como region, with meandering paths that lead you through an 18th-century English garden filled with lush plants, flowers, and trees.
It’s a bit of a climb to the top, but the panoramic views of the lake and its surroundings are absolutely breathtaking. Just be sure to wear comfortable shoes!
How to Get There
Villa Serbelloni is just a short, uphill walk from Bellagio’s town center. Tours begin at the meeting point near the entrance to the park, right next to the town’s main square.
If you’re arriving by ferry, it’s around a 10-minute walk from the ferry port. For those driving, there’s parking available near the ferry port, and you can follow the same route on foot to reach the villa.
Best Time to Visit
As the tours only run twice per day, you don’t have that many options. To be honest, it doesn’t really matter which tour you choose as both time slots offer beautiful views of the lake. So just choose the one that fits your Lake Como itinerary best!
7. Villa Olmo
Location: Via Simone Cantoni, 1, 22100 Como CO, Italy
Opening times: Open from Tuesday to Sunday
Entrance fee: Free to visit
Website: https://www.villaolmocomo.it/
Villa Olmo is one of the most impressive villas on Lake Como, blending neoclassical elegance with a prime location in the city of Como. Designed by Simone Cantoni in the late 18th century, this grand estate has a fascinating history and has welcomed famous guests like Napoleon Bonaparte and Ugo Foscolo over the years.
Unlike many other villas, Villa Olmo’s interiors are open to the public and often host art exhibitions and cultural events. Inside, you’ll find high-ceilinged rooms adorned with stunning frescoes, elegant chandeliers, and all the grandeur you’d expect from a villa of this caliber.
Outside, the villa is surrounded by a beautiful English-style park that’s free to visit. The park features a double row of stately plane trees, fountains, monuments, and even a greenhouse. The lakeside path offers incredible views of Lake Como, making it the perfect spot for a peaceful stroll.
How to Get There
Villa Olmo is conveniently located in Como City, making it easy to reach. If you’re staying in the city center, it’s a scenic 20-25-minute walk from the train station along a lakeside path. On the way, you’ll pass by the Aero Club, where you can catch a glimpse of the hydroplanes taking off.
If walking isn’t your thing, there’s a bus service from the town center to the villa. For those driving, a paid car park is available nearby.
Alternatively, if you’re coming from elsewhere on Lake Como, take a ferry to the Como ferry terminal and then hop on a bus or take a short walk to the villa.
Best Time to Visit
Villa Olmo is a year-round destination, but the park is especially beautiful in spring and fall, with blooming flowers or vibrant fall leaves. Since it’s less crowded than other Lake Como villas, you can visit anytime, but weekdays are usually the quietest.
