The Most Beautiful Villas of Lake Como: A Guide
Lake Como is famous for its historic villas and the gardens that spill down to the water. In this guide we gather the five best-loved — Villa del Balbianello in Lenno, Villa Carlotta in Tremezzo, Villa Melzi in Bellagio, Villa Monastero in Varenna and Villa Olmo in Como town — with what to see at each, what the gardens are like, and how to reach them by ferry. One tip before you set off: opening days, tickets and seasonal calendars change through the year, so always check the official websites and the up-to-date ferry timetables before you go.
Villa del Balbianello (Lenno) — the most film-famous
Perched on a small wooded promontory near Lenno, Villa del Balbianello is perhaps the most cinematic spot on the lake. Its loggias, terraces and famous tunnel-shaped pergola have appeared in several well-known films, and the property is now cared for by the FAI – Fondo Ambiente Italiano. You can visit both the gardens and, by booking ahead, the interiors. The most atmospheric way to arrive is by taxi-boat from Lenno; alternatively, you can reach it on foot via a scenic walk from the village. Check open days and tickets on the FAI website before you set off.
Villa Carlotta (Tremezzo) — the botanical garden
In Tremezzo, Villa Carlotta is best known for its botanical garden: citrus terraces, a large rose garden and, in spring, a spectacular bloom of azaleas and rhododendrons. Inside, the museum holds sculpture and works of art. It is one of the easiest villas to reach, sitting right on the shore and served by the central-lake ferries. If you travel in spring, this is the stop for colour; check the flowering period and opening hours on the official site.
Villa Melzi (Bellagio) — neoclassical elegance
A short walk from the centre of Bellagio, the Gardens of Villa Melzi slope gently down to the shore, with English-style lawns, statues, a pond and a small temple. The villa interior is not open to visitors, but the garden — one of the first English-style gardens created on the lake — is worth the stroll on its own. It pairs perfectly with a day in Bellagio, reachable by ferry from Como or from the central lake.
Villa Monastero (Varenna) — a lakeside botanical garden
On the eastern shore, in Varenna, Villa Monastero combines a house-museum with a long botanical garden that runs for nearly two kilometres along the waterfront, among cypresses, palms, citrus and exotic plants. It is a calm place, ideal to combine with Varenna’s lakeside promenade. It is easy to reach by ferry and, from the Como side, also by train to Varenna-Esino and then on foot. Check villa and garden hours on the official website.
Villa Olmo (Como) — no ferry required
If you are short on time or staying in town, Villa Olmo is the most convenient: it stands in Como, along the lakefront walk that starts from the centre, and is reachable on foot or by bus. It is an imposing neoclassical villa with a public park facing the water; it often hosts exhibitions and events, so access to the interior depends on the current programme. The park is a lovely walking destination, especially at sunset.
Getting around the villas
Almost all the villas are best visited by boat: the central lake area (Tremezzo, Bellagio, Varenna) is linked by frequent ferries and car-ferries, and it is here that Carlotta, Melzi and Monastero cluster together. A few practical pointers:
- Start early — the best-known villas fill up by mid-morning, especially in high season.
- Always check the official hours — open days and tickets change with the season; don’t trust old information.
- Combine ferry and villas — the Tremezzo–Bellagio–Varenna triangle lets you see several gardens in one day.
- Wear comfortable shoes — the gardens are sloping, with gravel and steps.
- Staying in town? — Villa Olmo and Como’s old town are walkable.
To plan your hops between shores, read our guide to Lake Como ferries and start from the official navigation timetables.
Key takeaways
- Balbianello (Lenno): the most film-famous, cared for by the FAI; arrive by taxi-boat or on foot.
- Carlotta (Tremezzo): a botanical garden, azaleas and rhododendrons in spring.
- Melzi (Bellagio): an English-style garden on the shore, steps from the village.
- Monastero (Varenna): a house-museum and long lakeside botanical garden.
- Olmo (Como): in town, walkable, with exhibitions and events.
- Hours and tickets change: always check the official websites.
After the villas, get your hands in the pasta
A day of gardens and ferries works up an appetite. Our cooking class in Como is the perfect way to round it off: €150 per person, about 3 hours, small groups of up to 12, in English and French, a short walk from the historic centre. You roll the sfoglia by hand with the resident chef trained at Rina Poletti’s Accademia della Sfoglia, you learn to build your own spritz — Aperol or Campari — and enjoy it as your aperitivo, then sit down to eat the pasta you made, with wine, and finish with gelato topped with a few drops of Traditional Balsamic of Modena DOP. Choose from the four masterclasses: Tagliatelle with fresh tomato, Tagliatelle with ragù, green Ravioloni or Farfalle and Garganelli. See the full picture on how it works.
Book a cooking class in Como
After the lake’s villas and gardens, roll the sfoglia by hand: €150 per person, a spritz lesson and gelato with balsamic vinegar — all in one evening.
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