Lake Como is known for its historic lakeside villas, once owned by noble families and wealthy Europeans. Some of these villas are now open to the public, while others have been converted into luxury hotels. Visiting one of the legendary villas of Lake Como is a must-do activity, but which one should you choose? This blog post ranks the Lake Como villas, so you know exactly which ones to check out.
1. Villa Del Balbianello
The best Lake Como villa is without a doubt Villa del Balbianello, where “Casino Royale” and “Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones” were filmed.
The striking yellow building was constructed in the 18th century by Cardinal Angelo Maria Durini as a summer residence where he could escape the hustle and bustle of Milan.
One of the reasons Villa del Balbianello is so popular is because it’s now owned by the National Trust of Italy (FAI), meaning it’s meticulously maintained as a historical and cultural site.
How to get to Villa del Balbianello
The villa can only be accessed by boat or on foot. If you want to walk, it’s about 1km (20-25 min walk) from the town of Lenno. You can also get a water taxi or drive your own boat up to the impressive building.
You don’t need to book the water taxi, just turn up to Lido di Lenno and you can pay when you board the boat.
How much does it cost to visit Villa del Balbianello?
Tickets to Villa del Balbianello sell out in advance, so be sure to book your ticket before your trip. I would recommend the guided tour to really understand the history and importance of the building.
The guided tour costs €24 for adults and €16 for under 25s, students and children. The self-guided option costs €13 for adults and €10 for under 25s, students and children, which is a good choice if you’re visiting Lake Como on a budget.
Both ticket options include access to the beautifully manicured gardens of the villa.
Other sights near Villa del Balbianello
The town of Lenno is really beautiful and there’s a free public beach here too.
Nestled in a natural bay nicknamed ‘Venus Bay’, it’s calm and great for swimming.
To find Lenno Public Beach, follow directions for ‘Public Beach’ here (go through the big green gate to reach the beach – don’t worry, it’s not private property!).
The beach provides a safe area to swim surrounded by buoys, along with views of the beautiful town of Lenno in the backdrop.
It’s the perfect spot to cool off after a morning spent exploring Villa del Balbianello.
2. Villa Monastero
This is my second favourite Lake Como villa, located in the romantic lakeside town of Varenna.
Originally a Cistercian monastery in the 12th century, it has since been transformed into a stunning villa with beautiful gardens.
The villa’s extensive botanical gardens stretch for nearly 2 kilometres along the lake, featuring a variety of exotic plants, statues, and a scenic walkway.
How to get to Villa Monastero
The great thing about Villa Monastero is you can access it by train, unlike many other villas that can only be accessed by ferry or car.
You can jump on the train from Como or even Milan to Varenna Esino train station, and then take the short 14 minute walk to the villa.
Alternatively, you can get the ferry to Varenna from various towns around the lake.
How much does it cost to visit Villa Monastero?
Tickets to Villa Monastero cost €13 for adults, €9 for students and seniors or €7 for kids. The visit is self-guided. You can book them here.
3. Villa Carlotta
Built in the late 17th century, Villa Carlotta was named after Carlotta, the daughter of Princess Marianne of the Netherlands, who received the villa as a wedding gift.
The villa houses an impressive collection of art, including sculptures by Antonio Canova and paintings by Francesco Hayez.
How to get to Villa Carlotta
Villa Carlotta is located in Tremezzo. You can get there easily on the ferry network from many other towns on the lake.
How much does it cost to visit Villa Carlotta?
Tickets to the museum and gardens cost around €13 and can be bought here.
4. Villa Melzi
Villa Melzi was built in the early 1800s and is renowned for its English-style gardens. You can’t actually go inside the Villa, but the lakeside gardens are the showstopper anyway.
Don’t miss the Japanese Pond, the Orangery and the Chapel.
How to get to Villa Melzi
Villa Melzi is found in the picture-perfect town of Bellagio, known as the ‘Pearl’ of Lake Como.
Bellagio is well-connected by ferry to many towns on the lake.
How much does it cost to visit Villa Melzi?
You can visit the gardens for just €10.
I actually got tickets to this villa for free when we booked an amazing cooking class with a chef in Bellagio, which included entrance to the nearby Villa Melzi.
5. Grand Hotel Tremezzo
The Grand Hotel Tremezzo is a historic Lake Como villa which has now been turned into a hotel.
If you’ve got the funds, you can stay at this Art Nouveau palace complete with a private beach and boat house.
It also has three pools, the most popular being the pool set within the manicured Italian gardens.
How to get to Grand Hotel Tremezzo
Tremezzo is a bustling Lake Como town close to Menaggio, it’s easily accessible by ferry.
How much does it cost to visit Grand Hotel Tremezzo?
Whilst you can’t purchase tickets to visit Grand Hotel Tremezzo (it is a fully operational hotel), you can visit for food and drinks at one of the bars or restaurants.
I personally think the best way to see Grand Hotel Tremezzo is during the ferry ride from Tremezzo to Bellagio, because you sail right past the amazing building and get to see it up close.
6. Villa Serbelloni
Some of the historic villas on Lake Como have been turned into luxury hotels, and this one is on my bucket list (I WILL stay here one day!).
Villa Serbelloni dates back to the 15th century and has welcomed famous guests such as Queen Victoria, John F. Kennedy and Leonardo da Vinci.
Now, you can walk the halls graced by royalty by booking a stay at the Grand Hotel Villa Serbelloni.
The luxury five-star hotel features stunning rooms with lake views, an outdoor pool overlooking the water and several restaurants, bars and a spa.
How to get to Villa Serbelloni
Villa Serbelloni is also located in Bellagio, which is best accessed by ferry from Como, Tremezzo or Varenna.
How much does it cost to visit Villa Serbelloni?
You can only see the interior of Villa Serbelloni if you stay at the hotel.
However, you can still do a guided tour of the 50 acres of Italian gardens for just €10 (€5 for kids).
7. Villa d’Este
Villa d’Este has been operating as a luxury hotel since 1873.
Originally built in the 16th century, it also has a 25-acre park surrounding the villa features beautifully landscaped gardens, fountains, and statues.
The incredible hotel in Cernobbio features a floating pool on the lake, tennis courts and fine dining.
Popular amongst musicians, this hotel has welcomed the likes of Frank Sinatra and Mick Jagger.
How to get to Villa d’Este
Villa d’Este can be accessed by car from Como town or by arriving at Cernobbio ferry terminal and jumping in a taxi for 5 minutes to the hotel.
Cernobbio is often considered the ‘foodie capital’ of Lake Como with loads of unreal restaurants.
How much does it cost to visit Villa d’Este?
Unfortunately, you can only visit Villa d’Este if you book a room at the hotel.
I hope you enjoyed my guide to the best villas to visit in Lake Como. Follow me on Instagram for more travel tips!