Villa Carlotta: a journey into the heart of its gardens

1. The Italian-style garden and the citrus tunnels

At the entrance, the formal garden welcomes you: perfect geometry, fountains, statues, box hedges clipped to the millimetre, and a monumental double staircase leading down to the lake. Continue along the tunnel-like lemon houses—true “citrus orchards”, still wonderfully scenic and fragrant today. Flaubert was captivated right here: “stone steps that touch the water... roses rising on a fountain”.

2. Azaleas and rhododendrons

From the terraces, head down into the flowering valley: azaleas in over 150 varieties and tree rhododendrons create vivid swathes of colour in spring and early summer. Between April and May, this area erupts into a riot of colour, with over 150 varieties of rhododendrons and azaleas. It’s one of the most photographed displays on Lake Como. Among the specimens, some are well over a century old, with ancient trunks that tell exotic botanical stories—you’ll feel as though you’ve wandered into Himalayan hills.

3. The “Fern Valley” and the Bamboo Garden

Continue towards the ferns and bamboo: a cool, shaded corner where leaf-canopies create a Zen-like atmosphere. The tall bamboo gives the feel of an Asian forest. The sound of the wind through the leaves is magical. Waterfalls, streams, little cascades and paths through the groves make this an almost meditative experience. Listen to the hush and get close to the ferns: some species come from Australia and New Zealand, perfectly at home here by the lake.

4. Roses, camellias and exotic plants

Make your way back towards the villa along avenues of impressive camellias—some reaching 4–5 metres—and fragrant rose gardens: cultivars such as Goldener Olymp and Harlekin bloom through to June. There’s also a tropical area, with bromeliads, ficus, orchids and even flowering cinnamon and patchouli—a delightful exotic curiosity on the lake.

5. Monumental trees and the rock garden

Among the giants you’ll find century-old cedars, sequoias, cypresses, magnolias and ginkgo—present in impressive numbers throughout the park. Nearby, the rock garden features summer succulents and a green area composed of stones, cacti, aloe and agave: an unexpected Mediterranean surprise.

Conclusion: art and history among the flowers at Villa Carlotta

Your ticket also includes the villa-museum, with Neoclassical masterpieces by Canova, Hayez and Thorvaldsen—including “Cupid and Psyche” and “Romeo and Juliet’s Last Kiss”. In the park you’ll even find a museum of agricultural tools, housed in the old lemon house: a vintage touch that hints at the care behind this garden. Villa Carlotta isn’t just a garden. It’s an experience of slow beauty—ancient plants, unexpected paths, changing light, and stories of families, artists and botanists. Enter patiently, breathe deeply. And perhaps, if you linger long enough... you’ll feel its green heartbeat too.

And for your stay, I recommend basing yourself in Varenna, in a Villa Vista Lago apartment.