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(told by someone who lives on the lake all year round) If you’re planning a trip to Lake Como, one thing is certain: sooner or later you’ll hear about its historic villas. Dreamlike palaces, vast gardens, terraces with lake views… yes, they’re breathtaking. But they’re not all the same, and not all of them should be visited in the same way. I’m from Bellano, I’ve lived on the lake my whole life, and today I’m taking you with me to discover the 5 villas that are truly worth visiting. I’ll also share a few local tips so you can enjoy them at their best—without too much crowding and with a couple of curiosities you won’t always find in guidebooks.
If you had to choose just one villa to see, make it this one.
Iconic and cinematic, perched on a point between lake and sky. Star Wars and James Bond were filmed here, but the real show is the garden hanging over the water and the terrace where the breeze brushes the cypress trees.
The public boat service is very convenient, and it’s what I chose this time—leaving from Bellano and getting off at Lenno. You can find timetables and fares on the Navigazione Laghi website. However, it might not be the best solution for everyone; if you want more peace of mind, comfort and flexibility, you can choose other options.
Here are two alternatives I found in Bellano—both great:
Stop for a drink at the bar below the villa (Bar il Golfo). Few people do, but it’s one of the quietest spots in the central lake area—plus an incredible view.
🔗 Info & bookings – FAI – Villa del Balbianello: https://fondoambiente.it/luoghi/villa-del-balbianello
Villa Carlotta is a classic—and it’s worth every penny of the ticket.
The botanical garden is a journey through palms, camellias, azaleas and towering trees. Inside, you’ll find sculptures and frescoes that feel suspended in time.
Get off at Tremezzo by boat—the villa is right in front of the pier, incredibly convenient. I recommend combining the visit with Menaggio or Villa del Balbianello later in the afternoon.
To plan routes and avoid long queues, see: Find out the best way to get around Lake Como: a guide to avoiding long waits.
In 1843, the noblewoman Carlotta Clotilde received the villa as a wedding gift from her husband, Georg II of Saxe-Meiningen. Quite a memorable present!
Just minutes from the heart of Bellagio, Villa Melzi is an oasis of calm and minimalist beauty.
You can’t visit the interior, but the English-style gardens are pure poetry: neoclassical statues among lime trees and cedars, little ponds, and a Moorish pavilion where time seems to slow down.
Tip: go as soon as they open (10:00): the light is magical and there’s hardly anyone around. Afterwards, walk along the avenue into the centre of Bellagio—a cinematic route.
Near the entrance there’s the Nautical Instruments Museum: small, rarely crowded, but fascinating if you love the history of navigation on Lake Como.
🔗 Discover Villa Melzi – opening times and tickets: https://www.giardinidivillamelzi.it/
Once a monastery, now a villa-museum with one of the most beautiful panoramic walks on the lake.
The view is extraordinary, the gardens are full of flowers and statues, and the villa’s interior is a jewel of period furnishings—beautifully maintained.
Best moment to visit: go in the afternoon, around 16:00. The light turns golden over the lake, and if you stay until closing time you may find yourself almost alone. If you have time, also visit Villa Cipressi (nearby, smaller but very atmospheric).
Want to go deeper? Read: Villa Monastero Gardens in Varenna: nature and views.
Some theoretical physics conferences were held here, attended by Enrico Fermi and other Nobel Prize winners. Imagine their scientific debates with this breathtaking view in front of them!
🔗 Info on Villa Monastero – guided tours: https://www.villamonastero.eu/
Luxury, history and cinema. Villa Erba is grand and elegant, looking out over a lawn that seems endless.
It’s not always open (it’s often used for events and weddings), but if you catch the right occasion… go in.
Cernobbio is easy to reach from Como by boat or bus. From there, a 10-minute walk along the lakeside brings you to the villa gates.
In 1997, the film “The Man in the Iron Mask” starring Leonardo DiCaprio was shot here. Local legend says that morning he went for a swim in the lake at 6am, before filming began.
🔗 Discover Villa Erba – events and visits: https://www.villaerba.it/
On Lake Como, you don’t just enter a villa. You step into a slower time—full of light, wind and silence. And behind every window, there’s a story waiting to be heard. I can already picture you there, sitting on a stone wall with your ticket in hand and your eyes full of wonder. And I get it: you’ve entered the heart of the lake too.
To stay in the area, I strongly recommend basing yourself in Varenna in one of Villa Vista Lago’s apartments, with breathtaking views and a strategic location to visit all these wonders.
And if you’d like to experience Varenna after sunset, read: Varenna by Night: what to do and see.