Waiting for a boat ride at Bellagio pier

Bellagio & Varenna Tour on Lake Como, Lake Como

Overview

Discover the beauty of Lake Como by exploring the charming lakeside villages of Varenna and Bellagio. Along the way, you’ll view some of the most extravagant villas with their exquisite botanical gardens. You’ll start in Bellagio, renowned for its grand estates and scenic shoreline. Stroll through the village and observe impressive buildings and picture-perfect cobblestone lanes lined with cafes and shops. 

Make a stop at the botanical gardens of Villa Serbelloni and the neoclassical Villa Melzi. Both feature spectacular rare and exotic plants and a Japanese pond. These were once the residences of Francesco Melzi d’Eril, vice president of the Italian Republic during the Napoleon era. Spend some time enjoying the views of Lake Como from the elegant terraces and gardens. 

Next, jump on the ferry and cross the lake to Varenna. As you stroll along the quaint cobbled streets, stop at Piazza San Giorgio square in the center. Here you'll see the Church of San Giorgio and its locally sourced marble paving. Follow some of the narrow passageways just off the square, lined with small artisan shops selling leather and other local products. 

Varenna has many beautiful and extravagant villas built by wealthy families. Villa Monastero and Villa Cipressi attract visitors each year, and the latter is now a luxury hotel. Both villas are famed for their botanical gardens containing many rare plant species, including cypress trees. You can enjoy lunch at one of the villa hotels or in the town center.

Read more about unique and interesting experiences in the Northern Lakes Region.

Itineraries with Bellagio & Varenna Tour on Lake Como

The Best of Milan, Parma, & Lake Como - 7 Days

Explore the best of Northern Italy on this 7-day trip to Milan and Lake Como. Discover Rennaissance art in Milan, learn how to cook your own homemade pasta, and mix a classic Italian aperitivo. Taste your way through Parma's famous food scene and relax on Lake Como as you visit magnificent villas and the villages of Bellagio and Varenna.

Historic Milan, Romantic Lake Como & Charming Lake Maggiore - 10 Days

During this 10-day trip, you'll experience the best of Milan and visit two of the most beautiful lakes in Northern Italy. Admire the mix of Gothic and Renaissance art and architecture in Milan, and taste local street food. On Lake Como, enjoy a guided tour of the traditional lakeside villages of Varenna and Bellagio, and take the scenic route by boat to the town of Como and visit its cathedral. On Lake Maggiore, discover the picturesque town of Stresa and the island of Isola Bella, and take a cable car ride for views out over the lake at sunset.

Exploring The Villages of Lake Como - 8 Days

Spend 8 days exploring the villages of Lake Como, at the heart of the Lake District. Begin in the main town of Como with a guided tour of the 14th-century Cathedral of Como and Villa Olmo park. Travel by boat to Tremezzina and walk through charming villages along the Greenway of Lake Como. Discover the elegance and history of villas and botanical gardens in Varenna, Bellagio, and Menaggio.