Lake Como has drawn the wealthy and the famous for centuries, from Roman senators to modern celebrities, for a simple reason, the Alps rise almost directly from the water, and the towns strung along its Y-shaped shoreline are linked by a ferry network that makes lake-hopping an actual, practical way to spend a day rather than a fantasy.
Lakeside Villages
Bellagio, at the point where the lake's three arms meet, is the classic postcard village, steep stone staircases, lakeside promenades, and Villa Serbelloni's gardens open for guided tours. Arrive by ferry rather than car; parking is scarce and the boat approach is the better first impression anyway.
Varenna, across the water from Bellagio, is quieter and arguably prettier, with a lakeside walkway (the Passeggiata degli Innamorati) carved directly into the cliff face connecting the harbour to the castle ruins above the town.
The Villas
Villa del Balbianello, perched on its own promontory and used as a filming location for several major movies, is reachable only by boat or a walking trail, its terraced gardens and views back across the lake toward the mountains are Como's most photographed private grounds.
Villa Carlotta, near Tremezzo, holds botanical gardens spanning eight hectares with over 150 rhododendron and azalea varieties, at their peak bloom in April and May, a good stop for anyone visiting outside the busiest summer season.
Recommended Stay · Lake Como · Tremezzo
Grand Hotel Tremezzo
A Belle Époque lakefront hotel opposite Bellagio, with three swimming pools including a floating pool directly on the lake, and gardens designed in the early 1900s.
