Lake Como Villas by car
If you want to take a ride on the lake by car and combine the visit of some villas we suggest this itinerary.
From Bellagio take the ferry to Cadenabbia (10 min. The cost varies depending on the size of the car and the number of passengers – starting from about € 10).
You can park your car in Cadenabbia and stroll along the lakefront to Villa Carlotta.
The villa opens at around 10:00 (always consult the timetables before visits! – click THE VILLAS ON THE LAKE below).
After the visit, taking the car, in about 10 minutes you can reach Lenno.
Leave your car, to reach Villa del Balbianello you have two options:
it is possible to reach the villa with the boat that leaves from Lido di Lenno (€ 7 per person approximately), a suggestive arrival 🙂
or on foot, about 25 minutes of walking uphill.
For information on costs, opening times and special openings click on LE VILLE DEL LAGO below.
The Villa del Balbianello offers two types of visits: a guided tour which also includes a visit to the interior and a free visit which allows instead to visit the only enchanting garden. The stay time at Villa del Balbianello varies from 2 to 3 hours.
After the visit from Lenno we advise you to drive to Argegno (MUST TO DO: stop near the bell tower of the Church of Ossuccio to enjoy a panoramic view of the Comacina Island.
In Argegno you can stop for a coffee or to enjoy a lake view lunch. Continue along the road that runs along the lake until you reach the city of Como. During the journey you can decide to stop in Laglio or for example in Cernobbio.
The most famous Villa is certainly Villa d’Este, whose garden, however, can only be visited by customers. However, you can decide to have a drink.
If you want to visit yet another villa, in Como you can stop at the park of Villa Olmo.
In Como you can take a quick visit of the center, visit the wonderful Duomo and the Voltiano temple.
Time to “gently” return to Bellagio, driving on the SP583, traveling on the opposite side from the one done on the way out.
Along the way we advise you to stop in Nesso and go down towards the lake following the signs for the “Ponte della Civera”. A lovely village by the water, a romantic bridge from where you can admire a beautiful waterfall.
From Nesso, in about 25 minutes, you will then return to Bellagio.
Lake Como Villas by public transport
As said above we don’t suggest you to do “too much” in one day but to choose no more than 3 Villas to visit, especially if you are staying few days on Lake Como.
If you are staying in Bellagio you can buy a boat daily pass which allows you to hop on and off in the following towns:
– Tremezzo (Villa Carlotta)
– Lenno (Villa del Balbianello)
– Menaggio (Villa Mylus Vigoni)
– Varenna (Villa Monastero and Villa Cipressi)
ALWAYS CHECK POSSIBLE TIMES CHANGES ON THE OFFICIAL WEBSITES OF THE VILLAS
PRICES
Between 15-20 Euros for the boat daily pass ticket.