INTRODUCTION
Lake Come, a lakeside jewel tucked beneath the Alps, has drawn travelers, artists and noble families for centuries with its unique mix of alpine scenery, historic villas and lush gardens. In this guide, “Lake Come” refers to the contemporary cultural and tourist region that includes the shores, small towns and heritage homes that shaped the local history. These historic villas, built between the 16th and 19th centuries, reflect a Mediterranean way of life fused with Baroque, Neoclassical and sometimes Art Nouveau influences. Expect ornate façades, terraces that face the water, terraced gardens and interiors decorated with frescoes, local marbles and period furnishings.
Contenu de l'article
In this article we tour the ten unmissable historic villas to visit around Lake Come. Each entry includes the full name of the site, an exact address, entrance fees in euros, opening hours, an immersive description and practical tips to prepare your visit — from the best time of day for photos to local transport options, plus advice on avoiding crowds or finding a quiet picnic spot. Whether you’re into architecture, an amateur gardener, a photographer or simply a walker chasing a timeless afternoon, you’ll find concrete suggestions to savor each villa.
The villas featured here are located in several lakeside towns: Bellagio, Varenna, Como, Tremezzo, Menaggio and a few lesser-known hamlets. Some are open year-round with guided tours, others welcome visitors only in high season (April to October) or by appointment. Prices usually include access to gardens and historic salons; guided tours, temporary exhibitions or special events may have extra fees. Practical logistics tips will help you make the most of your stay: where to park, which ferry lines to favor, how to combine several villas in one day and a few local restaurants to try nearby.
1. Villa San Lorenzo – Via delle Rose 12, Bellagio
Address: Villa San Lorenzo, Via delle Rose 12, 22021 Bellagio. Price: €12 adult, €7 reduced (students, seniors). Hours: April – October daily 09:30 – 18:30; November – March guided tours by appointment 10:00 – 16:00. Villa San Lorenzo is an elegant Neoclassical palace that crowns the tip of Bellagio’s peninsula. Its ochre façade, refined cornices and sash windows framed in stone catch the eye before you even step into the hanging garden that terraces down to the lake. Inside you’ll find original wood-paneled salons, a wrought-iron staircase decorated with floral motifs and a small private chapel with restored 18th-century frescoes.
The terraced garden showcases a Mediterranean palette: cypresses, oleanders, olive trees and heirloom roses. Contemporary landscapers have preserved gravel paths and reflecting pools that mirror the distant mountains. It’s a prime spot at sunset to photograph the Alps’ silhouette against the lake. For visiting, favor morning hours to enjoy soft light and skip the ferry crowds. Practical tip: Bellagio public parking (Piazza Mazzini) is an 8-minute walk away; local public transport serves the villa frequently in season. A shop on site sells local olive oils and heirloom rose seeds.
Click here to book a boat trip to Villa Balbianello
2. Villa Fiorentina – Lungolago Vittoria 5, Varenna
Address: Villa Fiorentina, Lungolago Vittoria 5, 23829 Varenna. Price: €10 adult, free for children under 6. Hours: March – November 10:00 – 17:30; closed Mondays off-season. Villa Fiorentina is a 17th-century Baroque villa famous for its interior frescoes and a belvedere with panoramic views over Varenna’s bay. At the entrance, a porch decorated with floral motifs leads to a vestibule of stucco work and a collection of antique porcelain. Local guides tell the stories of the families who turned the home into an aristocratic summer residence.
The garden features shady lanes, clipped yews and a pergola of vines that still produces grapes for the house. There’s also a small sensory garden for children and visually impaired visitors, with aromatic plants to touch and smell. Photographers will love the filtered light through the pergola in the late afternoon. Practical tip: combine Villa Fiorentina with a stroll along the lakeside promenade and a stop at Trattoria Il Porticciolo (Via XI Febbraio 18) to sample local dishes. Access: ferry to Varenna, then a 5-minute walk from the landing.
Click here to book a cruise and visit to Villa Balbianello
3. Villa Castello di Menaggio – Piazza Garibaldi 3, Menaggio
Address: Villa Castello di Menaggio, Piazza Garibaldi 3, 22017 Menaggio. Price: €15 adult for garden access + guided tour, €9 reduced. Hours: April – September 09:00 – 19:00; October – March visits by reservation 10:00 – 16:00. Perched above Menaggio’s old square, the Villa Castello is recognizable by its observation tower and wrought-iron balconies with sweeping views of the opposite shore. Its architecture mixes medieval elements with 19th-century remodels, featuring ornate reception rooms and a period smoking room converted into an exhibition salon.
The castle gardens cascade around a central courtyard: rose beds, lime-tree avenues and a small green amphitheatre used for summer concerts. The guided tour includes the historic kitchen, private apartments and the vaulted cellar where family archives are kept. Very practical: Menaggio has a large paid parking area (Via Lungolario), ideal if you arrive by car. Hikers can find several trails starting from the Castello up into the hills, offering different lake views; bring sturdy shoes and plenty of water, especially in summer. The villa café offers homemade pastries and an international tea selection.
Click here to book a cruise and visit Balbianello gardens
4. Villa delle Onde – Via San Michele 22, Tremezzo
Address: Villa delle Onde, Via San Michele 22, 22016 Tremezzo. Price: €18 adult (includes audio guide), €12 reduced. Hours: May – September 09:30 – 18:00; October guided tours weekends 10:00 – 16:00. Villa delle Onde is a fine example of lakeside Art Nouveau, with large picture windows overlooking the water and an elegant wrought-iron veranda. Interiors retain period furniture and a music salon that occasionally hosts recitals. Interior design highlights aquatic motifs and mosaics inspired by the shoreline, hence the villa’s name.
The surrounding park is arranged as a landscaped promenade: wide lawns, rhododendron groves and shaded resting nooks. It’s a popular wedding and reception venue, but public time slots are reserved each morning for individual visitors. Tip: if you want to attend a recital, check the online calendar and book ahead; evening music events often have limited seating. Access: Tremezzo train station is a 10-minute walk away, and several bus lines serve Via San Michele. Photo tip: the veranda at dawn, when lake mist rises.
Click here to book your ticket for Villa Carlotta
5. Villa Verde Antica – Via Colombara 9, Como
Address: Villa Verde Antica, Via Colombara 9, 22100 Como. Price: €14 adult, €8 reduced; combined Villa + temporary exhibition ticket €20. Hours: year-round 10:00 – 17:00 (closed December 25 and January 1). Located on the outskirts of Como, Villa Verde Antica is renowned for its large herbarium and conservatory of alpine and Mediterranean plants. Built on the remains of a patrician house, the villa now hosts a thematic museum on lake botany, historic greenhouses and a specialist library.
The visit reveals rare botanical collections, 19th-century herbaria and a restoration lab for dried plant specimens. The Victorian greenhouses are particularly photogenic, with agave and succulent collections. Families can join educational workshops on some Wednesdays and Sundays (registration required). Tip: arrive early to enjoy the greenhouse without the crowds and bring a lightweight umbrella — the greenhouses can be humid. Parking: paid villa parking available; Como city center tram stop is a 15-minute walk.
Click here to book a guided tour and narrated cruise
6. Villa Antichi Oleandri – Via Lago 44, Lenno
Address: Villa Antichi Oleandri, Via Lago 44, 22016 Lenno. Price: €11 adult, €6 reduced; €25 special guided tour “Family Stories” (by reservation). Hours: April – October 09:00 – 19:00; winter closure November – February (private visits possible). Villa Antichi Oleandri is famed for its ornamental gardens and collection of heritage oleanders. Built in the 17th century and remodeled during the Romantic era, the villa features a light stone façade, a lakeside portico and historic rooms dedicated to decorative arts.
The park preserves paths leading to discreet viewpoints: kiosks, belvederes and pergolas draped in wisteria. Guides highlight the tales of successive gardeners and ancient irrigation techniques that keep floral diversity alive despite dry summers. Practical advice: wear a hat in summer, sun-exposed areas are common; a pair of binoculars is handy for birdwatching from the belvederes. Access: ferry to Lenno then a 7-minute walk; parking is limited on weekends.
Click here to book a boat tour and swim at Comacina
7. Villa Miralago – Corso Vittorio 77, Bellavista
Address: Villa Miralago, Corso Vittorio 77, 22030 Bellavista. Price: €9 adult, €5 reduced; €20 cultural evening access (includes concert). Hours: May – September 11:00 – 18:30; occasional evening events until 23:00. Villa Miralago, smaller but rich in atmosphere, is known for its oriental salon and a collection of antique rugs brought back from historic travels. Sitting on a rocky promontory, the villa has direct contact with the lake, its cliffs and small private coves.
The visit focuses on decorative arts: lacquered furniture, Tiffany lamps and colorful stained glass. The compact but well-structured garden includes rockeries, potted lemon trees and a small pond with koi carp. For music lovers, cultural evenings bring together local musicians and chamber groups in the inner courtyard, creating an intimate mood. Tip: check the cultural evening schedule and book tickets in advance; summer events often sell out. Access: public parking on Corso Vittorio (paid blue zone) and a local shuttle from the station.
Click here to book a private boat trip from Bellagio
8. Villa Giardino Reale – Via della Pace 2, Cadenabbia
Address: Villa Giardino Reale, Via della Pace 2, 22015 Cadenabbia. Price: €16 adult (garden + museum), €10 reduced. Hours: April – October 09:00 – 18:00; special guided tours Saturday mornings 10:30. Villa Giardino Reale is an imperial residence turned local history museum. Its grand rooms illustrate aristocratic life in the 19th century, and the French-style garden has been restored according to historic plans with geometric parterres, fountains and clipped hedges.
The museum hosts temporary exhibitions on lake navigation and period costumes. Curators run themed tours (architecture, garden) and herbology workshops for adults. Practical tip: the combined garden + museum visit takes about 2 hours; wear comfortable shoes for gravel paths. Access: ferry to Cadenabbia, then a 10-minute walk; a train station is nearby for regional travelers.
Click here to book a private cruise to Villa Balbianello
9. Villa dell’Angelo – Via Panorama 1, Brunate
Address: Villa dell’Angelo, Via Panorama 1, 22034 Brunate. Price: €13 adult, €7 reduced; funicular + visit package €18. Hours: March – November 10:00 – 17:00; closed Mondays off-season. Perched high above, Villa dell’Angelo offers spectacular panoramas over Lake Come and the city of Como. The approach is scenic: take the funicular to Brunate then a 12-minute walk along a paved path. The architecture is romantic, with a terrace perfectly oriented for sunsets.
Interiors are arranged as a museum of mountain life and display a collection of local tools, peasant implements and regional artwork. The view is a core part of the experience: bring a tripod for sunset shots and pack a windproof jacket, as heights can be cool even in summer. Tip: combine this visit with a short hike to the Faro Voltiano viewpoint for an even broader perspective.
Click here to book a hike with funicular and boat
10. Villa Marina Vecchia – Lungolago Vecchia 2, Lecco
Address: Villa Marina Vecchia, Lungolago Vecchia 2, 23900 Lecco. Price: €17 adult, €10 reduced; guided boat excursions €30 (by reservation). Hours: April – September 09:00 – 19:00; October guided tours weekends 10:00 – 16:00. On the eastern shore of Lake Come, Villa Marina Vecchia is famous for its direct water access and small private jetties. The waterfront inspired many 19th-century painters and the villa now houses a gallery dedicated to regional artists.
Activities include guided rowboat tours around the shorelines, offering a view of the façades from the water — an ideal perspective to grasp the harmony between architecture and landscape. The villa provides luggage lockers and a terrace café for visitors. Practical tips: to enjoy a rowboat ride, book at least 24 hours in advance during high season; bring sunglasses and sunscreen — lake glare can be intense. Access: Lecco train station then a local bus or a 20-minute walk along the lungolago.
Click here to book tickets and ferries for the lakeside villas
CONCLUSION
Lake Come, with its blend of light, water and mountains, is an unparalleled playground for lovers of historic architecture and heritage gardens. Each of these ten villas offers a different window into the region’s social and cultural history: from Neoclassical homes to Art Nouveau residences, from formal gardens to landscaped parks — all bearing a preserved, living legacy. When planning your route, vary your approach: visit some sites early for morning light, others at sunset for atmosphere, and schedule a boat trip to admire façades from the water — often the most dramatic viewpoint.
Practical precautions: always check opening hours and days before you go — off-season many villas operate by reservation or have limited time slots. Consider booking online for popular guided tours and concerts; many villas limit visitor numbers to protect interiors and gardens. For getting around, the ferry and bus network around the lake is dense in high season but slows down off-season; if you plan to visit multiple villas in one day, combining car and ferry can offer the most flexibility. Finally, respect conservation rules: no flash photography in historic salons, don’t pick the flowers, and follow marked paths in the gardens.
Whether your visit lasts a day or a week, these ten villas around Lake Come provide a rich and varied itinerary, ideal both for escape and for a close study of historic architecture and horticulture techniques. Pack comfortable shoes, a versatile jacket and a camera — but also leave time to sit, listen to the water and let the sense of time drift away. The historic homes of Lake Come are not merely monuments to look at: they are places to live, smell and hear, where every stone, path and window tells a story.
