There is nothing quite like Lake Como and all the beautiful towns that dot its banks. Not to mention the fabulous villas of the wealthy, and the many beautiful hotels to stay in as you soak up the atmosphere of this beautiful part of Italy.

Again you are spoilt for choice when it comes to staying on the lake, and you will only be limited by the time you have and the places you wish to visit.

We opted to stay at Bellagio on this particular trip, but we have also stayed at Varenna, which is just a short ferry ride from Bellagio. You can travel into Bellagio by car quite easily, but parking is a little more challenging, as spaces are limited and parking costs.

We chose to stay at the Hotel Metropole Bellagio, which is literally sitting on the edge of the lake, and is pretty much the centre of this small village. The views are nothing short of spectacular as the lake spreads out in front of you. If you don’t mind spending a few extra dollars make sure you request a room with a front view of the lake. This is one of those places that you want to ensure that you enjoy the views on offer, as this is probably a once in a lifetime visit.

You will probably not need more than a couple of days here, but there are a couple of things you should do whilst you are visiting.

  1. The streets of Bellagio are filled with quaint shops, cafes, restaurants and bars, and plenty of souvenir shops selling an array of different wares. The cobbled streets wind up and down the hill so it is easy to spend a whole day just wandering through the streets and taking time to investigate the shops. Don’t be tempted to stay around the waterfront only, as there are plenty of lovely shops located up the hill near the Basilica.
  2. Ferry and Boat rides – take a local ferry ride around the lake, which stops at plenty of villages on the way, allowing you to hop on and hop off if you are inclined to explore a little further afield. Or you can stay on the ferry for the round trip, which is what we did, and just soak up the views. The other option is to take a cruise which will include showing off some of the more beautiful villas that line the lake. Choose carefully as prices vary a lot depending on what you include.
  3. There is plenty of good eating in Bellagio, and there are a number of cafes sitting on the water’s edge. On a perfect afternoon there is nothing more delightful than sipping a wine whilst soaking up the views and watching the people come and go.
  4. Villa Serbelloni Park – take a stroll through this lovely terraced park. The colours are particularly outstanding when the garden is in season.
  5. Basilica di San Giacomo – this beautiful Romanesque church is located at the end of Salita Maraffio. You will easily find it on your travels around the town.

Travel Tips

  • Bellagio is an extremely popular tourist destination, not only for those wishing to stay for a few days, but also the many tourists who arrive each and every day. You would be well advised to try and book your stay on the shoulder of the high season to avoid the massive crowds.

Travel Alerts

  • Be aware that there is nothing cheap about Bellagio. Eating is reasonably expensive, accommodation is also quite expensive, and the shopping is very expensive. However, don’t let all that put you off. If your budget is a consideration then try staying at one of the smaller towns nearby, and hop on the ferry to visit Bellagio for the day.
  • Lake Como (and we are assuming other lake towns) pretty much shut down in the winter months as the owners move to warmer climates for their annual vacations. Just bear this in mind when working out your travel dates.

Travel Adventures

  • Villa Carlotta – the stunning gardens are a must see and there is plenty on offer for a whole family to experience.
  • Take a 1/2 day trip to Varenna on the ferry. A lovely fishing village with colourful houses and winding streets. It is only a small village so won’t take long to enjoy.
  • Duomo di Como – if you are thinking of taking a day trip on the lake, then head to the Duomo in Como.
  • Villa del Balbianello – there is so much to do here it might be wise to give yourself most of the day. Visit the website to see what is on offer. An amazing villa set on the shores of the lake.
  • Check out the following links to see if any of these interest you: