Lake Como: Villa d'Este, Bellagio & the Art of Italian Lakeside Luxury

Lake Como (Lago di Como in Italian, also known as Lario, its ancient Roman name) is a lake of glacial origin in the Lombardy region of northern Italy. At over 400 metres (1,300 feet) deep, it is one of the deepest lakes in Europe, and its distinctive inverted-Y shape was carved by glaciers during the last ice age. The lake has been a retreat for aristocrats, writers, and composers since Roman times — Pliny the Younger owned a villa here in the 1st century AD — and its shores are lined with some of the most extraordinary Renaissance villas and grand hotels in the world.

The lake is roughly an hour north of Milan by train and is divided into three arms: the southwestern arm (toward Como), the southeastern arm (toward Lecco), and the northern arm (toward Colico). The most celebrated stretch of shoreline is the western shore of the southwestern arm, between the town of Como and the village of Cernobbio, where the grandest villas and hotels are found.

Where to Stay: The Grand Hotels

Villa d'Este (villadeste.com) in Cernobbio is the most celebrated hotel on Lake Como and one of the most famous hotels in the world. Originally built in 1568 as a Renaissance residence for Cardinal Tolomeo Gallio, it passed through several noble families before being transformed into a luxury hotel in 1873. Its terraced Italian gardens, the floating swimming pool on the lake, the 16th-century nymphaeum, and the twin avenues of cypress trees make it one of the most beautiful hotel properties in Europe. Reference: [Villa d'Este Official](https://www.villadeste.com)

Grand Hotel Tremezzo (grandhoteltremezzo.com) in Tremezzo is a Liberty-style (Italian Art Nouveau) hotel dating to 1910, with one of the most spectacular positions on the lake — directly across the water from Bellagio. Its floating T Pool extends into the lake, and the hotel's gardens include the historic Villa Sola Cabiati, a 16th-century aristocratic residence with frescoed suites. Reference: [Grand Hotel Tremezzo Official](https://www.grandhoteltremezzo.com/en/)

Grand Hotel Villa Serbelloni (villaserbelloni.com) in Bellagio is the only 5-star luxury hotel in Bellagio and one of the oldest grand hotels on the lake, operating since the 1870s. It occupies a promontory position at the tip of the Bellagio peninsula where the lake's two southern arms meet. Reference: [Grand Hotel Villa Serbelloni Official](https://www.villaserbelloni.com/en/)

The Villas

Villa del Balbianello (fondoambiente.it) in Lenno is the most spectacular of Lake Como's open-to-the-public villas. Built in 1787 on a wooded promontory, it was the residence of explorer Guido Monzino (the first Italian to summit Mount Everest) and is now owned by the Italian National Trust (Fondo Ambiente Italiano). Its terraced gardens and loggia have appeared in films including Casino Royale (2006). Reference: [FAI — Villa del Balbianello](https://www.fondoambiente.it/luoghi/villa-del-balbianello)

Villa Carlotta (villacarlotta.it) in Tremezzo is a 17th-century villa with extraordinary botanical gardens containing over 500 species, including azaleas that bloom spectacularly in May. The villa houses a museum with works by Canova and Hayez. Reference: [Villa Carlotta Official](https://www.villacarlotta.it)

The Towns

Bellagio — called 'the pearl of the lake' — sits on the promontory where the lake's three arms meet. Its steep cobbled streets, pastel buildings, and lakeside cafes make it the most photographed town on Como. Como town, at the southern end, is the transport hub with the Gothic-Renaissance Duomo and the funicular to Brunate for panoramic views.

Getting There

Trains from Milan's Milano Cadorna station to Como Nord Lago take approximately one hour on Trenord (trenord.it) regional services. From Como, the lake is best navigated by ferry — Gestione Navigazione Laghi (navigazionelaghi.it) operates regular services connecting Como, Bellagio, Tremezzo, and the other lakeside towns. The closest international airport is Milan Malpensa (MXP), about an hour's drive from Como.

Reference Links:

- Villa d'Este Hotel: villadeste.com

- Grand Hotel Tremezzo: grandhoteltremezzo.com

- Grand Hotel Villa Serbelloni: villaserbelloni.com

- Villa del Balbianello (FAI): fondoambiente.it/luoghi/villa-del-balbianello

- Villa Carlotta: villacarlotta.it

- Lake Como Ferries: navigazionelaghi.it

- Trenord: trenord.it

- Visit Como Tourism: lakecomo.is