Lake Como is a timeless destination of historic residences, remarkable gardens and photogenic villages. This guide compares five of the best villas to visit on Lake Como, with special attention to Villa del Balbianello and Villa Carlotta: the two essential first choices, alongside Villa Monastero, Villa Olmo and the Villa Melzi Gardens.
Last updated: 1 September 2026
Villa del Balbianello
Best for: cinematic views, sculpted gardens and a spectacular lakeside setting.
Walk from Lenno or arrive from the water. To make the journey part of the experience, read our guide to a boat trip on Lake Como.
Villa Carlotta
Best for: major artworks, botanical gardens and spring blooms.
Allow at least two hours for the museum, panoramic viewpoints and celebrated azalea garden.
Villa Monastero
Best for: a historic house museum beside the water and an extensive botanical garden.
Set in Varenna, it combines period interiors, rare plants and some of Lake Como’s most photographed views.
Villa Olmo
Best for: neoclassical architecture and a walk through Como’s lakeside park.
The interiors are closed for restoration, while the park remains open.
Villa Melzi Gardens
Best for: romantic gardens, neoclassical statues and a peaceful walk in Bellagio.
Admission includes the gardens, Chapel and Museum; the private villa is not open to visitors.
Which Lake Como villa should you visit?
For a first visit, start with Balbianello or Villa Carlotta: choose the former for its landscape and lakeside loggia, or the latter for a complete museum-and-botanical-garden experience. The other three villas remain fully covered because each offers a genuinely different visit.
| Villa | What you can visit | Adult price 2026 | Booking | Suggested time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Balbianello | Park; villa and park with guided tour | EUR 15 / EUR 25 | Compulsory | 2-3 hours |
| Carlotta | Museum and botanical garden | EUR 17.50 | Not compulsory for individuals | At least 2 hours |
| Monastero | House Museum and botanical garden | EUR 15 / EUR 13 garden only | Not compulsory for individuals and families | 1.5-2 hours |
| Olmo | Park; interiors closed for restoration | Park free | No | About 1 hour |
| Melzi | Gardens, Chapel and Museum | EUR 10 | Not required | 1.5-2 hours |
Stay in Monza and plan your Lake Como day trip
Hotel de la Ville Monza is an elegant base for combining a day on Lake Como with time in Monza and Milan. Subject to availability, our team can also help with practical information and private transfers.
1) Villa del Balbianello (Tremezzina – Lenno)
Villa del Balbianello should be at the top of a first-time Lake Como itinerary: its panoramic loggia, sculpted gardens and memorabilia-filled interiors tell the adventurous story of its last owner, Guido Monzino.
Built in the 18th century by Cardinal Angelo Maria Durini, the property later welcomed figures including Silvio Pellico, Alessandro Manzoni and Giovanni Berchet. The walk from Lenno or an arrival from the water is part of the experience.
- Why visit: panoramic loggia, lakeside park and famous film locations.
- Getting there: a 1 km uphill walk from Lenno, about 25 minutes and partly on gravel, or a private taxi boat booked separately.
- Opening hours: usually 10:00-18:00, closed on non-holiday Mondays and Wednesdays; last park admission at 17:00 and last villa tour at 16:00. November 10:00-17:00; selected December dates.
- 2026 tickets: EUR 15 for the park; EUR 25 for villa and park. The interiors can only be visited on a 50-minute guided tour.
- Booking: compulsory, including park-only visits. Check official FAI opening times, availability and tickets.
- Accessibility: partial because of slopes, gravel, steps and levels not all served by the lift. Contact the property before visiting.
2) Villa Carlotta (Tremezzo)
Villa Carlotta was built in Tremezzo for the Clerici family in the late 17th century. Princess Marianne of Prussia bought the property in 1843 and gave it to her daughter Carlotta in 1850 as a wedding gift when she married Duke George II of Saxe-Meiningen. The villa has carried Carlotta’s name ever since.
The museum includes works and collections connected with Canova, Thorvaldsen, Hayez and Adamo Tadolini. The celebrated Cupid and Psyche is a high-quality replica made by Tadolini from Canova’s model, rather than an original marble by Canova.
Allow at least two hours to combine the museum with the botanical garden, famous for azaleas, rhododendrons and lake views.
- Why visit: art collections, museum and extensive botanical garden.
- Getting there: ferry from Como or Varenna to Tremezzo/Villa Carlotta, or C110 bus from Como.
- 2026 opening hours: 20 March-18 October, 10:00-19:00; 19 October-8 November, 10:00-18:00; selected openings later in the year.
- Adult ticket: EUR 17.50, including museum and garden.
- Booking: online purchase is available but is not normally compulsory for individual visitors. Check official Villa Carlotta visitor information.
- Accessibility: the museum has a lift and dedicated services; mobility scooters and electric wheelchairs are permitted.
3) Villa Monastero (Varenna)
Set in Varenna on Lake Como’s eastern shore, Villa Monastero takes its name from the medieval women’s monastery that once stood here. The present complex is the result of later transformations, particularly during the 19th and early 20th centuries.
Today it combines a House Museum with a botanical garden extending for almost 2 km along the lakeshore. Terraces, columns and the close relationship with the water create some of Varenna’s most recognisable views.
- Why visit: historic House Museum and long botanical garden beside the lake.
- Getting there: about 25 minutes on foot from Varenna ferry terminal; public transport is recommended.
- September 2026 hours: House Museum and garden 9:30-19:30; House Museum closed on Tuesdays. Hours vary during the year.
- 2026 tickets: EUR 15 for House Museum and garden; EUR 13 for the garden only.
- Booking: not compulsory for individuals and families. Check official Villa Monastero opening hours and tickets.
- Accessibility: lift in the House Museum; only part of the garden is accessible. An electric shuttle is available for the first section on request.
4) Villa Olmo (Como)
Villa Olmo is one of Como’s most imposing neoclassical landmarks. Built between the late 18th and early 19th centuries for Innocenzo Odescalchi, it later welcomed figures including Napoleon Bonaparte, Ugo Foscolo and Giuseppe Garibaldi.
2026 update: the interiors are currently closed for restoration, while the park remains open. Do not plan an interior visit without checking the institutional source for a confirmed reopening.
- Why visit: neoclassical architecture, lakeside promenade and historic park.
- Getting there: about 15 minutes on foot from central Como along the Lino Gelpi promenade.
- Park: open regularly; the dedicated site lists 7:00-23:00 until 30 September and 7:00-19:00 from 1 October.
- Interiors: closed for restoration according to the City of Como.
- Accessibility: villa and park are described as partially accessible.
- Official updates: consult the City of Como Villa Olmo page.
5) Villa Melzi Gardens (Bellagio)
In Bellagio, the Villa Melzi Gardens combine lakeside paths, neoclassical statues, seasonal flowers and a quieter atmosphere away from the busiest village streets.
Created between 1808 and 1810 for Francesco Melzi d’Eril, the visitor route includes the gardens, Chapel and Museum. The villa is privately owned and its interiors are not open to the public.
- Why visit: scenic gardens, museum and lakeside Chapel.
- Getting there: on foot from central Bellagio.
- Opening hours: daily 10:00-19:00, last admission 18:30.
- Adult ticket: EUR 10.
- Booking: not required; tickets are sold at the entrance. Check official Villa Melzi Gardens information.
These five villas are a starting point. For villages, viewpoints and other places to explore, continue with our Lake Como guide.
Stay with us and explore Lake Como
Hotel de la Ville Monza is a luxury four-star boutique hotel in a strategic location between Milan and Lake Como. After a day at Balbianello, Villa Carlotta and the villages of the lake, return to the calm of Monza and end the evening at the award-winning Derby Grill.
Subject to availability, our team can help with practical information, travel planning and private transfers. To choose the best accommodation for your stay, explore our rooms and suites.
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Frequently asked questions about Lake Como villas
Should I visit Villa del Balbianello or Villa Carlotta?
Choose Villa del Balbianello for its panoramic loggia, cinematic gardens and lakeside arrival. Choose Villa Carlotta if you want to combine an art museum with an extensive botanical garden. With a full day and carefully planned transport, you can visit both.
Can I visit two Lake Como villas in one day?
Yes. Balbianello and Villa Carlotta are a practical combination, especially if you use ferries or a taxi boat and start early. For a relaxed day, choose no more than two villas in the same area and check opening times and transport in advance.
Do I need to book tickets in advance?
Online booking is compulsory for Villa del Balbianello, while its interiors are visited on a guided tour. The Villa Melzi Gardens do not require advance booking and tickets are sold at the entrance. For Villa Carlotta and Villa Monastero, check availability and conditions on their official websites before travelling.
How can I visit Lake Como’s villas without a car?
Many villas can be reached by combining trains, ferries and buses. Villa Carlotta has a Lake Como ferry stop; Villa Monastero is within walking distance of Varenna; Villa Melzi is a short walk from central Bellagio; Villa del Balbianello can be reached from Lenno on foot or by taxi boat.
How long should I allow for each villa?
Allow approximately two to three hours for Villa del Balbianello, including the route from Lenno, and at least two hours for Villa Carlotta’s museum and gardens. For Villa Monastero, Villa Olmo and the Villa Melzi Gardens, plan roughly one and a half to two hours depending on the areas open and your pace.
Are the villas accessible to visitors with reduced mobility?
Accessibility varies. Balbianello is only partially accessible because of slopes, gravel and changes in level. Villa Carlotta has a lift and dedicated services. Villa Monastero has a lift in the House Museum and an electric shuttle for the first section of the garden. Villa Olmo and its park are partially accessible. Contact each property before visiting.
Can I visit the interiors of Villa Melzi?
No. The villa is privately owned and is not open to visitors. Admission includes the Villa Melzi Gardens, the Chapel and the Museum.
Can Hotel de la Ville help arrange the day trip?
Yes. Subject to availability, our team can assist hotel guests with practical information, travel planning and private transfers. We recommend requesting the service before arrival.