Bellagio is the most famous town on Lake Como, a postcard-perfect mix of colorful streets, scenic lakeside vistas, and historic villas. If you’re planning a visit, here are the best things to do in Bellagio, plus tips to make the most of your time.
Bellagio is often called the Pearl of Lake Como, and after visiting on a summer day trip from Lugano, we quickly understood why. Perched at the point where Lake Como splits into three branches, Bellagio is a compact town filled with pastel-colored streets, elegant villas, waterfront promenades, and sweeping alpine views.
We spent the day exploring Bellagio by ferry and on foot in late June, strolling its steep cobblestone lanes, cruising past grand lakeside villas, and visiting its most famous viewpoints. Whether you’re planning a Lake Como day trip from Milan or Lugano, adding Bellagio to a Northern Italy itinerary, or deciding where to stay on the lake, this guide covers the best things to do in Bellagio, plus practical tips to help you plan your visit.
If you’re still organizing your trip, you may also want to read our guide on how to plan a day trip to Lake Como from Milan or Lugano, our one-day Milan itinerary, or browse our Italy Travel Guide for more ideas.
The Essentials
LOCATION | Lake Como, Lombardy, Italy
BEST FOR | Scenic views, romantic strolls, villa gardens, lake cruises
TIME NEEDED | 3–5 hours for highlights; 1–2 days for a relaxed visit
DON’T MISS | Salita Serbelloni, Villa Melzi Gardens, a boat tour on Lake Como
EASY DAY TRIP FROM | Milan or Lugano
WHEN TO GO | May–June and September
CROWDS | Very busy midday in summer
Where is Bellagio & Why is It So Famous?
Lake Como is shaped like an inverted letter “Y”. Bellagio is located at the top of the triangle of land mass that divides Lake Como into two. This unique location gives the town sweeping, 360-degree views of the surrounding mountains and water, something the other towns on the lake can’t match.
It’s also known for its picture-perfect streets, especially the iconic staircase of Salita Serbelloni, its elegant lakeside villas and gardens, and its long history as a retreat for aristocrats and wealthy travelers.
Bellagio is now one of the most popular towns to visit in northern Italy.
Watch our short video tour of Bellagio to get a feel for the town before you go.
Map of Bellagio & Lake Como
Menaggio and Varenna also sit on the shore of Lake Como, not far from Bellagio. These three towns are all linked by ferry and form a “golden triangle.” With one day on Lake Como, you can visit Bellagio and Varenna, since they are just 20 minutes apart by ferry.
Below is a map showing Bellagio’s location and places to visit in town.
How to Use This Map: Click the icons on the map to get more information about each point of interest. To take this map with you, click the star next to the title of the map which adds it to your Google account. Next, within your Google Maps app, select ‘Saved’ and then select ‘Maps’. This map title will now appear in your list.
Best Things to Do in Bellagio
1. Wander the Streets of Bellagio
Bellagio is small and compact. Many of the roads are pedestrian only, perfect for strolling and exploring.
From the waterfront, narrow, cobblestoned streets and walking paths lead uphill through town. From the tops of these streets you get picture-perfect views over the rooftops to Lake Como.
Since the town is so small, you can explore Bellagio in an hour or less.
Strolling the city streets
2. Climb Salita Serbelloni for the Classic View
If you have seen photos of Bellagio on the internet and Instagram, there’s no doubt that you came across this gorgeous view of the town.
Salita Serbelloni
If you want this same view, walk up Salita Serbelloni to the very end until you reach Via Giuseppe Garibaldi. From the viewpoint on Via Giuseppe Garibaldi, you can look down this wonderful little street and its collection of colorful buildings and shops.
We walked this street several times on our visit, at different times of day. First thing in the morning, around 9 am, the streets are still relatively quiet. That is when I took the photo above.
PRO TRAVEL TIP: Salita Serbelloni is essentially one long staircase from the waterfront to its endpoint at Via Giuseppe Garibaldi. Along the way, stop in the small shops and go wine tasting at Enoteca la Principessa.
3. Visit the Basilica of San Giacomo
The Basilica of San Giacomo is a Romanesque church built between the 11th and 12th centuries. It sits right in the center of Bellagio so it makes a quick, worthwhile visit as you stroll through town.
4. Stroll Through the Gardens of Villa Melzi
Villa Melzi was the summer residence of Francesco Melzi d’Eril, the vice president of the Italian Republic that was founded in the 1800’s.
Surrounding the villa are beautiful gardens that are open to the public (the villa is not open to the public). Filled with walking paths, native and exotic plants, and park benches perfectly situated with views of the lake, this is a wonderful place to go for a stroll. On a hot summer day, this is a great place to escape the heat, under the shade of the trees here.
Our favorite part of our visit here were the views of Lake Como and looking back towards Bellagio.
View of Bellagio from Melzi Gardens.
To get here, it is a 5 minute walk from the ferry station.
Website: There is a small fee to visit the gardens. Get updated hours and pricing here.
5. Walk to Punta Spartivento
Located on the northernmost point of Bellagio is Punta Spartivento, a small park with a nice view of Lake Como. From here, you can see Menaggio, Varenna, and numerous other towns that line the shore of Lake Como.
This is one of the best viewpoints from town, with sweeping views of the mountains, the lake, and distant towns.
View from Punta Sparitvento
PRO TRAVEL TIP: If you have plans to take a boat tour of Lake Como or visit Menaggio or Varenna by ferry, the visit to Punta Spartivento is skippable, in my opinion. We thought the views were better from the ferry. You can visit this viewpoint if you are curious, but consider skipping this to save your steps, and your time, for something else on this list if you will also be cruising Lake Como.
6. Visit the Fishing Village of Pescallo
Located on the opposite side of the peninsula from Bellagio is Pescallo, a small fishing village. This small town is much quieter than bustling, busy Bellagio and a great place to escape the crowds. The view out over the fishing boats is also quite nice.
Pescallo
Pescallo (by drone)
Getting Here: From Via Guiseppe Giacomo, head south out of town. There will be a sign to Pescallo on the left hand side of the road. From here, you walk up and over the hill on a pedestrian walkway that is really just another long staircase down to the waterfront in Pescallo. This walkway is labelled as Salita Cappuccini on Google Maps. To get back to Bellagio, you will have to retrace your steps back up this stair climb. It takes roughly 10 to 15 minutes to walk from Bellagio to Pescallo.
7. Relax at Lido di Bellagio
If you want to take a break from the heat, go for a swim, or just relax by the water, go to Lido de Bellagio. This club/beach sits right on the waterfront next to the Melzi Gardens.
This is also the spot where we booked our one hour private boat tour of Lake Como, the final thing on our list.
8. Visit Villa Carlotta
Just a short ferry ride from Bellagio, Villa Carlotta is one of the most beautiful and famous villas on Lake Como. Located in Tremezzo, this 18th-century villa is known for its elegant interiors and expansive botanical gardens that stretch down toward the lake.
The gardens are the real highlight. The terraced pathways, sculptures, fountains, and sweeping lake views make this a worthwhile stop. Plan to spend at least 1 to 2 hours wandering through the landscaped grounds and enjoying the views back across the water.
GETTING HERE: From Bellagio, ferries run frequently to Tremezzo, and the ride takes about 15 minutes. Once you arrive at the Tremezzo ferry terminal, it’s a flat 5-minute walk along the lakeside road to the entrance of Villa Carlotta.
PRO TRAVEL TIP: Try to go early in the morning or later in the afternoon to avoid mid-day tour crowds.
Villa Carlotta
9. Tour Villa del Balbianello
One of the most memorable excursions on Lake Como is a visit to Villa del Balbianello. Located in Lenno on the western shore of the lake, this elegant 18th-century villa is famous for its dramatic setting, manicured terraced gardens, and appearances in films like Star Wars and James Bond.
Perched on a wooded peninsula, the villa offers sweeping views in every direction. The gardens are the main highlight, with sculpted hedges, shaded walking paths, and panoramic lake vistas that feel straight out of a movie set. You can tour the gardens only or book a guided interior tour to see the historic rooms filled with art and antiques.
GETTING HERE: From Bellagio, take the ferry to Lenno. The ride takes about 30 minutes, depending on the route and stops. From the Lenno ferry terminal, it’s roughly a 20-minute uphill walk to the villa entrance.
TICKETS: Villa del Balbianello limits daily visitors, especially in high season. It’s highly recommended to reserve tickets online in advance, particularly if you want to tour the interior. Tickets can also be purchased in advance through GetYourGuide.
Villa del Balbianello
10. Take a Boat Tour of Lake Como
Cruising Lake Como from Bellagio was our favorite experience of our day trip to Lake Como. For one wonderful hour, we cruised past extravagant villas, had gorgeous lakeside views of Bellagio, and got up close with numerous small towns that dot the edge of the lake.
We booked a private one hour tour of Lake Como through Lido di Bellagio, using the company Bellagio Boat Service. A private tour costs roughly €240, but for that hour we could custom tailor what we did and where we went on Lake Como. We ended up defaulting to the usual one hour tour since it included the highlights that were on our list.
There is a more affordable option: a shared boat tour of the lake, which costs approximately €30 per person for one hour.
This shared boat tour on GetYourGuide is very similar, with a cruise past the famous villas.
Here are some of the sights we saw on our tour.
Villa la Cassinella
Swimming spot on Lake Como
Bellagio
How Much Time Do You Need in Bellagio?
Everything on this list can be visited in one day or less. Bellagio is easy to visit on a day trip from Como, Milan, or Lugano (Switzerland). It takes a few hours to visit the town. A boat tour of Lake Como adds about an hour. If you want to add on visit to a villa, budget 1.5 to 2 hours per villa (this includes travel time back and forth from Bellagio, plus time at the villa.
If you also want to visit Varenna, which is a short ferry ride from Bellagio, plan on spending one to two hours in Varenna.
All of that adds up to be one busy day.
If you want a more leisurely experience, or if you want to stroll through Bellagio at the beginning and the end of the day, free of the day trippers, consider spending at least one night in Bellagio.
Is Bellagio Worth Visiting?
Yes, Bellagio is absolutely worth visiting. It was a place we’ve wanted to visit for some time, with its charming streets and stunning setting on Lake Como. We liked the relaxed pace, wandering the steep cobblestone streets, lingering over lunch, cruising past grand villas, and spending time in manicured gardens overlooking the water. Even our kids enjoyed the day here, with the boat cruise on Lake Como being the highlight.
How to Get to Bellagio
Bellagio is easy to reach by ferry, train, bus, or car, depending on where you’re starting.
From Milan
The most popular route is to take the train from Milan to Varenna (about 1 hour), then hop on the ferry to Bellagio (15 minutes).
From Lugano
You can drive or take a bus to Menaggio and then catch the ferry across to Bellagio.
From Como
Hydrofoils and slower passenger boats connect Como and Bellagio throughout the day.
For step-by-step directions, ferry schedules, and detailed planning advice, see our complete guide on how to plan a day trip to Lake Como from Milan or Lugano.
Bellagio (by drone)
When is the Best Time to Visit Bellagio?
The best time to visit Bellagio is May, June, and September, when the weather is warm and pleasant but the crowds are more manageable than peak summer. During these months, you’ll have comfortable temperatures for walking the steep streets, enjoying outdoor cafés, and taking a boat cruise on Lake Como.
We visited in late June, and while the town was lively and busy midday, the mornings and late afternoons felt much calmer. If you’re visiting in summer (July and August), expect larger crowds, especially when ferries arrive with day-trippers.
Spring is ideal for seeing the gardens at their best, particularly Villa Melzi and nearby Villa Carlotta, when flowers are in bloom. Fall offers cooler air and fewer visitors, making it another excellent choice. Many hotels and restaurants close in the winter months, so November through March is the quietest, but also the most limited season for services and ferry schedules.
PRO TRAVEL TIP: If possible, plan to explore Bellagio early in the morning or later in the day to avoid the busiest mid-day hours.
Where to Stay in Bellagio
The best location is in or within walking distance of the city center, so you won’t have to go far for dinner and to get to the ferry. The closer you stay to the ferry, the shorter distance you have to transfer your luggage.
Here are our top picks in Bellagio.
- Hotel Du Lac & SPA – Mid-range hotel with a fantastic setting in town, next to Lake Como.
- Residence La Limonera – A highly rated mid-range hotel in the city center.
- Hotel Belvedere – An upscale hotel that is located just outside of the city center, but it has a gorgeous hilltop setting and is surrounded by gardens.
- Palazzo Barindelli Suite Verde – This small apartment features a balcony with lake views and gets excellent reviews.
Frequently Asked Questions about Bellagio
Is one day enough for Bellagio?
Yes, one day is enough to see the highlights of Bellagio. In 3 to 5 hours, you can stroll the historic streets, climb Salita Serbelloni, visit Villa Melzi, and take a short boat ride on Lake Como. If you want a more relaxed experience or plan to tour nearby villas like Villa del Balbianello, consider staying overnight.
Can you visit Bellagio without a car?
Yes, you can easily visit Bellagio without a car, and it’s actually easier. The town is small and completely walkable, and ferries connect Bellagio with Varenna, Menaggio, Como, and other Lake Como towns. From Milan, you can take the train to Varenna and then a short ferry ride to Bellagio.
Is Bellagio expensive?
Yes, Bellagio is one of the more expensive towns on Lake Como, especially during the summer months. Hotels with lake views, waterfront restaurants, and private boat tours can come at a premium compared to less-famous towns around the lake. However, it is easy to save money, by traveling by ferry, having lunch in a cafe, and skipping the boat tour and overnight stay.
Is Bellagio crowded?
Yes, Bellagio can get crowded, especially in the summer and midday when ferries arrive with day-trippers. The area near the harbor and the main staircases, like Salita Serbelloni, tend to be the busiest. However, the crowds thin out in the early morning and late afternoon. If you stay overnight or plan your visit outside peak hours, Bellagio feels much more relaxed and enjoyable.
If you have any questions about the best things to do in Bellagio, comment below.
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