Bellagio (Lake Como, Italy): 15 Best Things to Do & Top Places to See

Thinking of visiting the town of Bellagio in Italy and wondering what to expect and what there’s to see and do? In this guide, you can learn about the best things to do in Bellagio and find all the practical information for your visit. Take a look!

Bellagio often referred to as the Pearl of Lake Como is the most famous town of Como Lake in Italy. Its picturesque and strategic location at the junction where the Y-shaped lake splits into three branches, makes it one of the most sought-after destinations of Lake Como.

I’ve been to Bellagio a few times and every time, this lovely town leaves me wanting to go back for more. Based on our several trips (both – in high and low season) we have now updated this guide featuring all the best things you can do in and near Bellagio. I hope that it will give you a better idea of what to expect when visiting this charming little town.

Please note that as lovely as Bellagio is, it’s quite a small town that doesn’t require more than a few hours to visit. In fact, many people come here as a day trip from Milan, often with this popular tour that visits a few of the nicest places along Lake Como in a day.

At the same time, the location of Bellagio is a perfect base for visiting the best towns on Lake Como and many other interesting places nearby. So you can easily spend a few days here and never get bored.

In this article, you can find inspiration and tips for the best things to do in Bellagio, some of the stunning places to see nearby, as well as Bellagio hotel recommendations and practical tips for your visit. Find out!

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: Lake Como Travel Tips

   

Best of Bellagio – OUR TOP TIPS:
* MUST DO: Town center, waterfront, Villa Melzi gardens, Punta Spartivento.
* NEARBY: Lake Como boat trips (or a private boat tour), Villa Carlotta & Villa Balbianello, Varenna, and Madonna del Ghisallo.
* MUST TRY: Risotto with fried perch.
* WHERE TO STAY: €€€€€ Grand Hotel Villa Serbelloni, €€€€ Hotel Belvedere, €€€ Hotel il Perlo Panorama, €€ Hotel Centrale, € Hotel Fioroni.
* BEST DAY TRIP: Lake Como, Bellagio, and Varenna: Full-Day Tour from Milan.

Here are the best places to see and things to see and do in Bellagio, Italy:

1. Stroll the picturesque streets of Bellagio

The best way to discover Bellagio is without a doubt by taking a walk through its picturesque old town center. The town is situated on two levels: the lower part by the lake, and the higher part that requires some uphill walking on cobbled streets and staircases. You may want to trade your high-heeled sandals for something more comfortable when visiting Bellagio.

There are just a handful of streets filled with shops and restaurants in central Bellagio, so you can easily explore each and every one of them.

The most famous street in Bellagio is Salita Serbelloni. Once you climb all the way to the top, turn around, and you’ll see the most famous postcard-view of Bellagio (see the featured image at the top of this article).

Also, don’t miss Chiesa San Giacomo. This lovely little church was built between the 11th and 12th centuries and has a quite unique interior with a 6th-century altar and some 10th-century mosaics. The entrance is free of charge.

Good to know: When we first visited Bellagio in November, we had the whole sleepy town all to ourselves. However, in high season Bellagio is bustling with life (and that’s an understatement). In that case, try to get a bit off the beaten path – while it’s very busy near the harbor and the most popular streets, there are plenty of quieter streets where you’ll hardly see anyone.

On our recent trip in August, Bellagio was a beehive. But it did get much calmer later in the afternoon. So if you can, avoid the area around the harbor and the town center during the busiest hours of the day. You can first explore the places nearby and then get back to Bellagio in the late afternoon – early evening when it’s much more enjoyable.

   

2. Walk to Punta Spartivento

One of the nicest things you really have to do in Bellagio is walk to Punta Spartivento. It’s the point at the very end of the peninsula, where Lake Como splits into three different branches.

I can just imagine how beautiful this area would look like from above, but even standing on the ground the views are spectacular. In the distance, you can see several other towns along the shores of Lake Como and also the snowcapped mountains – picture perfect.

There is also a restaurant here, La Punta. Get a drink and admire the beautiful views over the lake and watch the locals come and go in their colorful wooden boats.

Good to know: If you are visiting Bellagio in summer, you can also go for a swim here. In August, we saw several people swimming at Punta Spartivento.

   

3. Enjoy the views along the waterfront promenade

If you walk along the lakeshore in the southwestern direction from the Bellagio harbor, you’ll find some of the nicest views of Bellagio.

Here, you can admire the colorful old town from a distance, with the mountain peaks towering above the lake even further. The views of Lake Como (in all directions) are also amazing!

If you continue further down following the waterside, you’ll reach Villa Melzi, one of the best places to see in Bellagio (more info below).

   

4. Take a little tourist train

A little tourist train, also called the Bellagio Express, is another nice way to explore Bellagio and the surrounding area. I’m not sure when it runs exactly, but if you are visiting Bellagio anywhere between May and September, it should be operating. I think it even runs in August and October.

If you are short on time, you can just ride this little tourist train without getting off. However, the biggest advantage of this little train is that it allows you to hop on and off at several locations, therefore making it really easy to explore this hilly area.

If you plan your time well, you can use this train as your transportation to visit Pescallo, Visgnola, San Giovanni, and Villa Melzi.

Good to know: You can find the tourist train on the little square right next to the harbor. You can get the tickets on the spot and they take cash and cards.

   

5. Visit the gardens of Villa Melzi

Villa Melzi is one of the main points of interest near Bellagio. Built in the early 19th century it is still in private hands today. While you can’t visit the villa inside, the beautiful botanical gardens, museum, and chapel are open to the public.

The Family chapel is absolutely impressive and not to be missed! Further, walk along the lake promenade until you reach a beautiful Moorish pavilion with impressive sculptures.

The gardens of Villa Melzi (I Giardini di Villa Melzi) are home to a large number of exotic trees and plants. They are particularly beautiful in spring when azaleas and rhododendrons are in full bloom.

These well-kept botanical gardens are worth a visit in other seasons as well and give you access to some of the most spectacular views of Lake Como.

If you are visiting Bellagio between April and October, don’t miss Villa Melzi and its gardens. It’s one of the top places to see in Bellagio!

   

6. Parco di Villa Serbelloni

Alternatively or in addition to Villa Melzi, you can also visit the gardens of Villa Serbelloni (Parco di Villa Serbelloni or Giardini di Villa Serbelloni). I thought the gardens were part of Bellagio’s most luxurious hotel with the same name (Hotel Villa Serbelloni), but apparently, it’s not the case. The gardens belong to the Rockefeller Foundation and are on top of the hill, whereas the hotel is privately owned and is located by the lake.

Also, the gardens of Villa Serbelloni can only be visited with a guided tour. It departs at set times and requires a minimum of 6 people. The entrance is close to the church. Here you can find more practical information and get tickets. If you want to visit these gardens, it’s best to book in advance since the availability is quite limited.

Good to know: The gardens of Villa Melzi are not only more impressive, but also much easier to explore at your own pace than the gardens of Villa Serbelloni. So if you visit just one of these gardens in Bellagio, Villa Melzi is probably a better choice. On the other hand, the gardens of Villa Serbelloni are very different and offer different views, so if you have time, see if you can visit both.

   

7. Pescallo village

Visiting Pescallo is one of the best things to do in Bellagio. This old fishermen’s village is tucked away behind a steep hill and is therefore hidden from the crowds. It’s a perfect place to escape the hustle and bustle of Bellagio.

In summer, Pescallo is a popular place to be for various water sports. You can rent a kayak, a SUP, take a boat ride on the lake, or go kayaking with a local guide.

Pescallo is just a short walk from Bellagio (10-15min). First, make your way to the town hall (Comune di Bellagio) close to the ferry station. From there you have to take the steps following a sign indicating Pescallo.

Note that Bellagio – Pescallo walk is uphill and requires negotiating some narrow alleys and staircases. If you are not up for it, just take the earlier-mentioned tourist train.

   

8. Go shopping

This might look like a weird suggestion to some, shopping, but that’s what Bellagio is well known for. Some luxury hotels in the area even orgaize VIP shopping tours to Bellagio by private boat – it’s that famous! We were told by the locals that if they need to buy anything, they also come to Bellagio. So it’s not just for tourists.

In town, you’ll find everything from souvenir shops, and local arts and crafts to the most expensive designer boutiques.

Bellagio is a real shoppers’ paradise!

I didn’t know this, but Como town is apparently the best place to buy silk in Europe, maybe even in the world. Silk production in Como started in the early 15th century, attracting many renowned artists and other fancy folks to the area. It has contributed a lot to the fame and development of Lake Como.

Here you can read all about Lake Como’s silk and don’t forget to look for some stunning silk apparel at the fashion boutiques in Bellagio. See if you can find silk clothing and accessories from the famous local brands Mantero or Frey. A silk scarf makes for a really nice souvenir or gift!

If you are looking for some good Italian wine, try Enoteca Principessa. This little wine shop is tucked away in one of the narrow alleys of Bellagio and is considered a real hidden gem by wine lovers. You can try some wines, get a bottle for dinner, or even have wine shipped to your home country.

   

9. Take a boat on Lake Como

One of the best ways to discover Lake Como is from the water. As already mentioned, you can rent a kayak or a SUP and explore the beautiful shores of Lake Como.

There are also numerous possibilities for further boat trips ranging from regular passenger ferries to countless boat tour options and also private taxi boats…

Bellagio’s unique central location makes it a perfect base for exploring all the other towns and famous villas along Lake Como.

You’ll find private boat tours that pass all the famous villas and the shores of central Lake Como. You can book a private boat trip in advance (this highly-rated private sailing boat tour runs from Bellagio, and this classic speedboat tour can pick you up in Bellagio too), or simply try to find a boat when you get there. However, if your time in Bellagio is limited, I highly recommend booking in advance or you risk not finding any available boats.

TIP: The nearby town of Varenna is one of the nicest little towns of Lake Como and it’s just a 20 min by boat from Bellagio. A regular passenger ferry runs every 20-30 minutes. So if you are looking for a nice day trip from Bellagio, consider Varenna. You can also add Menaggio and Cadenabbia-Tremezzo areas to your itinerary.

If you want to visit the town of Como from Bellagio, it will probably take you a good part of the day – depending on the season, the boat ride alone is about 1-2 hrs one way.

   

10. Visit Villa Carlotta and Villa Balbianello

Villa Carlotta in Tremezzo is one of the most beautiful villas of Lake Como. The interior and the views are amazing!

But it’s not just the villa itself that is worth a visit, but even more – its famous botanical garden.

You can easily spend a couple of hours here and enjoy the lush gardens with a big variety of plants from all over the world. The best time to visit the villas of Lake Como is in spring, when everything is in bloom. But also in the summer and in the fall, the gardens are more than worth a visit.

Good to know: Villa Carlotta can be reached by ferry from Bellagio and the trip takes just 15 minutes.

TIP: Reserve entry tickets online in advance to save time.

   

Villa del Balbianello in Lenno is another favorite and one of the most magnificent of Lake Como villas. Due to its stunning location and well-kept gardens, it’s a popular choice by Hollywood movie directors and has been a setting of various films including several James Bond episodes and also Star Wars to mention just a few.

Villa Balbianello can be reached either on foot (20min hilly walk) or by motorboat from Lenno village.

TIP: Book tickets online! On busy days, this could easily save you an hour or even more.

Good to know: These two villas are located relatively close to each other. You could easily visit them both as a relaxing day trip from Bellagio. The ferry from Bellagio to Lenno takes about half an hour. On the way, it stops at a few other places, including Villa Carlotta.

LEARN MORE: How to Visit Villa del Balbianello

   

11. Spend a day at the beach

There are several areas where you can go for a swim near Bellagio, but the easiest and most comfortable of all is the private beach club Lido di Bellagio. It offers a small sandy beach as well as an outdoor swimming pool with the most spectacular views over the lake.

From what I see, the place is quite reasonably priced, so if you are visiting Bellagio in summer and are looking to experience Italian beach culture at its best, you may want to give this a try.

Alternatively, you can try the public beach of San Giovanni or the earlier-mentioned Punta Spartivento. Just keep in mind that this is a stone beach, so you may want to pack your water shoes if you want to go swimming here. Needless to say that outdoor swimming is not a year-round activity.

   

12. Visit Madonna del Ghisallo

Just a short drive into the mountains south of Bellagio, you’ll find one of Italy’s legendary cycling routes – Ghisallo Pass.

The 552m climb over the distance of 10.6 km along the hairpins of this famous hill is not just a challenge for cycling enthusiasts. Ghisallo Pass is also a popular feature of the most renowned cycling races like Giro di Lombardia, Giro d’Italia, and many others.

The views on top of the mountain are spectacular, but the scenery is not the only reason to come here. Ghisallo Pass is literally a place of pilgrimage for cyclists and supporters from all over the world.

The tiny 17th-century chapel of Madonna di Ghisallo, the patroness of cyclists, is the most unique church I’ve ever seen.

I think that shrine is a more correct word to describe it. Its interior is filled with all kinds of cycling-related artifacts: you’ll find everything from pictures, flags, and cycling trophies to cycling jerseys and even race bikes…

   

Just next to the church, you’ll find Ghisallo Cycling Museum (Museo del Ciclismo). In order to preserve the significant collection of items left at Madonna di Ghisallo, part of Italy’s cycling heritage, a cycling museum was opened at this symbolic location.

The museum is kind of a natural extension to the shrine and yet very different. It’s not so much about bicycles or other objects, rather about the cycling sport and the people related to it.

Practical information: Museum is open daily from March till November (more info here). You can get to Ghisallo Pass by car, by taxi, or take a bus (C36) from Bellagio. There’s also a guided e-bike tour that includes a visit here. It’s the only tour that I found that goes to Madona del Ghisallo.

   

TIP: Stop at the panoramic viewpoint in Civenna (see map). It can be found at Parco Bellavista, close to the church, Chiesa di San Rocco.

 

13. Try risotto with fried perch

One of the local specialties of Lake Como is risotto with fried perch and Bellagio is a great place to try it. Leave the tourist-oriented restaurants by the waterfront and look for a really nice local restaurant, a bit off the beaten path.

I can really recommend the family-run Ristorante Bilacus which serves delicious risotto as well as a variety of other local dishes. In warmer months you can have lunch on their secluded outdoor terrace full of beautiful flowers.

   

14. Take a cooking class

If you want to experience local life and food in Bellagio, consider taking an Italian cooking class in Bellagio.

Most of these hands-on cooking lessons are followed by a delicious self-made lunch. Some also include several nice surprises that will make this a truly unforgettable experience in Bellagio.

There are cooking lessons that take just 1-3 hours, and you can also just opt for a wine tasting with snack pairings by a local chef). Some other tours are a bit longer – 4-5 hours. So if you have some time to spare and are looking for something unique to do in Bellagio, it’s a really nice activity to consider.

   

15. Stay at a really nice hotel in Bellagio

Bellagio has plenty of choices when it comes to accommodation and despite its fame, you can find a place to stay for any budget.

However, if you want to experience what a vacation on Italian Lakes is truly about, you may want to splurge just a little. No matter where you decide to stay, get a room with a view of the lake and you’ll never want to leave!

Here you can find the best deals for Bellagio accommodation and below I list just a few of the best hotels in Bellagio. This list of the best places to stay in Bellagio is based on traveler reviews and recommendations (I read a couple of hundred of them, so that you don’t have to waste your time).

Good to know: Note that many hotels in Bellagio are only open in high season, between April and November.

These are the nicest hotels in Bellagio Italy:

• Grand Hotel Villa Serbelloni is one of the oldest and most elegant hotels of Lake Como and the only 5-star luxury hotel in Bellagio. This hotel has an amazing location by the lake and beautiful gardens that you can visit even if you’re not staying here. It’s a place loved by the rich and the famous. Rumor has it that Robert De Niro is a frequent guest here.

• Hotel Belvedere Bellagio is located on the hill and offers incredible views over the whole area, but is within a short walk to town. It’s a really nice hotel with spacious rooms and amazing facilities like a heated swimming pool, sauna, and heated jacuzzis in some rooms. Book room with a view of the lake!

• Hotel Metropole Bellagio. This 3-star hotel is the only mid-budget hotel directly on Lake Como in Bellagio. All rooms have views of the lake (some have side views). Featuring an award-winning restaurant with fantastic views of Lake Como and a private rooftop terrace, this is a popular mid-range option in Bellagio.

• Hotel Du Lac is a charming small 3-star hotel located in the lower part of Bellagio, close to the lake, the shops, and the restaurants. The location is excellent and many of our readers and followers have repeatedly recommended this hotel.

• Hotel Borgo Le Terrazze is the furthest from Bellagio town center of all the hotels in our selection, but since it has such great reviews, it’s worth mentioning. This is a modern hotel has a beautiful outside pool with phenomenal views over the lake. All the rooms and self-catering apartments have amazing lake views and are much more affordable than hotels in the center. They also have a parking garage and a free shuttle to Bellagio’s old town.

TIP: If you are not sure which town to stay in when visiting the Lake Como area, check out our complete guide to Lake Como hotels and the best towns to stay in.

   

Practical information and tips for visiting Bellagio at Lake Como in Italy

• Come in the shoulder season (April-May or September-October). Bellagio can get really crowded in summer and is completely deserted in winter. Best time to visit Bellagio is in autumn or in spring. You’ll find pleasant temperatures for sightseeing, lower prices, and fewer people.

• Book accommodation in advance – Bellagio is the most popular town on Lake Como. The same counts for restaurants for dinner – book a table at least a day in advance; on the weekends – even a few days in advance.

• If you are not sure how long to stay in Bellagio, consider this. You can see the town itself in just a few hours, so you can even visit Bellagio on a day trip from Milan. But if you want to experience the best of Lake Como, you should stay in Bellagio for at least 2-3 days.

• There are many ways to get to Bellagio (it’s just a 90-minute drive from Milan). One of the nicest ways is to arrive in Bellagio by boat. The easiest way to reach Bellagio from Milan is by taking a train to Varenna, followed by a short ferry ride to Bellagio.

• You don’t really need a car here – Lake Como is best explored by boat. Parking can be problematic in high season, so if you’re traveling by car, make sure that your accommodation has parking.

For more practical information for your trip, take a look at our first-timer’s guide with info and tips for visiting Lake Como.

READ ALSO: Best Things to Do in Lake Como

   

So, these are our tips and info for visiting Bellagio Italy. I really hope that this guide will inspire you to explore this beautiful area deeper. There is more to Bellagio than just a few streets next to the harbor. Take your time to see more of the Lake Como area and you’ll fall in love with Italy even more!

Here you can find more inspiration and information about the most beautiful towns in Lake Como. If you visit just two towns in the area, in addition to Bellagio, Varenna is worth your time the most. Here you can find our guide to the best places to see and things to do in Varenna. If you have time for one more town, don’t miss Como!

TIP: If you are in the Lake Como area, make sure to pay a visit to Milan as well. Here you can find our guide to the best things to see and do in Milan and a one-day Milan itinerary.

READ ALSO:
Best Places to Visit in Italy
Best Cities in Italy
Italy Itinerary
Most Beautiful Churches to Visit in Italy

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In our Italy travel guide, you can find more information and destination guides for many more popular places in Italy. Check it out!