If you’re looking for things to do in Lake Como (and you haven’t yet read my guide), you absolutely must visit Bellagio, one of the most beautiful villages on the lake. It is located on the Lariana peninsula between the two arms of the lake and is easily accessible on a day trip from Milan. In addition to its charming village and lovely lakeside promenade, don’t miss the gardens of Villa Melzi, which alternate remarkable trees, flower collections, and sculptures.
What to do in Bellagio ? What are the must-see sights for a day ? Where to stay in Bellagio ? I share all my tips in this travel guide.
Visiting Bellagio : what to do and see ?
All the sights to see in Bellagio are located between the village and Villa Melzi, no more than a 10-minute walk apart. A car is not necessary to visit Bellagio or to reach the other villages. They are easily accessible by boat, which operates across the lake. If, like us, you arrive in the region by car, you’ll find parking areas to leave your vehicle (see below).
I’ve marked on the map below the things to do in Bellagio so you don’t miss anything during your stay.
Lakeside promenade
This pedestrian walkway that runs along the lake and connects the center of Bellagio to Villa Melzi is called the Lungolago in Italian. It’s the favorite spot for the passeggiata, the end-of-day stroll Italians love so much. We walked it in the morning, but the stroll is just as pleasant—and with fewer people. You wander along enjoying views of the lake in the shade of oleanders. Numerous benches line the Lungolago, perfect for taking a break and watching the constant coming and going of the boats unloading their stream of visitors.
Just before the small harbor where boats are rented, you’ll see the John Fitzgerald Kennedy Memorial. It pays tribute to the former American president, who visited Bellagio in June 1963, a few months before his death. The modern metal sculpture isn’t the most successful in my opinion (photo 2).
Old town of Bellagio
The charm works instantly when arriving in Bellagio by boat, even if the village has become very touristy and has lost some of its authenticity. The street closest to the lake is a succession of bars, restaurants, souvenir shops, jewelry stores, and art galleries. To some extent, you might feel like you’re in Capri or Portofino (though less chic). Steep stairways lead up to the upper part of the village and Via Giuseppe Garibaldi.
The Instagram spot is located at the corner of Salita Serbelloni (coordinates). I’m pointing it out because while in the village I was approached by a group of Indian tourists who were absolutely determined to take this photo they had seen on Instagram (the last photo below). I had to dig through my camera to understand where they wanted to go 🙂
Basilica di San Giacomo
In the upper part of the village, on Piazza della Chiesa, stands the Basilica of Saint James. This Romanesque church was built between the 11th and 12th centuries. Its interior was remodeled in the 18th century, but a renovation begun in 1904 restored its Romanesque style. The church has a rectangular plan with three naves. The bell tower was created in the 17th century by raising and modifying a defensive tower from the northern walls. Inside, the gilded wooden altarpiece, mosaics, and baptistery are well worth a look. Free entry.
Villa Melzi gardens
After the village, Villa Melzi is the other must-see site to visit in Bellagio. Its English-style garden is magnificent and truly worth the visit. The villa was built at the beginning of the 19th century by Francesco Melzi d’Eril, Duke of Lodi and Vice President of the Italian Republic during the time of Napoleon Bonaparte. Neoclassical in style, the villa itself cannot be visited (it is private property), but you can still climb the staircase to enjoy the panorama.
The park features traditional plant species alongside exotic ones typical of the taste of the era. Numerous sculptures, such as an Egyptian statue, are scattered throughout the grounds. Just after passing the entrance to Villa Melzi, the Japanese garden—with its pond, small bridge, and Japanese maples—transports you to another country. A little further on, Arab style is represented by a Moorish kiosk (photos 3 and 4) that provides welcome shade.
The gardens of Villa Melzi are planted with many rhododendrons and azaleas, but you’ll need to visit in April or May to see them in bloom. As our stay in Bellagio took place at the end of June, we weren’t able to see them.
Price : €8 (free for children under 12). Two-day ticket €11.
Opening hours : open daily from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. (last entry 6:30 p.m.) from April to the end of October.
Rent a boat to discover Lake Como
In Bellagio, you’ll find a boat rental company at the end of the promenade in the direction of Villa Melzi (coordinates). It offers license-free boats that can accommodate up to six people. Prices depend on the duration and include fuel and insurance. Rates are €100 for 1 hour, €160 (2 hours), €220 (3 hours), and up to €400 for 6 hours. This allows for a wonderful cruise on the lake and the chance to admire villas and gardens from the water. You can easily go as far as Nesso and its picturesque bridge (see my Lake Como guide).
You’ll also find private boat rentals on Samboat, ranging from small license-free boats to large vessels with a captain.
What to do in Bellagio : activities
During your visit to the village, you’ll find several activities and tours that allow you to discover Bellagio from a new perspective. Here are a few ideas :
- Small-group kayak tour : enjoy a kayak trip on the lake to admire the village’s beautiful facades.
- Group Bike Tour Onno & Ghisallino : explore the hills around Bellagio by e-bike for breathtaking lake views. Lunch included.
- Private Boat Tour around Lake Como : embark on this incredible private boat tour around Lake Como and discover Bellagio’s most beautiful sites.
- Little electric train: located next to the ferry terminal. Departures every 30 minutes (price €5 per adult and €2.50 per child).
Where to stay in Bellagio ?
Staying in Bellagio is a great idea to explore the village as well as the surrounding area (boats make it easy to get around the lake). As this region of Italy is very touristy, I recommend booking your accommodation in Bellagio several months in advance. Prices vary depending on the year, peaking in summer. To find the lowest rates, you’ll need to stay away from the village center. Many accommodations require a minimum stay (generally 3 nights).
Here is a list of places I recommend for staying in Bellagio :
- 88 € : Appartamento Cannella, the cheapest accommodation in Bellagio. The advantage is that the price is for four people, ideal for two couples or a large family. Located on the hills 1.5 km from the center.
- 113 € : Pozzo 6, located 1.5 km from the Villa Melzi gardens and 1.1 km from the Bellagio ferry terminal, this 70 m² duplex apartment can accommodate up to three people. Fully equipped with a real kitchen, washing machine, air conditioning, and a balcony.
- 145 € : Bellagio Centre, to stay in the heart of the village in a 200-year-old house, this is the cheapest address in Bellagio. The duplex apartment, 70 meters from the lake, features a kitchenette and a balcony with lake views.
- 175 € : Appartamento Perla, accommodating two or three people, this modern and well-equipped 50 m² apartment has a small terrace for dining with garden views. The ferry terminal is 350 meters away.
- 177 € : Hotel Bellagio, the most affordable hotel for staying in Bellagio with breakfast included. It offers all the comforts of a hotel and has its own private parking (extra charge).
- 179 € : Hotel Centrale Bellagio, this 3-star hotel located just 60 meters from the lake shore offers double rooms, some attic-style. Lovely garden for breakfast (included in the price).
Travel guide for visiting Bellagio
How to get to Bellagio from Milan ?
It’s easy to reach Bellagio from the capital of Lombardy. A car isn’t essential, as the village can be reached by public transport (train + ferry). There are two different routes :
- Via Como (one-way duration 3h35). From Milan, take a train from Milano Cadorna station to the city of Como (Como Lago station). From there, walk to the ferry terminal (400 meters) and take the boat to Bellagio.
- Via Varenna (one-way duration 1h17). From Milan, head to Milano Centrale station and take a train to the village of Varenna (Varenna Esino station). From there, Bellagio is just a 17-minute boat ride away.
I recommend going via Varenna, it’s the shortest route, and Varenna is also one of the most beautiful villages on Lake Como, along with Bellagio. Como is a large city with an interesting center (especially its Duomo), but if you’re short on time, you can skip it.
To organize your trip, you can use the Trenitalia website (the Italian train company) and navigazione laghi for lake boat schedules.
Another option, if you want to rent a car to start a road trip, is to leave directly from Milan Airport (compare flights on this site). You won’t need to pass through central Milan. Bellagio is a 1 hour 20 minutes drive from Malpensa Airport. Car ferries allow you to cross the lake to reach other villages.
Where to park in Bellagio ?
We visited Bellagio by car, and if that’s also your case, here is some useful parking information. There is a paid parking lot south of the village (€2 per hour, 8 a.m.–8 p.m.), as well as a few parking spaces (paid from 9 a.m.–7 p.m. via parking meter) next to the ferry terminal. If you arrive early enough or visit Bellagio in the off-season, you’ll find free parking spots along Villa Melzi (here), a 10-minute walk from the village.
Best time to visit Bellagio
Bellagio can be visited year-round thanks to its mild and sunny climate, even in winter. However, from November to March inclusive, the Villa Melzi gardens are closed to visitors. There are also fewer boats operating on the lake in winter. The best season to visit Bellagio is spring, when the gardens are in bloom.
If you want to see wisteria, for example, you’ll need to come in April or May. Summer is also a good period, especially if you want to swim in the lake. Avoid weekends if possible, as people from Milan like to come here at the end of the week. We visited Bellagio at the end of June.
How much time in Bellagio ?
The village is very small, and as you can see in this Bellagio guide, there aren’t many monuments to discover. Including the Villa Melzi gardens, you’ll need less than one day to visit Bellagio. I’d even say that faster travelers and those who don’t like to waste time can tour Bellagio in half a day. In that case, I recommend coming in the afternoon, when the village is bathed in sunlight.
Day trip to Bellagio from Milan
Do you already have accommodation in Milan and don’t want to change ? Do you only have one day to visit Bellagio ? The best solution is to choose an organized excursion. Departure and return are from central Milan, so you don’t have to manage anything. I especially recommend this Bellagio excursion with a private boat cruise. If you’d also like to see Varenna (which I recommend), choose this Bellagio and Varenna day trip instead.
You now know what to do in Bellagio during your stay. If you have any questions, feel free to ask them in the blog’s comment section.