Villas in Lake Como

Table of contents

• At a glance: what should you know about renting a villa in Lake Como?
• Villas in Lake Como: find your perfect retreat
• Exploring Lake Como: our top recommendations
• Activities: what are the top things to do and see in Lake Como?

• Space and privacy: Villas in Lake Como suit families and groups, often coming with room for four to ten guests and features such as private pools, gardens and sweeping lake views.
• Where to base yourself: Bellagio, Como and Tremezzina each offer a different pace, from lively lakeside towns to quiet garden villages, all a short drive or ferry away from each other.
• Trusted by guests: Our top-rated homes score from 9.6 to a perfect 10, with lake views, balconies and pools among the features guests praise most.
• Where to eat: From Michelin-starred Materia to lakeside trattorias, Lake Como rewards slow, wine-paired dinners that are ideal for a special evening.
• Things to do: Ride the Brunate funicular, tour Villa del Balbianello and cruise the lake, all within easy reach of your villa.

Villas in Lake Como are made for families and groups who want space and privacy, with many sleeping anywhere from four to ten guests. You will find self-catering homes with private pools, gardens, terraces and sweeping lake views. If you are a smaller party, you might also compare holiday rentals in Lake Como, apartments in Lake Como or cosy B&Bs in Lake Como across the same area. Most villas come well equipped for a relaxed, self-catering holiday, with the most popular features including:

• Wifi throughout
• Private villas with pools in Lake Como and hot tubs
• Free car parking on site
• Pet-friendly gardens and terraces
• Lake views and balconies

Whether you are travelling as a family or a group of friends, there is a villa to match your plans.

What are the best areas to stay in Lake Como?

The best base depends on your plans: Bellagio sits at the heart of the lake, while quieter villages line the shores to the north and south. The table below details regions for specific interests:

What do our guests say?

Holidu guests consistently rate Lake Como highly, praising the lake views, the warm welcome from hosts and the quiet, scenic settings. Ratings are shown on a scale from zero to ten.

Here are some of our top-rated villas in Lake Como from the past year:

1. Villa Rocchetta - 10.0: Guests love the incredible atmosphere in this historic stone villa. The furnishings reflect its 1920s heritage, while still providing all the modern comforts you need.
2. Villa Archi with lake view, garden, terrace, balcony and wifi - 9.9+: The rolling gardens, covered terrace and barbecue facilities win praise from guests, whilst the location in the centre of Colico is hard to beat.
3. Pet-friendly "Luxury Country House Domaso" with pool and lake view - 9.5+: Guests love the relaxation offered by this spacious property, highlighting its stunning pool and gorgeous views.

Lake Como lies in Italy's Lombardy region, just south of the Swiss border and beneath the Alps, about an hour north of Milan. Stretching over 45 kilometres and surrounded by steep, wooded mountains, it's one of the country's most beautiful natural sites. The shores of the lake are dotted with small towns and villages for adventurous travellers to explore.

🥗Where to eat in Lake Como?

Look out for restaurants serving traditional cucina lariana, the area's unique cuisine. That means freshwater fish from the lake, rich dairy products from the alpine cattle and generous helpings of pasta and polenta. Our travel experts particularly enjoyed these restaurants around Lake Como:

⭐Our guests' recommendation: Our guest travellers Charlotte and Henry recommend Bilacus in Bellagio: a relaxed garden terrace and a thoughtful local wine list made it their favourite spot for a long, laid-back family dinner after a day on the lake.

1. Ride the Brunate funicular
2. Wander the gardens of Villa Melzi
3. Tour Villa del Balbianello
4. Discover the Tempio Voltiano
5. Step through the medieval Porta Torre
6. Explore the Castello di Vezio
7. Cruise Lake Como by boat

1. Ride the Brunate funicular

   From the edge of the lake in Como, the historic Brunate funicular climbs steeply to the village of Brunate in around seven minutes. At the top, a panoramic terrace looks out over the southern arm of the lake and the surrounding mountains, with a café for a coffee and a slice of cake. Walk a little further to the Volta Lighthouse for even wider views..

2. Wander the gardens of Villa Melzi

   In Bellagio, the lakeside gardens of Villa Melzi are among the loveliest on the lake. Laid out in the early nineteenth century, they are dotted with marble statues, exotic trees and shaded lakeside paths. In spring the azaleas and rhododendrons are at their best. It's an easy stroll from the centre of Bellagio, which makes it a favourite for couples and families staying nearby.

3. Tour Villa del Balbianello

   Perched on a wooded headland near Lenno, Villa del Balbianello has stunning terraced gardens cascading towards the water. It is open to visitors from spring to autumn and can be reached on foot or by a short boat trip. Film fans may recognise it from Star Wars and Casino Royale.

4. Discover the Tempio Voltiano

   In the heart of Como, the Tempio Voltiano honours Alessandro Volta, the local scientist credited with inventing the electric battery. The neoclassical building sits in lakeside gardens and houses many of his original instruments and personal effects. History and science lovers will find plenty to enjoy, and the surrounding promenade is lovely for a gentle walk.

5. Step through the medieval Porta Torre

   Guarding the southern edge of Como's old town in Piazza Vittoria, the Porta Torre has watched over the city since 1192. Standing some 40 metres high, this medieval gateway once marked the main entrance for travellers arriving from Milan. Passing beneath its arch, you step into the narrow, atmospheric streets of the historic centre.

6. Explore the Castello di Vezio

   Above the village of Varenna on the eastern shore, the Castello di Vezio dates back more than a thousand years and was once a military lookout protecting the lake. Today its tower offers one of the finest views over Lake Como. You can wander the gardens, watch displays of falconry and follow the walking path down to Varenna.

7. Cruise Lake Como by boat

   No visit is complete without time on the water. Regular ferries and hire boats criss-cross the lake, linking Bellagio, Varenna and Menaggio in the central triangle. A leisurely cruise is the best way to admire the grand lakeside villas and their gardens from the angle they were designed to be seen. Evening dinner cruises are popular too.