Before you go

Your trip to Bellagio.

Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.

Bellagio – Lombardia Destination Milão and Lago de Como about 75 km from Milão

How to get there

Aeroporto di Milano Malpensa (MXP) Milão · 85 km
Varenna-Esino Varenna · 4 km
Como San Giovanni Como · 30 km

Approximate road distances. Check flights and bus schedules before you travel.

Confirm before buying. Bellagio has no train station. The quickest route from Milão is by train from Milano Centrale to Varenna-Esino, in about 1 hour, and ferry to Bellagio in roughly 15 minutes. From Como there are Navigazione Laghi boats: the aliscafo takes about 45 minutes and the slow boat around 2 hours.

How many days

One day is enough for the center, the Punta Spartivento and Villa Melzi. With two days there is time to cross by boat to Varenna and Villa Monastero and to Villa Carlotta and Villa del Balbianello on the other shore.

When to go

From April to October, when boats run more frequently and the villas are open. April and May bring azaleas in bloom; July and August are the busiest months. Between November and March many villas close and the village is quiet.

The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.

Do you need a car?

No. In Bellagio and the lake towns, the means of transport is the boat. The road from Como to Bellagio is narrow and winding, and parking in the village is difficult in summer. People who come by car usually leave it in Varenna or Como and cross by boat.

Suggested itinerary

An order that works

Built with the places on this page. No rush: it's paced so you have time to see them.

One day in Bellagio

Morning
Narrow streets and Punta Spartivento
Arrive early by boat and climb the steep stairways of the town center up to the Basilica di San Giacomo. Follow the narrow streets to the Punta Spartivento, where the lake splits into two arms.
Afternoon
Villa Melzi
Have lunch in the center and walk along the waterfront to the gardens of Villa Melzi, with the Japanese pond, sculptures and the chapel.
Late afternoon
Crossing to Varenna
Take the ferry to Varenna, visit Villa Monastero and walk along the Passeggiata degli Innamorati with the low light over the lake.
Evening
Dinner by the lake
Return by boat to Bellagio and dine on the waterfront. Check the time of the last crossing before lingering in Varenna.

Check before you go. Opening hours and days change, and places may close for renovations, holidays or events. This itinerary is a suggestion from Cidade Turismo, not a commitment: plan yours by checking directly with each place you intend to visit.

Before you go

Frequently asked questions

How do I get to Bellagio if there's no train station?

By boat. From Milão, take the train at Milano Centrale to Varenna-Esino and cross by ferry to Bellagio, in about 15 minutes. From Como, the Navigazione Laghi boats depart from Piazza Cavour: the aliscafo is faster and the slow boat stops at several towns.

Can you visit Bellagio as a day trip from Milão?

Yes, if you leave early, by train to Varenna and ferry. But the day will be rushed, and the return depends on boat and train schedules. Staying one night on the lake gives more peace of mind.

Which villas can be visited from Bellagio?

On foot, the gardens of Villa Melzi. By boat, Villa Monastero in Varenna, and Villa Carlotta and Villa del Balbianello on the west shore. Villa del Balbianello requires a reservation.

How do the boats on the lake operate?

Navigazione Laghi operates slow boats, aliscafos (hydrofoils) and car ferries, such as the one that links Bellagio, Varenna, Menaggio and Cadenabbia. There are single-leg tickets and day passes for the central lake. The season with the most services usually runs from April to October.

Is there a tourist tax in Bellagio?

Yes. It is charged per person per night and paid at the accommodation.

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