[2025 Bellagio Attraction] Travel Guide for I Giardini di Villa Melzi (Updated Jul)

#europetrip Bellagio is often called the “Pearl of Lake Como,” and after visiting, it’s clear why. This picturesque village sits at the fork of Lake Como, offering stunning views, charming cobblestone streets, and a romantic vibe. Whether you’re there for the day or staying longer, Bellagio is a destination to savor. --- ✨Getting There and Back I started my trip from Milan, taking a train to Varenna (around 1 hour and 15 minutes from Milano Centrale). From there, I caught a short, scenic ferry across the lake to Bellagio. For the return, I opted for a different route: taking the bus from Bellagio to Como (around 1 hour) and then the train from Como back to Milan. This way, I could split my time between Bellagio and Como in one day. --- ✨What to See and Do in Bellagio 1. Villa Melzi Gardens These stunning gardens are a must-see, with exotic plants, sculptures, and peaceful lakeside paths. It’s perfect for photography or a serene walk. 2. Wander the Cobbled Streets Bellagio’s narrow, sloping streets are lined with charming boutiques, cafes, and gelaterias. Every corner feels like a postcard. 3. Punta Spartivento At the northern tip of Bellagio, this spot offers breathtaking views of where the three arms of Lake Como meet. 4. San Giacomo Church This quaint Romanesque church is a small but worthwhile stop in the heart of the village. --- ✨Time to Spend Prepare to spend at least half a day in Bellagio. Arrive in the morning (I was there with the first train) to explore the village, visit the gardens, and enjoy the lake. By afternoon, hop on the bus to Como to make the most of the rest of the day. --- ✨Exploring Como in the Afternoon After Bellagio, the bus ride to Como provides more scenic lake views. Once in Como, visit Piazza Duomo, where the grand Como Cathedral is a highlight. Stroll along the waterfront promenade, and if you have time, take the funicular to Brunate for panoramic views of the lake. Como’s vibrant shops and cafes also make it a great spot to relax before heading back to Milan. --- ✨Tips for Visiting Plan Ahead: Check the ferry and bus schedules to avoid long waits. Wear Comfortable Shoes: Bellagio’s cobblestones and steep streets require good footwear. Lunch in Bellagio, Dinner in Como: Enjoy Bellagio’s lakeside views for lunch and Como’s lively atmosphere for dinner before heading back. --- ✨How to Get Back to Milan From Como, trains to Milan run frequently and take about 40 minutes. This route lets you experience two of Lake Como’s most charming towns in one day. --- Bellagio’s charm lies in its tranquil beauty and romantic vibe, while Como adds a touch of city life and history to your Lake Como experience. Together, they make for an unforgettable day trip from Milan!

#summervacay Bellagio: Where Lake Como Dresses in Wisteria *A cascade of pastel villas tumbling toward sapphire waters, crowned by snow-dusted Alps. 🌍 Geography of Magic The Crossroads: Perched where Lake Como’s three arms meet—Como (southwest), Lecco (southeast), Colico (north)—creating cinematic 360° vistas. Terrain: Steep slopes draped in olive groves, cypresses, and lemon terraces, threaded by stone staircases (salite). 🏡 Architectural Poetry Villas & Gardens: Villa Melzi: Empire-style palace with lakeside Japanese maples, rhododendron forests, and a chapel floating on water. Villa Serbelloni (now a park): Climb its paths for panoramas of the Alps kissing the lake. The Promenade: A waterfront stroll past boathouses, gelaterie, and silk shops, with Varenna’s skyline shimmering across the water. 🚶 Streets of Enchantment Salita Serbelloni: The spine of Bellagio—a stepped alley of flagstone paths, ivy-clad arches, and boutiques selling hand-painted ceramics, lace, and olive oil. Piazza della Chiesa: Heartbeat of local life. Stone church (San Giacomo) ringing bells, old men debating over espresso at Bar Rossi. Hidden Courtyards: Vine-smothered cortiles where cats nap under lemon trees. ⛵ Lake Rituals Ferry Ballet: Watch traghetti glide to Varenna, Menaggio, Como—their horns echoing off cliffs. Golden Hour: Sunset paints the Grand Hotel Villa Serbelloni peach-gold; couples sip aperol on the pier. Fishermen: At dawn, pescatori mend nets near the lido, their boats bobbing like toys. 🍋 Tastes of the Pearl Lido di Bellagio: Swim by day; dine on missoltino (dried fish) under strings of lights by night. Pasticceria Martini: Lemon-soaked delizie cakes and pistachio cannoli. La Grotta: Family-run trattoria tucked in an alley—order risotto al pesce persico (perch risotto) with lake views. 💎 Secrets Beyond the Postcards Pescallo Cove: 10-min walk east—a silent fishing hamlet with emerald water. Sfondrata Chapel: Tiny 17th-century sanctuary with faded frescoes, smelling of beeswax. San Giovanni Church: Hike above town for silence and Alpine panoramas. 🎭 The Bellagio Paradox Day: Cruise ships disgorge crowds; selfie sticks reign near the ferry dock. Night & Dawn: Streets empty. Only footsteps on stone, church bells, and the lake’s sigh. This is when Bellagio whispers its secrets. ✨ Why It Captivates "Bellagio isn’t just a dot on the map—it’s a mood. An alchemy of light, water, and stone where time slows to the rhythm of oars. Wander its salite at dusk: wisteria drips from pergolas, villas glow like lanterns, and the Alps melt into indigo. Here, even ordinary moments feel gilded." Key Experiences Do This For Get Lost on Salite Hidden gardens, artisan workshops Villa Melzi at Dawn Solitude among magnolias and swans Ferry to Varenna Bellagio’s beauty from the water Aperitivo on the Pier Prosecco with the pink-hued Grigna peaks 📌 Practical Magic Avoid Crowds: Visit April/May or Sept/Oct. Explore before 10 AM or after 6 PM.

Lake Como, hailed as "Italy's most beautiful lake"! This is a place where poetry and romance intertwine, a treasure where history and modern civilization merge, and a paradise where natural beauty and luxury experiences perfectly combine. From a noble vacation spot in ancient Roman times to an artist hub during the Renaissance, Lake Como carries countless historical legends and cultural charm. Located 40 kilometers north of Milan, if time is tight and only a day is available, we recommend visiting the three most famous lakeside towns. ⛰️ Recommended Route: Milan Central Station—Take the train to Varenna (1.5 hours)—Bellagio Town—Como Town—Take the train back to Milan Central Station 🚢 Lake Como Transportation: You can take ferries between the towns. The distance between Como and Bellagio is longer, taking about 2 hours by boat (ticket: €10). The distance between Bellagio and Varenna is shorter, taking only 20 minutes by boat (ticket: €5). There are many boats from Varenna to Bellagio, but they are not direct—they stop at Menaggio first. 📍 Varenna: A relatively large town, with the "Lovers' Walkway" near the ferry. Walking along the lake from the pier will take you through the town’s classic viewpoints, marked on the map as Largo Enzo Venini, also known as Passera sul Lago. The highlights of this town are two villas: Villa Monastero and Villa Cipressi, as well as Castello di Vezio (the "Ghost Castle"). Admission is required. A combined ticket costs €15. Villa Monastero (garden + villa) costs €10.4 (cash only). 📍 Bellagio: Though small, many celebrities love vacationing here for its beautiful beaches and exquisite shops. The most famous street is "Salita Serbelloni"—walking to the top offers a postcard-perfect view. You can also visit Villa Melzi D’Eril (ticket: €10), which is well worth it. 📍 Como Town: The square is surrounded by many restaurants. You can take a cable car up the mountain for scenic views (departs every 15 minutes, round-trip ticket: €6.6). At the top, there’s a pink church, and a 10-minute walk leads to a stunning viewpoint. Cross that hill, and you’re in Switzerland!

|God’s Back Garden in Italy Lake Como La. Location: Lombardy, northern Italy, 50 km north of Milan Recommended play time: 2-3 days Why Lake Como? Alpine snow-capped mountains are reflected on the sapphire blue lake, dotted with Renaissance villa complexes, once named "the world's most beautiful lake" by the Huffington Post, spring azaleas, summer sailing waves, autumn forests, winter snow-capped mountains, every scene is a movie screen Transportation guide From Milan ◆ Train: Milan Central Station > Como City (40 minutes, €5.2) or Varenna (1 hour, €7.4), then transfer to a ferry Self-drive: 1 hour direct access, explore the small towns along the lake more freely ◆ Day tour: Baocomo City + Bellagio + boat, worry-free and efficient Lake District Transportation ◆Ferry: Como → Bellagio (2 hours, €10.4), Bellagio → Varenna (15 minutes, €4.6), excellent lake view from the boat Cable car: Argegno town → Pigra "City in the Sky", 5 minutes vertical climb of 650 meters, overlooking the lake and mountains Must-visit attractions 1 Bellagio Bellagio "Pearl of Lake Como": Y-shaped lake intersection, postcard-level scenery. Stroll through the stone steps and take a picture of Villa del Balbianello, where Star Wars was filmed Villa Melzi Gardens: Neoclassical manor, where Liszt worked, the Azalea Tunnel is breathtakingly beautiful

#springwander 📍 Location: Lake Como, Italy 🌺 Where Spring Meets Elegance Bellagio shines in the springtime sun, its villas adorned with blossoms and its stairways cascading with color. Known as the Pearl of Lake Como, this town blends regal charm with the soft beauty of the season. 🌿 Gardens in Full Bloom From the terraced splendor of Villa Melzi to lakeside promenades blooming with azaleas and tulips, Bellagio’s botanical wonders create a floral dreamscape at every turn. 🌼 A Romantic Spring Retreat As nature awakens, so does the soul of Bellagio. Outdoor cafés hum with quiet conversation, and the gentle lake breeze carries the fragrance of wisteria and lemon trees. 🚶 Spring Activities You Can’t Miss ✅ Wander the manicured gardens of Villa Melzi d’Eril ✅ Stroll along the flower-filled lakeside promenade ✅ Browse artisan shops tucked in floral alleyways ✅ Take a springtime boat ride with views of blooming hills 📸 Scenic Spring Highlights ✔️ Vivid flowers spilling from wrought-iron balconies ✔️ Cobblestone paths softened by spring petals ✔️ Mirror-like reflections of colorful buildings on the lake ✔️ Panoramic garden terraces kissed by sunshine #BellagioInBloom #LakeComoSpring #ItalianElegance #FlowerSeason #SpringGetaway #ComoDreaming Would you wander through Bellagio’s springtime magic? 🌸

The majestic Villa Melzi d'Eril is located on the shores of Lake Como in the picturesque town of Bellagio, while the peaceful gardens of Villa Melzi (Giardini di Villa Melzi) stretch around it, hugging the lake. Both the villa and the gardens were built in the early 19th century as the summer home of an Italian duke. The gardens were designed in the English style with statues. On the territory there is a traditional greenhouse (which today houses a museum) and a small chapel. Inside the museum you will find a bust of Napoleon and a set of ceremonial keys from Milan. The Melzi family is buried in a small chapel. Although the villa itself is closed to the public, there are plenty of walking paths in the gardens, which are ideal for privacy. Some trails run right along the lake, there are flowering plants on the opposite side, and benches are placed along the road. Visit the gardens during a full-day walking and boat tour of Lake Como to explore the nearby town of Varenna, taste the local olive oil and enjoy a boat ride on the lake. Pay attention to the historical Venetian gondola on display in the garden, which was brought here at the request of Napoleon. Now let's talk in more detail about the gardens. They were implemented between 1808 and 1810.The customer is Duke Francesco Melzi d'Eril (1753-1816), who was vice-president of the Italian Republic under Napoleon, and then the chief chancellor of the Italian Kingdom. English-style gardens enriched with sculptures.Created on the rocky shore of Lake Como, around a 3-storey villa. We just walk, sometimes not forgetting to open umbrellas, we go, carefully looking where we step-puddles everywhere. We are not in a hurry, we just walk and look, admire, inhaling the purest air of the lake. Crystal drops that have fallen on beautiful flowers beckon to capture them... #trip #historicallandmarks #garden #flowerlover #park