Things to do in Lake Como, Lombardy: The Best Nature & Parks

September 18, 2021 Lean Nau

A gorgeous spot that’s a convenient day trip from Milan, Lake Como recently earned fame as home to Hollywood star George Clooney. But celeb-spotting aside, it’s known for jaw-dropping natural beauty, elegant old villas—and the scenic towns surrounding the lake. Check out Varenna, Bellagio, and Menaggio, which offer great views, historic churches, and water-based activities such as ferries and passenger-only boats.
Restaurants in Lake Como

1. Monte Grona

Italy http://rifugiomenaggio.eu
Excellent
96%
Good
4%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 26 reviews

Monte Grona

A hike to the summit of one of Lake Como's scenic and wild mountains is worth the trip for its panoramic views.

2. Valchiavenna

Italy +39 0343 37485 [email protected] http://www.valchiavenna.com
Excellent
75%
Good
25%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 12 reviews

Valchiavenna

3. I Falconieri del Feudo

Localita Cascina Gera, 22036, Como Italy +39 328 272 1729 [email protected] http://www.ifalconieridelfeudo.com
Excellent
100%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 14 reviews

I Falconieri del Feudo

Falconry activities, with demonstrations and explanations of the species of birds of prey. Llama trekking, educational farm

4. I Giardini di Villa Melzi

Lungolario Manzoni, 22021 Bellagio Italy +39 333 487 7427 [email protected] http://www.giardinidivillamelzi.it
Excellent
62%
Good
30%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 2,327 reviews

I Giardini di Villa Melzi

National Monument and Private Gardens This magnificent villa, built in 1808 for the Duke Francesco Melzi d'Eril, assistant to General Napoleon, is one of the most emblematic examples of neo-classicism in Lombardy.....The Gardens Are visitable March to October every day 9.30 am to' 6.30 pm

Reviewed By armankun - Athens, Greece

A definitely place to visit if you like gardens, trees, nature and walking, beautiful garden, very well cared.

5. Parco di Villa Serbelloni

Piazza della Chiesa 14, 22021 Bellagio Italy +39 031 951555 [email protected] http://www.bellagiolakecomo.com/bellagio-lake-como-italy/POI-points-of-interest/villa-serbelloni-garden
Excellent
63%
Good
26%
Satisfactory
9%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 219 reviews

Parco di Villa Serbelloni

This beautiful villa was built in 1873 surrounded by elegant gardens and park-like grounds with sweeping views of Lake Como.

Reviewed By magnoliatrees - Canada, null

We started off trying to find this place on our own without knowing it was a privately owned property. With our persistence we did find it. In the Upper part of Bellagio in the main square near the St. Giacomo church. There is a tourist office in the Old Medieval tower on the bottom floor.We bought tickets for 9 euros each and joined a guided group tour.This tour offers one of the most beautiful views I have ever seen as we walked uphill. The views of the lake and the Italian Alps along with the lake and its towns is stunning. Bring your camera!Our tour guide was excellent explaining the history of this remarkable property which has been in the hands of the Rockefeller foundation since 1959.The history dates back to the Sfondrati family in 1566 and then passed on to the Serbelloni family who poured his heart into the property.Exotic plants and trees were imported to this property and is quite an expansive park with at least 53 acres of land.The Villa is private and not opened to the public but has hosted some famous people over the years including Leonardo Da Vinci. At one point an American princess owned it and donated it to the Rockefeller foundation. Today it is used as a meeting place for scholars and conferences.Very peaceful and serene place amongst the trees.At the very top are the remains of a Roman garrison that was used to protect them against invaders.I found this tour simply amazing and the view both going up and down the hill is one I will always remember.Make sure you take good walking shoes!You can book this online ahead of time and kids are welcomed between the ages of 7-13. 5 euros.The tours are twice a day 11 am.and 3.30 pm.except Mondays and some holidays.This tour was one of the most memorable tours we have taken in Italy and we recommend it!

6. La Punta Spartivento

Bellagio Italy +39 031 951888 http://www.ristorantelapunta.it/index_en.html
Excellent
50%
Good
36%
Satisfactory
10%
Poor
3%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 553 reviews

La Punta Spartivento

This is what Italy is all about when you visit this scenic park on Lake Como, as you gaze upon the magnificent views of the distant Swiss Alps that seem to touch the waters of the lake.

Reviewed By Brun066 - Florence, Italy

After many decades, I went back to Punta Spartivento (= "cape of split wind") on a cold but clear winter day. The walk on foot from the pier is short, but it is closed between the fences of the villas, so that the unsuspecting traveler is suddenly displaced in the exciting view on this extreme northern end of Bellagio, overlooking the center of the lake, at the widest point - almost "on maritime way" wide - of the lake itself. Here is the peculiarity of Bellagio, which founded its fame, as it makes it so different from other, albeit beautiful, coastal locations: looking out over the three "horns" that make up the lake itself. Certainly going up on the hills behind the town you will discover other even more fascinating views; but this can be reached with an almost flat path, therefore within everyone's reach. Reading the geological history of the lake, I found that the straight ideal line that connects Bellagio to Varenna (on Eastern shore) was in the remote period occupied by a mountainous relief, and that the once huge glacier giving rise to Lake Como had to carry out excavation work and destruction of this relief, to continue its furrow towards the Lecco branch. This phenomenon - now readable only by an expert eye - helps to explain what the viewer may seem to be an "indecision" of the glacier: digging west towards Como, or south towards Lecco? In reality - as far as I understand - it isn't indecision, but erosive actions that have unfolded in consecutive periods. And this founds the exceptional shape of Lake Como among the Italian lakes (and not only them).

7. Villa Carlotta

Via Regina 2, 22016, Tremezzina Italy +39 0344 40405 [email protected] http://www.villacarlotta.it
Excellent
66%
Good
29%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 3,254 reviews

Villa Carlotta

Villa Carlotta welcomes you with its magnificent botanic garden and art masterpieces in over 70.000 square metres of gardens and museum. The beautiful villa was built at the end of XVII century by the Milanese marquis Giorgio Clerici in a natural basin between lake and mountains, facing the dolomite Grignas and the peninsula of Bellagio.

Reviewed By 53Upp - East Midlands, United Kingdom

Beautifully maintained gardens. Plenty of plant details. Slightly hilly paths, but easily accessible. Signage good, different routes depending on how much time visitors have, which gives times to completion of visit. Toilets round site and good cafe. House visit also included in the entrance fee. Villa entrance opposite the ferry service.

8. Il Giardino della Valle

Via Monte Santo 5 Via Adda, 22012 Cernobbio Italy +39 031 510714 [email protected] http://www.ilgiardinodellavalle.it/
Excellent
54%
Good
34%
Satisfactory
10%
Poor
0%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 114 reviews

Il Giardino della Valle

A lovely botanical garden, open all year round. Created by Nonna Pupa in the 1980s by the Garrovo stream, in Cernobbio. The garden contains many varieties of plants, three little ponds and wooden sculptures. Free admission.

Reviewed By Roberta_K975

Found entirely by accident -- we just followed the signs in central Cernobbio to the "Giardino della Valle", a ten-minute walk -- this lovely little garden hugs the banks of the torrent that carries melted snow from the mountains above to the lake below. A total labour of love on the part of one local woman who, thirty-plus years ago, was disgusted by the fact that the area was being used as an illegal rubbish dump. She decided to make it a quiet, pretty place, with lots of trees and plants, as well as benches, where visitors can sit and ponder for a while, and thank her silently for her initiative. There's also a little free library: donate a book and take a book. Access from Via Plinio, or the first left off the Via Regina after Villa d'Este, if you are coming from Cernobbio.

9. Il Giardino Botanico - Hotel Villa Cipressi

Via IV Novembre, 23829 Varenna Italy +39 0341 830113 http://www.hotelvillacipressi.it
Excellent
62%
Good
28%
Satisfactory
9%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 235 reviews

Il Giardino Botanico - Hotel Villa Cipressi

Reviewed By DeeB267

Well designed, easily accessed garden with superb views of Lake Como.Huge variety of plants all labelled.

10. Sentiero 6 - Valbasca

Parco Regionale Spina Verde, 22100, Como Italy http://www.spinaverde.it/index.php?pag=271
Excellent
51%
Good
38%
Satisfactory
10%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 39 reviews

Sentiero 6 - Valbasca

ThingsTodoPost © 2018 - 2024 All rights reserved.