The Top 7 Things to do in Bellagio, Lake Como
Lake Como is one of the most popular luxury European destinations, and with Bellagio being known as ‘the pearl of Lake Como’, it’s easy to understand why it’s so popular!
With regular ferry links with Varenna, Bellagio is both a great place to base if you’re staying in Lake Como for a little while, as well as a popular place to pair with Varenna and visit on a day trip from Milan.
Known for its cobbled lanes, picturesque postcard views, and the gardens of Villa Melzi – there is so much to see in Bellagio, suitable for all budgets!
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From Lake Como's most famous street, to incredible Villa's - Here are the Top 7 Things to do in Bellagio, Lake Como
Walk down the Waterfront Promenade
As the Ferry pulls into the Bellagio, this is the first area you will witness. The first time I visited Bellagio, the first thing I did was walk up and down the Waterfront Promenade a few times, just so soak in the atmosphere and the gorgeous views!
Just head South from the ferry terminal and you’ll be able to enjoy some of the vest views of the lake, as well as Bellagio itself.
Bellagio offers some of the best views of Lake Como due to the position of where the town lies within the Lake - so make the most of it while walking down the waterfront promenade!
There’s many great places to stop for a quick bite or a few drinks on the waterfront as well, some of my favourites were Hotel Florence for lunch and a few drinks, or if you fancy some lite bites and cocktails, Restaurant La Terrazza offered a limited but yummy selection of sandwiches and panini’s along with some of the best selection of cocktails I’d seen while I was in Italy!
Head to the famous street of Salita Serbelloni
No trip to Bellagio is complete without walking down one of the most famous streets, Salita Serbelloni. Once you climb to the top of the stairs, turn around so you’re facing the Lake, and then you’ll find one of the most common and famous Lake Como postcard scenes (as seen below).
With cobbled steps, beautiful colourful buildings, Salita Serbelloni is the perfect stop for picture opportunities, but don’t forget to stop in some of the boutique shops and cafes on your way up and down the street!
Tip: During peak season much of Bellagio, and Salita Serbelloni in particular, can get crowded – so head over early in the morning if you want to escape the crowds!
Explore the gardens of Villa Melzi
Villa Melzi is a gorgeous lakeside villa in Bellagio, where the gardens are open to the public to explore.
In the gardens you will find Egyptian sculptures, Roman statues, an even a Japanese garden area, which during the months of April and May, you can see the Azaleas and Rhododendrons plants in full bloom!
Villa Melzi is a private residence, you cannot enter the villa, however when I’ve visited other villa’s in Lake Como, such as Villa Monastero, I’ve found the gardens ten times more interesting and beautiful than the inside of the villa’s – so in my opinion, just going to the gardens of the villa’s in Lake Como is good enough!
Entry is approximately 8 Euro per person, and you can get tickets online.
As Villa Melzi is one of the most popular things to do in Bellagio, I would recommend booking tickets in advance, especially if you’re travelling during peak season.
Villa Melzi opens at 10 AM , but closing hours tend to var between 4:30pm and 7pm depending on the time of year.
Please note that the gardens of Villa Melzi are closed from the 5th November 2023, they are currently planned to re-open towards the end of March 2024.
Go on a boat tour
To see Bellagio from a different point of view, take a boat tour out across the lake!
As Lake Como is typically a luxury destination, it’s safe to say private boat tours can be a bit more on the expensive side – this does depend on whether you have a private boat, join a tour, have a driver, or are driving yourself.
You don’t need a boat licence to hire a boat, but you will need some form of identification. Personally, I prefer to take the stress out of the boat trip and rather have a driver or join a tour with a driver that’s more experienced at captaining the boat than I certainly am!
Boat trips happen all across the Lake, most frequently they start in the Lake’s capital, Como City and pass through Bellagio. However I still saw plenty of people renting boats from Bellagio when I last visited!
Check out some options here*:
Tip: There are often additional costs for boat rental due to the increase in petrol costs. This should always be disclosed when booking, so make sure you read descriptions, and always bring cash with you when attending boat tours.
The good news is that getting the water taxi’s/ Ferries are all part of the Lake Como experience and a lot of fun, so if this hiring a boat or doing a boat tour doesn’t fit in your budget, then don’t feel like you’re missing out! If you’re on a tighter budget but still want a chance to ride on a boat on the lake, then just hop on a water taxi from the Ferry port. From Bellagio, you can get ferries to various other towns in Lake Como, the quickest being Varenna, Tremezzo, and Menaggio . Check the official Lake Como Ferry website for up-to-date schedules.
Rent a Kayak
Not sure about the idea of renting a private boat or joining a tour?
Rent a stand up paddle board instead with Bellagio Water Sports!
You must pre-book in advance, last minute spontaneous show up’s are usually not accepted!
Check out their website here.
Explore Bellagio Town Centre
In Bellagio’s town centre you will find so much to see and do .The town is truly beautiful, with bright buildings lining the streets. I had a lot of fun going in independent boutique shops, gift shops, and dessert parlours!
Make sure to stop for gelato at Pasticceria Castelli – it was some of the best I’d had! They also sell a variety of cakes and pastries. I’d opted for gelato, so didn’t have chance to try the cakes and pastries, but they looked amazing. If the taste of the gelato was anything to go by, I’ll definitely be swinging by Pasticceria Castelli next time I visit Bellagio and trying everything else out!
Visit the Hidden Gem of Pescallo
Take this pathway to find Pescallo! Pescallo is a small village neighbouring Bellagio, it’s less than a mile away which makes it a convenient place to visit while you’re in Bellagio!
In Pescallo you will find a mini beach, which is often quiet due to the hidden away location, fairly unknown by the majority of tourists visiting Bellagio!
It’s a great hidden gem to escape to, with a stark contrast in how quiet it typically is compared to Bellagio.
Tip: Although the route to Pescallo is less than a mile long, it does involve a lot of cobbled stairs like this! It's not necessarily an easy walk, so make sure you bring appropriate footwear!
So here’s a list to get you started on your trip to The Pearl of Lake Como!
Bellagio is a great place to base if you're staying in Lake Como, with a train station in Varenna, which is only a short ferry ride away from Bellagio, navigating the nearby towns and villages in Lake Como is pretty easy from Bellagio!
Whether you're on a budget, or looking for a luxury destination, or whether you're visiting for a day trip or planning to stay - there is something for everyone in Bellagio!
FAQ’s about Bellagio
Is Bellagio in Lake Como worth visiting?
Bellagio, Italy is one of the most popular Lake Como destinations – it’s commonly referred to as the ‘Pearl of Lake Como’. Not only is Bellagio a perfect place to explore, with so much to see and do, it’s also a convenient location to get to other Lake Como towns and villages – Varenna, Tremezzo, and Menaggio are only a 10-20 minute Ferry ride away!
How long is the boat ride from Como City to Bellagio?
Getting from Como City to Bellagio takes approximately 2 hours on the ferry, or around 1 hour with the express service.
How long should I spend in Bellagio?
If you want to base in Bellagio and see other areas of Lake Como then you should consider staying for 4-7 days, depending on the amount of areas you want to see. If you’re not staying in Bellagio, but are thinking of visiting on a day trip, then spending 1 day, or even half a day here should still give you plenty of opportunity to see a lot of what Bellagio has to offer!
Which area of Lake Como is the most beautiful?
Bellagio. Bellagio is commonly referred to as the ‘Pearl of Lake Como’, due to where it is situated in the Lake – this means that Bellagio offers some of the most beautiful views of Lake Como that you can get!
Is Bellagio Lake Como walkable?
Yes, Bellagio is a walkable city, it is fairly small plenty of shops and restaurants close together. However, it does have many stairs and cobblestone paths, so be aware of that when planning your visit!
Can you get the train from Milan to Bellagio?
There is no direct train from Milan to Bellagio. The easiest way you can get to Bellagio from Milan is to get the train to Varenna-Esino, and then get a direct ferry from Varenna to Bellagio. Trains from Milan to Varenna are direct and take approximately 1 hour, and Ferry’s from Varenna to Bellagio take around 20 minutes.
What type of holiday is Lake Como?
Lake Como is commonly classed as both a luxury and romantic destination. It is a popular destination for celebrities, and there are plenty of luxurious villa's and hotels. However, the great transport links between Varenna and Milan mean more people can visit Lake Como on a budget!
