When it comes to luxury Villas, one of the destinations that have always been very appreciated, nowadays even more than in the past, both by Italian and foreign purchasers, is Lake Como.
About 80 kilometres far from Milan, Lake Como is the third-largest lake in Italy after Lake Garda and Lake Maggiore, and the deepest one (410 metres). Its particular shape reminds of a “Y” turned upside down, and starting from its three ends, the provinces of Como (south-west) and Lecco (south-east), along with the small town of Colico (north) wind their way through the surroundings.
Since the 19th century, this astonishing place has been praised by major poets, authors and musicians of Romanticism, like Alessandro Manzoni that, more precisely by the banks of the lake in the town of Lecco, wrote most of the chapters of his masterpiece “The Betrothed”. The French author Gustave Flaubert and the musicians Gioacchino Rossini and Giuseppe Verdi found this place inspiring to bring their famous works to life.
“That branch of the lake of Como, which extends towards the south, is enclosed by two unbroken chains of mountains, which, as they advance and recede, diversify its shores with numerous bays and inlets. Suddenly the lake contracts itself, and takes the course and form of a river, between a promontory on the right, and a wide open shore on the opposite side. The bridge which there joins the two banks seems to render this transformation more sensible to the eye, and marks the point where the lake ends, and the Adda again begins—soon to resume the name of the lake, where the banks receding afresh, allow the water to extend and spread itself in new gulfs and bays.”
(Alessandro Manzoni, The Betrothed, Chapter I, 1840)
As years went by, this location was also chosen as filming set for some well-known movies, taking to the banks of the lake important directors and famous actors, such as Alfred Hitchcock, who in 1925 filmed his first movie called “The Pleasure Garden”, with some scenes taking place in one of the most renowned Villas of the area, the so-called Villa d’Este.
In 1984 the lake was chosen again as location to a masterpiece of international filmmaking: “Once Upon a Time in America” by Sergio Leone. In the movie, the Bellagio banks of the lake became, along with the famous Venetian beachfront, the main filming set, starring Robert De Niro and James Woods.
In every one of its corners, Lake Como is surrounded by a heritage of history, art and luxury, to be discovered and admired in all forms.
From its banks it is possible to enjoy multiple fascinating views: breathtaking panoramas, suggestive hamlets, splendid Villas and lush gardens, attracting and winning the hearts of visitors and of the people who live there, having the chance to enjoy these appealing locations to lose themselves completely in their peacefulness, and in the wellness and relax they inspire.
The Most Fascinating Places and Villas on Lake Como
Cernobbio – Villa d’Este and Villa Erba
Cernobbio stands at the feet of Mount Bisbino (1,325 metres high) and is a renowned touristic destination just a few minutes by foot far from Como.
This small village is full of luxury Villas and lovely gardens, proving it has always been one of the favourite vacation destinations both for the historical, famous families from Milan and Como and for the most important celebrities today.
Built in 1568 as Cardinal Gallio’s summer residence, Villa d’Este is considered one of the finest works of architectural art of the 16th century.
Tucked away into a 10-hectare park full of centennial trees, where artworks such as the Ninfeo (The Nymphaeum) by Pellegrino Pellegrini, the Fontana dell’Ercole (The Hercules Fountain) and the Tempietto di Telemaco (Telemachus’s Little Temple) can be admired in astonishment.
In its halls, fascinating artworks are displayed, some by artists of the French school and some by Antonio Canova’s school members.
The Villa is named after Caroline von Brunswick, unfortunate wife to King George IV of England, former owner of the Villa, who boasted about having origins from the House of Este.
In 1873 it was turned into a luxury hotel, becoming a destination of note for the European aristocracy.
Today Villa d’Este is still a luxury location celebrated all over the world. Its 152 rooms are decorated with vintage furniture typical of the Renaissance, and embellished by the numerous first-choice services offered to guests. The Villa is awarded with a lot of prizes and prestigious recognitions and is considered one of the best luxury locations in Italy and in the rest of the world.
Villa Erba is one of the most famous and important Villas on Lake Lario (the original name of the lake) too.
At the beginning of the 19th century it was commissioned by the Erba family as a ceremonial residence, and its great fascination remains untouched still today.
The heir Carla Erba married Giuseppe Visconti, Duke of Modrone, and Luchino Visconti was born from their union. Visconti was a remarkable filmmaker, considered the creator of Italian Neorealism, and lived in the Villa for a lot of years.
Built on two floors, this amazing house holds a majestic entrance porch and a lot of halls, overlooking the lake, with a long staircase leading to the lake dock. The little tower overlooking the lake waters is a typical architectural signature of the time, linking the floors dedicated to the nobles to the servants’ quarters.
Tucked into a wonderful centennial park, Villa Erba is today the venue for great cultural shows and Italian events, such as wedding parties, relevant business meetings and exhibitions.
Como – Villa Olmo
South-west of the lake, Como is the easiest town to reach by train or by car from the big cities in the surroundings, like Milan, which is only 52 kilometres far from it.
Beyond being flanked by the wonderful lakefront, this town shows a historical centre full of boulevards, ancient buildings and squares teeming with dynamism and nightlife.
It is not only about landmarks and tourist attractions though. Como is also an ideal shopping centre thanks to the presence of the most famous luxury brands and small boutiques where typically Made-In-Italy quality products can be purchased.
Villa Olmo is a majestic neoclassical building completed at the beginning of the 19th century at the request of marquis Odescalchi. It is one of the main symbols of the town and one among the most famous, lavish, historical residences where in the past noble families of the town used to live.
Behind the Villa the most interesting historical park of the whole province winds its way, where a typical 19th-century English-style design can still be admired. Among the most famous guests who spent time in the Villa there were Napoleon Bonaparte, Giuseppe Garibaldi and the imperial family of Ferdinand I of Austria.
In 1925 the Villa was taken over by the authorities of the town and it has been used as an exclusive venue to host important cultural events and art shows since then.
Bellagio – Villa Melzi e Villa Serbelloni
Placed on the northern end of the Larian Triangle (a definition to describe the upside-down Y-shaped form of the lake), right where Lake Como branches off,
Bellagio is one of the most attractive tourist destinations.
From a geographical point of view, it is really highly exclusive and this gives it a classy touch, displaying a unique panorama with hills, lakefronts and the Alps in the background.
The enchanting Villa Melzi was built at the beginning of the 19th century at the request of Francesco Melzi d’Eril, deputy chairman of the Italian republic founded by Napoleon. It is a neoclassical building and its colour white stands out perfectly against the landscape of this exclusive corner of the lake.
Villa Melzi is surrounded by appealing, well-finished gardens, expanding all the way to the lake on an area of 800 square metres.
The gardens hold centennial trees and particular, exotic plants and are embellished by the presence of excellent statues and monuments, some of them of Etruscan and ancient Egyptian origin.
The Villa currently belongs to the New York Rockefeller Foundation, which completed the purchase in the 20th century.
Villa Serbelloni and its impressive park take up most of the Bellagio promontory. The Villa is named after Count Serbelloni, its owner at the end of the 18th century, who had numerous coach tracks built, as well as appealing boulevards and paths winding their way for almost 18 kilometres.
On his death, the Villa frequently changed its owner, eventually being turned into a hotel at the end of the 19th century.
This Villa is currently property and managed by the New York Rockefeller Foundation and the luxury hotel is currently a venue for conventions and study stays of the Foundation members.
Varenna and Villa Cipressi
Varenna is a gem placed on the eastern bank of Lake Como. With its smorgasboard of colours and its alleys built back in the 16th century, it is one of the most historical and fascinating hamlets to admire in the area.
This is also one of the most romantic places on the lake. By taking a walk down the Passeggiata degli Innamorati (literally, the Promenade of Lovers) it is possible to enjoy unique moments, tucked into colours and scents of trees and flowers flanking the waters of the lake.
In Varenna it is possible to admire Villa Cipressi, a complex formed by suggestive buildings, gardens and terraces overlooking the lake.
It was built back between the 15th and the 16th century, changing ownership across the centuries.
In 1980 the Villa was purchased through a public petition by the Varenna citizens, patronized by the local authorities that took care of the refurbishment of the Villa too. Today it holds a renowned resort, an appealing mix between history and modernity for its guests.
Its botanical gardens hold very rare plant and tree species, coming from the characteristic Mediterranean Scrub and from more exotic areas. Although being in northern Italy, the climatic conditions favour the growth of unusual flora, such as American agaves, strawberry trees, myrtles, cheesewood trees, tamarisks, different kinds of palm trees, oleanders, cypresses and a lot of other rare species.
Tremezzina – Villa Carlotta
Tremezzina is a small village placed on the centre-western bank of the lake. In this lovely location it is possible to take a calm walk in the tiny alleys and historical buildings built in the 18th century, admiring the lush vegetation, in contrast to the blue waters of the lake.
It is possible to take a deep breath, fully enjoying the peaceful, relaxing landscape all year long.
Villa Carlotta overlooks Lake Como from the picturesque village called Tremezzo.
Its development, to be traced back to the 17th century, makes it one of the most ancient mansions on the lake.
Built in Baroque style at the request of marquis Giorgio Clerici, this splendid residence is surrounded by a majestic, wonderful garden designed in Italian-style.
As centuries went by, and owners as well, the Villa has been enriched with countless art masterpieces, now shown in its rooms like the sculptures by Antonio Canova, the paintings by Francesco Hayez and other refined furnishings from past centuries.
Its eight-hectare park includes enchanting gardens, geometrical-shaped hedges, parapets, statues and fountains with choreographed water features.
The big park is also a real botanical garden thanks to the presence of rare species of plants and trees in it.
Torno – Villa Pliniana
Torno is also one of the most suggestive and appealing villages around Lake Como.
Placed on the southern front of the first basin of the lake it really is one of the destinations tourists love the most.
In this place an atmosphere full of history and Lombardy architectural style can be appreciated, thanks to buildings, churches, traditional restaurants and an enchanting panorama, outlined by the promontories around it.
Villa Pliniana is a great architectural complex built in 1573 around the very spring it was named after, the so-called Fonte Pliniana, in the village named Torno. The Villa was built at the request of count Giovanni Anguissola, governor of Como, who decided to turn the spring and the land around it into a dream residence.
During the centuries the Villa hosted numerous noble families and very important dignitaries, such as the poet Percy Shelley, the composers Rossini and Bellini, and Napoleon Bonaparte himself, who reportedly played pool on the very table still placed in one of the rooms of the Villa.
From the lake, Villa Pliniana really seems to be floating on the lake waters.
Built on four floors with an elegant, Doric-style central loggia, all the complex was built according to the Renaissance style.
The ceremonial hall, decorations, ancient furnishings, the 17th-century portraits and the fine marbles make Villa Pliniana one of the most luxurious villas in the entire area around the lake.
Life at Lake Como
Lake Como is an excellent destination to those who want to spend time relaxing and feeling good.
Aside from the historical and cultural aspects, this place offers amusement too, with the opportunity to practise various sports such as sailing, windsurf, motorboating, waterskiing, canoeing and kite-surfing.
Not only water sports are available, but air sports as well, such as hang-gliding, paragliding and sail-gliding, that favour a nice, special view of the landscape around the lake. With its seven internationally famous golf courses tucked into the green landscape, golf is a sport which is highly practised too.
Mountain enthusiasts can experience rock climbing, wonderful excursions, trekking, mountain bike rides and horse rides. In winter times ski centres make a wide area available for tourists to practise, and various areas are well equipped to practise cross-country skiing, ski mountaineering and to take wonderful walks on winter tracks by using snow poles.
Lake Como is also ideal for shopping lovers, thanks to the presence of the most important fashion brands, numerous local boutiques and to the massive presence of traditional shops of hand-crafted products, with furniture and design masterpieces created by local artisans.
Eventually, for those who love good cuisine, it is possible to enjoy unique, delightful meals tasting various traditional meat or fish dishes, trying refined olive oil and a lot of other typical local products. When it comes to wine, an extremely excellent niche production is present in this area, with several wineries and vineyards on the hills around the lake, producing high-quality, tasty wines.
Lake Como is, today as it was in the past, a beloved destination for notorious and wealthy dignitaries who can afford to live in one of the numerous villas for sale in the picturesque locations on the banks of the lake.
Living in one of these villas means to enjoy life in a peaceful, totally tranquil place, surrounded by a fairy-tale landscape with no equals in the world.
