The 10 Best Villages Near Lago di Como in Italy

In addition to being an extremely beautiful natural setting, some of Italy's most beautiful villages are located on the shores of Lake Como. Famous for their imposing villas and picture-postcard streets and buildings, the villages in the area also enjoy an unrivalled setting on the shores of the lake, backed by the Alps. This makes it the perfect destination for those who have already seen everything Milan has to offer.

The list of villages worth visiting is very long, so in this post I have compiled a list of the ten that, in my opinion and that of many others, are the most beautiful in the area. If you would like to know more about how to visit, here you can read about the best excursions to Lake Como from Milan and in this article, about how to get to the area from the city.

The first village on this list is one of the most important on Lake Como and one you cannot miss on any trip to the lake.

This is due to its privileged geographical location. The lake is shaped like an inverted "Y" and Bellagio is located right at the intersection of the three "legs", making it the nerve centre for visitors to the region.

Its steep streets, stately homes, villas and historic centre have made it the most touristy and famous village on the entire lake.

What to do in Bellagio

• Stroll through its charming streets and squares.
• Stroll along the Lungolago Europa, skirting the lake shore.
• Head to Punta Spartivento to enjoy one of the best views of Lake Como.
• Relax on one of its artificial beaches during the summer.
• Discover its historic villas and gardens.

If you want to visit without worrying about transport and make the most of your time, you can book an excursion to Lake Como and Bellagio from Milan.

Varenna is a small fishing village located a little further north of Bellagio. Many consider it the most beautiful village on Lake Como, and although that is subjective, it certainly has enough merits to be at the top of the list.

It is a very picturesque destination, with colourful houses, narrow streets and abundant floral decorations. It is also a romantic spot, thanks to the famous Lovers' Walk (Passeggiata Degli Innamorati), a pedestrian walkway covered in vegetation with views of the lake that connects the pier with the historic centre.

The historic centre is another of its main attractions, with the Church of San Giorgio and the Church of San Giovanni Battista as its most emblematic monuments. In addition, Villa Monastero, famous for its botanical garden, and Vezio Castle offer some of the best views of the entire lake.

What to do in Varenna

• Walk along the Paseo del Amor (Promenade of Love ) by the lake.
• Visit the Church of San Giorgio and the Church of San Giovanni Battista.
• Stroll through the gardens of Villa Monastero.
• Climb up to Vezio Castle to enjoy spectacular views.
• Lose yourself in its picturesque streets full of flowers and colours.

If you want to see it all in comfort and make the most of your day, you can book an excursion to Lake Como and Varenna from Milan.

Just opposite Varenna on the other side of the lake is the village of Menaggio. It is a small municipality with around 3,000 inhabitants, but it is full of charming spots.

** It is part of the most touristy area of Lake Como**, along with the two previous towns on this list. The centre of Menaggio is divided into two parts:

• The upper part, with narrow cobbled streets where you will find several churches worth visiting, such as the Church of Santo Stefano and the Church of Santa Marta.
• The lower part, next to the lake, is perfect for strolling and enjoying the scenery.

The shore is ideal for pleasant walks or relaxing with a gelato while enjoying the views of the lake. Along the promenade, next to the luxurious hotels, you will often find craft stalls and lavender. In summer, there is even a small beach where you can take a refreshing dip.

What to do in Menaggio

• Visit the churches of Santo Stefano and Santa Marta.
• Stroll along the lakeside promenade and take in the views.
• Enjoy an ice cream on one of the terraces.
• Buy handicrafts and lavender products at the local stalls.
• Take a dip at the local beach during the summer months.

Interestingly, Tremezzo is a very new town that was created in 2014 from the union of several communities in the towns of Lenno, Ossuccio, Tremezzo and Mezzegra.

Despite its recent history and small size, Tremezzo has several places worth discovering. Perhaps the most popular is the Hotel Tremezzo, a building that stands out as the largest in the town, famous throughout the lake for its luxury and its floating swimming pools, which are open in summer.

On the outskirts, but very close by, is Villa Carlota, an elegant 17th-century villa that houses works of art from the period and spectacular gardens that are very popular with visitors.

Tremezzo is also ideal for hiking enthusiasts, as it lies at the foot of the mountain of the same name, with challenging routes that are rewarded with breathtaking panoramic views.

What to do in Tremezzo

• Visit the luxurious Hotel Tremezzo and its floating pools.
• Tour the gardens and halls of Villa Carlota.
• Go hiking on Mount Tremezzo.
• Stroll through the town centre and enjoy the tranquillity of the lake.
• Photograph the views from its natural viewpoints.

Brienno is an almost hidden village on the western shore of the lake, opposite Nesso. It is one of the smallest villages on Lake Como, with just 500 inhabitants, but it is highly recommended for art lovers. Its origins date back to the Middle Ages and its main attractions are its Romanesque churches.

The most important are the churches of Saints Nazario and Celso, both of Romanesque origin but restored in the Baroque style. Inside, there are 14th-century stained glass windows and 17th-century frescoes by G.P. Recchi.

Another unique building is the church of San Vittore, of which only the bell tower remains, almost submerged in the lake. If you have the opportunity, visit Brienno at night to see how its buildings are lit up in different colours, creating an unforgettable postcard image.

What to do in Brienno

• Admire the stained glass windows and frescoes in the churches of Saints Nazario and Celso.
• See the half-submerged bell tower of San Vittore.
• Stroll through its well-preserved medieval centre.
• Visit at night to enjoy the special lighting.

Following the road that runs along the eastern shore, leaving the city of Como, you will reach the beautiful village of Torno in just 20 minutes.

This town was once one of the most important in the Lake Como area thanks to the textile trade, something that is still reflected in its buildings. Or rather, in the remains of its large buildings, as it was almost completely destroyed by the Spanish in 1522.

** The remains of its military buildings** add to the charm of the village, with the castle walls being its main symbol. Torno is also one of the best gastronomic destinations in the region, with numerous restaurants and terraces offering beautiful views of the lake.

What to do in Torno

• Visit the remains of the castle walls.
• Stroll through its historic streets by the lake.
• Eat in its restaurants with terraces and panoramic views.
• Discover its past linked to the textile trade.

If what attracts you most about Lake Como are its luxurious and imposing villas, Cernobbio is the best village to visit.

Originally a humble fishing village, over time it has become one of the most popular luxury tourist destinations for the wealthy classes from all over Europe.

The best example of this is the Villa del Este, a neoclassical palace dating from 1568, which today is one of the most luxurious hotels in Europe and has been recognised on several occasions as the best hotel in the world.

Although this hotel is not for all budgets, Cernobbio has other charms: a beautiful historic centre, known as "La Riva", and a very pleasant lakeside promenade. Furthermore, its location next to the city of Como makes it an easy and convenient place to visit.

What to do in Cernobbio

• Admire the imposing Villa del Este.
• Explore the historic centre, "La Riva".
• Stroll along the lake shore.
• Enjoy the proximity and easy access from the city of Como.
• Discover other villas and gardens dotted around the village.

With so many villages to see, it's easy for some to go unnoticed. This is the case with Nesso, but that's no reason to overlook it, as this small village is, for many, one of the prettiest and home to one of the most special spots on Lake Como.

That spot is the Ponte della Civera, a small medieval bridge that crosses a narrow canyon where two streams converge and flow into the lake, forming a waterfall.

In addition to this magical place, the village is very picturesque thanks to its colourful facades, some of which are covered with vegetation. The great advantage of being less touristy is that you can discover Nesso without the crowds of other destinations. It is not for nothing that it is considered the hidden gem of Lake Como.

What to do in Nesso

• Cross the Ponte della Civera and admire its waterfall.
• Stroll through its streets with colourful facades covered in vegetation.
• Enjoy a peaceful environment without crowds.
• Explore its photogenic spots by the lake.

A little further north of Cernobbio is Moltrasio, one of the most "natural" villages on Lake Como, with abundant green areas that, when viewed from the lake, seem to merge with the forest.

It is also known for its grey stone, used both in lake roads and in works of art.

Moltrasio is notable for its market selling regional products and Villa Passalacqua, considered one of the best villas to visit on the lake. There is an entrance fee, but this allows you to explore the well-tended gardens and the most spectacular interior rooms.

It is also an ideal destination for those who enjoy water activities, with options such as boat trips and sports on the lake.

What to do in Moltrasio

• Visit Villa Passalacqua and its gardens.
• Browse the market for regional products.
• Enjoy boat trips on the lake.
• Practise water sports on the lake.
• Stroll through its green areas and nearby trails.

Last on this list, but by no means least in terms of importance or beauty, are Ossuccio and Lenno. These two neighbouring villages have practically merged into one due to their growth.

These villages are film locations, and that's no metaphor: one of them has been the setting for such famous films as Star Wars and James Bond. This is the Villa del Balbianello, located on the tip of a small peninsula between the two towns.

The villa is open to visitors and, although admission is around £20, it is well worth it for the beauty of its gardens and architecture.

Another major attraction is the Sacro Monte di Ossuccio, a sanctuary located on a cliff above the mountain that protects the two villages. It is part of the Sacri Monti di Piemonte e Lombardia, a group of sacred mountains in Piedmont and Lombardy that have been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Beyond these iconic sites, Ossuccio and Lenno have enough charm to enjoy strolling through their streets, especially along the quays and promenades on the shores of Lake Como.

What to do in Ossuccio and Lenno

• Visit the Villa del Balbianello and its gardens.
• Climb up to Sacro Monte di Ossuccio and enjoy the views.
• Stroll along the quays and promenades by the lake.
• Explore its quiet, charming streets.