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Piazza Giuseppe Mazzini, 22021 Bellagio CO, Italy (April 2022)
Bellagio
Bellagio, often called the “Pearl of Lake Como,” is one of the most enchanting and elegant destinations in northern Italy. Nestled at the point where Lake Como splits into two branches, Bellagio offers breath-taking panoramic views of the surrounding waters and the snow-capped Alps beyond. Its privileged location, mild climate, and timeless charm have made it a favourite retreat for artists, writers, and travellers for centuries. Visitors are drawn to Bellagio not only for its natural beauty but also for its refined atmosphere, romantic setting, and fascinating history that blends Italian tradition with a touch of luxury.
The town itself is a masterpiece of picturesque streets, cobbled stairways, and pastel-coloured houses adorned with blooming balconies. The narrow alleys wind their way up from the lake to the heart of the old town, where charming boutiques, cafés, and local restaurants invite visitors to pause and take in the relaxed rhythm of life. Elegant villas with lush gardens dot the hillsides, offering glimpses of grand architecture and scenic terraces overlooking the water. Among these, Villa Melzi and Villa Serbelloni are particularly notable. Their splendid gardens, filled with exotic plants and sculptures, are open to the public and provide serene spots for peaceful walks and spectacular views.
Bellagio’s beauty extends beyond its architecture. The surrounding landscape is a dream for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts. The lake offers opportunities for boating, kayaking, and swimming, while the nearby mountains are ideal for hiking and cycling. Each season brings its own magic: spring and summer bloom with vibrant colours and festivals, autumn glows with golden light reflecting off the water, and even winter has a quiet, poetic charm. The region’s cuisine perfectly complements its scenery, featuring fresh fish from the lake, homemade pasta, fine olive oil, and local wines that capture the flavour of Lombardy.
Bellagio also serves as a gateway to exploring the greater Lake Como area. From its central location, ferries connect easily to other picturesque towns such as Varenna, Menaggio, and Tremezzo. These short boat rides allow visitors to experience the beauty and diversity of the lake’s shoreline, each destination revealing its own character and traditions. Whether one comes to Bellagio for a romantic escape, cultural discovery, or simply to enjoy a slower pace of life surrounded by beauty, it is a place that leaves a lasting impression. Its harmony between nature, history, and elegance makes Bellagio an unforgettable jewel of Italy.
Worth a Visit
The Chiesa di San Giorgio (Church of Saint George) is a small but historically rich Romanesque church nestled in the heart of Bellagio, one of the most picturesque towns on the shores of Lake Como in northern Italy. Built in the 12th century, the church stands as a testament to the medieval past of this enchanting region, offering a serene spiritual retreat and a striking contrast to the lively energy of the nearby lakefront. Located just steps away from the town’s famous stone stairways and cobblestone alleys, the Chiesa di San Giorgio captivates visitors not with grandeur, but with its humble beauty and timeworn charm.
Nestled above Bellagio’s lakeside promenade, the Giardini di Parco Martiri della Libertà is a charming public garden that seamlessly blends natural beauty, historical reverence, and peaceful retreat. Covering about 2.5 acres, it offers a lush escape within walking distance of Bellagio’s vibrant centre. Set atop terraced lawns and winding pathways, the garden is rich in botanical variety. Towering trees, vibrant blooming beds, and manicured grass create a tranquil setting. Stroll among the shaded lanes, rest on benches tucked under mature canopy, or pause to admire the seasonal colour of flowers and foliage. The park also carries a poignant memorial function: it commemorates the Martyrs of Liberty, with plaques and monuments that honour those who lost their lives in the struggle against fascism during World War II.
The Lungolago Europa is one of the most scenic and leisurely promenades in Bellagio, the jewel of Lake Como in northern Italy. Stretching gracefully along the lakefront, this picturesque walkway offers stunning panoramic views, peaceful surroundings, and a perfect vantage point to appreciate the natural beauty and elegance that define Bellagio. Whether you’re visiting for a few hours or staying for days, a stroll along Lungolago Europa is a must for anyone wanting to experience the town’s tranquil charm up close. Beginning near the ferry terminal and stretching southward along the lake, the promenade is flanked by well-maintained flowerbeds, palm trees, and ornamental shrubs, which change with the seasons, making every visit a little different.
The Salita Serbelloni is one of Bellagio’s most iconic pedestrian staircases, leading visitors from the lakeside promenade known as Lungo Lario Manzoni up into the town’s historic centre. This charming cobbled alley—lined with shops, cafés, and restaurants—feels like stepping into an Italian painting, offering not only a practical route but an atmospheric introduction to Bellagio’s old-world elegance. Locals sometimes call it “il Fossato”, the ditch, because it once followed the line of the town’s medieval defensive moat. Portions of the old walls and gateways are still visible, adding historical depth to the upward climb that spans roughly 125 meters or so.
Photo Gallery of Walk 1 – Hotel Domus, Via Parrocchiale to Via del Torcio
Approximately 1.33 km – 0.83 miles
The walk starts at Hotel Domus, Via Parrocchiale – Via Parrocchiale – Chiesa Parrocchiale B.V. Maria Annunciata di Visgnola, Piazza Don G Cantoni – Via Parrocchiale – Piazza Canestri – Via S. Martino – Chiesa di San Martino, Via S. Martino – Via S. Martino – Via Nuova – Via per Lecco – Via, Piazza Maddalena Soldati – Via Nuova – Via del Torcio
Photo Gallery of Walk 2 – Cimitero Del Borgo, Via Valassina to Lungo Lario Manzoni
Approximately 1.00 km – 0.63 miles
The walk starts in Cimitero Del Borgo, Via Valassina – Parcheggio, Via Valassina – Via Giuseppe Garibaldi – Chiesa di San Giorgio, Via Bellosio – Parco Martiri della Libertà – Via Lungo Lario Manzoni
Photo Gallery of Walk 3 – Lungolago Europa to Via Giuseppe Garibaldi
Approximately 1.98 km – 1.23 miles
The walk starts in Lungolago Europa – Via Lungo Lario Manzoni – Salita Serbelloni – Piazza Giuseppe Mazzini – Via Roma – Via Eugenio Vitali – Walk back along Via Eugenio Vitali to Via Roma – Piazza della Chiesa – Basilica of St. Giacomo, Piazza della Chiesa – Salita Plinio – Via Giuseppe Garibaldi
Photo Gallery of Walk 4 – Viale Domenico Vitali to Via Paolo Carcano
Approximately 3.38 km – 2.10 miles
The walk starts in Viale Domenico Vitali – Via Paolo Carcano – Piazza Sant’Andrea – Chiesa di Sant’Andrea, Piazza Sant’Andrea – Piazza Sant’Andrea – Giardini pubblici, Via Papa Giovanni XXIII’ – Via Jacopo Rezia – Via Lodovico Loreti – Piazza S. Giovanni Battista – Via Lodovico Loreti – Via Jacopo Rezia – Via Papa Giovanni XXIII’ – Via Paolo Carcano – Via Melzi d’Eril – Viale Domenico Vitali – Via Paolo Carcano
Photo Gallery of Giardini di Villa Melzi
Giardini di Villa Melzi in Bellagio, Italy, is one of the most enchanting and elegant gardens on Lake Como, celebrated for its perfect harmony between art, architecture, and nature. Situated along the western shore of the lake, the gardens were designed in the early nineteenth century for Francesco Melzi d’Eril, Duke of Lodi and Vice President of the Italian Republic under Napoleon. The villa and its surrounding landscape were conceived as a refined retreat, a place where classical beauty and romantic sensibility coexist in a tranquil lakeside setting.
The gardens were designed by the architect Giocondo Albertolli, who was also responsible for the neoclassical villa, while the English-style landscape layout was created by Luigi Canonica and the botanist Luigi Villoresi. The design reflects the Romantic movement of the time, favouring natural shapes and soft transitions rather than rigid geometric patterns. Gently curving pathways guide visitors through groves of ancient trees, flowering shrubs, and exotic plants collected from around the world. Sculptures, columns, and monuments are artfully positioned throughout, creating a dialogue between nature and art that feels both spontaneous and deliberate.
Among the most notable features of Giardini di Villa Melzi are its serene lakeside terraces and the small Moorish pavilion that offers stunning views across the shimmering waters of Lake Como. The garden’s harmonious blend of native and exotic species includes azaleas, camellias, rhododendrons, and towering cedars. In spring, the park becomes a spectacle of colour, with blossoms reflecting in the calm blue of the lake. The atmosphere is peaceful and contemplative, inviting visitors to stroll slowly, pause on benches shaded by magnolias, and take in the scent of blooming flowers carried on the breeze.
The villa itself, though not open to the general public, provides a graceful backdrop to the gardens. Its clean neoclassical lines, white façade, and lakeside position emphasize elegance without excess. Within the grounds, visitors can also find a small chapel, a family mausoleum, and a charming orangery that now houses a museum dedicated to the history of the villa and its distinguished guests, including writers, musicians, and artists who drew inspiration from its beauty
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