Italy in Photos

Salita Serbelloni

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.

Despite its steepness, Salita Serbelloni is a lively and often bustling pathway, gradually revealing a mix of boutiques, wine bars, and cafés on either side of its stone steps. As you ascend, you’ll encounter inviting places like Ristorante Bilacus, Trattoria San Giacomo near the top, and Aperitivo et Al, each offering regional dishes, local wine, or simply a seat to enjoy the scenery. Especially popular with photographers, the street’s alignment and angle provide enchanting views both down toward the lake and up into the colourful buildings.

Salita Serbelloni connects the lakeshore to Via Garibaldi, the main road beneath the historic Villa Serbelloni estate. As such, it forms part of the Borgo—the medieval heart of Bellagio, linking ferry arrivals with the town’s elevated walkways and squares. Though short, the stairway encapsulates Bellagio’s mood: you begin beside gentle waves on Lake Como, moving upward through sunlit alleys of stone and pastel façades, past aromatic cafés and boutique windows, until you arrive amidst hilltop views and historic architecture. During the day it can be lively, yet in the quieter evening hours it takes on a more serene character, perfect for peaceful wandering and reflection.