The Best Sights & Attractions of Lake Como, Italy

Castello di Vezio
Varenna

I would go to Castello di Vezio every day if I had the time during my stay in Varenna. The view from the castle is breathtaking. You’re allowed to wander about the old grounds as if it were a park. There are two different ways to get up to the castle, depending on where you’re staying. I was staying on the northern side of town, so I took a path that began between the buildings of Albergo Ristorante Montecodeno and La Casa di Lucia. This path is steep but very well-traveled. Once you’re at the top, you’ll reach a small town. Here, there’s is also a place for water. The other path is on the Southern side, by Villa Monastero (this trail is smaller and more grown in, but less steep). It begins at the Cimitero di Varenna. Once you reach Castello di Vezio, there’s a bathroom and a small snack bar. Purchase tickets to enter the castle for 3 euro each. There are plenty of benches to sit everywhere, so make sure you sit down and rest after your hike up the mountain. Also around the castle, there are birds of prey for show and a guard tower to climb. During this time there is no staff in Castello di Vezio, it is largely unsupervised. If you continue downwards to the left of the birds, you will stumble upon the bunker that the Italians made to watch out for a German invasion from Switzerland during World War 1. This bunker at Castello di Vezio is completely preserved, down to the stench and cold feeling of the bunker. It transports you to another time and is such a weird but interesting addition to this beautiful Castle.

Villa Monastero
Varenna

Villa Monastero in Varenna is one of the most popular attractions. It has a beautiful botanical garden that provides many different picturesque scenes. It will cost you 8 Euro to visit the Villa Monastero Botanical Gardens in Varenna. The ticket office is closer to the center of town, near the parking garage. More information, including a brochure for the Villa Monastero in Varenna on Lake Como, can be found here.

Piazza San Giorgio
(Saint George’s Square)
Varenna

St. Georges Square in Varenna is the center of town, focused around the main church, St. George’s Church. This church was built between 1250 and 1300. It’s small and ominous on the inside but worth the quick visit. In other parts of the square, you will find multiple shops and restaurants. Be aware that these restaurants will be slightly more touristy than most. I recommend wandering through the small streets of Varenna and finding the restaurants hidden along the way. As a quick side note, the tall mountain behind the church is where Castello di Vezio is located for a frame of reference. You can find more information about the Piazza San Giorgio (Saint George’s Square) in Varenna, Lake Como, here.

Bellagio

Bellagio is the other most popular small town to stay in on Lake Como. In my opinion, Bellagio is less charming than Varenna. There are many more upscale restaurants and large, luxurious hotels in Bellagio than Varenna. Although, I do believe that you must visit Bellagio. It is larger than Varenna, so there’s a lot to walk around and see. You can take a ferry to/from Bellagio and Varenna for 9.20 Euro round trip (4.60 one way), take note that this ticket doesn’t include a car. You will buy these tickets at the ticket office right outside the ferry stop. Make sure to keep an eye out on the schedule and if your ferry hasn’t arrived on time, ask about it at the ticket office. Sometimes they can be relatively late/early. More information on the ferries in Lake Como can be found here.

Remember if you would like to learn more about any of the places included in my best sights & attractions for Lake Como, Italy, then you can visit my all-inclusive guide for free here!

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