We had the chance to spend half a day in Bellagio, and we weren’t disappointed. We’ve outlined what we did there and what you absolutely must do during your visit.
We’ve also put together a full article to help you prepare for your visit to Lake Como. As you might expect, Bellagio is one of them.
Below, we give you all the information you need to prepare your future stay.
What to do in Bellagio?
The number one thing to do in Bellagio is to take a leisurely stroll through its charming streets, enjoy the cool breeze coming off the lake, and walk along the waterfront promenade while savoring some Italian gelato. We recommend the excellent Gelateria del Borgo.
That said, there are still a few iconic places in this city that you must see.
- The Historic Center of Bellagio + St. James Basilica in Bellagio
- Take a explore the lake
- Gardens of Villa Melzi
The Bellagio Hotel , right in the heart of Bellagio.
1. Visit the historic center of Bellagio
You can’t miss the old houses and villas of this beautiful village. Whether you arrive by water or by road, the splendid houses will leave their mark on you and make you want to wander through its alleys in search of treasures.
2. Parco Martiri Della Libertà in Bellagio
The Martiri Della Libertà park is very well known, without a doubt a must-see place in the city. It is directly at the exit of the city, it is a real lung. It offers one of the best views of the lake and a place to get away from the hustle and bustle of downtown Bellagio.
It’s the perfect place to take a break from your day!
3. The Church of San Giacomo in Bellagio
The Basilica of St. Jacob of Bellagio in Romanesque style. It was built between the end of the 11th century and the 12th century, although the interior dates from the 18th century. It was declared a national monument in 1904 in order to begin its restoration which lasted until 1990 with the tower.
You can find it in the north of the village, in the heights, following the main streets. You can enjoy its adjoining square to taste an ice cream in the shade (yum yum).
4. Walk along the lakefront
Leaving the city to the south, you can walk along Lake Como
We enjoyed taking a break on one of the benches facing the lake while enjoying the sun. It’s always nice to enjoy the moment!
5. Visit the gardens of Villa Melzi
Discovering Lake Como by boat is a must-do experience. Aboard your boat, with or without a license, you can rediscover the lake and even take a dip.
We chose not to visit this villa, for lack of time, and because it’s only possible to visit the gardens. We walked to the villa from the center of Bellagio.
Here are some sinfos about the villa to give you an idea! Villa Melzi was built at the beginning of the 19th century by the architect Giocondo Albertolli for Francesco Melzi d’Eril as a summer residence. This magnificent house is surrounded by a large English-style garden, with a small chapel, Egyptian statues and a bust of Napoleon Bonaparte.
You can find all the information about Villa Melzi directly on their website.
6. Explore the lake by boat from Bellagio
Cruise from Bellagio
Explore Lake Lake Como by boat is a must-do activity during your stay! You’ll enjoy unforgettable views of the surrounding mountains and majestic villas from the middle of the lake, and above all, you’ll be able to swim away from the crowds.
Where to sleep in Bellagio?
Bellagio being a tourist town, you will find a lot of accommodations on site and nearby.
We recommend staying in the center of Bellagio. As you’ll see, there’s very little well-placed accommodation in Bellagio, so we advise you to book as far in advance as possible.
We’d like to suggest some other places we’ve found in case the first one is fully booked.
Looking for a place to stay on Lake Como? To make your visit easier, we’ve included an article detailing the most interesting villages to stay in on Lake Como, along with our best hotel addresses.
How to get to Bellagio?
If you’re in Lombardy, you can easily drive to Bellagio after visiting Milan or from the city of Como. Of course, we recommend taking a boat from Como.
From Como
At the port of Como you can easily find one of the shuttles that serve the different big cities of the lake, Como, Menaggio, Varenna, Lecco… All the necessary information on the schedules and prices of the boats here.
This will be an opportunity for you to take many pictures of the lake. You will also have an exceptional view of all the towns and villages that border this lake. This is how we enjoyed discovering Bellagio, its beautiful villas and hotels.
From Milan
If you’d like to save time and let someone else take the lead, you can book a ticket for a bus tour to Lake Como, with stops in the most beautiful towns— Como, Bellagio, and Varenna —as well as a 1-hour cruise on the lake to enjoy the stunning views from the water.
Otherwise, by car, it takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes to reach the charming village of Bellagio.
💡 Another important point: the comprehensive insurance offered via DiscoverCars is often much cheaper than that added directly at the rental company’s counter, while offering broader coverage. A real time-saver, and above all a way of avoiding unpleasant surprises when picking up or returning the vehicle.
When to visit Bellagio?
The city of Bellagio is a beautiful city, you will not get tired of it. You can enjoy it at any time of the year. But, if you don’t want to have too many tourists, you can go during the months of April, May and June.
It is a time when the weather is nice and warm enough to enjoy the lake, its beautiful beaches and the surrounding towns.
Bellagio Tourist Office
The Bellagio tourist office is located at 2 Via del Baccio. You can contact them by phone or e-mail, or go straight to their website.
As you can see, we loved the old world charm of Bellagio. Even if the city is small, it is a pleasant place to spend a few days on the shores of Lake Como.
We wish you a wonderful trip! Feel free to leave us a note below to let us know if you’re planning this trip, or to ask any questions here or on Instagram—we’ll be happy to answer them.
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