This is our favorite village around Lake Como. We loved wandering through the pretty, colorful streets of the historic center and strolling along the lakefront.
Below you’ll find all the information you need to plan your stay, what to see and do in Varenna and our points of interest on our map.
What to do in Varenna?
Varenna est un village authentique dans lequel vous vous sentirez immédiatement bien. Nous vous conseillons de vous balader autour du port avec ses nombreuses maisons colorées et ses bars restaurants avec vue sur le lac de Côme et ses plages. N’oubliez pas de faire une jolie photo de la l’adorable corniche suspendue.
Visit the old town
You’ll love strolling through the narrow streets , admiring the colorful houses and majestic lakeside villas. Take to the skies for panoramic views of the lake and surrounding mountains! Nature is everywhere at Lake Como, so make the most of it.
Boats : Find all the information you need about boat times and prices on the Navigazion Lago Como website. (about €15 for a day).
Villa Monastero and its gardens
C’est la villa à visiter pendant votre séjour à Varenna. Cet ancien monastère est toujours meublé, vous serez surtout agréablement surpris par son incroyable jardin, nous avons adoré nous balader au milieu des arbres fruitiers, de palmiers… tout en profitant de magnifiques vues sur le lac ! Bref un incontournable !
The villa also houses a museum, the Casa Museo, which brings together four centuries of history. Casa Museo’s 14 rooms are fully furnished with precious materials and luxurious decorations.
This is one of the villas to visit during your stay on Lake Como. The villa is open to the public, you can visit its 14 rooms which are incredibly furnished and you will be especially pleasantly surprised by its incredible garden, we loved walking among fruit trees, palm trees … while enjoying beautiful views of the lake! In short, a must!
Degli Innamorati di Varenna” hanging cornice
Dés notre sortie du ferry, nous avons emprunté la magnifique corniche suspendue, qui longe le lac, bref une belle entrée en matière. Nous avions, à peine posé le pied à Varenna, que nous avions déjà envie de faire plein de photos. Ensuite, nous avons continué la balade le long du lac qui offre des vues panoramiques sur les montagnes environnantes.
Vezio Castle
This castle is located 20 minutes’ walk from Varenna. Yes, it’s a bit of a climb, but you’ll be rewarded when you reach the top. You can visit the castle and especially enjoy the breathtaking 360° view from the top of the castle tower.
Where to sleep in Varenna?
To fully enjoy the charming village of Varenna, we recommend staying in the center. As you can see, there’s very little well-placed accommodation in Varenna, so we advise you to book as far in advance as possible.
We’d like to suggest a second address if the first is unfortunately sold out.
Albergo Del Sole, the hotel is located right in the center of Varenna, on a lovely little square– it couldn’t be more authentic! You’ll be just a stone’s throw from the lake and the Villa Monastero. The restaurant is also very good. In short, you’re sure to enjoy your stay here!
Varenna Guest House: a pleasant, clean and bright apartment with a beautiful view, only a 5-minute walk from Varenna.
More generally, if you’re looking for an area of Lake Como to sleep in during your stay. 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.
Our map of Varenna
Our good addresses restaurants
- Al Prato Restaurant: an excellent restaurant with a beautiful terrace, the delicious Italian dishes are cooked with fresh products and presented with care. The creamy risotto is incredible. If you still have a little room, try the desserts. In short, a must during your stay!
- Il Cavatappi: a small trattoria that offers high quality dishes with fresh products as often in Italy. Everything is good, and we recommend you try the orecchiette with pesto “della nonna”. Come early, as space is limited and there are only a few tables on the terrace.
How to get to Varenna?
By car
If you’ve rented a car, you can easily reach Varenna after your visit to Milan, from Como or Lecco. The national road that runs alongside the lake is in very good condition and offers some great views!
How do I rent a car?
To compare rental prices, we recommend the RentalCars website, which compares the prices of hundreds of car rental companies to find the best price. To give you an idea of the cost, we found a car for €50 a day at Milan airport.
By ferry
You can also take a ferry from Como or Menaggio to Varenna. You’ll enjoy magnificent panoramic views over the lake, and of course you’ll have no trouble parking!
Ferry: Find all the information you need about the schedules and prices of the boats on the website of the Navigazion Lago Como.
Excursion from Milan
From Milan, you can book your ticket for a day trip to Lake Como, by bus, with stops in the most beautiful towns, Como, Bellagio and Varenna, as well as a 1-hour boat cruise to enjoy beautiful panoramas in the middle of the lake.
How to visit Bellagio and Varenna on the same day?
You can actually visit both villages, Bellagio and Varenna, in the same day, the easiest way is to go by ferry (about 15€ for a day).
Ideas for activities in Lake Como
How to rent a boat on Lake Como
Explore Lake Lake Como by boat is a must-do activity during your stay!
We hope you enjoyed the relaxing atmosphere of this village as much as we did. If so, we invite you to apply for 5 stars below.
We wish you an excellent trip! Feel free to drop us a line below to let us know if you’re planning this trip, ask any questions you may have or share on social networks, our Instagram,, we’ll get back to you with great pleasure.
