12 Top Things to do in Bellagio, Italy (Lake Como)

Things to do in Bellagio, Italy

1. Wander the Streets

Straight off the front of a quintessential Lake Como postcard, the streets of Bellagio totally lived up to our expectations. We loved getting lost in the network of cobblestone streets, filled with colorful houses in dusky pinks, vibrant terracottas, and sunny yellows, and admiring the beautiful views.

Salita Serbolleni (Bellagio’s Most Famous Street)

The most famous street is located in the higher part of town on the hillside and is named Salita Serbolleni. Here, we found the most famous view of Lake Como: colorful houses with green shutters and dark forested mountains in the distance. We only visited Bellagio for the day, but if you want to see all the best corners of Bellagio, consider joining a tour.

Tip: Bellagio is the most popular town, and can be very crowded. We visited in early September, which was a bit quieter, but in summer the streets can be very busy.

2. Punta Spartivento

Located at the end of the Bellagio peninsula (just a 10-minute walk from the town center) is Punta Spartivento. This small green park marks where the land splits in two, showcasing the branches of Lake Como.

Relax on the picnic benches, enjoying spectacular views of the lake and towns like Varenna across the water. There’s also a jetty where you can jump into the water! We saw this tiny restaurant, which looked lovely (a sunset dinner here would be magical). 

3. Waterfront Promenade

We walked south from the ferry terminal along the waterfront promenade for spectacular views over the lake. It’s also a great perspective of Bellagio itself, with its colorful, regal buildings looking even more vibrant against the dark mountainous backdrop. We visited in September, but in the winter, these mountains are covered in snow!

4. Villa Melzi Gardens 

Continuing along the waterfront promenade, we came across the wonderful Villa Melzi, a neoclassical residence that sits majestically on the lakeside. We couldn’t go inside, as it’s not open to the public, but its fantastic botanical gardens are!

There are vibrant hydrangea flowers, fountains, and even a beautifully maintained Japanese garden. We also enjoyed the orangery (now a museum), which features some interesting artifacts that will help us learn more about the villa.

Our favorite hotels in Bellagio 😴

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Pescallo Apartments

Bellagio

Villa La Rosa B&B

Bellagio

Seta Hotel

Bellagio

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Entry fee: 8 EUR per person. Open from 10 AM – 7 PM every day from March to October (closed during the winter months). We visited in the late afternoon when it was quieter.

5. Hire a Boat 

The biggest highlight of our trip to Lake Como was renting a boat for the afternoon with friends, and speeding past luxury villas and colorful villages. We hired the boat ourselves (Captain Nick!), but you can also hire a driver, or join a shared boat tour to save costs.

There are various rental options for your time in Bellagio. We hired the boat for four hours, and only needed to show a form of identification; no boat license required!

Private Boat Tour

We found it a bit challenging to moor in some villages, so if you’re not very confident, we’d recommend hiring a driver. It also allows you to meet local people who can share unique insights about Bellagio and Lake Como.

6. Pescallo Village

Just a short walk down the shore is the charming fishing village of Pescallo. The village has an ancient fishing history and used to be one of the largest suppliers of fish to the markets in Como.

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It only took us 10-15 minutes to walk there from Bellagio, down narrow streets and steep steps. On arrival, we were totally blown away by the views of the colorful houses and bobbing fishing boats.

7. Villa Monastero

Just across the water from Bellagio is the beautiful town of Varenna, one of the most picturesque spots in the area. We found it much more peaceful than Bellagio, and it is also home to the beautiful Villa Monastero.

Tip: There are regular ferries that make the crossing from Bellagio to Varenna, taking just 15 minutes.

The villa was originally a monastery and was later turned into a home. But these days, it’s a museum showcasing furnished rooms of original decor and furniture.

The gardens were the real highlight, though; it’s super romantic wandering around the glamorous grounds.

8. Day at the Beach

There are endless great things to do in Bellagio, but a day on the rocky shores must be the best! Become a part of the movie-like scenes of Lake Como, jumping off jetties for a refreshing dip. There are several beaches to choose from in Bellagio; these are our favorites:

•  Lido di Bellagio: Beach club with a bar and cabanas on a sandy beach. Entrance is only permitted if you rent one of the beds or loungers
• San Giovanni: Pebble beach with crystal clear water, just a 1.5 km walk from Bellagio
• Punta Spartivento: Not technically a beach, but we enjoyed swimming off the shore of this green park

9. Cooking Class

Italy is home to some of the best food in the world, and Bellagio doesn’t disappoint either! We loved all the excellent lake fish, polenta, and delicious regional cheeses.

We always recommend taking part in a cooking class; it’s a great way to learn more about Italian cooking, make your favorite dishes, and meet other travelers.

10. Enjoy a Luxury Overnight Stay

Lake Como is one of the most popular destinations for the rich and famous, and Bellagio is home to many five-star hotels, luxurious boutique accommodations, and palatial villas.

We stayed in Brienno, a quieter spot on the western side of the lake, and took a day trip to Bellagio. But on our visit, we couldn’t help but be tempted by some of the luxury hotels in the area:

Our favorite hotels in Bellagio 😴

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Grand Hotel Villa Serbelloni

Bellagio

Hotel Belvedere

Bellagio

Hotel Florence

Bellagio

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11. Monte San Primo Hike

Monte San Primo is a beautiful mountain on Lake Como, only a 20-minute drive from Bellagio. Set aside a day to hike through rugged terrain, dense forests, and open fields of wildflowers. At the top, there are incredible views of Lake Como and the Alps in the distance.

Getting there: It’s best to rent a car and drive to the nearby town of Magreglio. From here, follow the signposts for a moderate 3-4 hour hike. There is the option to hike to the top of Monte San Primo directly from Bellagio, but it’s an 8-9 hour walk.

12. Wine Tour

The region around Lake Como is known for its exceptional wines, with some vineyards dating back to Roman times. There are plenty of tours available from Bellagio that take you out to the rural vineyards to learn about the winemaking process and enjoy multiple wine tastings!

Cafes and Restaurants in Bellagio

While we found the food in Bellagio a little more on the expensive side, it was so delicious! We loved all the fresh lake fish on offer and hearty pasta dishes (we had a delicious dinner at La Fontana). Some of our favorites were:

Where to Stay in Bellagio

We stayed in Brienno because we wanted something a bit quieter and did a day trip to Bellagio. If you want more restaurants, bars, and things to do, Bellagio is definitely a better option! Most people choose to stay in the historic center, where the most beautiful buildings are.

Our favorite hotels in Bellagio 😴

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Pescallo Apartments

Bellagio

Villa La Rosa B&B

Bellagio

Seta Hotel

Bellagio

See available hotels in Bellagio

Check available hotels

Check available hostels

How Many Days in Bellagio?

We visited Bellagio for the day and managed to see a lot, as most things are within walking distance. However, if you’re using Bellagio as a jumping-off point to explore other towns in the area, like Menaggio and Varenna, we recommend extending your stay for up to a week — especially in summer.

How to Visit Bellagio, Italy

The nearest airports to Bellagio are Milan Malpensa, which is a 1-hour 30-minute drive away, and Milan Bergamo Airport.

By Car

From the airport, the easiest way to get to Bellagio is by using a rental car. This gives you more flexibility to travel to the more remote things to do on your trip. Alternatively, book a direct private transfer. 

Note: We traveled in our own car from the Netherlands, and it was really easy to book a place on the car ferries across the lake.

Public Transport

If you’re using public transport, we recommend going via Varenna rather than Como, as there are more connections. Take the airport express train to Milan Central Station, where you can find direct trains to Varenna. Once you’re in Varenna, take a ferry across to Bellagio in just 15 minutes.

Getting Around

Bellagio is small and well connected by ferry to other towns on Lake Como, such as Varenna and Menaggio. It was a bit more complicated for us from Brienno; we drove to Griante and then took the ferry across from there (just under an hour total).

How Much Does Bellagio Cost?

Lake Como is known for glitz and glamour and is often a vacation destination for the rich and famous. Bellagio is one of the most popular towns on the lake and one of the more expensive. If you look in the right places, you can still find some good accommodation deals; just book ahead.

Best Time to Visit

We visited Bellagio in early September, which was perfect! It was a bit quieter than the summer months, but still warm enough to enjoy the beaches and swimming. Summer is the most vibrant time, but more expensive.

Tip: During winter, some of the restaurants and attractions in town close. Because of snow and cold temperatures, enjoying nearby hiking opportunities can also be problematic.