Bellagio is one of the most well-known towns along the shores of Lake Como in Italy, and for good reason. Boasting a prime location at the very spot where the lower lake splits into two branches, Lake Como continuing to the southwest and Lake Lecco to the southeast, Bellagio is considered a “must-see” and often referred to as the “Pearl of Lake Como”.
Visiting this colourful lakeside town for the day? You’ll want to be sure that you’re making the most of it. In this guide, we’ll take you on a tour through the very best things to do in Bellagio, Italy, from boutique shops and authentic restaurants to luscious gardens and historical churches.
Go ahead and find out what to do in Bellagio in 2024 and discover your next Italian trip with our guide to the best cities to visit in Italy.
What to do in Bellagio, Italy 2024
1. Stroll through the streets
When it comes to the best things to do in Bellagio, Italy, we think it’s best to start by just wandering through the colourful, cobblestone streets, admiring the boutique shops, galleries, and restaurants. From the lower part of the town, we’d recommend taking the Salita Serbelloni staircase/street up to Via Garibaldi (the upper part of town). Once you reach the top, the views are incredible. Explore the upper part of Bellagio, and then take the quieter, narrower staircase (Salita Genazzini) at the far end of Via Garibadi down to the lake front. Here, you’ll find Enoteca Cava Turacciolo, a great place or a spot of lunch or wine tasting. In the warmer months, small tables sit outside and run up the steps of the salita. Order a platter of cheese, meats, olives and bread, and pair with one of the 300 wines that they have on offer.
2. The Church of San Giacomo
While in the upper part of Bellagio, continue along the path, towards the north end of Via Garibaldi, and find Piazza della Chiesa, which is home to the church of San Giacomo. Built between 1075 and 1125 by the Masters of Como, this stone church is a magnificent example of the Roman-Lombard art. Inside, you’ll find intricate mosaics of the early ‘900, a “Deposition of Christ” by the Perugino school, a polychrome wooden scultpture of the “Buried Christ” of the Spanish-Baroque school, and so much more. Once you’ve ticked the church of San Giacomo off your Belagio to do list, stop for a coffee in one of the many cafes in Piazza della Chiesa.
3. Gardens of Villa Serbelloni
From Piazza della Chiesa, you can then reach the vast park of Villa Serbelloni, another essential thing to do in Bellagio, Italy. This natural park covers almost the entire promontory of the town, stretching for around 21 hectares. Despite its name, the park isn’t currently connected to its namesake, Grand Hotel Villa Serbelloni, a luxury 5-star hotel situated on the waterfront. You can simply wander through the gardens, taking in the beautiful scenery, or book a garden tour in advance, which will allow you to enjoy unique views of Lake Como and learn about the fascinating history of the area. The tour lasts around 90 minutes and costs €10.
4. Gardens of Villa Melzi
Once you’ve made your way back down to the waterfront, at the base of Salita Genazzi, you can head left towards Bellagio’s serene tree-lined lakeside promenade. Continue along here and come to the gardens of Villa Melzi, a vast botanical garden home to hundreds of exotic trees and plants, and numerous items of artistic, cultural, and historical interest. Open from March to October, these gardens were first built between 1808 and 1810 under the commission of Francesco Melzi d’Eril (duke of Lodi and Italian politician during the Napoleonic era). A stroll through these magnificent gardens is definitely one of the best things to do in Bellagio. No reservation is required to access the gardens, and a regular ticket only costs €8.
5. The fishing village of Pescallo
If you’re trying to think of what to do in Bellagio that’s away from the main tourist areas, be sure to visit the quiet fishing village of Pescallo, located less than a mile from the larger main town. This picture-postcard village can be accessed via a stepped pathway, which starts from the town hall of Bellagio. Once there, you’ll find a small beach where you can take a short break before resuming your tour of the town.
6. The hamlet of San Giovanni
Another thing to do in Bellagio for a bit of peace and quiet is visit the hamlet of San Giovanni, a small, lesser-known neighbourhood that can be reached through the paths of the gardens of Villa Melzi, about a 15-minute walk from the town centre. The hamlet is home to a handful of houses and gives you a real sense of the history and ancient traditions of the past, such as fishing and floriculture. You can also admire the splended Baroque-style Chiesa di San Giovanni, which dominates the small port.
7. Take a boat tour of Lake Como
No list of the best things to do in Bellagio, Lake Como, would be complete without mention of a boat tour. A boat tour in Bellagio will allow you to see the beautiful scenery from a different perspective, enabling you to admire the stunning town from the waters. You can take one of the Lake Como ferry boat trips from Bellagio’s main pier, located in Piazza Giuseppe Mazzini. Simply ask the ticket office or the attendants for all the information you need for your trip.
Now you’ve discovered the best things to do in Bellagio, be sure to check out some of our other Italy guides:
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