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Bellagio, Lake Como

Hi, Will be traveling in May to Bellagio (1 day trip) but would love to visit Villa Balbianello. Is it doable? Any timetable?
Thx in advance.

Posted by
402 posts

It is doable, but will take up most of your day if you want to visit the gardens and pay the extra fee for the guided tour of the interior. I did both and enjoyed it immensely; it was my favourite part of my 3 day stay on Lake Como. I think I went on a Thursday. The walkway was closed so I took a private water taxi located about 5 minutes away from the Lenno ferry dock to the villa along with another group of people who were already waiting to board the water taxi. To get to the private water taxi dock, turn towards your left as you get off the ferry and walk 5 minutes. Here is more info found by doing a Google search: reach the villa by boat shuttle from the Lido di Lenno dock, round trip for seven euros in 2012 (ferries may be taken from Bellagio or other lake towns to the Lenno ferry dock, a short stroll around the inlet from the Lido). The shuttle runs every 30 minutes or so. The villa is shut on Mondays and Wednesdays. On Tuesdays, Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays the back entrance is open, allowing visitors to walk in from Lenno (about 1 km, most of it somewhat uphill). The entrance fee allows you to freely walk the gardens from which there are stunning views of the Lake. To visit the inside of the villa, you must pay an additional fee for a guided tour (available in English or Italian). The tours move through all the rooms of the villa, but if you want to take your own photos inside you will need to purchase a photo pass. There is a small gift shop. National Trust members get a reduced admission fee.

Posted by
2 posts

Thanks for your reply! I just want to do the gardens. I guess that I won't be able to do Bellagio :( if Balbianello will take most of my day.
Thanks again!