Please sign in to post.

Bellagio or Varenna closed in early April?

Posted by on

My girlfriend and I planning a one-week trip to Lake Como from late March to early April (before Easter). We are both college students, and this is the only time we both have school breaks. I'm debating on whether to base in Bellagio or Varenna. According to most of the answers I've seen, Bellagio can be too pretentious and touristy during the peak season, so many choose Varenna as a better, quaint option. We like the quietness as we just want to escape from bustles and hustles -- we'll probably book an Airbnb and cook sometimes. But I'm worrying that many shops and restaurants are said to be closed in early April, and I don't know whether Varenna, or both places, will be a deserted town during the time we visit.

Are most of the shops and restaurants closed in Varenna and Bellagio in early April? Would you recommend Vareena or Bellagio as our base for the one-week trip? Also, do you have any other tips for the trip to Lake Como before Easter? Thanks!

Posted by
3812 posts

Isn't Easter on April 12 in 2020? Easter marks the beginning of the season in Italy, with Easter Monday being one of the most crowded days of the year because of the day-trip-far-from-parents tradition. The week before Easter I doubt Varenna will be deserted, but some latecomers might be putting the finishing touches to their shops, hotels and restaurants.

Posted by
905 posts

I stayed in Varenna from April 10 to 24 last year. It was not closed up during that time. However, expect chilly weather and a bit of rain as well. Bellagio is fine for a day trip but I do not see it as a comfortable base for a week long stay. Varenna has easy train access as well as the most frequent ferry access. I think you will find most shops and restaurants to be open. Consider ferry-hopping to the various villages along each shore. There is also an excellent greenway hike along the western shore starting in Colonno and finishing up near Cadenabbia. You can catch a bus in Menagio that will get you down to Colonno. Check out the gorge in Orrido di Bellano, north of Varenna. And Fiumilatte may be running by then as well to the south.

Posted by
11651 posts

We spent two weeks in Bellagio, loved it, but stayed away from the crowded lakefront.

Posted by
16179 posts

People live in those towns, they are not like Disneyland, so the towns are open. Some restaurants or hotel may be shut down for vacation on low season, but not on Easter week. Bellagio is a bit bigger than Varenna but both are equally touristy.

Posted by
39 posts

Went to Orrido di Bellano in September, 2019. The upper section was closed due to damage to the trail. As a compensation the ticket was about half-price and the gorge was very impressive.
Bellano also has a nice grocery store that will most probably be open all year, as it is in a residential area. Wish we had known about it earlier in the trip, as it is easy to get to from Varenna.

This topic has been automatically closed due to a period of inactivity.