We are spending 4 nights in Como and have two full days to explore the beautiful lake villas and gardens. I've looked at private tours and they range from $250-$1000+... PER person! Yikes! Any suggestions on booking hassle-free tours of Lake Como villas and gardens? Is it easier to book villa tours separately or perhaps just go on our own? (after checking open hours) We particularly would like to see the Villa del Balbianello, I Giardini di Villa Melzi, and the Villa Carlotta and are fine with stretching it over two days. If anyone took a tour with a tour company or with a private guide you liked, would appreciate passing your recommendations along.
Posted by
Southwest Florida
903 posts
The main villas and gardens lend themselves exceptionally well to self-guided tours. There are some guided tours in-house as well, at least that is what I have found at Balbianello. Check the respective website for details regarding that. Good luck.
Posted by
28 posts
Today we just walked up to the ticket window at the Giardini di Villa Melzi and spent several hours in the gardens. The plantings, landscape, and sculpture were exceptional. 8 Euro entrance. Not crowded at all. Sometime we would see a few people but often we were by ourselves.
Posted by
17 posts
Villa Carlotta was incredible- you don’t need a guide. The ferry literally stops in front of the villa, and the ferry stop is called Villa Carlotta. A must-see, especially if you love flowers!
Posted by
11609 posts
Take a ferry to Lenno and then walk to the VillaBalbaniello. Easy. We have been to most if not all villas on the lake, always by ferry. No guides are needed.
Posted by
San Diego, California
5649 posts
Touring on your own, and riding the ferries, is easy. Where are you staying ?
Villa Balbianello is our favorite. The one hour English house tour is just enough, and the gardens and lake views are fantastic. We took the ferry and then walked about half a mile to the Villa. On the way back we used the speedboat to the ferry landing, (about 5 euros each, I think,) which allowed us a lake view of the property from the water, which was an added treat.
I liked the Villa Carlotta gardens better than the house itself, and inexpensive audio tours were sold, that required a downloaded app. Didn't think the audio tour was that great.
Varenna has some of the most picturesque views on the lake.
It's fun just to explore Bellagio and have lunch or dinner with a view of the lake. I like the shops, as I think the merchandise is less cookie- cutter and higher quality than some towns.
Safe travels.