Lake Como — Neighborhood Guide
Varenna is many visitors' favourite lake village — a cluster of pink and ochre houses on the eastern shore that has resisted the boutique commercialism of Bellagio while retaining its extraordinary beauty. The Villa Monastero and Villa Cipressi gardens are among the finest on the lake.
Quick Answer
Varenna is many visitors' favourite lake village — a cluster of pink and ochre houses on the eastern shore that has resisted the boutique commercialism of Bellagio while retaining its extraordinary beauty. The Villa Monastero and Villa Cipressi gardens are among the finest on the lake.
5 hotels reviewed · Price range: $$$, $$, $$$$ · Last updated March 2026
About This Guide
Staying in Varenna puts you at the heart of what makes Lake Como special. The neighborhood offers a unique blend of local character and visitor-friendly amenities. Our hotel picks range from intimate boutiques to polished luxury properties, each chosen for its ability to connect you with the authentic Varenna experience.
Insider Tips
The best dining in Varenna is usually one street back from the main tourist thoroughfare.
Ask your hotel concierge for their personal favourite spots in Varenna — they often know hidden gems.
Walking is the best way to experience Varenna — most attractions are within a 15-minute stroll.
Our Picks
5 hotels · Updated February 2026
Varenna
A lakefront 19th-century hotel in Varenna — widely considered the most beautiful village on the lake — with a garden terrace directly on the water, a pool, and rooms of honest traditional character. Varenna is quieter than Bellagio and the ferry connections superb.
Varenna
A small, family-run hotel on the Varenna waterfront with a terrace restaurant hovering literally over the lake surface, offering some of the most coveted lunch tables on Como and rooms of unpretentious comfort at below-average prices for the quality.
Tremezzo
A stunning 1910 Liberty-style palace on the mid-lake western shore with three pools including a floating platform pool on the lake, a historic car collection in the garage, and rooms of romantic grandeur facing the Villa Carlotta gardens across the water. One of Europe's great classic hotel experiences.
A classic waterfront hotel in Como city centre directly on the Piazza Cavour, with lake-facing rooms, a restaurant terrace above the ferry terminal, and easy access to the Como Funicolare and the southern lake ferry network. A practical and pleasant base for exploring the full lake.
Bellagio
Bellagio's defining five-star, occupying a 19th-century villa at the tip of the central peninsula with two pools, a full spa, and rooms whose terrace views across both arms of the lake towards the snow-capped Alps are among the most extraordinary in Europe.
Common Questions
Varenna is the best base for a quieter, more authentic lake experience. The train from Milan Centrale takes 50 minutes to Varenna-Esino station, and ferries cross directly to Bellagio and Menaggio in minutes. Cars are unnecessary and largely prohibited in the village.
The Villa Monastero botanical garden on the waterfront, the Villa Cipressi garden hotel, the Passeggiata degli Innamorati (Lovers' Walk) lakeside path, and the ferry connections making it the most accessible lakeside village from Milan by public transport.
The most convenient option is a rideshare (Uber/Lyft), typically 30-50 minutes depending on traffic. Public transport is also available and often more economical.
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Prices and availability change daily. Lock in the best rate by booking early — most of our top picks offer free cancellation.
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