Holidays in Bellagio

Lake Como , Italy

  • Walks for All Abilities
  • Sightseeing
  • Couples Holidays

An impossibly picturesque lakeside town with hideaway wine bars and hilly walking– it’s easy to see why Bellagio's called the Pearl of Lake Como

  • Glistening waters at sunset
  • Historic cobbled streets
  • Ornate gardens & villas
  • Bellagio, Lake Como, Summer Holidays in Italy
    Bellagio Lakefront at Sunset
  • Bellagio, Lake Como, Italy Holidays
    Pastel Coloured Streets in Bellagio
  • Bellagio, Lake Como, Lakeside Promenade, Summer Holidays
    Floral Lakeside Promenade
  • Bellagio Old Town, Lake Como
    Bellagio Old Town
  • Bellagio, Lake Como, Lake Holidays, Italy
    Bellagio Old Town
  • Ferries on Bellagio Lakeside, Lake Como
    Ferries on the Lakeside
  • Bellagio, Lake Como, Italy, Lakeside Promenade
    Lakeside Promenade

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Walking in Bellagio

Walking Trails:
425km of walking trails

Terrain:
Wooded trails, asphalt surfaces, dirt tracks, lakeside paths, ascents and descents
More walking info

Bellagio at a glance

  • Italian
  • Euro (EUR)
  • London Gatwick (LGW), Manchester Int. (MAN), Bristol (BRS), Edinburgh (EDI)
  • London St Pancras (QQS)
More about Bellagio

Travel included to Bellagio

Depart on: Wednesday, Friday, Saturday or Sunday

Arrive into: Milan airport or Como St Giovanni train station

Transfer time: approx. 1 hour 30 minutes by coach and 1 hour from Como St Giovanni train station

More about travel & transfers

Included in your Bellagio walking holiday

  • On holiday support and tailored advice from our Destination Expert based in Lake Como
  • Inghams Digital Resort Guide with things to do, walks and useful information on holiday
  • Flights or rail from the UK, transfers and accommodation

Walking in Bellagio

Walks and hikes

Walking Trails:
425km of walking trails
Terrain:
Wooded trails, asphalt surfaces, dirt tracks, lakeside paths, ascents and descents

Even a stroll in Bellagio usually involves some climbing, with staircases which lead past houses adorned with balconies overflowing with flowers and ivy. Plenty of nature trails wind their way through the Lario Peninsula, threading together pine forests, meadows and farmhouses; perfect for walking through on your summer holiday. If you fancy a bike ride with a spectacular lake view, pedal up (and up) to the historic sanctuary and museum dedicated to Madonna del Ghisallo, the patron saint of cyclists… who, of course, are blessed with free entry.

Our favourite self-guided walks in Lake Como

The Greenway Path is one of the most popular trails in Lake Como. Take a pleasant walk through the 'The greenway of Lario', passing the old villages of Colonno, Sala Comacina, Ossuccio, Lenno, Mezzegra, Tremezzo and Cadenabbia di Griante. Its well-maintained paths and gentle ascent makes it accessible for all walking abilities. The walk takes you through some of the most charming villages on the lake, including: Colonno, Sala Comacina, Ossuccio, Lenno, Mezzegra, Tremezzo and Cadenabbia before arriving at the village of Griante. The path follows some of the old ‘Antica Strada Regina’ and takes you up to some beautiful viewpoints of the lake and through some traditional towns on the mountain side, slightly off the usual tourist trail.

  • Grade: Easy
  • Distance: 11.4m
  • Walking time: 2 hours, 45 minutes

An amazing walk from Cadenabbia to the historic church dedicated to San Martino, clinging on the mountain and admiring the magnificent scenery of the Lake and Bellagio.

The church of San Martino sits at an altitude of 475metres on the steep slopes of Sasso San Martino above the village of Griante. An easy path leads up to the church from where you have one of the most beautiful views of the central part of Lake Como. The walk is mostly an ascent up the mountain, but the trails are well-maintained and easy to navigate. You'll pass through wooded areas and come across little religious shrines, dotted along the path. Make sure you read up about the history of the church before you go, in particular its relation to the First World War.

  • Grade: Easy-Moderate
  • Distance: 4.5km
  • Walking time: 2 hours

A walk through Val Sanagra Park, a vast territory rich in flora, fauna and ancient rural settlements. This is an enjoyable & refreshing forest walk along the Sanagra river, with beautiful viewpoints at Tobi waterfall and Sanagra gorges.

  • Grade: Easy-Moderate
  • Distance: 5km
  • Walking time: 2 hours

Our accommodations in Bellagio

  • 3
    Offers available
    Hotel Excelsior Splendide Bellagio Lake Como Hotel Exterior 2

    Hotel Excelsior Splendide

    Bellagio, Lake Como, Italy

    Lakeside location Historical charm Pool & gelateria
    Couples Holidays Central Location
    • Bed & Breakfast
    • London Gatwick
    • London Heathrow
    • Manchester Int.
    • Bristol
    • Edinburgh
    • London St Pancras
    • +1 More
    From £752 View details

Discover Bellagio

  • Enjoy a sunset aperitivo in a lakeside bar
  • Walk through a network of historic cobbled streets
  • Take the ferry to explore other towns on the lake; from Varenna to Menaggio

With its spot on a panoramic peninsula hugged by the two arms of Lake Como, Bellagio's one of the prettiest towns on the lake- and everyone knows it. Celtics, Romans, Greeks, Lombards and Saxons have all wrestled over its enviable position. Even Virgil waxed lyrical about Bellagio back in the day, along with a host of Romantic artists who made the villas and gardens here their summer retreats. Summer walking holidays in Bellagio follow in the footsteps of the Romantics, taking the time to soak up sublime views, stories and scenic paths both in town and the surrounding villages.

Bellagio sits on the Lario peninsula, balancing churches, eateries, shops and winding cobbled streets between the water’s edge and the hills behind. Boats arrive at Piazza Mazzini, spilling summertime day-trippers into the waterfront square and streets. When it gets busy, dive into the old town of Borgo, following the backstreets to San Giacomo’s petite piazza. The ornate Italian parks and gardens are also a breath of fresh air. We love walking around Villa Melzi which lays out avenues of trees and rhododendron displays in its waterfront gardens, while Villa Serbelloni’s park- owned by the Rockefeller Foundation- paints a swathe of the peninsula with forested paths. 

It’s very tempting to follow the crowds to the waterfront restaurants in Bellagio. However, the best Italian food and drink is found in the backstreets, where tiny cantinas and courtyard enotecas serve traditional dishes and excellent house wines. It’s rare to see tóc on the menu these days, but if you do then grab the chance to try this Bellagio special of cheesy polenta- usually shared between families on feast days. Salami stuffed chicken and fish from the lake (salted missoltino is the Lake Como favourite) more commonly pop up on menus.

With the long and winding roads of Lake Como, it’s best to ditch the car and stick to ferries- both an easy and enjoyable way to travel in the summer, thanks to Bellagio’s seat in the middle of Lake Como. Visit Varenna, on the eastern shore, to admire the fishing village’s sunset-hued houses and waterside restaurants, gelato shops and market stalls. A walk up to Castello di Vezio offers views across the lake. Alternatively, take the ferry to Como Town, Tremezzo or Menaggio, or putter all the way north to the age-old village of Domaso. If you do head to Menaggio for the day, why not tag on a stop in Lenno, where you can see the Villa Balbianello, made famous by James Bond's Casino Royale.

Ferries

The ferry network is one of the most efficient ways to explore the lake. With direct links between Menaggio and Bellagio and access to many other resorts, we'd recommend making the most of it on your summer holiday. Buy a 6 day ferry pass for easy access to resorts in the central Lake Como area. For more information head to the Cards & Passes tab. The official ferry website has information about timetables and dropping off points.

Buses

The buses in our resorts can be a useful and cost effective way of travelling short distances along the lakeside. For getting to next door towns and attractions such as Villa Balbianello in Lenno. The C10 bus will take you directly from Menaggio to Lenno in under 20 minutes. However, if you're hoping for a punctual service, the ferry is the better option as the buses run on their own timetable and may not come when you expect them to!

Buy a 6 day ferry pass for easy access to resorts in the central Lake Como area. These include: Lenno, Cadenabbia, Tremezzo, Bellagio, Menaggio, Varenna, Bellano. The card costs approx. €45 per person and can be purchased from the ticket office at the ferry port when you arrive in resort.

For more information about ferry timetables and dropping off points, visit the official website for ferries on the lake.

Please note, prices are accurate at the time of publishing but may be subject to change.

Travel to Bellagio

Travel by air

Flights to Milan depart on Wednesday, Friday, Saturday or Sunday between 03 May - 11 Oct 25 and 02 May - 10 Oct 26

Fly from:

  • London Gatwick, Manchester, Bristol, Edinburgh

Transfer times: 

  • Milan airport: approx. 1 hour 30 minutes by coach

Private transfers are available on request, for a supplement.

Travel by train

We offer holidays by train to Bellagio, which depart on a Wednesday and Friday. The journey takes around 14 hours.

On arrival, you'll transfer to Bellagio by taxi/coach, which will take around 1 hour.

Provisional outbound timings are: 

  1. London St. Pancras

  2. Paris Nord

  3. Paris Lyon

    Change

  4. Milano Porta Garibaldi

  5. Como St. Giovanni

Provisional inbound timings are:

  1. Como St. Giovanni

  2. Milano Porta Garibaldi

  3. Paris Lyon

  4. Paris Nord

    Change (Following Morning)

  5. London St. Pancras

    (Following Morning)

Things to do in Bellagio

Follow in the footsteps of stars, from George Clooney to James Bond and explore some of Lake Como's most spectacular villas and gardens, including the 17th century Villa Carlotta in Tremezzo which houses sculptures by Canova. Why not head to Bellagio to scope out the stunning Villa Melzi and walk around its vibrant botanical gardens and museum, or book dinner at the acclaimed Villa Serbeloni, where you can enjoy a fantastic local culinary experience. If you head over to Laglio, see if you can get a glimpse of George Clooney's old Lake Como stamping ground, Villa Oleandra, located directly on the lakeside.

Many film buffs will also recognise the Villa Balbianello in Lenno– it featured in two of the biggest blockbusters of the modern age, including James Bond: Casino Royale and Star Wars: Attack of the Clones. The villa offers discounted entry to National Trust members, so don’t forget your card!

Please note: Villa Balbianello's a very popular attraction and tickets get booked up quickly. We recommend booking well in advance (a few months if you can) online if you would like to visit the villa.

Vineyards to the south in Brianza and on the northern end of the lake above Domaso produce some lovely local wines. It’s great to visit in autumn when the grape harvest is taking place. The Valtellina is another area of vineyards where they produce Valtellina Superiore DOCG red wine.

We’d definitely recommend exploring Lake Como from the water. There are loads of activities for you to try like kayaking, water skiing, swimming and sailing. There’s also a regular ferry service and all sorts of boats available to hire. The geography of the lake means it has the ideal wind conditions for wind-surfing, so it's a great place to go if that's your cup of tea.

Throughout the summer months festivities liven up the lakes shores. The City of Music Festival in Como transforms the town into one giant music, dance and art venue with shows and performances taking place at various historic locations. In July and August the Bellagio Festival brings concerts, films and performances to many of the lakeside towns. They’re held in gorgeous settings like churches, piazzas and castles.

from £81 per person

This excursion takes you along the northern part of the lake to the town of Tirano where you will stop for a coffee along the way, before heading into Switzerland and reaching Poschiavo. As part of the excursion, you will experience the Bernina train for approx. 1 hour of the journey. Taking the train from Poschiavo (Switzerland) and continuing onto Diavolezza (Switzerland), which is one of the best sections of the Bernina Railway. You will see the White Lake and the Black Lake, as well as plenty of beautiful glaciers. Then, by bus, you’ll reach St. Moritz. The famous Swiss holiday and ski resort on the southern side of the Alps in the Engadine Valley with its numerous crystal clear mountain lakes. This trip is all about the journey and the incredible viewpoints you'll discover along the way!

Details: Departs on Mondays. A passport may be required for this excursion as you will be crossing country borders. Please note, this excursion will not be running between the 7-13 May 2025.

We act at all times as a selling agent for our suppliers. All excursions require minimum numbers to run and are subject to change. Some excursions may not be available to pre-book in low season but may be available to book locally subject to numbers. Prices will be confirmed at the time of booking. See terms & conditions.

from £95 per person

A fantastic guided private cruise (2 hours long) during which you'll get to admire some of Lake Como's most iconic villas. On the trip you'll see the Villa Carlotta, famous for its beautiful garden, the Villa Balbianello whose gardens were used in the James Bond film ‘Casino Royale’, Villa la Cassinella, the most prestigious private villa on the lake, Villa Balbianello - another private villa used for weddings and private VIP events, Comacina Island, the only island on the Lake and Villa Melzi which overlooks Bellagio's lakeside.

Details: Departs on Thursdays. You can book this excursion locally with your Destination Expert.

We act at all times as a selling agent for our suppliers. All excursions require minimum numbers to run and are subject to change. Some excursions may not be available to pre-book in low season but may be available to book locally subject to numbers. Prices will be confirmed at the time of booking. See terms & conditions.

from £80 per person

Located on the border of Italy and Switzerland, Gandria's one of Ticino’s most beautiful lakeside villages. This will be your first stop before heading over to Lugano on the ferry. In Lugano you'll have free time to explore this elegant town. Lugano, often referred to as the ‘Rio de Janeiro’ of Switzerland, combines the efficiency and elegance of Switzerland with the joie de vivre and friendliness of Italy. We'd highly recommended visiting the famous Franciscan church of Santa Maria degli Angeli while you're there. It houses the famous fresco of the Crucifixion, painted by Bernadino Luini, student of Leonardo da Vinci. After lunch you'll head over to Como on the bus where you'll have more free time to explore this interesting city. Stop off at Como Cathedral with its many masterpieces and walk through the historic centre.

Details: Departs on Fridays. A passport may be required for this excursion as you will be crossing country borders. You can book this excursion locally with your Destination Expert.

We act at all times as a selling agent for our suppliers. All excursions require minimum numbers to run and are subject to change. Some excursions may not be available to pre-book in low season but may be available to book locally subject to numbers. Prices will be confirmed at the time of booking. See terms & conditions.

from €100 per person

Visit the Sorsasso agricultural company in Domaso. They grow their grapes on the hills of Domaso Alto in Lake Como, using modern winemaking methods. Their wines are characterized by the intense aromas that represent the countryside around the lake. This is a fantastic wine tasting experience, during which you'll enjoy a guided tour of the ancient wine cellar and have the chance to taste three wines accompanied by a selection of locally sourced of cold cuts and cheeses.

Details: Departs on Tuesdays. You can book this excursion locally with your Destination Expert.

We act at all times as a selling agent for our suppliers. All excursions require minimum numbers to run and are subject to change. Some excursions may not be available to pre-book in low season but may be available to book locally subject to numbers. Prices will be confirmed at the time of booking. See terms & conditions.

Spend your holiday marvelling at Lake Como from above. Walk along the famous Greenway Path and through sleepy villages which will give you a taste of the old Lake Como (before it became 'Lake Como'). Or, walk up to the historic Church of San Martino, and learn about its fascinating World War I history. You can also head up Monte Grona, the rocky peak above Menaggio. There are lots of lovely walking routes in the area and Via Ferrata for the more adventurous holiday-makers.

In the summer, many hill, mountain and lakeside walks are just a bus ride away, with miles of old mule tracks and well-marked footpaths, it's a back-packers paradise! History buffs might be interested in the walk from Colonno to Cadenabbia. It passes the village of Mezzegra where Benito Mussolini was killed as he tried to flee to Switzerland with his lover Claretta Petacci.

You can also head up Monte Grona, the rocky peak above Menaggio, by bus. There are lots of lovely walking routes in the area and via Ferrata for adventurous climbers. The views of Lake Como from the top are incredible.

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