Bellagio between the lake, gardens and culture

Bellagio lies at the base of the promontory that divides Lake Como into the two branches of Como and Lecco. For you, the town’s thematic range extends from lake and boat connections to Romanesque and neoclassical architecture, as well as gardens, museums and peaks in the surrounding region.

Location on the lake and connections

From July 1, 2026, to October 4, 2026, boats operate on the Bellagio–Lecco–Bellagio route. Those planning a stay during this period can take the connection to Lecco into account as part of their own excursion planning.

From July 2026 to October 4, 2026, a ferry connection also operates on weekdays via Bellagio, Cadenabbia, Varenna and Menaggio.

Parks, villas and gardens

Parco di Villa Serbelloni is a nature park that covers almost the entire promontory of Bellagio and extends over approximately 21 hectares. Its location on the promontory establishes a direct connection to the landscape that characterizes Bellagio between the two branches of Lake Como.

Villa Melzi d’Eril was built in Bellagio between 1808 and 1810 in neoclassical forms. The gardens of Villa Melzi d’Eril comprise terraces, traditional and exotic trees, sculptures, and a Japanese pond with aquatic plants, including water lilies, surrounded by Japanese maple trees and cedars.

Basilica di San Giacomo and art

The Basilica di San Giacomo was built between 1075 and 1125 and is an outstanding example of Lombard Romanesque architecture. The Basilica di San Giacomo houses a painting of the Descent from the Cross from the school of Perugino, as well as a Madonna delle Grazie traditionally attributed to the Foppa school.

Museo degli strumenti per la navigazione

The Museo degli strumenti per la navigazione is located in an old tower house in the characteristic hamlet of San Giovanni di Bellagio and displays historical navigation instruments. The collection comprises more than 200 objects. These include 18th-century Venetian telescopes, ancient compasses, some from the Orient, sundials from various periods, an extensive series of marine chronometers, an armillary sphere, a brass planetarium and numerous ship’s logbooks.

The museum can be reached by boat to the San Giovanni stop, via an approximately 30-minute walk from the center of Bellagio, by bus and by tourist train. This gives you various documented ways to reach a single cultural destination: a connection by water, the walk from the center, as well as bus and tourist train. The approximate duration of the walk should be understood as such.

Destinations in the wider surrounding area

The Museo Moto Guzzi is located in the wider regional surroundings of Bellagio. Also located in the wider regional surroundings are Palazzo Secchi, Palazzo Belgioioso and the Musei Civici Museo di Scienze Naturali.

The peaks Cima del Costone, Cima del Nipoti, Monte Oriolo and Costone del Bregagno are located around Bellagio. These destinations extend the view beyond the buildings, gardens and museums described directly on the lake and in the town to the mountain landscape around Bellagio.

To compare further travel destinations, you can include Menaggio, Griante, Civenna and Tremezzo.

For the higher-level travel overview: Como.