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Table of Contents:
How to get to Bellagio from Milan
How to get to Bellagio from Como City
When to travel to Bellagio
Bellagio is one of the most popular resorts on the shores of Lake Como. Located in a surprisingly picturesque place, Bellagio rarely leaves anyone indifferent. The combination of mountain peaks and the lake makes the landscapes of Bellagio unforgettable, and medieval churches, mansions and beautiful gardens complement this already idyllic picture. It’s no surprise that Bellagio is one of the most visited places on the lake. In addition, Bellagio is a part of the triangle of towns called Bellagio-Menaggio-Varenna, between which it is convenient to travel by ferry. It significantly expands the excursion opportunities for tourists.
After some research, I decided to put together information I have previously found out and create a complete guide on how to organize a holiday in Bellagio. I figured out how to get to the town, where to stay & what to see there. I really hope this detailed information will help you plan your trip to Bellagio.
As I found out Bellagio as well as Varenna and Menaggio can be visited all year round as water navigation operates any season and the lake does not freeze even in winter. You can move around by ferry from one town to another. Ferries usually run every 15 minutes during the day. Local climate is rather mild so it is comfortable to travel to Lake Como any season you choose. The period from April until October is considered to be the so-called “high” tourist season. Natural landscapes are especially picturesque and colorful this period of the year. Late autumn and winter time can be a bit rainy and cloudy, but also suitable for travelling to Lake Como.
How to get to Bellagio
Where do you fly into to get to Bellagio? There are several ways to get to Bellagio, depending on where you are starting from. Most often, travelers visit Bellagio from Milan or the town of Como, which is located at the southern tip of the lake. Both options are quite convenient for starting a trip. The current flight timetable to Milan can be checked via specialized online services such as Aviasales and other similar ones. I usually use Aviasales when planning my trips, because it can compare a great variety of available flight options. Based on my experience, it is very convenient and I can definitely recommend it.
How to get to Bellagio from Milan
The distance between Milan and Bellagio is 70 km. You can use both public transport and a car to get there.
By public transport: Regional trains run daily from Milan to Varenna; the travel time is about 1 hour. Trains depart from Milan Central Station every hour or two. You can check the current train timetable and purchase tickets in advance at the Raileurope booking service. Varenna is the closest town to Bellagio with a train station. I like using Raileurope when planning my own trips as it has a very convenient search with a great number of useful filters to sort the results. I truly recommend it for planning trips when travelling by train.
Next, from Varenna you need to take a ferry to Bellagio. The journey time is 15 minutes. The ferry schedule for specific dates can be viewed on the website of the carrier Gestione Navigazione Laghi Italia. The same ferries can be used to travel around the Bellagio-Menaggio-Varenna triangle, as well as go to other towns on the lake.
By rented car: You can rent a car in Milan almost everywhere, including an airport, a railway station and rental offices in various areas of the city. The option is very popular among tourists. To rent a car, it is enough to have a passport, an international driving license and a bank card to pay for services. Having a car gives you a possibility to travel around Lake Como on your own. You can also book a car in advance via various online services such as Discover Cars, Economybookings and others. Milan and Bellagio are connected with motorways # SS36 and SP583. The travel time by car is slightly more than 1 hour (see on the map). To my mind, both online services mentioned above are good and very convenient. I would recommend using both to compare available options.
How to get to Bellagio from Como City
The distance between Como City and Bellagio is about 30 km. In order to get to Bellagio from Como City you can use a local bus line, a ferry or rent a car for travelling on your own.
By public transport: You can get to Bellagio from the town of Como both by land and by water. For example, regular buses run from Como Giovanni Station; the travel time is about 1 hour. You should focus on buses No. C30, they go directly to Bellagio. Based on my thorough research, the schedule can be checked on the website of the ASF Autolinee carrier.
You can also get from Como to Bellagio by ferry. Transportation is carried out by the same company Gestione Navigazione Laghi Italia. The travel time by ferry is about 45 minutes, but ferries run less frequently than buses.
By rented car: If you prefer traveling on your own, getting to Bellagio from Como City by car will not be difficult. Como City and Bellagio are connected with a motorway # SP583. The travel time by car is about 50 minutes (see on the map). A car for travelling around Lake Como can be rented in Milan or Bergamo, the closest cities nearby.
Where to stay in Bellagio
Bellagio is a relatively small town on the lake, so, in my opinion, it is better to book accommodation here in advance, especially in the summer. The most common type of accommodation in Bellagio is renting an apartment. However, staying at a hotel here is also not a problem. There are hotels of all-star categories in Bellagio. Some hotels have their own access to the beach, which is especially important in the summer season.
According to my research, the following Bellagio hotels are popular among tourists:
Hotel Du Lac 3* is located in the center of Bellagio and overlooks the marina. The hotel has a restaurant with panoramic views. Hotel guests can stay in rooms of various categories. Wi-Fi is available throughout the hotel and is free of charge. Private parking is available nearby upon reservation and at an additional cost. The front desk is open 24 hours a day and provides luggage storage and currency exchange services;
Hotel Excelsior Splendide 3* is located in a historical building along the Bellagio promenade. The hotel has a swimming pool, a bar and a café with a terrace opposite the hotel. Guests can stay in rooms of various categories. Breakfast or half board is included in the price. Wi-Fi is available throughout the hotel and is free of charge. Public parking is provided nearby for an additional fee. The front desk is open 24 hours a day. There is an area for storing luggage;
Hotel Fioroni 3* is located within walking distance from the lake and the center of Bellagio. There is a bar at the hotel. Guests can stay in two, three or four-bed rooms. Breakfast is included in the price. Wi-Fi is available in public areas and is free of charge. Free private parking is also provided on site;
Albergo Ristorante Silvio 3* is located within walking distance from the town center. The hotel has a restaurant, a bar and a terrace for relaxation. You can stay in standard rooms, studios or apartments. Depending on the room type, breakfast may be included in the price or paid additionally. Wi-Fi is available throughout the hotel and is free of charge. Free public parking is provided on site. A luggage storage area can be found at the reception desk;
Hotel Centrale Bellagio 3* is located opposite the lake and is surrounded by a garden. Guests can relax on the scenic terrace. You can stay in single, double or triple rooms. Breakfast is included. Wi-Fi is available throughout the hotel and is free of charge. A luggage storage area is available at the reception desk.
As far as I know, travellers can also look for accommodation in neighboring towns called Varenna, Menaggio or Tremezzo.
What to see in Bellagio
Bellagio is, in every way, a picturesque town, be it natural, historical or architectural sites. In my point of view, it’s definitely worth staying in Bellagio for at least a couple of days in order to have time to explore not only the town, but also its surroundings, for example, to climb the mountains with a panoramic observation deck, take a boat trip around the lake, visit luxurious villas and blooming gardens.
The most famous historical monuments preserved in Bellagio are the churches of S. Maria Annunciata di Breno, S. Maria di Loppia, San Giacomo, San Giorgio and San Giovanni. All of them have high historical value, and the construction of some of them dates back to medieval times. For those who love the luxurious decoration of palaces, several historical villas with luxurious gardens have been preserved in Bellagio. These include, in particular, Villa Serbelloni and Villa Melzi – two of Bellagio most visited tourist attractions.
Thus, Villa Serbelloni was built back in the 15th century and for a long time belonged to the noble Serbelloni family, but currently the villa is under the jurisdiction of the Rockefeller Foundation. Not only the villa is noteworthy here, but also the magnificent gardens, which offer, perhaps, the best views of Lake Como. The thing is that the villa is located on the edge of Cape Bellagio, which provides the best views in the area. Visiting the villa is possible with group excursions, which take place here from March to November.
Villa Melzi, which was built at the beginning of the 19th century, is also a beautiful architectural monument. In addition to the stunning building, made in light colors, you can also see a magnificent garden, decorated not only with outlandish plants and landscape design, but also with Egyptian and Roman sculptures, a Japanese pond with lilies, and a neoclassical chapel. I discovered detailed information for visiting the villa:
- The Melzi Villa and Gardens are also open to the public from March to November.
- The opening times are from 10 am to 7 pm until October 25 and to 4.30 pm until November 5;
- The ticket price is 8 euros.
If you love hiking, then be sure to go to Mount San Primo, located in the surroundings of Bellagio. The best views of Lake Como are open exactly from here. You will be able to see the entire Bellagio-Menaggio-Varenna triangle. The height of the mountain is 1685 meters, so be prepared for a long climb, for which you need to have comfortable shoes. The walking route from Bellagio takes about 2-3 hours.
Bellagio is a magnificent lake town offering a huge number of attractions to explore, developed infrastructure and many routes that will allow you to discover Lake Como from its most picturesque sides. Bellagio is one of the best points for exploring Lake Como and surroundings. Tourists often come to Bellagio for just one day, combining a visit with observation of neighboring Menaggio and Varenna, but all three towns deserve more attention as there are a lot of beautiful villas with stunning lake views and blooming gardens that are open for discovering.
As I see it, Bellagio has a well-developed touristic infrastructure that offer a lot of places of accommodation, a great variety of restaurants and cafes of local gastronomy, splendid panoramic boat trips, convenient transportation, etc. So, Bellagio is an excellent choice to spend a holiday.
Take a note! When going on a trip to Italy, do not forget to take out travel insurance, which is useful for receiving a tourist visa and for solving emerging medical problems when travelling in another country. You can purchase insurance via online services, for example, via EKTA and others. You can choose from different modes, including quiet, active or extreme rest.
Photo above the article: Werner Kratz
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Julia is an experienced traveller, BA in International Relations and Languages and true lover of planning trips in advance. Learn more about the author…