Lake Como: the Most Charming Addresses to Discover

© Villa Serbelloni / Il Sereno - Fernando Guerra / The Lake Como EDITION - Matteo Carassale

Leaving everything behind and treating yourself to a week of royal dolce vita on Lake Como: tempted? Between legendary palaces, ultra-luxurious hotels, lush gardens and emerald-green waters, the scenery borders on indecent — and every single detail is ridiculously photogenic. Come for a night with your feet practically in the water, a dinner overlooking the mountains and a sunset boat ride. From Bellagio to Tremezzo, via Torno, Nesso and the villages along the western shore, every stop seems designed for Instagram — only much, much chicer. Il Sereno for contemporary luxury, The Lake Como EDITION for its very 2026 take on glamour, and Villa Serbelloni for its old-school palace allure: three very different ways to experience the Lario. Add a handful of iconic villas, film-worthy gardens and two or three irresistible swimming spots, and you have the ultimate Italian escape. Here is our address book for experiencing Lake Como properly: with plenty of style, a good boat and a Spritz never too far away.

In Torno, Il Sereno plays a radically different tune from Lake Como’s grand historic palaces. Designed by Patricia Urquiola, this five-star hotel set directly on the water embraces a contemporary, mineral and ultra-refined aesthetic, worlds away from Belle Époque décor. The hotel features 40 suites, as well as a spectacular infinity pool overlooking the lake. At the restaurant, Il Sereno Al Lago, led by chef Raffaele Lenzi, holds a Michelin star and serves contemporary Italian cuisine inspired by the seasons and local produce. To give you an idea of the prices, the 2026 menu reported by Scatti di Gusto lists €98 for two à-la-carte courses and €128 for three courses, while several tasting-menu options are also available.

The real luxury here also happens out on the water. Il Sereno has its own private fleet, including its iconic Vaporina, which can be booked for a one-hour private excursion: exactly the kind of experience that turns a chic hotel stay into a movie scene. To keep the mood going, head to the hotel bar for cocktails and aperitivo, surrounded by Urquiola’s signature interiors, natural materials and lush greenery. And if waking up with Lake Como as your only view sounds tempting, suites currently start at around €1,500 per night, depending on the dates and room category. One thing to note: the hotel is currently closed for the season and is due to reopen on November 16, 2026.

Il Sereno, Via Torrazza 10, 22020 Torno, Italy.

© Sara Magni

The newest addition to Lake Como’s hotel scene, The Lake Como EDITION brings contemporary glamour to Cadenabbia, on the western shore. The hotel occupies a historic 19th-century palazzo reimagined by EDITION, with interiors by Neri&Hu blending marble, walnut, mineral tones and bespoke furniture. The property features 148 rooms, including 24 suites, two penthouses and a private villa, many offering spectacular views over the lake and Bellagio. Outside, a floating pool, private jetty and direct access to the water immediately make you want to spend the entire day doing absolutely nothing — only very elegantly. As for rates, Marriott is currently displaying a price of €1,833 per night, depending on the dates selected: consider this an indicative rate rather than a fixed price.

For dining, the property offers several different experiences, including Cetino by Mauro Colagreco, Renzo, The Pool and the Lobby Bar. The first is chef Mauro Colagreco’s gastronomic restaurant and his first address in Italy, built around seasonality, local producers and biodiversity. But when it comes to the setting, our favorite is Renzo: an all-day dining restaurant beneath a pergola, surrounded by Mediterranean herbs and citrus trees, with panoramic lake views. No fake rooftop here: the terrace is very much part of the restaurant, but its spectacular setting more than makes up for it. For a chic lunch without the formality, or an aperitivo that stretches all the way to sunset, this is arguably the most seductive spot in the hotel.

The Lake Como EDITION, Via Regina 41, 22011 Cadenabbia di Griante.

© Matteo Carassale - Nicholas Koenig

In Bellagio, the Grand Hotel Villa Serbelloni belongs to another category altogether: that of Lake Como’s grande dames, properties that have survived the decades without losing an ounce of glamour. Converted into a five-star hotel in 1873, this family-run institution is filled with monumental staircases, frescoed ceilings and Murano glass chandeliers, alongside gardens, swimming pools, a spa and direct lake access. The property is a member of Relais & Châteaux and has that old-school palace atmosphere that even the most sophisticated new design hotels simply cannot recreate. If you want to sleep surrounded by all this grandeur, current rates are around €1,010 per night, depending on the dates; this price was recorded for one night in October 2026 and may of course vary.

When it comes to dining, there are two options: Mistral, the gastronomic restaurant headed by executive chef Ettore Bocchia, and La Goletta, a more relaxed spot set beside the pool with a terrace overlooking the lake. Mistral offers a seven-course tasting menu, with cuisine that moves between tradition and innovation, while La Goletta focuses on lake fish, homemade pasta and Mediterranean cooking. For dinner with a view, sunset over the Lario and full grand-hotel glamour, Mistral ticks every box for a truly special night.

Grand Hotel Villa Serbelloni, Via Teresio Olivelli 1, 22021 Bellagio.

© Villa Serbelloni

Villa del Balbianello: the undisputed star of Lake Como. Perched on a wooded promontory stretching out into the water, this historic villa is all terraces, loggias, staircases and spectacular gardens. Its cinematic setting has made it a favorite for several international film productions. 22016 Tremezzina, Province of Como. Park ticket €15; booking required. Tickets including access to the villa are also available depending on the time slot. You can reach it on foot from Lenno or by water taxi.

Giardini di Villa Melzi d’Eril: the ultimate romantic garden. Camellias, azaleas, neoclassical sculptures, immaculate lawns and uninterrupted lake views make this an utterly dreamy walk. The villa itself is not open to visitors, but the gardens alone are more than worth the detour. Via Lungo Lario Manzoni, 22021 Bellagio. Individual ticket €10.

Parco di Villa Serbelloni: not to be confused with the hotel! This is the vast historic park overlooking Bellagio. Its paths wind through woods, terraces and lush vegetation, with breathtaking views over both branches of the lake. A must if you fancy gaining a little altitude. Piazza della Chiesa, Bellagio. Access is only possible through guided tours departing from Bellagio town center. Booking is recommended during high season.

Villa Carlotta: another great classic on the western shore, combining art and botany. The villa houses works by Canova and Hayez, while its botanical gardens unfold with azaleas, rhododendrons, camellias and spectacular lake views. It is very easy to combine with a day in Tremezzo and Ossuccio. Via Statale 5, 22016 Tremezzina. Adult ticket €17.50.

Villa Monastero: more intimate and particularly romantic, this lakeside property is home to a spectacular botanical garden laid out around a former monastery. The path winds between statues, exotic plants and viewpoints overlooking the water, with the mountains as a backdrop. Viale Giovanni Polvani 4, 23829 Varenna. Combined house museum + garden ticket: €27.

Nesso / Ponte della Civera: the most spectacular spot is around Orrido di Nesso, where two streams meet in a dramatic gorge before flowing into the lake. The little Ponte della Civera, below the village, offers an utterly wild setting of stone, waterfalls and turquoise water. No beach club, no sun loungers: this is Lake Como in its raw, wonderfully photogenic form.

Lido di Ossuccio: for those who simply want to spend an afternoon by the water without climbing a mountain, this is one of Lake Como’s most comfortable public swimming spots, with gardens, jetties, a designated swimming area, a restaurant and views over Isola Comacina. Via Somalvico, 22010 Ossuccio

Lido di Bellagio: in Bellagio, Lido lets you go from boat to sun lounger without changing the mood. Beach, jetties, parasols and a restaurant offer a much more organized version of lake swimming, with Bellagio town center close by. Choose this option if what you want is a proper beach break between two villa visits. Via Paolo Carcano 1, 22021 Bellagio.

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