5 lake Como gardens you have to visit at least once in your life

Lake Como is renowned for its stunning landscapes, historic villas, and exquisite gardens. These incredible green places are a precious legacy that comes from a combination of unique factors: mild climate, fertile soil, presence of noble aristocratic families who over time invested in their holiday homes, taking inspiration from the most beautiful English and French gardens.

Nowadays, most of these gardens are still preserved as treasures and available only to the lucky owners. This is why visiting the few (wonderful) gardens that are open to the public is an experience not to be missed.

In this article we have collected for you 5 of the most beautiful gardens on Lake Como, which you can visit.

Our top 5 choices

Choosing exclusively 5 gardens on Lake Como to visit is a truly difficult undertaking, but thinking of those who have little time to spend on the shores of our lake, we have selected some of the most iconic and particular places, which can give an extraordinary taste of the wonders of Lake Como.

1. Villa del Balbianello Gardens

The gardens of Villa del Balbaniello on Lake Como are an obligatory stop for cinema enthusiasts. This spectacular late eighteenth-century villa, in fact, was the set of films such as Star Wars and 007 Casino Royale. It is precisely in its gardens that one of the most romantic weddings in the history of cinema took place: under the trees of Villa del Balbaniello, overlooking the shores of Lake Como (Naboo), Anakin Skywalker and Padme Amidala got married in Star Wars: Episode II. Furthermore, the gardens of Villa del Balbaniello were the resting place for James Bond and his lover, Vesper Lynd.

Where: Via Guido Monzino, 1, 22016 Lenno (CO)

Opening Hours: From March 21 to October 30, open daily except Mondays and Wednesdays, from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM. In February, open on select dates.

Access by Yacht: The villa is accessible by private boat, allowing guests to arrive directly at its private dock for an exclusive and unique experience.

2. Villa Carlotta

Villa Carlotta Gardens are a place of rare beauty: 70,000 square meters filled with roses, rhododendrons, tropical plants, monumental trees, hydrangeaes and azaleas in over 150 varieties.

Two of the most particular places in the park are the rock garden, home of herbaceous and succulents plants, and the fern valley, a specific habitat created artificially that exploits a natural soil depression and hosts a stream that runs all along the small valley.

Where: Via Regina, 2, 22016 Tremezzina (CO)

Opening Hours: Typically open from late March to early November, daily from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM. It's advisable to check their official website for the most current information.

Access by Yacht: Villa Carlotta features a private dock, making it convenient for visitors arriving by boat.

3. Villa Melzi d'Eril

Located in Bellagio, the gardens of Villa Melzi d'Eril are a prime example of English-style landscaping, featuring sculptures, a Japanese pond, and a chapel.

In the park of the villa, which directly overlooks the lake, it is possible to walk among exotic and rare essences that alternate with centuries-old trees, camellias, rhododendrons and azaleas. Inside the gardens it is also possible to find precious plants such as Liriodendron tulipifera, cedars of Lebanon, red beech, camphor, Ginkgo biloba.

Where: Lungolario Manzoni, 22021 Bellagio (CO)

Opening Hours: Open daily from late March to October, 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM. For the 2025 season, the gardens will reopen on March 22.

Access by Yacht: Visitors can reach the villa by private boat, with docking options available nearby.

4. Villa Monastero

The botanical garden of Villa Monastero overlooks the eastern shore of Lake Como, between Varenna and Fiumelatte.

Inside the green space you can admire more than 900 different types of plants, including English roses, jasminum, wisteria, oaks, ferns, hydrangea, peonies, oleanders, palms, etc.

In addition to its natural beauty, the garden of Villa Monastero also offers interesting architectural ideas.

Opening Hours: Generally open from March to November; hours vary by season. It's recommended to consult Villa Monastero official website for detailed information.

Where: Viale Giovanni Polvani, 4, 23829 Varenna (LC)

Access by Yacht: The villa provides docking facilities for private boats, enhancing the experience for visitors arriving by water.

5. Villa Olmo

A neoclassical masterpiece, Villa Olmo is surrounded by lush gardens and offers panoramic views of Lake Como.

Where: Via Simone Cantoni, 1, 22100 Como (CO)

Opening Hours: The park is open daily; villa access may vary depending on exhibitions and events. It's best to check ahead for specific visiting hours.

Access by Yacht: While the villa itself doesn't have a private dock, nearby docking options are available for those arriving by boat.

The most exclusive way to visit all of lake Como gardens

If you want to make your visit to lake Como gardens even more memorable, there's something you must try: visit all of these magic places by boat. Each of these gardens (except for villa Olmo) has a private dock that allows visitors to arrive by yacht. Visiting these gardens by private yacht not only offers a unique perspective of Lake Como's beauty but also provides an exclusive and memorable experience.

If you want to try this experience, you can sail with one of our private boat tours around lake Como. We're sure we can make your visit extraordinary and give you a taste of authentic italian dolce vita.