Villa Troubetzkoy - Named after Russian Prince Alexander Troubetzkoy, who was married to the renowned dancer Maria Taglioni. After enduring six years of hard labor in Siberia for attempting insurrection, the Prince relocated to Blevio. He demolished an existing rural structure to build his villa, using mines to clear the rocky shore quickly, earning him the nickname “Disturbs rocks.”

Villa Cademartori - Originally an 18th-century building owned by the Artaria family, a prominent publishing family. It served as their holiday resort until 1842 when German trader and banker Giorgio Mylius purchased and renovated it. After his death, his second wife Sophie Elisabeth Vonwiller sold it to Corrado Cramer, a member of a notable Milanese family in the textile industry. The Cademartori family, owners of a major Italian food company, later acquired it and used it as a holiday resort. The villa underwent its last renovation in the 1980s and was divided into apartments.

The Spa at Mandarin Oriental, Lago di Como - A five-star plus hotel, Mandarin Oriental, Lago di Como is a serene retreat on the sunny forested shores of Lake Como. The 19th-century Villa Roccabruna, at the heart of the resort, has been skillfully renovated to blend modern Italian elegance with subtle oriental charm.

Villa Taverna - Located in the village of Perlasca, between Blevio and Torno, Villa Taverna was built by Count Paolo Taverna in the late 18th century. It was rented to Francesco Melzi, who lived there while constructing the nearby Villa Melzi. In the 19th century, it was sold to the noble Poldi Pezzoli family, who expanded it with two symmetrical wings. In 1941, it was sold to the Trivulzio and Gerli families. Many prominent personalities have stayed at Villa Taverna.

Villa Pliniana - Built in 1573 around the spring of the same name, Villa Pliniana is named after the famous naturalists Pliny the Elder and Pliny the Younger, who first described the spring’s peculiar intermittence in the 1st century A.D. Count Giovanni Anguissola, governor of Como, transformed the area into a place of delight. The villa has hosted notable figures like Napoleon, Stendhal, and composers Bellini, Rossini, and Liszt. It is now part of Sereno Properties and serves as an exclusive luxury resort.

Orrido di Nesso - Nesso, located halfway between Como and Bellagio, is one of the most unique villages on Lake Como. Its main feature is the Orrido, a stunning waterfall that cascades from the mountain into the lake. The best way to experience this natural wonder is by boat, allowing you to almost touch the powerful water.

Isola Comacina - Once a Roman fort and later a medieval settlement, Comacina Island is the only island on Lake Como, forming a peaceful bay with the lakeshore. Visitors can explore the ruins via a woodland walk, though an entrance fee is required. The island is accessible by ferry or private boat. La Locanda dell’Isola, a renowned restaurant, offers local specialties.

Villa del Balbianello - One of the most spectacular locations on Lake Como, Villa Balbianello is situated on a promontory with stunning lake views. Originally a monastery, it has housed cardinals and noble families. The villa is now a museum showcasing souvenirs from around the world, collected by its former owner, explorer Monzino. Famous for its appearances in Star Wars Episode II and James Bond’s Casino Royale, the villa is part of the Italian Environmental Fund and can be visited with a ticket. It is also available for private events and weddings, with arrival by private boat recommended for a romantic experience.

Lenno - Restored in the early 1920s by engineer Carlo Mantegazza, this lake residence is known for its privacy, accessible only by boat. Giacomo Mantegazza continued his father’s modernization efforts, making Villa La Cassinella one of the most stunning buildings on Lake Como. Forbes magazine listed it among the world’s most beautiful holiday villas. The four buildings can accommodate up to 20 guests, though little is known about the privileged visitors. The true owner remains a mystery, with rumors suggesting Richard Branson, who has denied ownership.

Bellagio - Located at the center of the lake, Bellagio divides the east and west branches. Its name derives from the Latin bi-lacus, meaning “between the lakes.” Known for its picturesque alleys filled with shops, Bellagio is home to Villa Melzi and Villa Serbelloni, both open to the public. The scenic but narrow and busy road from Como to Bellagio takes about an hour by car, despite being only 30 km away.

I Giardini di Villa Melzi - Built by Duke Melzi in the 1800s, Villa Melzi is accessible on foot from Bellagio’s center. While the villa’s interior is closed, its expansive and beautiful gardens are open to visitors.

Parco di Villa Serbelloni - Originally constructed by the noble Serbelloni family, the villa is now part of the Rockefeller Foundation. The park can only be visited with a guide, taking about two hours. The walk through the park, with its native and exotic vegetation, offers stunning views of the lake’s two branches.

Bellagio - Count Frizzoni from Bergamo built this luxurious holiday villa in 1850. In 1873, it was expanded and transformed into the Grand Hotel Bellagio, attracting nobility from around the world. Arturo Bucher, grandson of Swiss luxury hotel pioneer Franz Josef Bucher, purchased the hotel in 1918. The Bucher family celebrated 100 years and four generations at the helm of the Grand Hotel Villa Serbelloni in 2018.

Bellagio - Villa Fanny, located on the Punta di Bellagio, has had several owners over the years. Acquired by the Grand Hotel Bellagio in 1907, it was sold to Artur Bucher in 1929. Later owned by an Italian steel magnate and then Russian millionaire Arkady Novikov in 2008, the villa is currently owned by the Guido family.

Tremezzo - Overlooking Bellagio, Tremezzo is known for its two grand villas: the luxurious Grand Hotel Tremezzo and Villa Carlotta, which is open to the public and features a beautiful garden.

Villa Carlotta - Built in the late 17th century by the Marquises Clerici of Milan, Villa Carlotta is renowned for its botanical garden and collection of masterpieces by Canova, Hayez, and Thorvaldsen. Visitors can also explore the private rooms of Princess Charlotte of Sachsen-Meiningen, who received the villa as a wedding gift in the mid-19th century.

Laglio - The village of Laglio is famous for Villa Oleandra, George Clooney’s summer residence. This beautiful Italian-style villa is where Clooney often spends his holidays.

Villa Le Fontanelle - Located in Moltrasio, Villa Fontanelle is another famous estate, once owned by Gianni Versace.

Cernobbio - Villa d’Este, a magnificent 5-star hotel, is one of Italy’s finest. Built in the late 1500s and converted into a hotel in the late 1800s, it has hosted many famous politicians and actors. Its classic style offers guests a timeless experience.

Villa Erba - Constructed by the noble Erba family in the early 1900s, Villa Erba is now used for events, weddings, and as an exhibition center. A glass complex in a large park hosts major events and fairs. Typically closed to the public, the villa can be visited during special events and admired from the lake by boat.

Villa Olmo - Named after two ancient elms that once stood in the area, Villa Olmo was built in neoclassical style between 1782 and 1787 for Innocenzo Odescalchi, a wealthy man of the time. Sold to the Municipality of Como in 1925, it has since been a prestigious venue for exhibitions, events, and conferences.