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Situated in the middle of Lake Como, Bellagio is sometimes referred to as the pearl of the lake with its centuries-old buildings, cobbled stairways and lanes. Restaurants and bars line the lakeside, where you can enjoy a meal or a drink overlooking the water and the surrounding mountains as well as the grand Villa Melzi.
The village's narrow alleyways are lined with local boutiques and artisanal shops, offering traditional products. The strategic mid-lake location makes Bellagio a convenient base for exploring the rest of Lake Como.
Forked Lake Como separates into its two arms at the tip of a headland topped by Bellagio, a place where flowers spill over garden walls, steep stone stairways lead up the hillside, and brightly painted boats bob in the water. Pastel buildings line the narrow streets, and a host of shops, bars and restaurants flank the lanes and the waterfront, where lingering over a drink or a meal is the done thing.
An avenue of plane trees leads up from the boat landing to the sloping gardens at 19th-century Villa Melzi, a neoclassical mansion on the lakeshore. The gardens extend beyond the house and up the hill. Dotted with Egyptian sculptures and Roman statues, they’re home to many species of exotic trees, a lily pond in the Japanese style, and a riot of azalea and rhododendron blooms in April and May. Tickets also give you access to the chapel and a small museum in the orangery, although the house itself remains private.
A short walk along narrow stairways and paths leads you away from the heart of Bellagio to the small fishing port of Pescallo. From here, it's a scenic walk to Punta Spartivento, the very tip of the peninsula where the two arms of Lake Como meet. Looking north toward the Alps, the views are unrivaled with the distant peaks lording over the lake and surrounding hillside and forests.
Although Bellagio gets very crowded, particularly on summer weekends, it loses little of its charm in the throng. Its central position makes it a good base for exploring the rest of the lake, with frequent ferries connecting to various towns around the lake's shores.
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Suggested itineraries featuring Bellagio
Our itineraries will give you suggestions for what is possible when you travel in Bellagio, and they showcase routes we know work particularly well. Treat them as inspiration, because your trip will be created uniquely by one of our specialists.
Places near Bellagio
- Tremezzo 7 kilometers away
- Lake Como 7 kilometers away
- Lezzeno 8 kilometers away
- Laglio 16 kilometers away
- Torno 19 kilometers away
- Blevio 21 kilometers away
- Como 25 kilometers away
- Lake Maggiore 44 kilometers away
- Verbania 56 kilometers away
- Stresa 58 kilometers away
- Milan 59 kilometers away
- Gardone Riviera 109 kilometers away
- Lake Garda 115 kilometers away
- Sirmione 120 kilometers away
- Madonna di Campiglio 124 kilometers away
- Verona 148 kilometers away
- Parma 156 kilometers away
- Turin 160 kilometers away
- Piedmont 161 kilometers away
- Barbaresco 169 kilometers away
- Alba 173 kilometers away
- Genoa 178 kilometers away
- Barolo 185 kilometers away
- Portofino and Santa Margherita 188 kilometers away
- Modena 198 kilometers away
- Dolomites 204 kilometers away
- Cinque Terre 212 kilometers away
- Alta Badia 214 kilometers away
- Porto Venere 221 kilometers away
- Bologna 233 kilometers away
- Forte dei Marmi 237 kilometers away
- Venice 247 kilometers away
- Pisa 268 kilometers away
- Ravenna 290 kilometers away
- Florence 293 kilometers away
- San Gimignano 314 kilometers away
- Siena 340 kilometers away
- Perugia 405 kilometers away
- Assisi 420 kilometers away
- Umbria 425 kilometers away
- Orvieto 429 kilometers away
Photos of Bellagio
Our expert guides to exploring Bellagio
Written by our specialists from their own experiences of visiting Bellagio, these guides will help you make the most of your time there. We share both our practical recommendations and the best ways to appreciate Bellagio at its best.
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A guide to the regions of Italy A guide to the regions of Italy
A guide to the regions of Italy
A tour of a private palazzo, or a cooking class with a Sorrento grandmother? We highlight the major sights and unearth lesser-known attractions for some of our best-loved Italian regions, spotlighting tours that really explore their character.
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Accommodation choices for Bellagio
We've selected a range of accommodation options for when you visit Bellagio. Our choices usually come recommended for their character, facilities and service or location. Our specialists always aim to suggest properties that match your preferences.
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Hotel Belvedere
Bellagio