Luxury and the magnificent villa
Bellagio has been synonymous with a refined lifestyle since the 18th and 19th centuries. While other villages around Lake Como lived mainly by fishing and handicrafts, Bellagio began to attract aristocrats, artists and travellers seeking beauty and relaxation. Here they were attracted not only by the climate and the views, but also by the opportunity to spend time in elegant villas surrounded by gardens designed to impress.
One of the most famous examples is the Grand Hotel Villa Serbelloni. Originally a 15th century aristocratic mansion, it was converted into a luxury hotel in the 19th century. Its gold-decorated halls, frescoed ceilings and lake-view terrace became the backdrop for gatherings of European royalty. Even today, Villa Serbelloni is one of the most prestigious hotels in all of Italy.
Equally impressive is the Villa Melzi d'Eril, built by Francesco Melzi, Vice-Chancellor of Napoleon Bonaparte. The gardens of this villa are a perfect example of 19th-century romantic landscape art: exotic trees, water areas, statues, chapels and a long promenade along the lake.
The city centre
The old town centre is interwoven with staircase streets that slope down to the lake. In each of them you will find a café, a wine shop or a boutique with local fashion - Bellagio is not only romantic, but also lively and stylish. In the evening it has a special charm, and we recommend a stroll along the promenade lined with lights.
Bellagio from the surface of the lake
There's no better way to appreciate the uniqueness of Bellagio's location than to take a boat trip. From here, you'll see the town rise from the tip of the peninsula and see three directions of the lake open up before you simultaneously. This is a view you won't see anywhere else on Como.
A taste of Lombardy with refinement
In Bellagio, even the gastronomy has a touch of elegance. In the traditional trattorias you can taste fish from the lake, risotto and the famous "missoltini", dried sardines typical of Como. Add to that a glass of Valtellina red and a terrace with a view and you'll understand why Bellagio has been attracting lovers of the good life for two centuries.
