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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 unrivalled 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 itinerary featuring Bellagio
This sample itinerary will give you an idea of what is possible when you travel in Bellagio, and showcases routes we know work particularly well. Treat this as inspiration, because your trip will be created uniquely by one of our specialists.
Places near Bellagio
- Tremezzo less than 5 miles away
- Lake Como 5 miles away
- Lezzeno 5 miles away
- Laglio 10 miles away
- Torno 12 miles away
- Blevio 13 miles away
- Como 16 miles away
- Lake Maggiore 28 miles away
- Verbania 35 miles away
- Stresa 36 miles away
- Milan 37 miles away
- Gardone Riviera 68 miles away
- Lake Garda 72 miles away
- Sirmione 75 miles away
- Madonna di Campiglio 77 miles away
- Verona 92 miles away
- Parma 97 miles away
- Turin 100 miles away
- Piedmont 100 miles away
- Barbaresco 105 miles away
- Alba 108 miles away
- Genoa 111 miles away
- Barolo 115 miles away
- Portofino and Santa Margherita 117 miles away
- Modena 123 miles away
- Dolomites 127 miles away
- Cinque Terre 132 miles away
- Alta Badia 133 miles away
- Porto Venere 137 miles away
- Bologna 145 miles away
- Forte dei Marmi 147 miles away
- Venice 154 miles away
- Pisa 167 miles away
- Ravenna 180 miles away
- Florence 182 miles away
- San Gimignano 195 miles away
- Siena 211 miles away
- Perugia 252 miles away
- Assisi 261 miles away
- Umbria 264 miles away
- Orvieto 267 miles 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