Things to Do in Varenna: Best Experiences on Lake Como (2026)

The best things to do in Varenna Italy are not complicated. Walk the promenade. Visit the gardens. Take a ferry. Come back for dinner when the day-trippers have gone. That is the honest formula. This guide covers every experience worth your time in Varenna. It also covers the best things to do in Bellagio and how to get between the two.

Quick Info

Best Things to Do in Varenna Italy

Visit Villa Monastero and Villa Cipressi

The two villa gardens sit side by side at the southern end of the waterfront. They are the best reason to be in Varenna on a clear morning.

Villa Monastero started as a 12th-century Cistercian monastery. It became a private residence, then a botanical garden. The terraced gardens descend in narrow levels to the lake. Citrus trees, camellias, and oleanders line the paths. The view from the lowest terrace is one of the most photographed on the lake.

Villa Cipressi is next door. A 16th-century villa with its own terraced botanical gardens. The adjacent Hotel Villa Cipressi lets guests use the gardens freely. A combined ticket covers both properties for €25. It is the best value entrance fee on the lake.

Both gardens are at their best in May and June. Opening season runs late March to late October.

Walk the Passeggiata degli Innamorati

The Passeggiata degli Innamorati, the Lovers’ Promenade, runs between the ferry dock and the villa gardens. It is about 400 metres long. There is nowhere in particular to go. That is the point.

Walk it in the morning before the ferries start. The light across the water is at its lowest then. Return at sunset when the western shore mountains catch the last colour. It costs nothing. Worth it simply because it forces you to stop.

Climb to Castello di Vezio

Castello di Vezio sits on the ridge above Varenna. Twenty minutes uphill from the village centre. The ruins date to the 11th century. Views from the battlements cover the full mid-lake stretch. Bellagio is directly across the water. Menaggio is visible to the north.

Entry is €4. Falconry displays with live birds of prey run at set times in season. The path starts from the upper village and is clearly signed. Sports shoes are fine for the climb.

Walk to Fiumelatte

Fiumelatte is a hamlet 1.5 kilometres south of Varenna. Reach it on foot along the lakeside path. The name means “river of milk”: a reference to the white foam of the short waterfall that drops into the lake. At 250 metres, it is one of the shortest rivers in Italy. Leonardo da Vinci mentioned it in his notebooks.

The walk from Varenna takes about 20 minutes on flat terrain. It runs from March to October. Outside those months, it stops completely. Bring good shoes for the rocky section near the base of the falls.

Take the Ferry Across to Bellagio

When everyone left after my uncle’s birthday reunion, my cousin and I moved to Varenna. We stayed at Casa San Giorgio for four days, hiked every morning, and took the ferry wherever the day led. It was a completely different trip inside the same destination. The ferry became the day’s structure: which direction, which town, what time to come back. On our last afternoon, we missed the return boat on purpose.

The 15-minute crossing to Bellagio is one of the most satisfying short journeys in northern Italy. It costs around €5 each way with NaviTap contactless payment. Always tap out when leaving. Missing the exit tap charges the maximum daily fare.

Best Things to Do in Bellagio Lake Como

Walk Salita Serbelloni and the Steep Lanes

The main street in Bellagio climbs steeply from the ferry dock. Narrow stone lanes branch off on either side. Silk shops, linen sellers, and wine bars line the route. About 20 minutes from dock to the top of the village.

Go early. The main lane gets crowded by 11 am in July and August. Before 9 am, it belongs to the people staying there.

Reach Punta Spartivento

Punta Spartivento sits at the tip of the Bellagio peninsula, 20 minutes from the centre. Views look down both arms of the lake at once. The path is flat and easy. Go at golden hour for the best light. Midday crowds on the narrow approach path can be heavy in peak season.

Visit Villa Melzi d’Eril

Villa Melzi sits on the lakefront south of the Bellagio centre. The gardens are open from late March to October. Entry is €10. Its neoclassical park runs along the waterfront with Japanese maples, azaleas, and a small chapel. It is quieter than the Varenna villa gardens and less visited.

Take a Boat Tour

The best angle on Lake Como is from the water. A premium shared cruise from Bellagio covers stretches of the shoreline no ferry route reaches. Shore villas, private coves, and the hillside villages look completely different from the lake surface.

For more flexibility, a private boat tour to Bellagio and Varenna lets you set your own pace and stop where you want. Good for couples or small groups who want the full lake experience without a fixed plan.

Lake Como Ferry: How to Get Around by Boat

The ferry is the main way to move between Varenna and Bellagio. That crossing is one of the best things to do in varenna.

Services between all main towns run on Navigazione Lago di Como. The Varenna to Bellagio crossing takes 15 minutes. Varenna to Menaggio takes 10 minutes. Timetables vary by season. Services run roughly every 30 to 60 minutes in peak season.

NaviTap contactless payment works on most boats. Smart phones, smart watches, and contactless cards all work. Always tap out when leaving. Missing the exit tap charges you the maximum daily fare. NaviTap does not work on hydrofoils or if you have a bicycle or large luggage.

The Cadenabbia dock near Menaggio remains closed until 30 June 2026. All services route through Menaggio itself. A free shuttle connects Menaggio and Cadenabbia every 30 minutes during the closure.

Day Trips from Varenna and Bellagio

Hike the Sentiero del Viandante

Stage 3 runs 11.8 kilometres from Varenna to Dervio with 620 metres of elevation gain. It follows an ancient mule track along the eastern shore. Allow around 4 hours 45 minutes. Ankle-support boots are required.

The guided Wayfarer’s Path walk from Varenna to Dervio covers the full stage with a local guide. A solid option on a first visit. Trail conditions on the eastern shore change after rain, and some sections have inconsistent waymarking. The full trail guide is in Lake Como Hiking Guide: Best Trails & What to Expect.

Take a Day Trip to Menaggio

Varenna to Menaggio takes 10 minutes by ferry. Menaggio has the flattest waterfront on the lake, a free pebble beach, and the Greenway trailhead nearby. It is a different pace from Varenna and Bellagio. Good for a half-day away from the mid-lake crowds. The Where to Stay in Menaggio: Best Hotels on Lake Como guide covers the town in detail if you decide to spend a night.

Where to Eat in Varenna and Bellagio

Varenna has around a dozen restaurants. Quality is generally high. Fish from the lake is the thing to order: perch, agone, and lavarello. Avoid anywhere with a laminated picture menu and a host standing on the pavement.

The restaurant at Hotel Olivedo in Varenna has a terrace opposite the ferry dock. Traditional Lombard cooking, used by guests and locals alike. That ratio matters.

In Bellagio, the restaurant options are wider. The waterfront terraces on the main promenade are the obvious choice for lunch. For something quieter, Pescallo on the south side of the peninsula has two or three restaurants over the fishing cove. Fewer tourists, better table service, same lake.

Practical Tips

Getting to Varenna. Direct trains from Milano Centrale reach Varenna-Esino in around 50 minutes. Check Trenitalia and Trenord before travel. Olympic maintenance causes line closures on the Lecco-Varenna route from 15 June to 15 September. Substitute buses cover the final stretch but add 30 to 45 minutes.

Getting between towns. The ferry is the main transport between Varenna, Bellagio, and Menaggio. Always tap out with NaviTap when leaving the boat. Ferries run roughly every 30 to 60 minutes in peak season.

Renting a car. A car is useful for reaching smaller villages off the ferry network. Compare car rental options here before you arrive. Parking in Varenna is limited and paid.

Stay connected. Signal can drop on the upper trails and some ferry crossings. Pick up your eSIM before leaving home. It activates on arrival and keeps you covered across the lake.

Book early. Varenna has fewer hotels than Bellagio. The best rooms sell out three to five months ahead for July and August. The full guide is in Where to Stay in Varenna: Best Hotels on Lake Como.

FAQ

What are the best things to do in Varenna Italy? The villa gardens at Villa Monastero and Villa Cipressi are the strongest attractions. For a free walk, the Passeggiata degli Innamorati is the best option. Castello di Vezio is worth the 20-minute climb for the views. The ferry to Bellagio is both a transport option and an experience in itself. For a full planning guide, Where to Stay on Lake Como: Best Towns for Every Travel Style compares every base town.

How long do you need in Varenna? Two nights covers the main sights, a day in Bellagio, and at least one slow morning. Three nights lets you add a hike, a boat tour, and the walk to Fiumelatte. The Lake Como Itinerary: How Many Days Do You Really Need? guide maps out each length of stay.

Is Varenna better than Bellagio for things to do? They suit different moods. Varenna is quieter and more compact, with better direct train access. Bellagio has more restaurant variety and evening activity. Most people visiting the lake do both, linked by the 15-minute ferry.

Things to Do in Bellagio

What are the best things to do in Bellagio Italy? The steep lanes, Punta Spartivento, Villa Melzi gardens, and a boat tour on the lake are the highlights. Bellagio is best early or after 6 pm when day-trippers leave. A Lake Como Day Trip from Milan: Complete Guide can cover both Varenna and Bellagio in a single day.

Is Bellagio worth visiting? Yes. It is one of the most beautiful villages in Italy. The crowds in peak season are real, but staying overnight changes the experience. After the ferries stop, Bellagio evenings belong to the people who booked a room. Where to Stay in Bellagio: Best Hotels on Lake Como covers every price range.