Villa del Balbianello – A Gem of Lake Como

On our first day of exploring, we headed to one of the most enchanting spots on Lake Como: the stunning Villa del Balbianello. Set on a small peninsula near Lenno, this picturesque villa is surrounded by terraced gardens and offers breathtaking views over the lake.

It had been on my bucket list for years—not just for its beauty, but also because it’s been featured in iconic films like Casino Royale and Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones. Once I learned these scenes were shot here, I knew I had to see it in person one day!

After a cozy breakfast and the usual morning „bunny visit” at our apartment in Dongo, we set off for Lenno. The drive wasn’t long, and since we visited off-season, we were lucky to find parking. In summer, this might be more challenging! From there, we continued on foot. We let Liny stretch her legs a bit, but also brought the baby carrier, knowing we’d need it for the walk ahead.

During peak season, you can also reach the villa by boat, but during our visit, it was only accessible by foot. There are two paths to choose from: a shorter but steeper 20-minute uphill trail, or a longer, winding one. We chose the shorter one, which was manageable even with a toddler in the carrier. It’s worth noting that this path is not suitable for strollers due to the uneven surface.

As we climbed, the view kept getting better and better. We eventually reached the villa gates, where we purchased our tickets. You can always check the latest opening times and prices on the official website: FAI – Villa del Balbianello.

You can easily browse and book tours, tickets on platforms like GetYourGuide or Tiqets, where you can compare different routes, prices, and reviews in advance.

The villa gardens are a masterpiece of baroque landscaping. The terraced layout provides unmatched panoramic views of the lake. The level of upkeep is truly impressive—neatly trimmed hedges, raked gravel paths, and vibrant flowerbeds all harmonize beautifully with the lake surroundings. We even saw the gardeners at work during our visit, which we found fascinating rather than distracting—it gave us a real appreciation for the effort it takes to maintain such a magical place.

The villa itself has a rich history. It was originally a Franciscan monastery, and the two towers closest to the water were once part of the old church. In the early 18th century, a wealthy noble family transformed the site into a private residence, adding the famous loggia with its panoramic view and the now-iconic gardens. The last private owner, Guido Monzino, was a passionate traveler and art collector, who filled the villa with treasures from his journeys. Upon his death, he left the entire estate to Italy’s National Trust.

You can explore the park on your own or join a guided tour, which we recommend if you’re curious about the stories behind the scenes. The facilities are also great for families—there are toilets with baby changing tables, which was a huge help for us.

We spent around an hour and a half wandering through the gardens and taking in the views. Before heading back, we paused at a scenic rest spot to enjoy the sandwiches we had packed. Liny was starting to get tired, and as soon as we got back in the car, she drifted off to sleep—leaving us to peacefully drive on to our next destination: the city of Como.

The City of Como – Gateway to Lake Como

Nestled at the southern end of the western branch of Lake Como, just a stone’s throw from the Swiss border, lies the city of Como. It’s the largest city in the area and also the provincial capital. With its unique charm, impressive architectural heritage, and breathtaking lake views, it’s a fantastic travel destination—especially if you’re planning to explore the Lake Como region.

We only had half a day in Como, so we focused on seeing the main highlights—keeping in mind that we were traveling with a two-year-old in a stroller. The city feels calm and welcoming, full of green parks, fountains, and well-kept promenades. It’s especially stroller-friendly, so we had no trouble discovering it with our little one. Liny walked a lot, and we all enjoyed the relaxed, friendly vibe.

Travel Tip:
If you’d like to explore Lake Como by boat, Como is a perfect starting point—just like Lecco.

Getting There & Parking
We set off from the Villa del Balbianello parking lot and reached Como in about 30 minutes. By the time we arrived at the parking garage we had looked up beforehand, Liny was still asleep—so we stayed in the car a bit longer to let her rest. Once she woke up, we began exploring the city on foot.

Wandering the Old Town
We headed toward the historic center through Como’s narrow, cobblestone streets. The medieval buildings and tucked-away little squares created a truly charming atmosphere. Around every corner, there was something new to discover—a cozy trattoria, a tiny boutique, or a centuries-old building. It’s the kind of place where getting lost is part of the experience—the old town is full of delightful surprises.

Once we got hungry, we grabbed some delicious sandwiches on Piazza Giuseppe Mazzini, and afterward popped into the pastry shop Pasticceria Mignon on the Lake – Como. The dessert selection was absolutely incredible. We had a hard time choosing from all the pastries and gelato. I went for a pistachio croissant—one of my all-time favorites whenever we visit Italy. I enjoyed my coffee outside on the heated terrace, wrapped in a soft blanket—it was pure bliss.

Our walk continued to Piazza San Fedele, once a lively market square, now one of the city’s most picturesque spots. Its centerpiece is the Basilica of San Fedele, whose origins date back to the 10th century. The Romanesque facade has remained nearly unchanged over the centurie

From there, we made our way to Piazza del Duomo, home to one of Como’s most iconic buildings: the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, also known as the Como Cathedral. It’s the third-largest church in Lombardy. Construction began in 1396, though its Baroque dome wasn’t completed until the second half of the 18th century. The cathedral is just as impressive from the outside, and it’s well worth taking the time to walk around it.

Also on the cathedral square is the neoclassical Teatro Sociale, which we admired from the outside, and the Palazzo del Broletto, a 13th-century medieval palace that once housed municipal institutions. Today, it serves as an exhibition space, and its Gothic additions make it even more distinctive.

Next, we headed toward one of Lake Como’s most popular attractions—the Funicolare Como–Brunate, a historic funicular railway that departs from Piazza Alcide de Gasperi. In operation since 1894, the funicular climbs steeply and reaches the hilltop village of Brunate (700 meters above sea level) in just under 7 minutes. As we ascended, the view opened up gradually: the shimmering waters of Lake Como, the surrounding mountains, and on a clear day, even the distant peaks of Monte Rosa.

The funicular departs every 30 minutes, and a round-trip ticket cost us €6. You can find up-to-date schedules and prices here: https://www.funicolarecomo.it

Note: The entrance is slightly hidden—look for the word “Funicolare” atop a brown building, and you’ll need to pass through a bar to get in.

We folded up the stroller, and once we reached the top, we had a short but steep walk to reach the panoramic viewpoint. From around the Pissarottino Fountain, the view over the lake and the mountains is especially stunning.

Brunate is not only famous for its breathtaking views, but also for its charming streets and historic villas, offering a real treat for architecture lovers. For nature enthusiasts, several hiking trails begin here, making it a great starting point for longer walks. We took a shorter stroll through the town, soaking in the peaceful atmosphere before heading back down by funicular.

Back at lake level, we strolled along the waterfront promenade on our way to the car. We stopped to watch the ducks and swans—it was such pleasant weather, we weren’t cold at all. As dusk began to fall, we made our way back to Dongo.

In half a day, this is what we were comfortably able to see in Como—but the city offers even more. If you have more time, it’s worth exploring the elegant Villa Olmo and its park, the Tempietto di Volta monument, or hopping on a boat to discover another part of the lake.

Traffic was light, so we were back at our accommodation by around 6:30 PM. We finished the leftovers from the previous night’s dinner and had a cozy evening—already looking forward to tomorrow’s adventures.