Towns to see on Lake Como from the lake: the most beautiful to admire by boat

Lake Como is home to some of the most famous villas in Europe, built over the centuries by nobles, industrialists, and aristocrats attracted by the mild climate and the beauty of the landscape. Many of these residences overlook the water directly, with terraced gardens, stone staircases, and private docks that tell the story of a time when the lake was the true main road. To appreciate them in their entirety, however, there is only one observation point that truly works: the lake itself.

Villa del Balbianello, Lenno

It is probably the most photographed villa on the lake. Built in the 18th century on a wooded promontory near Lenno, Villa del Balbianello has such a scenic position that it has been chosen as a film set for movies like Casino Royale and Star Wars. From the lake, its loggia overlooking the water and the gardens sloping down to the edge of the promontory can be seen in all their splendour. Access by water is also one of the official ways to reach it.

Villa Carlotta, Tremezzo

Overlooking the lakeside of Tremezzo, Villa Carlotta is famous for its botanical gardens rich in azaleas, rhododendrons, and tropical plants. Viewed from the lake, the white neoclassical façade — flanked by the intense green of the vegetation — is one of the most recognisable views of the entire basin. The villa also houses a collection of 19th-century sculptures and paintings.

Villa Melzi, Bellagio

Located just outside the centre of Bellagio, Villa Melzi was the first neoclassical villa built on the lake after the Unification of Italy. Its gardens stretch along the shore for about a kilometre and are dotted with sculptures, ponds, and exotic plants. From the lake, the perspective of the park and the main body of the villa — with the mountains in the background — is particularly striking in the morning hours when the light is still soft.

Villa Olmo and Villa d'Este, Como and Cernobbio

In the southern part of the lake, two residences of great historical significance stand out. Villa Olmo, on the outskirts of Como, is an 18th-century neoclassical villa with a park that descends to the water; today it hosts cultural events and is recognisable by its symmetrical and imposing façade. A little further north, in Cernobbio, stands Villa d'Este: built in the 16th century and now converted into one of the most exclusive hotels in Europe, it is famous for its Italian gardens and the floating pool on the lake, clearly visible from the opposite shore.

Sailing along the shores of Lake Como with the possibility of stopping in front of each of these villas, choosing the time of day most suitable for the light, and approaching the historic docks without time constraints is something that organised tours rarely allow. The scheduled boats follow fixed routes and have very brief stops; group tours leave little room for contemplative pauses. Those who truly want to take the time to observe, photograph, and understand these places in their complexity can find on Lake Como App private boats with and without skippers, designed specifically to create customised itineraries along the most beautiful villas of the lake.