Town
Varenna
Lake Como · Lombardy
QUICK INFORMATION
- CATEGORY
- Town
- COUNTRY
- Italy
- REGION
- Lake Como · Lombardy
- DURATION
- 1–2 days
ABOUT THIS ATTRACTION
Varenna is the village on the eastern shore of Lake Como, across the water from Bellagio, and the quietest of the lake’s three mid-point towns. A single lakeside promenade runs along its front, past the medieval church of San Giorgio and the gardens of Villa Monastero and Villa Cipressi, and the village climbs steeply behind. It was founded in the 7th century by refugees from the island of Comacina, who fled to the eastern shore after their island was sacked, and it has kept a fishing-village character that the more fashionable towns have not. The car ferry to Bellagio leaves from here, making it a natural base.
HISTORY & BACKGROUND
The story behind it
Varenna was founded around 697 by refugees from the Isola Comacina, the last Byzantine stronghold on the lake, after it was sacked by the people of Como in 1169 and the islanders were given refuge on the eastern shore by the people of Varenna. The village grew as a fishing and farming settlement, and its medieval church of San Giorgio, with its Romanesque bell tower, dates from the 13th century. Villa Monastero, now a conference centre and garden, began as a 12th-century Cistercian convent; Villa Cipressi, beside it, is a 16th-century villa with terraced gardens down to the water.
WHAT TO SEE
What to see here
The waterfront promenade — the walk along the lakefront, the most atmospheric stretch of shore on the lake.
Villa Monastero and its garden — the long garden running along the water, with its exotic plants and the villa’s museum rooms.
Villa Cipressi — the 16th-century villa with terraced gardens down to the lake, beside Villa Monastero.
The church of San Giorgio — the 13th-century Romanesque parish church in the upper village.
WHY IT MATTERS
Why it matters
Varenna is the village that keeps the old character of the lake — the fishing village before the villas — and it is the one most visitors actually stay in, because it is quieter than Bellagio and directly connected by ferry. Its two villa gardens, running along the water, are among the best on the lake, and its promenade is the most peaceful. For a visitor, it is the natural base on the eastern shore.
PRACTICAL INFORMATION
Before you go
MAP & LOCATION
Varenna
Varenna, Lake Como, Lombardy, Italy
46.0097, 9.2842
MORE ATTRACTIONS
More to see in Lake Como
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THINGS TO DO
Things to do nearby
FOOD & DRINK
Where to eat nearby
Trattoria San Giacomo — a beloved local trattoria in Bellagio for lake fish and risotto, no reservations
Ristorante La Vista — the terrace restaurant at Hotel Albergo Milano in Varenna, with lake views and refined cooking
Al Prato — a quiet garden restaurant in Bellagio for modern Italian cooking, book ahead
Vecchia Varenna — a canal-side trattoria in Varenna for traditional lake cooking
Gatto Nero — a family-run restaurant on the Brunate hill above Como, with the view and the cooking to match
HOTELS & STAYS
Where to stay nearby
Grand Hotel Tremezzo — a grand lakeside hotel at Tremezzo with a floating pool and gardens, opposite Bellagio
Hotel Florence — a charming hotel in the centre of Bellagio, with a garden and a restaurant
Albergo Milano — a family-run hotel in Varenna with lake-view rooms and a terrace restaurant
Hotel Du Lac — a simple, well-placed hotel on the Varenna waterfront, good value
NEARBY DESTINATIONS
Continue the journey
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