Bellagio is not only one of the most beautiful towns on Lake Como, it’s also one of the most popular, with most tourists who travel to Lake Como choosing to spend time there because of the allure of that Italian fairytale holiday. Because I don’t like crowds, I decided to arrive in Bellagio early in the morning, and take my time to explore before the day tourists arrived from Milano. I explored every corner of this beautiful Italian town, taking it slowly, so I could bring you this guide on the best things to do in Bellagio.
About Bellagio
Bellagio is also known as the pearl of Lake Como. With its steep, narrow cobbled streets of pastel coloured houses decorated with the most beautiful flower pots, and the alleys where you will find shops and restaurants, Bellagio is indeed a jewel.
Even though Bellagio is quite small, there are plenty of things to do which will fill up a day of your Lake Como itinerary. I wouldn’t rush around during a visit to Bellagio because it’s all about taking in its beauty, strolling along the lake to find the best viewpoints, enjoying a drink with a view, shopping for handmade souvenirs, or stopping at one of the gorgeous terraced gardens for a moment to relax.
The Best Things to Do in Bellagio:
Wonder Around the Old Town
The best way to explore Bellagio is to just wander and get lost in its alleyways, discovering hidden corners, pretty buildings, unique shops, as well as cafes and restaurants with a view. The higher you climb on the steep streets of Bellagio, the better the view of the lake gets.
Lake Como is shaped like an inverted “Y”, and Bellagio has the privilege to sit at the triangular base where the two arms meet and the lake divides. This results in the panorama of the lake with the Alps, sometimes capped with snow, behind it, contributing to the charm of the town.
As you arrive in Bellagio by ferry, you can climb one of the three medieval stone stairs leading uphill, towards the main road cutting through the centre of the town: Mazzini, Centrale and Garibaldi. At the top of the hill sits Villa Serbelloni, the most famous villa in town, which is now a private 5 stars luxury hotel.
Visit Basilica St James
The 12th century old Basilica of St James is located in the main square of Bellagio, surrounded by small cafes. The café just opposite the church used to be owned by a monastery, which makes having a coffee here suddenly much more interesting.
St James church was built by local artisans in a Lombard-Romanesque style. The interior and the base of the church are still the same, but the top was rebuilt later, during the 18th century.
If you look closely at the base of the bell tower you will see that it has been built over the ancient town defence walls.
Inside, the St James basilica has a few historical artefacts, such as a cross from the 12th century or the altar, which dates from the 16th century. The church is dedicated to St James, who is the patron saint of Bellagio.
Find the Famous Viewpoint of Bellagio
Another great thing to do in Bellagio is to find a great viewpoint. There are many viewpoints in Bellagio, but there’s only one that appears on most postcards and articles online, it’s that pretty street going downhill, flanked by charming buildings decorated with climbing ivy, pots of red flowers hanging over balconies, and vintage lamps. In the background, you can see the lake and the mountain covered with lush pine forests behind it.
You will find this viewpoint at the top of Salita Serbelloni. You can click here for the exact location. If you want to take a photo without too many people around, make sure you arrive here as early as possible.
Stroll Along the Waterfront to Punta Spartivento
Another great viewpoint in Bellagio, looking over the Alps, is Punta Spartivento. From here you can admire the panoramic view of the lake and the Alps behind it. This is where the inverted “Y” is, where the lake breaks into three different branches.
If you visit out of season, on a clear day you can see the snow capped peaks of the Alps. It’s definitely a great place to spend a little while, maybe with an Aperol Spritz at the nearby La Punta restaurant.
Have a Coffee in Town
There are plenty of cute cafes where you can enjoy an Italian cappuccino, or a strong espresso if you need an energy kick. As I arrived in Bellagio quite early, I went to Café Vecchio Borgo for a cornetto filled with chocolate, and a cup of coffee.
I liked that the place was filled with locals, who would just come in, sit down and get their orders without even having to ask for anything. I love that about Italy! When I used to live in Tuscany, my local café knew my coffee order as well, and I would get my cup of hot coffee as soon as I sat at a table.
Find the Secret Alley to Pescallo
I stumbled upon Pescallo extremely randomly, when I decided to follow a gravel path between stone walls, at the far end of Bellagio. The path led to nowhere, ending at the shore of the lake from where I could see a tiny village on the right hand side. I climbed the steep road back up and found a tiny stone staircase breaking though the walls. I followed it and found myself in Pescallo.
As I emerged in Pescallo, I noticed a lady sweeping outside the front of her house. Next to her, a cat was stretching, sharpening her claws on a woody plant next to the door.
This quiet, small village, is home to a fishing community, away from the crowds of Bellagio. You won’t find many tourists around here. This is where I felt the real beauty of the Italian lakes, away from the noise of the tourists and their cameras.
Practice SUP or Go Kayaking on Lake Como
If you want to experience water sports on Lake Como, in Belaggio, Pescallo is the place to come to. The kayak club offers different tours on the lake, as well as equipment hire if you want to go on your own.
You can go kayaking around the villas at sunset, take a SUP lesson or enjoy a relaxing vintage wooden boat ride that will take you back to the 19th century.
Take a Dip in Lake Como
When you first get of the ferry in Bellagio, you wouldn’t think that you could actually swim in the lake. But Bellagio does have a beach with crystal clear waters where it is perfectly safe to swim.
The public beach in Bellagio is located in the nearby village of San Giovanni, which is a 25 minutes walk away from the city centre. It is a pebbled beach, so bring proper shoes.
The beach has a small shop from where you can rent chairs for 10 euros a day, if you want a lazy day sunbathing surrounded by a dreamy scenery.
Visit the Gardens of Villa Serbelloni
Villa Serbelloni is a historical luxury hotel that can only be enjoyed by its guests. However, you can visit the gardens on a guided tour on certain days. The tour takes 2 hours and costs 10 euros per person. It’s a gentle stroll around the landscaped exotic gardens, with plenty of information about the 15th century villa.
The visits are limited to 60 people per day, so you must book tickets in advance if you want to see the gardens. The gardens of the villa are only open from mid-March until the beginning of November. You can book your tickets in advance by clicking here.
See the Gardens of Villa Melzi
Villa Melzi is much easier to visit than Villa Serbelloni. This villa was commissioned by the Duke of Lodi, the Vice president of the Republic of Italy during Napoleon’s reign. The Melzi domain is composed of elegant gardens, the Villa, the Orangery, the Chapel, and many strategically places statues.
The villa has been decorated by many of the famous artists of the time, and the grounds can be visited for a fee of 8 euros. The ticket is valid for the entire day, so you can come and go as many times as you want.
Find the Christmas Shop
One of the little gems I found in Bellagio was the Christmas shop located next to St James Basilica. This tiny shop sells handmade glass decorations, mostly baubles and Christmas ornaments, made by Anita Colombo, a local artist.
All the decorations are glass blown and then painted by hand, so buying a souvenir from here is really special.
Try Risotto With Fried Perch
Perch is the native fish of Lake Como. It’s a freshwater fish with a tender white flesh. One of the Lombardian specialties in Lake Como is the risotto topped with fried perch. The version I tried had parmesan as well, which elevated the taste of the dish. The dish was very delicate and creamy, with a slight saltiness because of the cheese, accompanied perfectly by the crunchy texture of the fried fish.
How to Get to Bellagio
There are two ways to get to Bellagio, if you are travelling from Milano. The easiest is to jump on the train to Varenna, and then take the ferry straight to Bellagio.
The longer way involves taking the train to Como, and then the ferry or the hydrofoil to Bellagio.
I would recommend spending at least one night in one of the beautiful towns on Lake Como, to experience them without the crowds as well.
Where to Stay in Bellagio
To be fair, there aren’t any affordable hotels in Bellagio. Being such an exclusive destinations in Italy, a room in a hotel in Bellagio starts at £120 a night.
If you are travelling with friends, it’s a good idea to hire an apartment. Salita Plinio apartment is located in the heart of Bellagio and has a very colourful character. You can book this apartment for £120 a night in low season. For the latest rates on Booking.com click here.
For a room with a view, check out Hotel Suisse, which is right on the waterfront in Bellagio. A room here starts at £150 a night. For more reviews check out Tripadvisor, and for the latest rates on Booking.com click here.
If you are travelling to Lake Como on a budget, as I did, choose to stay in a more affordable town, such as Como. I stayed in the La Rampe apartment and paid £75 for two nights. The apartment was located a 10 minute walk from the ferry harbour, and could sleep at least 4 people. For the latest rates on Booking.com click here.
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I love that you allowed yourself the time to spend some time in Bellagio and really get to know the area more intimately. So often, travelers dash through one town or another, ticking off the must-see attractions. But you’ve shared some of the beautiful spots that I would personally gravitate toward, like the scenic vantage points, and secret alleys. And what fun to go looking for the Christmas Shop near St. James Basilica! Finish up with a delicious risotto dish and comfortable stay at the Salita Plinio apartment or the Hotel Suisse with a view, and you’ve designed my perfect visit to Bellagio. I wouldn’t mind paying a little more for a hotel in this dreamy destination!