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Do you want visit Villa del Balbianello without trouble?

Central lake & visit of villa del balbianello.

1 hour on board and 1,5 inside the Villa del Balbianello

Are you planning your holiday on Lake Como and you want to be able to see all the villas on the lake without missing anything?

There are many beautiful villas on the lake but only four are open to the public: Villa Carlotta , Villa Melzi , Villa Monastero and last but not least the most beautiful one, Villa del Balbianello .

Villa del Balbianello is not only beautiful because it stands on a promontory and overlooks the whole lake but it is also difficult to reach.

If you have never come to Como lake you must absolutely see it, as well as the gardens, the interiors are also full of charm. Its last owner was the famous explorer Monzino, don’t miss his house museum!

Join the Group Tour!

Total price.

You will discover the center of the lake by seeing more than 20 beautiful villas:

• Villa Carlotta
• Grand Hotel Tremezzo
• Villa Melzi
• Grand Hotel Villa Serbelloni
• Villa Monastero and many other small villas but no less beautiful. Navigate along the coast until you reach Villa del Balbianello where you will have 90 minutes to visit the interior with a private guide and its beautiful garden

The ticket of the Villa it is included

Visit the Lake

With our boat is very easy to reach the other side of the lake: from Varenna we can get directly to Villa del Balbianello after about 30 minutes of navigation.

On the way to our destination, we will cruise past Cadenabbia, Tremezzo and Lenno. We will see Villa Carlotta, Grand Hotel Tremezzo and many other Villas.

Visit Balbianello

Once we reach Villa del Balbianello , a private English speaking guide will be waiting for you to show you the interiors of the house, explaining all its secrets.

After the inside tour you can visit the gorgeous garden.

We will pick you up at the pier and take you back passing through San Giovanni, Loppia, Bellagio and Fiumelatte.

Visit Bellagio

If you are staying in Bellagio or if you want to visit it, we can drop you off in the village center.

If you then want to return to Varenna or Menaggio you can take the ferries that run every 20/30 minutes. From Bellagio you can also take the hydrofoil (fast service) to go to Como.

Discover Lake Como with us!

Listen to the captain.

The captain will talk with the microphone via the modern boat's sound system. You will not lose any information

Private Guide

Discover the interior of Villa del Balbianello with a professional English speaking tour guide

You will feel like a VIP on our elegant mahogany-finished boat.

Our vessel is fully equipped with Mobile chargers for all our passengers.

Our water taxi provides excellent views of the Lake Como from all seats.

We have all the required safety equipment for adults and children.

Book online

Select the day of the service and how many people and all filed

Pay the deposit with credit card or paypal

Arriving at the dock

Pay the balance and you’re ready to embark on a journey of discovery around Lake Como!

Testimonial

We just returned from an extended trip to Italy, and a highlight was touring Lake Como with Luca. He was extremely informative and friendly. We would highly recommend using Luca and Taxi Boat Varenna for all your Lake Como tours

We had the wedding this day and after had a trip on taxi boat varenna. I liked it - the boat was clean and the driver was polite - he was making stops where we wanted to make photos

What a wonderful way to see the lake and the beautiful villas. This service is really well organized and professional. Our tour boat operator was excellent. I am so glad we added this to our vacation plans in Lake Como.

Had a wonderful tour of Lake Como with Taxi Boat Varenna. I was staying in Varenna and everything was very convenient and Luca was an excellent tour guide! I would highly recommend Taxi Boat Varenna for anyone visiting lake Como.

How to Visit Villa del Balbianello: Info & Tips (Lenno, Lake Como, Italy)

By Author Jurga

Posted on Last updated: November 20, 2023

Thinking of visiting Villa del Balbianello on Lake Como (Italy) and wondering what to expect? Want to know if you absolutely need to book your tickets in advance or if the hike to the villa is difficult? Or is it actually worth the hassle? In this guide, we share our experience-based tips and useful information for your visit. Find out!

Villa del Balbianello in Lenno is one of the most beautiful places on Lake Como . Built at the site of an old cloister at end of the 18th century by Cardinal Durini, the villa had many different owners over the centuries. In time, it was turned into a prestigious vacation residence, with the most unique location on Lake Como.

Today, Villa Balbianello is in the hands of FAI (the National Trust of Italy). This historic villa as well as its gardens are open for visits to the public. Nowadays, Villa del Balbianello is one of the most popular tourist attractions on Lake Como attracting lots of visitors.

Villa Balbianello owes its popularity to its stunning location, which distinguishes it from all the other amazing villas on Lake Como. In addition, it was also used as a setting for several Hollywood films , which made it even more famous among international visitors. James Bond Casino Royale film was filmed here and also Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones, as well as several lesser-known movies.

We recently visited Villa del Balbianello, and in this guide, we share some practical information and things you may want to know before you go . Find out!

Complete guide to visiting Villa del Balbianello– OVERVIEW

• Location & getting there (by shuttle boat, on foot, with a boat tour)
• Opening times
• What to expect
• Visiting with kids
• Useful tips for your visit

Location & Getting There

Villa del Balbianello is located on the Lavedo Peninsula next to the town of Lenno along the western shores of Lake Como in northern Italy. Because of its unique location on a hilly peninsula and being surrounded by the water on three sides, Villa del Balbianello requires a bit of extra effort to get to.

First, you should know that you are not allowed to drive all the way to Villa del Balbianello . You can drive to Lenno town, but unless you get there by 9-10 am, it’s very difficult to find a parking spot.

There are two ways to get to the villa from Lenno: by boat, or on foot. You can also visit Villa del Balbianello with a guided tour (e.g. this tour from Varenna). In that case, your tour will likely bring you to the villa by boat.

It’s now also possible to book a ferry + villa ticket and visit on your own (with departures from Bellagio, Varenna, Tremezzo, Como, or Cernobbio).

Here is how to get to Villa del Balbianello:

From the waterfront in Lenno town, you can take a small boat shuttle to the villa. These boats cannot be prebooked and operate on a first-come-first-served basis. There are boats approximately every 20 minutes and the boat ride takes less than 10 minutes.

At the moment of the last update, the boat shuttle to Villa Balbianello and back to Lenno cost 8 euros. Alternatively, you can just take the boat one way (there or back) for 6 euros.

This is a great way to arrive at Villa del Balbianello. You also get to see it from the water, which is the only way to actually appreciate the entire structure and its unique location.

TIP: There are also private boat tours of Lake Como starting in Lenno (e.g. this highly-rated private cruise ). These tours are amazing and show you the best scenery and villas, but keep in mind that they do not stop at any of the villas. So ideally, you do both – visit Villa del Balbianello and take a boat trip on the lake before or after visiting the villa. While the shuttle boat cannot be booked, a boat tour on the lake is best booked in advance.

You can also easily reach Villa del Balbianello on foot. This is a good option for those who don’t want to wait for the boat and also if the boats are not running due to the weather or it being a very low season.

There are two ways to get to Villa del Balbianello on foot :

• The easiest way is about 1 km and takes about 20 minutes from Lenno town center. The official signs say that it takes 20 minutes from the moment you join the path, but it took us just about 12 minutes from there to the villa. This trail follows a road that is used for service cars and staff. It’s a bit hilly, but really nothing to worry about. Everyone in a reasonable physical shape, including young kids can easily do this walk.
• There is also another – hiking – path that goes to Villa del Balbianello through the forest. It is much steeper and longer. According to the signs, this trail is about 2.5 km and takes about 45 minutes. We didn’t do that, so I cannot comment on how easy or difficult it is and the only people we saw doing this were wearing hiking shoes and carrying hiking poles.

Since the majority of visitors come here for the villa and not to hike, most just opt for the main easy trail.

Scenic boat tours

As already said, one of the nicest ways to truly appreciate the unique location and setting of Villa Balbianello is by seeing it from the water.

However, even though you can see the villa from the shuttle boat , it’s a covered (and likely crowded) little boat that goes too close to the shore to truly appreciate it.

It’s also possible to see the villa from some routes of the passenger ferries on the lake. But – depending on where you are coming from – your ferry might not pass close enough.

So if you want to get closer to Villa del Balbianello and admire the beautiful shores and other villas along Lake Como, you may want to consider a scenic boat tour . Keep in mind that most of these tours only run in the summer season and do not actually stop at the villa. The main advantage of these tours is that you can see places that are inaccessible by car and enjoy the majestic scenery of Lake Como from another perspective.

There are several options; here are a few of the most popular boat tours:

• Private boat tour from Lenno (starts close to Villa del Balbianello and offers the best value among private tours) or private boat tour from Bellagio, Varenna, Menaggio, or Tremezzo . These are the classic scenic boat tours on Lake Como that allow you to see the nicest towns and villas in the most beautiful part of Lake Como.
• Private boat tour from Bellagio . This boat tour passes the most beautiful shoreline of Lake Como, including Villa del Balbianello, Villa Melzi, and Villa Carlotta. It also sails alongside Comacina Island. You don’t visit any of these places – just see them from the boat.
• Private boat tour from Como town . A very similar itinerary as the tour above – just that you start/end in Como.
• Walking and boating tour . This tour combines the best of both worlds – you get to explore some of the nicest towns and villas of Lake Como on foot, and also from the water. It starts in Varenna.
• Organized day tours from Milan (best value). Most of these tours start with a visit to Como town, followed by a scenic boat cruise on the lake and all the way to Bellagio and Varenna. So you can admire the lakeshore and the villas like Villa del Balbianello from the boat.

Villa del Balbianello Tickets

Villa del Balbianello is open to the public, but you will need a ticket to visit here. There are two options: visiting only the gardens or the gardens and the interior of the villa.

Most people will only see the gardens. And the reason for that is simple – the inside of the villa can only be visited with a guided tour. See below for more info.

Garden + villa guided tour

Unless you are traveling in a quiet season, the chances of finding a free spot for a guided villa tour upon arrival are practically non-existent. Well, not in the summer anyway.

To give you an idea, when we were planning a visit to Lake Como for the third week of August, all the tickets for the guided tours were already sold out a month in advance. You may get very lucky and find that there has been a cancelation on the day itself, but it’s very unlikely that you will be right at the ticket desk at that exact moment when a spot frees up…

When I checked availability for September, on some days, it was possible to find some free spots about a week in advance. In November, there were plenty of tickets for the next day. So it really depends on the season when you visit.

TIP: If you absolutely want to visit the interior of the villa, be sure to check the official website and book your tickets upfront ! If you are traveling in the summer, I would book them as soon as you know your travel dates.

On the other hand, you don’t absolutely have to go inside – t he gardens are worth a visit too! But also for the gardens, the official website tells you that “reservations are mandatory”. But are they and what to do if you didn’t reserve? See below!

Only the garden

The majority of people visiting Villa del Balbianello only come here for the gardens. And yes, it’s totally worth it! The gardens are really pretty and very well-kept, and the views are spectacular. In addition, you can visit the loggia, which is the most impressive part of the villa anyway.

While the official website of the villa encourages you to buy tickets for the gardens in advance, it’s not really a must. The only difference is that you might have to spend quite some time in a queue at the entrance, so if you want to avoid the wait, it’s best to reserve your tickets in advance .

TIP: If you didn’t reserve a ticket, opt for a shuttle boat in order to get to Villa del Balbianello (vs. walking). The gardens have two entrances and the one by the lake where the boat arrives is usually much quieter than the upper entrance. This could save you quite some time!

When is Villa del Balbianello open?

Unlike some other popular villas in Lake Como, Villa del Balbianello can be visited almost the entire year.

At the moment of writing, Villa del Balbianello is open from about mid-March to January , daily except on Mondays and Wednesdays . You can visit from 10 am to 6 pm , with the last entry 1 hour before the official closing time (so at 5 pm).

TIP: Be sure to double-check the official website for the up-to-date opening times, especially if you are visiting Lake Como during the low season.

What to expect when visiting Villa del Balbianello

No matter which way you arrive at Villa del Balbianello, you will be impressed by its location and spectacular setting.

The Gardens

The terraced gardens have many sculptures and a wide variety of plants. It’s incredibly beautiful! In addition, you can enjoy the most breathtaking lake views all around you.

Take your time to walk around, soak up the atmosphere, and enjoy the scenery. Sometimes, it’s so busy that it can be difficult to appreciate how special this place is, but there are also some hidden corners in the gardens where it’s much quieter. Sit down on a bench and take some time to just be there, in a moment!

Good to know: With the garden-only ticket, you can visit all the buildings except for the villa itself. The most impressive of them all is the loggia offering stunning views. Through the windows here, you can see two beautiful rooms filled with books and period furniture, but you cannot enter inside.

The orangery at the upper entrance of the gardens can be visited inside. There’s usually a movie playing here about adventurer and explorer Guido Monzino, who was the last owner of the villa. At the bottom, by the lake, there is a small chapel . It’s now used as a gift shop.

If you manage to get the tickets for the guided tour, you can also visit the interior of Villa del Balbianello. It’s filled with all kinds of artifacts from Guido Monzino’s (the villa’s last owner) travels all over the world.

Interesting to know: Count Monzino was a 20th-century explorer, best known as the leader of Italy’s first expedition to Mount Everest. He was an avid climber who made over 20 climbing expeditions. He also traveled to the North Pole and you can see one of the sleighs from that trip inside the villa.

Monzino left no heirs and donated Villa del Balbianello to the National Trust of Italy, which runs it today.

Visiting Villa Balbianello with Kids

Yes, you can visit Villa Balbianello with kids, but there are a few things to consider. A lot also depends on the ages of your children.

First, consider how you will get to the Villa – on foot or by shuttle boat. The walking path is rather flat and you could take a stroller with you, but there are a couple of stairs in the beginning before you even get to the path, unless you manage to find the entrance that is used by service cars (I think there’s a gate there). Taking the shuttle boat can be fun, but the costs with a bigger family quickly add up (it depends on the age of your kids too).

Second, there are quite some stairs and steep walkways in the gardens. If you have a stroller, you could probably best leave it at the entrance – it would be easier.

And third, I think I’d skip the interior of the villa if you are visiting with toddlers and preschoolers. Even older kids could get bored during the guided tour and you’ll probably spend more time trying to make sure that your kids don’t touch or break anything rather than listening to the guide.

Good to know: Kids between 6 and 18 pay about half the price, and younger children are free of charge. They also have family tickets available.

Tips for Visiting Villa del Balbianello

Here are some useful tips for your visit:

• Book in advance! As already said, if you are traveling in the high season and want to see the interior of the villa, it’s essential to book long in advance. But also for the gardens, booking in advance will help you skip the line (we waited for more than half an hour to get in).
• Visit at the quieter hours of the day. If you can, plan your visit to Villa Balbianello either first thing in the morning when it opens or about an hour before the closing time.
• Consider taking a shuttle boat or a boat tour. While the walk to Villa Balbianello isn’t strenuous, it takes about 20 minutes to get there from Leno town. But the main reason to take a shuttle boat is that you get to see the villa from the water. Alternatively, visit the villa on your own and also take a scenic boat tour of Lake Como – it’s the best way to appreciate the villa and its stunning location. The shuttle boat doesn’t care for the best angles and it doesn’t stop for scenic photos.
• Wear comfortable shoes. Whether you are planning to walk to Villa Balbianello or take a shuttle boat, you’ll want to wear comfortable shoes for visiting the gardens.
• Bring some drinking water with you.
• Spend some time in Lenno town. In addition to visiting Villa del Balbianello, be sure to check out Lenno as well. The center is tiny and it will not take much time. The main landmark to see here is the  St. Stefano Church where you can also visit the  underground crypt . It’s free of charge (although donations are welcome, of course). Just next to the church, you can also see the  Baptistery . If you have a bit more time, take a walk along the  waterfront  area. There are a couple of restaurants here where you can have lunch, some drinks, or gelato.
• Don’t come by car. Parking in Lenno is a nightmare and the tiny car parking area that is closest to Villa Balbianello fills up by the time the villa even opens. The best way to come to Lenno is by boat. In the high season, there are lots of ferries from all the towns in the area. There’s now also an option to book a ferry + villa ticket if you prefer. In the low season, the car can be ok.

READ ALSO: Useful Info & Tips for Visiting Lake Como

So, this is our guide to visiting Villa del Balbianello. I hope that it gives you a better idea of what to expect.

If you are looking for more information for your visit to the area, take a look at the overview of our Lake Como guides :

• Best Things to Do in Lake Como
• Where to Stay in Lake Como
• Lake Como Travel Tips
• Most Beautiful Towns to Visit in Lake Como
• Most Beautiful Villas and Gardens of Lake Como
• Things to Do in Bellagio
• Things to Do in Varenna
• Things to Do in Como

Have a great trip!

If you found this post helpful, don’t forget to bookmark it and share it with your friends. Are you on Pinterest? Pin this image!

More travel inspiration for Northern Italy:

• 1 day in Milan
• Best things to do in Venice
• 1 day in Venice
• 3 days in Venice
• How to visit Venice by car
• Venice gondola tips
• Best things to do in Florence
• 1 day in Florence
• Best rooftops in Florence
• Best places to see in Lake Garda
• Best hikes in the Italian Dolomites
• Best places to see in the Italian Dolomites
• Most beautiful lakes in the Dolomites
• Where to stay in the Dolomites
• Best things to do in Verona
• Best things to do in Bologna
• Florence to Bologna: Travel Info & Itinerary
• … for many more destinations, see our  Italy travel guide .

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Friday 26th of January 2024

Thank you for a great guide. I need to ask some questions coming from a photographers point of view who wants to get some great shots, mainly from the the loggia, without too many tourists in my photos! Im planning on travelling around the end of May, im assuming this may allready help me. Also, after reading some reviews, im gonna try to get there at about 9am, way before it opens too further avoid crowds. Please advise if these are good ideas, or add anything you think i should do.

Thank you. Dom

Tuesday 30th of January 2024

@Jurga, great thank you very much 🙂

Monday 29th of January 2024

Hi Dom, the logia is part of the gardens, so you can't get to it before the Villa/Gardens opens to the public. But yes, in general, the earlier you get there, the fewer people there will be. Book the first slot of the day and then head straight to the logia. Have a great trip!

Sunday 29th of October 2023

Another well researched and written gem. We (from Australia) stayed a few nights in the camp park at Lenno and walked ony a couple of hunded metres from the entrance gate of the camp park to the entrance of Villa del Balbianello. Visited a little street market along the foreshore while we were there. Wonderful day out. The restaurant in the camp park is good too, and open to "outsiders" not camping there.. The Villa is magic.

Friday 3rd of November 2023

Thanks for your kind feedback and for sharing your experience, Graeme. Happy travels!

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BOAT TOUR WITH VISIT TO VILLA DEL BALBIANELLO

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• a dipendenti e collaboratori del Titolare o delle società collegate in Italia o all’estero, nella loro qualità di incaricati e/o responsabili interni del trattamento e/o amministratori di sistema;
• a società terze o altri soggetti (a titolo indicativo, Agenzie di viaggio, Tour operator, compagnie aeree, ferroviarie o di navigazione, compagnie assicurative, uffici consolari, etc.) che svolgono attività in outsourcing per conto del Titolare, nella loro qualità di responsabili esterni del trattamento.

5. Comunicazione dei dati Senza la necessità di un espresso consenso (art. 6), il Titolare potrà comunicare i Suoi dati per le finalità di cui all’art. 2.A della presente informativa a Organismi di vigilanza, Autorità giudiziarie, a società di assicurazione per la prestazione di servizi assicurativi, nonché a quei soggetti ai quali la comunicazione sia obbligatoria per legge per l’espletamento delle finalità dette. Detti soggetti tratteranno i dati nella loro qualità di autonomi titolari del trattamento. I Suoi dati non saranno diffusi.

6. Trasferimento dati I dati personali sono conservati su server ubicati all’interno dell’Unione Europea. Resta in ogni caso inteso che il Titolare, ove si rendesse necessario, avrà facoltà di spostare i server anche extra-UE. In tal caso, il Titolare assicura sin d’ora che il trasferimento dei dati extra-UE avverrà in conformità alle disposizioni di legge applicabili, previa stipula delle clausole contrattuali standard previste dalla Commissione Europea.

7. Natura del conferimento dei dati e conseguenze del rifiuto di rispondere Il conferimento dei dati per le finalità di cui all’art. 2.A della presente informativa è obbligatorio. In loro assenza, non potremo garantirLe i Servizi dell’art. 2.A. Il conferimento dei dati per le finalità di cui all’art. 2.B della presente informativa è invece facoltativo. Può quindi decidere di non conferire alcun dato o di negare successivamente la possibilità di trattare dati già forniti: in tal caso, non potrà ricevere newsletter, comunicazioni commerciali e materiale pubblicitario inerenti ai Servizi offerti dal Titolare. Continuerà comunque ad avere diritto ai Servizi di cui all’art. 2.A

8. Diritti dell’interessato Nella Sua qualità di interessato, ha i diritti di cui all’art.15 e precisamente i diritti di: i. ottenere la conferma dell'esistenza o meno di dati personali che La riguardano, anche se non ancora registrati, e la loro comunicazione in forma intelligibile; ii. ottenere l'indicazione: a) dell'origine dei dati personali; b) delle finalità e modalità del trattamento; c) della logica applicata in caso di trattamento effettuato con l'ausilio di strumenti elettronici; d) degli estremi identificativi del titolare, dei responsabili e del rappresentante designato ai sensi dell'art. 3, comma 1; e) dei soggetti o delle categorie di soggetti ai quali i dati personali possono essere comunicati o che possono venirne a conoscenza in qualità di rappresentante designato nel territorio dello Stato, di responsabili o incaricati; iii. ottenere: a) l'aggiornamento, la rettificazione ovvero, quando vi ha interesse, l'integrazione dei dati; b) la cancellazione, la trasformazione in forma anonima o il blocco dei dati trattati in violazione di legge, compresi quelli di cui non è necessaria la conservazione in relazione agli scopi per i quali i dati sono stati raccolti o successivamente trattati; c) l'attestazione che le operazioni di cui alle lettere a) e b) sono state portate a conoscenza, anche per quanto riguarda il loro contenuto, di coloro ai quali i dati sono stati comunicati o diffusi, eccettuato il caso in cui tale adempimento si rivela impossibile o comporta un impiego di mezzi manifestamente sproporzionato rispetto al diritto tutelato; iv. opporsi, in tutto o in parte: a) per motivi legittimi al trattamento dei dati personali che La riguardano, ancorché pertinenti allo scopo della raccolta; b) al trattamento di dati personali che La riguardano a fini di invio di materiale pubblicitario o di vendita diretta o per il compimento di ricerche di mercato o di comunicazione commerciale, mediante l’uso di sistemi automatizzati di chiamata senza l’intervento di un operatore mediante e-mail e/o mediante modalità di marketing tradizionali mediante telefono e/o posta cartacea. Si fa presente che il diritto di opposizione dell’interessato, esposto al precedente punto b), per finalità di marketing diretto mediante modalità automatizzate si estende a quelle tradizionali e che comunque resta salva la possibilità per l’interessato di esercitare il diritto di opposizione anche solo in parte. Pertanto, l’interessato può decidere di ricevere solo comunicazioni mediante modalità tradizionali ovvero solo comunicazioni automatizzate oppure nessuna delle due tipologie di comunicazione. Ove applicabili, ha altresì i seguenti diritti: i. Diritto di rettifica (art. 16) ii. Diritto alla cancellazione («diritto all'oblio») (art. 17) iii. Diritto di limitazione di trattamento (art. 18) iv. Obbligo di notifica in caso di rettifica o cancellazione dei dati personali o limitazione del trattamento (art. 19) v. Diritto alla portabilità dei dati (art. 20) vi. Diritto di opposizione (art. 21) nonché il diritto di reclamo all’Autorità Garante.

• una raccomandata a/r. a: Rigamonti Viaggi Srl – Via Galli 10 A – 23801 Calolziocorte (LC);
• una e-mail all’indirizzo [email protected] ;
• accedendo al sito del Garante Privacy http://www.garanteprivacy.it

10. Titolare, responsabile e incaricati Il Titolare del trattamento è Rigamonti Viaggi Srl L’elenco aggiornato dei responsabili al trattamento è custodito presso la sede legale del Titolare del trattamento.

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Book your exclusive Villa Balbianello boat tour with garden access. Immerse yourself in the breathtaking beauty of this Italian jewel. Reserve your spot today!”

Uncover the Secrets of Villa del Balbianello

An exclusive boat tour with garden access.

Welcome to our most exclusive and captivating offering – the Villa Balbianello Boat Tour.

Embark on an adventure of sophistication and wonder as we take you on a private boat tour to the legendary Villa del Balbianello, where you’ll have exclusive access to explore its enchanting gardens at your leisure.

Your Personal Oasis

Upon arrival at Villa del Balbianello, you’ll step into a world of natural splendor.

Wander through the lush gardens adorned with vibrant blooms, ancient statues, and charming terraces that offer panoramic views of the lake.

This immersive experience allows you to soak in the tranquility of the surroundings and connect with the villa’s rich heritage.

Meander through the well-tended pathways, breathe in the fragrant floral scents, and revel in the serenity that only these magical gardens can provide.

Raise a Toast with Prosecco

As you explore the villa’s gardens, enjoy a delightful surprise – a complimentary prosecco offering to elevate your experience. Savor the moment, raise a toast to the wonders around you, and create memories to cherish. The sparkling prosecco adds a touch of luxury and celebration to your exclusive garden tour, making it an unforgettable experience on Lake Como.

DISCOVER Villa del Balbianello

Insights from Captain Igor

Throughout the tour, Captain Igor, a seasoned boat captain with years of experience on Lake Como, will share fascinating insights about Villa del Balbianello and the captivating history it holds.

As you sail along the tranquil waters, Captain Igor’s expertise will enrich your journey, offering intriguing stories and historical anecdotes about the villa’s past and the prominent figures who once graced its halls.

His passion for Lake Como’s heritage will leave you with a deeper appreciation for this enchanting destination.

A Voyage to Elegance

Nestled on the picturesque shores of Lake Como, Villa del Balbianello stands as a timeless testament to elegance and charm.

Glide through the pristine waters, surrounded by the majestic landscapes of Lake Como, as you embark on a voyage filled with awe and excitement.

DISCOVER OUR CURATED TOURS

One hour tour, two hour tour, three hour tour.

Private boat tour with visit to Villa del Balbianello

• Entrance ticket with guided tour of Villa Balbianello (private guided tour)
• Boat tour for private use with departure from Bellagio, Varenna or Tremezzo
• Entry/Admission - Villa del Balbianello
• Departure also from Bellano, Cadenabbia, Dervio or other places on request
• Anything not expressly indicated under the heading "includes"
• Eventual tips and extras of a personal nature
• Option 1 22021 Bellagio CO, Italy Please be at the meeting point 15 minutes before the tour departure.
• Option 2 23829 Varenna LC, Italy Please be at the meeting point 15 minutes before the tour departure.
• Option 3 22016 Tremezzo, Province of Como, Italy Please be at the meeting point 15 minutes before the tour departure.
• Not wheelchair accessible
• Most travelers can participate
• This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
• This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund
• This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate
• All sales are final and incur 100% cancellation penalties.
• Villa del Balbianello

Similar experiences

• You’ll have 3 starting options See departure details
• 1 Villa del Balbianello Stop: 4 hours - Admission included Departure by boat from Bellagio – Varenna - Tremezzo. Departure Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 to 15:00. Stop to visit Villa del Balbianello + gardens included. During the visit to Villa Balbianello you will be able to discover the beautiful and well-kept botanical garden kept luxuriant by the skill of the Villa's gardeners, inside Villa Balbianello instead you will discover the museum of expeditions which recount the mountaineering exploits of the former owner Guido Monzino, the collections of rare artifacts and precious objects and the wonderful Loggia Durini monumental arched structure decorated by the beautiful Ficus Repens. Duration of the tour total 4 hours (2 hours of navigation with 2 hours of stop for the visit of Villa Balbianello). Read more
• You'll return to the starting point

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Private boat tour with visit to Villa del Balbianello provided by Rigamonti Lake Tour & Experiences

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Villa Balbianello Boat Tour

Enjoy Lake Como’s most classy villas and make a stop to the world-famous setting of Villa Balbianello.

The “must” of the experiences on Lake Como is the visit to Villa del Balbianello, famous location for filming the movies “Star Wars” and “Casino Royale”. Dive yourself into the charm of the Villa, heritage of the FAI (Fondo per l’Ambiente Italiano), enjoy the gorgeous gardens, and discover their hidden secrets.

While sailing, you can admire the most famous tourist resorts of the central Lake such as Bellagio the “Pearl of the lake”, Tremezzo, and Lenno. In addition. enjoy some of the most suggestive villas such as Villa Carlotta, Villa Melzi with its lush gardens. to then return to Villa Monastero and back to Varenna, the “Diamond of the lake”.

Pets not allowed.

SHARED EXPERIENCE

New request for villa balbianello boat tour.

Fill out the form or send an email to [email protected] . We will reply to you shortly confirming availability.

Destination

Departure time, return time, not included, our gallery.

MEETING POINT

BOOKING CONDITIONS

We require a deposit of 30% at the moment of booking, the balance should be paid 15 days before the scheduled service. If the balance is not paid by the scheduled deadline, the reservation will be considered cancelled and the deposit lost. For reservations made less than 15 days before the service the total payment amount is required.

In the event of extraordinary events that will prevent the smooth running of the experience, the entire amount paid will be refunded. Kindly note that the captain will decide whether the activity can be done or if it needs to be postponed.

SERVICE FEE

6% only for online payment

CANCELLATION CONDITIONS

Refund of the entire amount paid for cancellation up to 7 days before the date of the experience. No refund in case of no-show.

Villa del Balbianello

A treasure chest of memories of exploits and adventures on the western shore of lake como, ticket prices.

• PLAN YOUR VISIT
• EXPERIENCES
• PRIVATE EVENTS

LEGGI LA VERSIONE ITALIANA

Villa del Balbianello is located on a wooded promontory on Como lake. This elegant, romantic 18th century mansion and its magnificent garden have hosted writers, scholars and travelers, including Count Guido Monzino, the last owner of the Villa. It’s 38 km from Como. The Villa can be reached on foot or by taxi boat from Lido di Lenno.

Villa del Balbianello and its Garden will re-open, for the new season 2023, on Friday 11th March .

Last entrance to the Garden at 5.00 pm. Last entrance to visit the interiors of the Villa, with a 45 minute guided tour, at 3..30 pm according to availability.

We will be closed on Monday and Wednesday, apart from Italian bank holidays.

Please be there 30 minuts in advance.

Reservation is mandatory via www.villadelbalbianello.it For more information: [email protected]

In NOVEMBER, DECEMBER and JANUARY there will be reducted opening time.

Villa del Balbianello and it’s gardens will be open from 10.00 am to 5.00 pm

Last entrance in the gardens at 4.00 pm. Last entrance in the villa at 3.00 pm according to availability. Closed on Monday and Wednesday.

DECEMBER open only on: 1-2 - 3 - 5 - 8 - 9 - 10 - 12 – 15 - 16 - 17 - 19 – 22 – 23 - 26 - 29 - 30 – 31 december Closed on 24 and 25 decemberJanuary, open only on: 2 – 5 - 6 - 7 january On Sunday 7 January 2024 the touristic season will end.

Please, note that online booking is now mandatory: click here to book your visit.

Only Garden Self-guided tour, which takes about 45/50 minutes.

• Adults: € 13
• Children (6-18) and Students (18-25): € 10
• National Trust Members ( www.into.org/places/ ): € 10
• Free for FAI Members and residents of Tremezzina .
• Family ticket: € 38 (2 adults + 2 students 6-18 years old) Villa and garden It is possible to visit the Interiors of the Villa only with guided tour, lasting c. 45 minutes.
• Adults : € 24
• Children (6-18) and Students (<25) : € 16
• National Trust Members ( www.into.org/places/ : € 16
• FAI Members and residents of Tremezzina: € 5
• Family ticket: € 65 (2 adults + 2 students 6-18 years old)

The visits are made in groups of max 15 people in Italian and English.Please, during the reservation choose the time slot: once you will be at the ticket offices, the Staff will insert you into the closer tour available.

In order to book click here.

PRIVATE TOURS and GROUP TOURS: only upon reservation at [email protected]

• Ticket has to be stamped at the gate.
• Tickets are not refundable.

Every day by foot from Lenno. 1 km path with an uphill section that can be covered in about 25 minutes. Nearest Parking: “Parcheggio Mercato” Via degli Artigiani, close to Lido di Lenno otherwise Via Diaz or Via Silvio Pellico. Parking could be not easy during the summer because of the traffic. It is possible to access the Villa also by water, through a Taxiboat paid service, provided on Lido di Lenno. Private service, could be not available.Possibility of access by Lake with private boat services.

Private tours for individuals or group visits require a private tour guide and must be booked in advance.

Please, send your request to [email protected]

Our small bookshop will welcome you at the end of the guided tour. You can find local handicrafts and typical food products from our property in Sicily, Umbria and other regions in Italy. A selection of fresh drinks are available at the bookshop.

Visitors with disabilities and, when applicable, their caregiver have free access, in accordance with M.D. 507/97 updated to M.D. 13/2019 and L.104/92.

The guided tour of the interior of the Villa costs 4€ per person.

A reduced ticket is required in case of events and other additional services.

Guide dogs and therapy dogs with a training certificate for assistance to persons with disabilities are allowed, always on a leash, both in the Park and inside the Villa.

The Villa and the Park are partially accessible to persons with reduced mobility or in wheelchairs.

Access mode: • It is possible to reach the ticket office by car (upon communication); the caregiver will then bring the car to the public car park • The avenues of the Park are mainly gravel and sloping• The Villa is equipped with a lift with a cabin where a wheelchair can easily access. There is space in front of the door for easy access to 3 out of 6 floors • The Villa has private toilet facilities inside the Loggia Segrè and next to the pier.

For further information: [email protected] - tel 034456110

Comfortable shoes are recommended.

Dogs are always welcome in the Garden, but must be kept on a leash at all times. To ensure the protection and preservation of the interiors of Villa del Balbianello and its collections, only guide dogs and assistance dogs with certificates for accompanying people with disabilities are allowed inside. 

The closest parking , free of charge, is Mercato Parking in Via Comoedia in the municipality of Tremezzina, Lenno.

7 tips for visiting Villa del Balbianello, Lake Como’s most beautiful villa

Visiting Villa del Balbianello on Lake Como is like spending the day inside a postcard. Surrounded by beautiful gardens and with stunning views across the lake, it’s one of the most popular places to visit on Lake Como. It’s also been used as a location for Hollywood blockbusters like James Bond and Star Wars.

In this post I’ll tell you why Villa del Balbianello is worth visiting and give you some tips to help you make the most of a day trip to the most beautiful villa on Lake Como.

This post contains affiliate links – all that means is that if you buy something as a result of clicking on a link in the post, I’ll receive a small commission that helps me with the costs of running this site. Thanks!

Where is Villa del Balbianello?

Villa del Balbianello, the gorgeous villa that starred as a location in Star Wars and James Bond, is on the western shore of Lake Como in northern Italy. The nearest city to Lake Como is Milan, and the nearest airport is Milan Malpensa airport (airport code MXP).

Is Villa del Balbianello worth visiting?

Villa del Balbianello will blow you away. Utterly romantic and with the added intrigue of having been a location for world-famous movies, don’t miss paying it a visit when you’re visiting Lake Como.

A day at Villa del Balbianello promises to be truly magical. Start your visit by strolling through the exquisite gardens and admiring the views from the many balconies and terraces. Then, delve into the villa’s rich history with a guided tour.

About Villa del Balbianello

The Villa del Balbianello boasts a rich and fascinating history. A Franciscan monastery existed on the site since the 13th century; the two towers at the villa are the remnants of the monastery’s campanile.

The stunning location caught the eye of Cardinal Angelo Maria Durini in 1785, after he failed to purchase the nearby Isola Comacina. He transformed the old monastery into a summer villa, adding a loggia that offers two different, yet equally enchanting, panoramas of the lake. Cardinal Durini used Villa del Balbianello as a summer residence where he could indulge in his love for art and literature.

Following his death, the villa switched hands multiple times until it was purchased in the 70s by explorer Guido Monzino who filled it with memorabilia from his many expeditions, including the first Italian ascent of Mount Everest. Monzino died in 1988 and is buried in a mausoleum at Villa del Balbianello.

Today, Villa del Balbianello is owned by Fondo per l’Ambiente Italiano (FAI) – the Italian National Trust. It’s the most-visited of all the FAI properties, welcoming over 130,000 visitors in 2019.

Tips for your visit to Villa del Balbianello

Plan your visit carefully.

If you only have a few days on Lake Como, make sure you plan your visit to Villa del Balbianello on a day when it’ll be open. It’s open from March to January each year, on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays (closed on Mondays and Wednesdays).

You should check the FAI website before you visit just to make sure that these opening times haven’t changed.

Book guided tour tickets well in advance

If you visit Villa del Balbianello, you’ll have two options for tickets; a ticket for just the gardens or a ticket for a 45-minute guided tour of the house which also includes access to the gardens. Tours are available in English and Italian.

If you want a guided tour of the house, you’ll need to book well in advance; as an example, I’m writing this in the middle of June 2023 and tickets for the rest of June and most of July are already sold out. The guided tour ticket costs 23 euro per person.

Garden tickets are much easier to get, but you should still book them in advance, just in case. Garden-only tickets cost 12 euro per person, with reductions for children, students and FAI members.

To get to Villa del Balbianello, take the taxi boat

Villa del Balbianello is on a wooded peninsula just south of the village of Lenno, on the western shore of Lake Como. The best ferry stop for the villa is Lenno, and there’s a reasonable ferry service from Varenna, Bellagio, Tremezzo, Menaggio and Bellano.

There is no access by car for visitors, so you have two options for getting to Villa del Balbianello from Lenno.

Walking to Villa del Balbianello

The first option is to walk along the access path which starts just beyond the junction of Via degli Artigiani and Via Guido Delmati in Lenno. From there, it’s around 850 metres (half a mile) to the villa gate and the upper ticket office.

When I was researching how to get to Villa del Balbianello from the ferry in Lenno, I read several reports about how the path was easy, but a little steep in places. We ended up taking a taxi boat to the villa (more on that below) but walked back to Lenno along the route we would have taken to get there.

I live in a hilly part of the UK so I’m used to walking uphill, but this path really was steep – we passed a lot of people who were huffing and puffing their way up and some who were visibly having a hard time.

Taxi boat to Villa del Balbianello

If you’re not terribly fit, have difficulty walking, if it’s a hot day or you’re just a bit lazy like me, then I’d really recommend taking the taxi boat to the villa.

We chose the taxi boat just because we thought it would be cool to arrive at the villa like James Bond, Padmé and Anakin, but when we walked back down along the path and realised how steep it was, we were really glad we hadn’t had to walk up it!

The taxi boat to Villa del Balbianello leaves from a jetty at the end of Via Guido Delmati, near Lido di Lenno and the start of the access path to the villa. There’s a signpost with the current prices by the path to the jetty. A one-way trip is 6 euro, return is 8 euro, payable by cash or card on the boat.

The boat is more of a shuttle than a private taxi boat. It takes around 9 people at a time and takes approximately 10 minutes, depending on how much of a queue there is to let people off at the villa’s jetty. Trips run every 30 minutes until around 5pm.

A word of warning which unfortunately comes from experience – you might want to sit in the enclosed part of the boat. The outside part of the boat behind the skipper is cool but during our trip to the villa a wave came right over the windscreen and absolutely drenched me, leaving me looking more drowned rat than elegant speedboat passenger when we disembarked!

Don’t miss seeing James Bond and Star Wars film locations at Villa del Balbianello

Villa del Balbianello has featured as a location in several blockbuster movies.

Casino Royale (James Bond), 2006

In the 2006 James Bond film Casino Royale, Villa del Balbinanello is one of the key locations. It’s here that Bond (played by Daniel Craig in his first film playing 007) recuperates and is comforted by Vesper Lynd after being tortured by the film’s baddie, Le Chiffre, in the infamous chair scene.

The scenes in Casino Royale take place on the small lawn in front of the Loggia Durini; it’s easy to find the exact spot where it was filmed.

Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones, 2002

I get mercilessly teased for this, but Attack of the Clones is by far my favourite Star Wars movie, and it’s the film that made me really want to visit Villa del Balbinanello when I went to Lake Como.

In Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones, Anakin Skywalker (played by Hayden Christensen) is tasked with protecting Senator Padmé Amidala (Natalie Portman) after an assassination attempt. He escorts her to Naboo, where they stay in a beautiful villa on a lake.

Several locations at Villa del Balbianello are clearly identifiable in Attack of the Clones. The little stone jetty where Anakin and Padmé get off their boat isn’t currently in use, but you can go down the steps to see it. The place where Anakin first kisses Padmé is under a tree, looking south down the lake from the large, square terrace outside the bookshop.

There’s an ominous scene where Anakin stands with his hands behind his back, looking out on the lake; that scene was filmed at the Loggia Durini – the camera is just above where Bond was filmed four years later.

Another movie filmed at Villa del Balbianello is A Month by the Lake, a 1995 romantic comedy starring Vanessa Redgrave, Uma Thurman and Edward Fox.

Eat before you get here

There’s no cafe or restaurant at Villa del Balbianello, and the food and drink on offer is limited to a fridge of drinks and ice creams on sale at the bookshop. The lawns and terraces would be a great spot for a picnic, but sadly even walking on the grass is forbidden.

There are quite a few restaurants and cafes in Lenno, which you’ll pass on your way to and from the ferry stop. There’s also a great ice cream shop, La Fabbrica Del Gelato; it usually has a long queue but it’s worth it for the interesting variety of flavours and handmade ice lollies.

Feel free to dress up

One thing I noticed at Villa del Balbianello was the number of beautifully dressed people either taking selfies or in some cases, having full photo shoots. I thought I’d dressed ok (although remember I was drenched in lake water after my boat mishap) but I was definitely in the bottom 20% of stylish people there that day!

If you’re looking for an opportunity to wear your prettiest dress, visiting Villa del Balbianello is definitely it – you won’t be out of place at all. You should probably bring comfortable shoes though, as the gardens are on a steep slope and you’ll do a lot of walking.

Look out for extra-special tours

FAI offers occasional, extra-special private tours, either in the morning, before the villa and gardens open to the public, or at sunset.

They also offer special pruning tours in late January or early February. During these tours you can discover the secrets of the garden from the expert team of gardeners as they carry out the pruning that helps to keep the villa’s trees so beautifully shaped.

More villas to visit on Lake Como

While Villa del Balbianello is the best villa to visit on Lake Como, if you’d like to see more of Como’s lovely villas, there are lots more that are open to the public (although sadly George Clooney’s villa isn’t one of them).

Villa Monastero, Varenna

Like Villa del Balbianello, Villa Monastero in Varenna is also built on the site of a former religious institution, in this case a Cistercian convent. The villa was built, then rebuilt and modified several times, between the 17th and early 20th centuries. It was donated to the public in 1936.

Today, Villa Monastero is a museum, convention centre and botanical garden with a lovely lakeside terrace. The botanical garden is open from April to December, while the museum is open from late May to December.

Villa Carlotta, Tremezzo

Villa Carlotta in Tremezzo was built in 1695 by a rich Milanese family. It was then modified in the 1800s, when the balconies and its distinctive clock were added. It has been owned by a charitable foundation since 1927.

Villa Carlotta is open for visitors to experience its lovely and expansive gardens, which are particularly famous for their azaleas, along with an Italian garden and a Romantic garden. Don’t miss the impressive citrus tunnels in front of the villa.

Tickets for the Villa Carlotta’s gardens also include entry to the villa museum, which includes works by Antonio Canova, Bertel Thorvaldsen and Francesco Hayez, among others.

Villa Melzi d’Eril, Bellagio

Located just to the south of Lake Como’s most famous village, Bellagio, Villa Melzi d’Eril is a gorgeous white wedding cake of a villa. It was built in the early 1800s for Francesco Melzi d’Eril, who was vice president of the Italian Republic during the Napoleonic era.

Unfortunately the villa itself isn’t open to the public as it’s still a private residence, but you can visit the beautiful English-style gardens which surround the villa and lead down to the lake. Guided tours are available, and there’s also a relatively new museum dedicated to the Napoleonic period of Italy’s history.

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Gardens in Italy: 19 of the most beautiful gardens to visit in Italy

Experience the elite waterways of majestic Lake Como from aboard a beautiful wooden water limousine.

Cruise the lake on one of our award winning tours to the magical Villa Balbianello. Arrive like a celebrity for lunch at Villa d’Este or the Grand Hotel Tremezzo. Admire the beauty of Bellagio, Varenna and the lake’s countless beautiful lakeside villages from your private launch. Treat yourself and your family to a vacation highlight or arrange a romantic tour for someone special.

Start enjoying your holiday today and discover the essence of Lake Como with us.

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The Bellagio Water Limousines Experience

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Highlights of the Lake (1 hour Tour)

Villa Balbianello Tour (2.5 hours)

Lunch by Launch (3 hours)

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• Guided tour

River Cruise on Luxurious Radisson Boat

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Equipped with ice-breaking technology, these huge fancy yachts are the only river cruisers running all year around. The round trip journey takes two and a half hours and floats past all the big sights like the White House, Novodevichy monastery and the Kremlin. There’s a large open air observation deck up top, while the main body of the ship houses a restaurant with a dance floor for a romantic post dinner dance. For a particularly romantic experience take one of the evening boats and admire the bright lights of the city skyline at night.

The most relaxing and picturesque tour that Moscow can offer: a great way to see the city center and its main attractions. This is a perfect alternative to exploring the city by car, if you only have time to do sightseeing during weekday rush hours.

Your English-speaking guide is eager to share every bit of their knowledge about the surrounding landscape, the architecture and historical details.

We conduct Moscow river tour on Radisson Flotilla boats all year around!  It’s warm inside during winter months, while there’s air conditioning during hot summer days. You may also treat yourself to drinks, lunch or dinner on board (drinks and food are not included in tour price).

The cost of an excursion with a personal guide for 1 person

Quay at Radisson Collection Hotel

Government Headquarters ("the White House")

Kievsky Railway Central

Novodevichy Convent

Luzhniki Stadium

Academy of Sciences

Monument to Peter I

Cathedral of Christ the Saviour

Moscow Kremlin

St.Basil's Cathedral

Novospassky Monastery

U-turn and back to Quay at Radisson Royal Hotel

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• Excursion River Cruise on Luxurious Radisson Boat
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See photo of the meeting point

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