Bellagio, Lake Como: Where To Stay, Eat, What’s Worth It & Getting Around

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Bellagio and Lake Como have been on my Italy bucket list for years and I finally got the chance this summer to see if it lived up to the hype on social media.

There are pros and cons to visiting and staying in Bellagio. Some people think it’s too crowed but I didn’t find it as busy as other popular Italian towns that attract tourists, such as Positano.

The advantage to staying in Bellagio is that it’s one of the larger towns on Lake Como and sits midway on the lake, making it easy to hop around to towns in either direction. In person, it was more beautiful than I’d given it credit for.

Based on my own experience, here are my recommendations of places to stay, what’s actually worth doing, where to eat, and how to get around (which can be tricky).

Where To Stay

Bellagio is a small town so your choices of where to stay come down to two options. You can either stay right in town or just outside town up the hill, which will require a short walk to town, a longer walk back to your accommodation up-hill, or a short 2- to 5-minute drive.

The closer you are to the town center and lakefront, the higher the room rates. There are advantages to staying in both locations.

In the Center of Bellagio

Moderate:

Hotel Bellagio

If you want to be slightly removed from the crowds but close to the center, this is a good pick. Hotel Bellagio is tucked away up one of the walkways, 38 cobblestone steps from the main promenade. Rooms are small but comfortable for the price and most have lake views. If you want the convenience of staying in town without the promenade pricing, stay here.

Hotel Florence

This is one of the oldest hotels in Bellagio and many guests fall for Hotel Florence’s old world charm. Rooms are larger than most, decorated in old Italian style and many have lake views.

It’s also home to one of the best restaurants in town for dinner. The hotel sits right across from the ferry terminal, so it’s very convenient if you plan to use the ferry.

More Expensive: Hotel Du Lac

If you want to be in the heart of the action, this is your spot. Guests are drawn to Hotel Du Lac’s modern rooms and lively hotel vibe. People flock to the hotel rooftop bar for drinks with amazing views or people-watch at the hotel’s frequently packed outdoor restaurant. It has lots going for it with its modern edge, delicious breakfast and great service.  

If You Want To Splurge: Grand Hotel Villa Serbelloni

The hotel’s nightly room rate is a real splurge but it has a lot of amenities that you won’t find anywhere else in Bellagio. Grand Hotel Villa Serbelloni is the only hotel in Bellagio’s center that lets you actually swim in the lake, which is a huge bonus in my opinion.

It also has a swimming pool, which is rare in the center of town, ( I think Hotel Excelsior Splendide is the only other one).

The rooms are grand, there’s a cozy old-school bar, restaurants, and guests can spend time at the hotel spa or beach club. If you plan to use all the facilities, the price tag can absolutely be worth it.

The Hills Above Bellagio

Choosing to be a few minutes from town allows you to get some respite from the Bellagio daytime crowds and wake up in the morning to peaceful panoramic lake and mountain views.

I usually like to stay in the center of town where all the action is, but I have to say, staying outside Bellagio’s town center turned out to be the right call for this trip.

The hotels up here are larger and have more space for guests to relax. Many have outdoor pools, which is a great way to cool off after a day of touring.

Boutique Hotel: Borgo Le Terrazze

This is by far my favorite place to stay near Bellagio. Borgo Le Terrazze is a five-minute drive from Bellagio and runs its own shuttle so getting back and forth is easy.

All the rooms here have lake views and breakfast is served on a beautiful indoor/outdoor terrace, the perfect spot to sip a cappuccino while you take in the mountains.

This boutique hotel has been in the family for several generations and they have done an outstanding job at blending modern comforts with traditional Italian hospitality. Our room had a beautiful shower and I counted eight electrical outlets in our room, surely enough for all of our electronics.

The staff went above and beyond to help us arrange restaurant reservations, provide ferry information and recommendations for day trips. The pool was lovely with an unusually-tiled bottom that gave it a luxurious touch.  Many guests hung out here throughout the day, yet there was always a seat for everyone.

Apartment-Style Hotel – Villa Vitali

An ideal place to stay if you’re traveling with more than two or three people and want a larger space with modern comforts. Villa Vitali is close enough to town, (a 15-minute walk), that you’re not forced to drive into Bellagio.

The advantage to staying here is that you have a pool, sauna, laundry facilities and a kitchen so you don’t need to run to town for meals but you’re still close enough for day trips and excursions. Bonus are the yoga, massages and cooking classes available.

Resort-Style Hotel: Hotel Belvedere

If you want to experience the grandeur of Lake Como in a more serene setting and looking for a getaway, Hotel Belvedere will hit the right note.  It sits on an expansive property (an acre) overlooking Pescallo Bay, with views that make it easy to spend the entire day here.  

Rooms are stylish and modern, and guests can choose to hang out here all day at the outdoor pool, extensive spa (steam, sauna, ice and relaxation rooms) and fully-equipped gym. The hotel also has in-house bars and restaurants so you really never have to leave.

If you decide to venture into town, Bellagio is less than a 10-minute walk away or the hotel offers a shuttle if you don’t want to walk up hill on the way back.

What To Do That’s Worth It

You can’t visit Bellagio without walking the lakefront promenade and wandering the town’s famous cobblestone walkways you’ve surely seen in photos. It’s fun to spend a slow morning ducking in and out of cute little shops, where you can also grab a gelato or glass of wine and people watch.

Once you’re done exploring, these are the other top three experiences that I think are worth your time:

Boat Ride

This should be your #1 priority if you are visiting Bellagio. After all, you can’t fully enjoy Lake Como without actually spending time on the water. There are several ways to do it:

1) Take A Private Boat Tour

The two of us went on a private 2-hour guided boat ride, a trip highlight.

Along the way, he pointed out all the celebrity villas belonging to Richard Branson, George Clooney, the Guiness Family, and Villa Balblioano, where one of the James Bond films, Casino Royale, was shot. We also had a chance to swim in the lake, which was refreshing and honestly, a must.

It’s so much more relaxing to have someone else drive while you sip prosecco and take in the lake. Our driver/guide took us down to the Nesso waterfall and back.

Private boat rides can be expensive but if you’re traveling with a group of 4 or more, private boat tours become more reasonably priced per person. If your group is large enough, longer tours on the lake become more affordable, allowing you to spend most of the day on the lake, which is a real treat.

2) Shared Group Boat tour

If you don’t want a long tour or are looking for a more afforable experience that gets you on the lake, I would choose a shared group boat tour . This one has an audio guide but you still pass most of the same lake highlights as you do on private tours, minus a swim stop.

3) Rent Your Own Motor Boat

If you feel comfortable behind the wheel, the rental company will give you a map with the lake highlights so you can do your own self-guided tour. The advantage here is that you can go at your own pace.

4) Ride The Ferry

Yes, there is also the option of the ferry. Taking the ferry is perfect for getting you from town to town. It doesn’t replace the up-close feel you get being on a smaller boat or allow for a swim stop but it definitely should be incorporated in your planning to get the full Lake Como experience.

➡️ SAVVY TIP: Even though we visited Bellagio in the summer, the weather was all over the map. It felt almost tropical, cycling through heat, humidity and rain, in short bursts. The surrounding mountains create lake winds that can shift the weather on a dime.  The lake seems to be calmest in the morning so I recommend booking your boat ride then.  We made it back in the afternoon, just before a quick rainstorm, and the waves were pretty rough for the last five minutes of our journey.

Kayaking

Bellagio sits at the tip of a peninsula, with Lake Como on one side and Lake Lecco on the other. You can kayak at Pescallo Bay, a short walk from Bellagio on the Lake Lecco side. Guided kayak tours are available and you get can experience an entirely different viewpoint of Bellagio from the water.

Swim In The Lake

It was so odd to me at how few places there are to actually get in the water in Bellagio. To me, part of experiencing a lake town is to experience the lake itself.

If you’re not staying at the Grand Hotel Villa Serbelloni, the only other main spot to swim in the lake is at the Lido di Bellagio,  a few minutes walk from the center of town.

It’s a decent beach club, where you can book in advance or on the spot two beach loungers and an umbrella for 50€. Keep in mind, the “beach” is sand on top of concrete, under the loungers. There’s a restaurant and bar on site, which will keep you hydrated throughout the day. You can access the lake via the stairs or a ladder.

It’s by no means on par with some of the other fancier beach clubs I have been to elsewhere in Italy but if your goal, like mine, is to swim in the lake, it will certainly do the trick.

We visited on a very overcast and windy day but once the sun came out, the water felt refreshing. Make sure to bring some water shoes as there are lots of small rocks as you enter.

If you’d rather swim like a local, and for free, there is a tiny beach in the fishing hamlet of San Giovanni, a 30-minute walk from the center of Bellagio. There are no chairs or restaurants here, just a quiet stretch of shore.

If You Have Extra Time

Bellagio makes a great home base for day trips by ferry or private boat. From here, you can easily visit Varenna, Menaggio, Villa Carlotta in Tremezzo and the outstanding Villa Balbianello in Lenno.

Where To Eat

In Bellagio:

Hotel Florence – One of my favourite places for a romantic dinner. Dining on the lakeside terrace under a 150-year old tree covered pergola was delightful. Be sure to reserve in advance if you want a lakeside table.

Arturo Bistro (Hotel Du Lac)
A contemporary menu and drinks, as well as bits and bites for those not looking for a full meal.

Their outdoor seating on the promenade for people-watching can’t be beat.

We needed a break from all of the Italian pasta we had consumed on the trip and really enjoyed their American-style burger and truffle fries.

Mr. Panino – we stumbled upon this place and it’s perfect if you want a quick grab-and-go panini sandwich for lunch.

I’m generally not a fan of the thick Italian crusted bread used for sandwiches but you can ask for focaccia instead and it was delicious. The lunchtime line looks intimidating but moves quickly and you won’t wait too long.

Ristoro Forma & Gusto  – No views here but everyone who eats here leaves satisfied. Pizza is the focus through we ended up ordering fresh mussels when we visited. Efficient service and good casual spot.

Bar at Grand Hotel Villa Serbelloni –  Drop by for pre dinner or after dinner drinks at this old school styled bar. The bartenders are dressed in white tuxedos and pour from a long list of classic cocktails.

The room is small with cozy tables but we enjoyed watching the bartenders in action with our seat at the bar. The complimentary bar snacks here feel almost like a full aperitivo and they’re just as good as the drinks.

Enoteca Principessa – if you are looking to take a break and enjoy a glass of wine, without the food, this is a cute stop where you can try wines by the glass while your seat on their outdoor stairs.

Outside of Bellagio:

Ittiturismo Mella in San Giovanni – If you like fish, you must venture out to Mella. It’s located in San Giovanni, a fishing hamlet that is a few minutes drive outside of Bellagio. The owner is a fisherman who serves his daily catch.

The restaurant is packed with visitors from surrounding towns who come here for the unpretentious vibe to enjoy local and creative food. (An aside: their dog, Ice, was featured on the Netflix documentary Dogs). One of our best meals in Bellagio.

Baita Belvedere – You can drive to this restaurant in the hills yourself or meet the restaurant shuttle in town like we did. Either way, the winding ride up to this restaurant in the mountains is worth it.

This family-run restaurant serves traditional Italian dishes with striking views of the lake and PreAlps. A great change of scenery from the Bellagio waterfront dining experience.

How To Get To Bellagio & Around

Getting to Bellagio from Milan

By Train & Ferry

If you are coming to Bellagio from Milan, hop on the train to Varenna, then walk downhill for 10 minutes to catch the ferry to Bellagio. If you are coming from the Milan airport, you’ll need to take the train to the Milan train station first in order to board the train to Varenna.

Keep in mind that if you are going back to Milan this way, there is an uphill walk from the ferry to the Varenna train station. It’s doable but we’re glad that we didn’t attempt it in the summer heat with our luggage.

If you’re traveling with luggage or have mobility issues, taking a taxi for that short distance will save you in the long run. Our hotel in Bellagio helped us contact a Varenna taxi in advance to arrange pickup, which was a lifesaver.

By Car

We hired a car service in advance to drive us to Bellagio. It’s expensive, but for us it was worth it after a long overnight flight. We just didn’t feel up to the journey of taking two trains and a ferry, plus dragging our suitcases with us.

You can also rent a car and drive yourself to Bellagio from Milan, but be forewarned that the roads are winding and narrow, and it’s not as relaxing a journey.

Getting Around Bellagio

Getting around once you arrive is one of the more challenging parts of visiting Bellagio. There is no public transportation. You also can’t really drive in the town center, and there is very limited parking outside of it. If you do have a car, I’d park it once and leave it until you go, otherwise it becomes a hassle.

Where you stay in Bellagio really determines your transportation options. If you don’t stay in town, you’ll need a hotel shuttle or a car. I didn’t see any taxis in Bellagio, just some private drivers or shuttles.

I heard about a couple who got stuck trying to get to their Airbnb in the hills once they got off the ferry, since they didn’t have a car and thought they could just call a cab.

Taking the Ferry

FAQs

Is It Worth Staying In Bellagio?

Absolutely! Bellagio is one of the larger towns on Lake Como, after Menaggio, yet it’s still pretty small. When the tourists go home at the end of the day, you get to enjoy it even more. I love staying in charming towns in Italy.

Is It Easy To Get Around Bellagio?

Yes, it just takes some advance planning to make sure you are staying somewhere that makes getting around easy or deciding whether you need to rent a car.  If you are staying right in town, you can walk everywhere you need to get to.

SAVVY SUMMARY

Before this trip, I wondered if Bellagio could possibly live up to everything I’d seen online. It turns out it did and I think staying here made all the difference.

The charming town with beautiful views, easy ferry connections, as well as lovely places to stay and eat, make it easy to relax here for a few days.

If you plan to visit Lake Como overnight, I’d recommend making Bellagio your base and exploring the rest of the lake from there.