This itinerary helps visitors to discover the most famous places in the central part of the Lake Como, the villages of Menaggio, Tremezzo and Bellagio, the villas, the gardens and breathtaking views.
The route is accessible by boat and the duration is one day.
MENAGGIO
Menaggio is located at the beginning of a large valley that connects it to Lake Lugano. It has ancient origins and there are many important artistic heritage; the main places of interest are:
- The Church of Santa Marta
- The Parish of Saint Stefano
- The Castle Quarter
- The Church of San Carlo, with its characteristic Spanish style sailboat
- The monument to the Tessitrice, which meets along the beautiful lakeside promenade
- Villa Mylius Vigoni, which boasts a large English park, designed and built by Giuseppe Balzaretto, which surrounds the villa and offers a natural and environmental setting of rare beauty; orchids, secular trees, panoramic views, exotic essences are a unique heritage.
From Menaggio you can take the boat and get to Tremezzo.
TREMEZZO
“Middle-land”, stands in part along the lakeside, with its 18th and 19th century villas and low porticoed houses, and in part on the slopes on the mountain behind. Since 2008, Tremezzo has been admitted to the Association “I Borghi più Belli d’Italia”. The main places of interest are:
- Villa Carlotta, with its beautiful gardens spread over 70,000 square meters, among precious trees of exceptional proportions, 150 varieties of rhododendrons and azaleas, ancient specimens of camellias and exotic essences. Complete the panorama of the treasures of the villa’s interior with artwork on the ground floor, among which are the sculptures of Canova and his school.
- Sampietro porticoes, under which there are shops, restaurants and cafés
- The Olivelli Public Park, a beautiful and romantic green corner overlooking the lake that was converted into an Italian baroque garden with a monumental double staircase and a large fountain with statues.
- The Church of St. Lorenzo
- Villa Carlia, a prestigious construction with sober lines immersed in an elegant park
- Villa La Quiete, dating back to the eighteenth century with a remarkable Italian garden
BELLAGIO
Situated at the extreme point of the region that divides Lake Como into two branches, it is easily reachable by boat from Tremezzo or Menaggio; the tourist center, occupies the extreme part of the promontory. The main sights are:
- The church of St. Giacomo, dating back to the 12th century, boasts very impressive interiors
- Villa Serbelloni, located on the promontory of Bellagio. From the park you can enjoy a superb panorama of the branches of Lake Como and Lecco; The villa has a very ancient history and is now inherited from the Rockefeller Foundation. Villa Serbelloni is a place of residence and meeting for scholars.
- Villa Melzi, with its simple and neo-classical lines, was designed by the architect Giocondo Albertolli in 1808. The park surrounding it was accomplishing with great care by leveling the land and today you can admire interesting sculptures, a pond of water lilies, an orangery Used as a museum and flowers of the neoclassical garden of the Melzi family.
From Bellagio by boat or ferry you can reach VARENNA, a splendid village on the eastern side of the lake.
Here you can walk along the picturesque lake promenade between rock and water leading into the heart of the village, made of ancient streets and architectural testimonies, such as the medieval Church of S. Giorgio, Villa Monastero and Villa Cipressi.
