Villa del Balbianello Gardens Entry with Boat from Lenno Lake Como

Lenno and the boat ride to the villa

Lenno is a quiet lakeside village in the municipality of Tremezzina, on the western shore of Lake Como, with a long promenade, a small pier and an 11th-century baptistery beside its parish church. The boat leaves from the lakefront on Via Lungo Lago Guido Delmati and follows the curve of the shore towards the Lavedo promontory, so in a few minutes you see the villas, gardens and steep wooded hills that made this coast famous.

The ride lasts about ten minutes on calm water and gives the classic view of Villa del Balbianello rising above its stone landing, the photo many people come to Lake Como to take. It is also the practical answer to the question of how to get to Villa del Balbianello: the villa sits at the end of a narrow headland and the boat is the most direct way to its gate.

Villa del Balbianello: history of the symbol of Lake Como

The villa was built in 1785 for a cardinal and patron of letters who wanted a peaceful retreat for writers and scholars. He chose the tip of the Lavedo promontory, where a Franciscan friary had stood, and kept its church with the two small bell towers that still face the water. Over the following centuries the estate passed through several owners and hosted artists and intellectuals.

In the 20th century a Milanese explorer and collector restored the villa and filled it with maps, expedition equipment and objects from his travels to the mountains and the poles. On his death in 1988 he left it to Italy's national heritage trust, which still cares for the house and gardens. The estate is also a well-known filming location for international cinema, which has only added to its fame.

The gardens and the Loggia Durini

The gardens are the heart of this ticket. Paths climb from the landing through lawns, flower beds and avenues lined with statues, while plane trees are pruned into unusual candelabra shapes and holm oaks are clipped into neat umbrellas. In spring, azaleas and rhododendrons add colour, and in summer the shaded terraces are cooler than the shore below.

At the highest point stands the 18th-century Loggia Durini, an open gallery with slender columns, wrapped in climbing creeper. From here you look out over two different stretches of the lake: towards Comacina island and the Tremezzina coast on one side and towards Bellagio's promontory on the other. It is the best part of the visit, so leave time to sit and enjoy it.

Planning your visit: times, return and best season

Boats run every 20 minutes from 10:00 until mid-afternoon, and the time you book is the time you board, so arrive at the pier a little early, especially if you drive, because parking in Lenno is limited. Allow about an hour to an hour and a half in the gardens. The ticket is one way: the return is not included, so plan your way back to Lenno before you go and ask our team if you need help.

The villa opens seasonally from spring to early November and is not open every day of the week, so the booking calendar shows the available dates. The best time to visit Villa del Balbianello is a weekday morning in April, May, September or October, when the light is soft and the terraces are quieter. Strollers must be folded on board.