Bellagio at a glance
Bellagio is one of the best-known towns on Lake Como and one of its main ferry hubs. A town map lists the main areas: Punta Spartivento at the tip, San Giacomo, Pescallo, Loppia and Villa Melzi, plus the passenger pier and the car ferry landing. The map dates from 2024, so use it for orientation only.
Bellagio is on the central car ferry network. The crossing to Cadenabbia takes 10 minutes on the autumn weekday timetable, and Bellagio to Varenna takes 15 or 30 minutes depending on the run. Those times are not a guaranteed frequency. The ferry page has the fares and the timetable periods.
Villa Melzi
The visit to Villa Melzi covers the park, a chapel and a small museum. Dogs must be on a lead, the lawns are closed to walkers and drones are not allowed. Normal tickets are sold at the ticket office on the day, with no reservation. Guided visits need an e-mail request in advance. For a view of how it fits with other villa visits, see tours compared.
| Ticket | Price in 2026 |
|---|---|
| Adult | €10 |
| Children up to and including age 11 | Free |
| Multi-day ticket | From €14 |
| Groups of 15 or more, per person | €8 |
| Schools, per person | €6.50 |
| Season ticket | €50 |
Villa Melzi opening hours
The hours shrink in late October.
| Period | Hours | Last entry |
|---|---|---|
| General season | 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., daily | 6:30 p.m. |
| 12 to 24 October | 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. | 6 p.m. |
| From 25 October | 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. | 4:30 p.m. |
The season is listed as running from 22 March to the end of October, and the garden closes on 1 November. Check the date before a late-season visit.
Our picks: Bellagio
A boat tour with a walk through town, or a boat trip on to Villa del Balbianello.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in euros (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Four-hour boat tour with Bellagio and Varenna
A shared boat tour past the villas with walks through Bellagio and Varenna and a prosecco tasting. Tips for the captain are not included.
Check availability →
Shared boat trip from Bellagio to Villa del Balbianello
Two hours by shared boat with garden entry to Villa del Balbianello and water. A guide and tips are not included.
Check availability →Bellagio tours and day trips
Boat trips, villa visits and day trips from Milan, with live prices and availability.
A day in Bellagio
A simple order for a day, built on ferries and opening hours.
Arrive by boat
The town map marks the passenger pier and the car ferry landing separately. The Bellagio and Varenna crossing takes 15 or 30 minutes, so you can pair the two towns in one day.
Varenna →Walk to the point
Punta Spartivento is at the tip of the peninsula. Pescallo, San Giacomo and Loppia are named districts on the town map, and Villa Melzi is marked there too.
Villa Melzi in the afternoon
Plan for the closing times in the table above, because the hours shrink in late October. In the general season the last entry is at 6:30 p.m.
Cross to the west shore
From Bellagio the car ferry reaches Cadenabbia in 10 minutes. From there Villa Carlotta is a walk of about 900 m, or about 450 m from Tremezzo.
Villa Carlotta →Swimming, cars and staying
The practical points.
The lido
The Lido di Bellagio, at Via P. Carcano 1, lists a box with 2 loungers, 1 umbrella and 2 towels for €50, and a gazebo for €200 for 2 people, up to 4. These are equipment prices, not an entry fee. The season is listed from May or mid-May to September, and the price block starts in June. Opening is at 10:30 or 11:30 a.m. and closing at 6:30 p.m., so check before you go. Whether you may swim at a given spot depends on local bans, so read the swimming page.
Cars
Do not count on driving into the centre. The municipality has a permit procedure for the restricted traffic zone, and free access is not on offer. Arriving by boat avoids the question. A park-and-walk plan needs a check of current parking rules.
Tourist tax
Bellagio charges a tourist tax for a maximum of 7 consecutive nights, and young children are exempt. Ask your accommodation for the current amount.
Where to stay →For the wider region, including Milan and Bergamo, see Bellagio on Visit Lombardy.
Bellagio: frequently asked questions
What is there to do in Bellagio?
Walk through the town to Punta Spartivento, visit the Villa Melzi gardens for €10, spend time at the lido and take a ferry to Varenna or Cadenabbia. The Villa Melzi park, chapel and small museum are the main sights.
When is Villa Melzi open?
Daily from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. in the general season, with the last entry at 6:30 p.m. From 12 to 24 October it closes at 6:30 p.m., and from 25 October it closes at 5 p.m. The garden closes for the season on 1 November.
Do I need to reserve Villa Melzi?
No. Buy normal tickets at the ticket office on the day. Guided visits need an e-mail request in advance.
How do I get from Bellagio to Varenna?
By ferry. The crossing takes 15 or 30 minutes depending on the run. Fares start at €3.00 for an adult single in band 1. See the ferry page.
Can I drive into Bellagio?
Access to the centre is regulated by a restricted traffic zone with a permit procedure. Do not plan on free driving in the centre, and check the rules for your day.