Varenna at a glance
Varenna sits on the eastern shore of Lake Como and has a direct train from Milan. A direct train runs from Milano Centrale to Varenna-Esino in about 64 minutes, roughly once an hour, with about 16 trips a day. The station is the reason many visitors pick Varenna as a base or as a day trip.
The village is small. You can walk from the ferry landing to the center in a few minutes, and two sights are worth planning around: Villa Monastero on the water and Castello di Vezio on the hill above. This is an independent guide, not run by the municipality, the villa, the castle or any boat company. Prices are in euros, as listed for 2026, and they change.
The lakeside walk
The Passeggiata degli Innamorati links the ferry landing with the village center. It is a short promenade and walkway right at the water. Most visitors walk it twice: once on arrival and once at the end of the day, when the light changes over the harbor.
Parts of the village center are one-way for traffic on weekends and in summer, from 20 June to 6 September in 2026. That is one more reason to arrive by train or ferry instead of by car. Whether you stay or just visit, plan on being on foot.
Our picks: Varenna
A garden ticket, a guided hike to the castle and a boat tour with a Varenna stop.
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.
Guided hike above Varenna to Castello di Vezio
About six hours with a local hiking guide and visits to Varenna, Villa Monastero, Vezio Castle and the Fiumelatte. Lunch is optional at extra cost.
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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.
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Villa Cipressi gardens entry ticket
Entry to the botanical garden of Villa Cipressi on the lakefront. A guided tour is not included.
Check availability →Lake Como boat trips and tours
Shared cruises, private boats and day trips on the lake, with live prices and availability.
Villa Monastero
Villa Monastero has a garden along the water and a house museum, the Casa Museo. Tickets cover the garden alone or the garden plus the museum. Individuals and families do not need to reserve. Groups do. An online ticket fixes the date but not the hour, and it cannot be refunded or moved.
| Ticket (2026) | Garden | Garden and museum |
|---|---|---|
| Adult | €13 | €15 |
| Over 65 | €10 | €11 |
| 15 to 25 years | €7 | €9 |
| Up to 14 years | Free | Free |
The last entry is 30 minutes before closing. In 2026 the garden opens daily from 9:30 to 19:30 in April, May and September, and from 9:30 to 20:00 from June to August. In October it opens daily from 10:00 to 18:00. From November to December it opens from 10:00 to 17:00 and is closed on Tuesday and Wednesday. The museum is closed on Tuesdays from March to May and in September and October, and the villa is closed on 25 December.
Castello di Vezio
The castle stands above Varenna in the hamlet of Vezio. An adult ticket costs €7. The reduced price of €4 applies to people over 65, children from 6 to 17 and groups above 12. Children up to 5 enter free. You do not need to reserve, and the last entry is 20 minutes before closing.
The castle is open daily from 1 March to 1 December. In October the hours are 10:00 to 17:00 from Monday to Friday and 10:00 to 18:00 on Saturday and Sunday. In November it opens from 10:00 to 17:00 and closes when it rains. In winter it opens only on weekends and holidays with good weather, and not on 25 December. The falconry shows have been stopped for good. Dogs must be on a leash, kept off the lawns and kept away from the owl enclosure.
Getting to Varenna
By train, take the direct service from Milano Centrale to Varenna-Esino. The ride takes about 64 minutes. Do not plan a tight ferry connection around that figure, because the timetable gives no guaranteed link. For the wider picture, see Varenna in the Lombardy guide and our page on the day trip from Milan.
By ferry, Varenna belongs to the central network with Bellagio, Cadenabbia and Menaggio. On the weekday autumn timetable, Menaggio to Varenna takes 15 minutes, and Bellagio to Varenna takes 15 or 30 minutes depending on the run. Only landings marked "traghetto" take cars. The autumn timetable runs from 4 or 5 October to 1 November 2026, and a winter timetable follows. Check it before you plan a late return.
Ferry fares in 2026 start at €3.00 for the shortest single trip and rise to €14.50 for the highest tariff step. Fast boats add a supplement. Arrive at the landing about 20 minutes before departure and buy your ticket at the ticket office where there is one, because buying on board can add €1. See the ferry page for more.
On foot: the Sentiero del Viandante
The old path along the east shore starts here.
The Sentiero del Viandante is a historic trail on the eastern shore, about 50 km long and split into several stages. One stage runs from Varenna by way of Vezio to Bellano. It covers about 8 km, takes around 4.5 hours and climbs about 400 m. Wear proper shoes and start early. The hiking page compares this trail with the Greenway on the west shore.
Where to stay in Varenna
The village suits people who arrive by train.
Varenna works as a base if you want the train from Milan on your doorstep and the ferry to Bellagio and Menaggio a few minutes away. The village has a city tax per person and night. It runs from €2.80 to €5 for hotels depending on the star rating, and €3 for apartments and B&Bs, for up to 7 consecutive nights. Ask your host for the current rate. For a comparison with Bellagio and Menaggio, see where to stay.
Nearby on the lake
Places you can reach by ferry from Varenna.
Varenna: frequently asked questions
How do I get from Milan to Varenna?
Take the direct train from Milano Centrale to Varenna-Esino. It takes about 64 minutes and runs roughly once an hour. The Milan day trip page explains the options.
Do I need to book Villa Monastero?
Not as an individual or a family. Groups need a reservation. An online ticket fixes the date but not the time, and it cannot be refunded or moved.
How much is the ferry from Varenna to Menaggio?
Fares in 2026 depend on the tariff zone, from €3.00 to €14.50 for a single adult trip. The crossing takes about 15 minutes on the weekday autumn timetable. Check the current timetable before you go.
Is Castello di Vezio open in winter?
Only on weekends and holidays when the weather is good, and not on 25 December. In November it is open from 10:00 to 17:00 and closes when it rains.
Can I swim in Varenna?
Whether you may swim depends on the spot and on local bans, and good water quality does not replace a local permit. See the swimming page before you plan on it.