Villa del Balbianello at a glance
The Villa del Balbianello stands on the Lavedo headland and is reached from Lenno on the west shore of Lake Como. It is run by the FAI, an Italian heritage trust, and a reservation is required for every visit, including a visit to the park alone. The villa interior can be seen only on a guided tour, while the park is open to walk around by yourself.
This is an independent guide, not run by the villa or the FAI. Prices are in euros, as listed for 2026, and they change. A reservation is needed, also for the park.
Tickets in 2026
Reserve a date and a time in advance, for the park as well as the villa.
| Ticket | Park only | Villa and park |
|---|---|---|
| Adult | €15 | €25 |
| Aged 6 to 18 | €11 | €17 |
| Students up to 25 | €11 | €17 |
| Family, 2 adults and at least 2 children aged 6 to 18 | €42 | €66 |
| Up to 5 years | Free | Free |
Visitors with a disability and their companion enter the park free. The villa interior is a guided visit of 50 minutes for up to 16 people. Booking online costs no extra fee.
Our picks: Villa del Balbianello
Park entry only, a guided visit or a boat trip from Bellagio with garden entry.
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.
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 →Guided visit of Villa del Balbianello
About two hours with entry and a guided visit of the villa. A boat transfer is included only with the matching combination option.
Check availability →
Villa del Balbianello park entry
Entry to the park with its terraces and the loggia balcony, without a guide, food or drinks. The villa interior is visited on a guided tour only.
Check availability →Lake Como tours with Villa del Balbianello
Boat trips and guided days on the central lake that visit the villas, with live prices and availability.
Days and hours
From 14 March the villa runs its regular schedule. It is closed on Monday and on Wednesday, and open the rest of the week from 10:00 to 18:00. The park accepts entry until 17:00, and the last villa tour starts at 16:00, subject to availability. Special openings fall on 6 April and 1 June.
From November the hours shorten to 10:00 to 17:00. The last entry to the park is at 16:00 and the last interior tour at 15:00. December has only a few individual opening days, and in January 2027 the villa opens only on 2, 3, 5 and 6 January. Do not plan on it being open every day of the year.
Your booked time is the time you enter the grounds. The actual start of the interior tour is assigned on site, and you may wait up to 60 minutes. Spend the wait in the garden.
How to get there
On foot from Lenno or by boat.
On foot from Lenno
There is no direct road to the villa. The short path is 1 km and takes about 25 minutes. A longer trekking route is 2.5 km and takes about 45 minutes. Both climb, and parts are gravel, so they do not suit strollers or people who have trouble walking.
By water taxi from Lido di Lenno
A paid water taxi runs from Lido di Lenno. You book and pay it separately, and it is not run by the FAI. Other private water taxis are also possible. Entry to the villa is a separate ticket.
Boat tours →Parking in Lenno
Visitors are pointed to the Mercato car park on Via Comoedia in Lenno, which is free. Allow time for the walk from there.
Dogs may enter the garden on a leash. Only certified assistance dogs may go inside the villa. If you have limited mobility, contact the FAI before you book.
Combine it with the rest of the day
Villa Carlotta in Tremezzo is a separate visit with its own tickets and hours. See Villa Carlotta before you plan both on one day. The ferry network links the west shore to Bellagio and Varenna, as described on the ferry page.
For other options on the lake, the Lombardy guide has a page on the villa too. Our page on the best time to visit shows how the seasons affect the opening days.
Villa del Balbianello: frequently asked questions
Do I need to book Villa del Balbianello?
Yes. A reservation is required for every visit, including a visit to the park only.
Which days is Villa del Balbianello closed?
From 14 March the regular closing days are Monday and Wednesday. From November the hours are shorter, and December and January have only a few opening days.
How much is a ticket to Villa del Balbianello?
In 2026 the park costs €15 for an adult and the villa with the park costs €25. Children from 6 to 18 pay €11 for the park and €17 for the villa with the park.
Can I drive to the villa?
No, there is no direct road to the villa. You walk from Lenno or take a water taxi from Lido di Lenno.
How long does the villa tour last?
The guided interior tour takes 50 minutes and is limited to 16 people. You enter at your booked time, and the tour itself may start up to 60 minutes later.