Villa Cima in Cernobbio. Source: villadeste.com

After the last two years of pandemic, forced imprisonment and limited freedom, the desire to explore the magnificent villas and gardens of Lake Como grows out of all proportion now that spring is behind the corner.

It’s not a news that the extraordinary beauty of Lake Como villas is known worldwide. The exclusive mansions of Lario are really legendary jewels: they stand in line to embellish the lake banks, one after the other, marvelous in their unquestionable charme. They’re all different: we have villas in neoclassical, neo-renaissance, liberty, neo-gothic, eclectic, nordic, moorish, manneristic, rationalist flairs. No other Italian lake boasts such an incredible kaleidoscope of architectural styles!

The Italian Opulence In Lake Como Villas: A Roundup of 41 Awesome Historic Mansions [Central Lake Como area]

Some of these villas are private and cannot be visited, others are open to the public, others are available for rent; anyhow, their history is undoubtedly interesting, as all these mansions are part of the cultural heritage of Lake Como. Plus, we do think they’re an intriguing opportunity to go back in time and experience the life of the wealthy European and Noble families who lived there.

We know that among you there are those ultra-precise travelers who like to make endless to-do lists of things to do and see when planning their trip, so here you are: we have prepared for you a list of the 36 most stunning villas of the southern area of Lake of Como (including the villages of Como, Blevio, Lezzeno, Torno, Cernobbio, Moltrasio, Carate Urio, Laglio).

Ready for this roundup? Take note of all the fun facts, so, during your next boat ride on the lake, indicating the architectural wonders of our shores from afar, you can amaze your friends by showing off an enviable knowledge of our territory!

COMO

Villa Gallia

This is the oldest villa in the Borgovico area; it was commissioned at the beginning of the 17th century by the prelate Marco Gallio on the ruins of humanist Paolo Giovio’s villa-museum.

Fun fact: some internal rooms are painted with incredible illusionist techniques.

Villa Saporiti

The villa is immediately recognizable from the lake thanks to its majestic facade with a stunning central elliptical hall (hence the surname “the rotunda”). Here, the doric-style columns are surmounted by a crowning of sandstone statues depicting Jupiter, Juno, Mars, Venus, Apollo and Neptune.

Fun fact: In 1797 Napoleone Bonaparte, on a visit to Como city, stayed at Villa Saporiti.

Villa Parravicini Revel

Built in 1770, Villa Parravicini Revel of General Genova Thaon de Revel, who in the first years of the XX century enriched the neoclassical facade with decorative frames on the windows.

At the age of 82 years, he decided to enjoy the holiday lariana until 3th September 1910 day he died in this villa.

Fun fact: Here, in addition to classic events like wedding and business meetings, dinners with an ancient vibe are also organized.

Villa Gallietta

That’s one of the most exclusive period villas available for luxury rental on Lake Como. It boasts 1.100 sqm of surface, and direct access to the lake.

Fun fact: the villa has been the subject of a novel written in 1856 by the French writer Nathalie Comtesse.

Villa Olmo

Built in the 18th century, Villa Olmo is one of the main symbols of Como city. It’s also one of the most famous and sumptuous historic dwellings in Como, which reflects the custom of the noble families of the time to own a suburban residence. It was built in the neoclassical style between 1782 and 1787 by architect Simone Cantoni.

In 1925 the villa was sold to the Municipality of Como; since then, Villa Olmo has been a prestigious venue for exhibitions, events and conferences.

Fun fact: the villa owes its name to the pre-existing presence in the area of two distinct specimens of elm, very old and extremely large in size.

Villa Pisani Dossi

This villa belonged to Carlo Alberto Pisani Dossi, more simply known as Carlo Dossi (1849-1910), one of the protagonists of literary and political Scapigliatura movement. At the end of his activity, he decided to retire on the shores of Lake Como.

Fun fact: the beautiful cypress garden evokes the atmosphere described by painter Arnold Bocklin (1827-1901).

Villa Flori

Located on the lakefront on the road from Como to Cernobbio, Villa Flori overlooks the lake with one of the most exclusive views. The origins of the building date back to 1859 when the marquis Giorgio Raimondi, patriot, decided to extend an earlier building as a wedding gift for his daughter Giuseppina.

Fun fact: Giuseppe Garibaldi fell in love with Giuseppina at Villa Flori. In January 1860, in the oratory of the villa, the wedding was celebrated. Apparently, at the end of the function, Garibaldi was handed a letter revealing how Giuseppina had maintained relations with other men: the wedding thus went belly-up.

Villa Dozzio

Dating back to 1852, Villa Dozzio (in the name of politician Ugo Dozzio) in Tavernola boasts an absolutely unique waterfront position: it stretches out towards the lake which at that point welcomes the waters of Breggia stream.

Fun fact: the shape of the villa clearly reminds a prism.

Villa del Grumello (aka Villa Celesia)

Villa Grumello — Via Grandi Giardini Italiani

Villa del Grumello, between Como and Cernobbio, was rebuilt in the second half of the 16th century at the behest of the Milanese banker Tommaso D'Adda and became one of the first summer residences on the shores of Lake Como. Today the villa has a strong position in the cultural life of Como.

Fun fact: Over the centuries, there were several owners who followed one another in this villa, including Giovio family. The latter included a certain Francesca, the recipient of some love writings made in 1809 by Ugo Foscolo, guest at the villa.

Villa Cornaggia

This spectacular villa stands on a cliff overlooking the lake at the end of viale Geno in Como. The building boasts awesome 5th century epitaphs concerning illustrious Christians.

Fun fact: In 1999, Villa Cornaggia has been chosen as the main set of the popular Italian soap opera “Vivere”, which debuted on Channel 5 for 9 years.

BLEVIO

Villa Schouvaloff

This villa was built in the first half of the 19th century by Grigory Petrovich Schouvaloff (1804-1859), member of an ancient and noble Russian family.

The building features a particular northern style, which echoes that of the Russian dachas. There’s also an immense park that stretches behind the villa.

Fun fact: The count moved there with his wife, the Princess Sophie Alexandrovna Saltykova and his three children. However, his life was marked by the death of his partner and a son that led him to enter the religious order of Barnabiti.

Villa Troubetzkoy

Villa Troubetzkoy in Blevio dates back to the mid 19th century, and it owes its name to Russian prince Alexander Troubetzkoy.

The curb appeal of the villa - today a luxury residence - is just impressive, with its sloping pitches with dormers and daring lift which descends from the main road directly to the lake.

Fun fact: to build this villa, the prince demolished a large part of a cliff with dynamite. That’s why in Blevio he was called the “turbascogli” (literally “the disturber of cliffs”).

Villa Cademartori

You can easily pinpoint this waterfront villa from the lake, due to its iconic tower on the right.

Fun fact: the park surrounding the residence is noteworthy for the presence of centuries-old trees, including a huge plane tree and a precious cedar of Lebanon.

Villa Usuelli Taglioni and Villa Serena

This neoclassical Villa Usuelli Taglioni belonged to one of the most famous 19th century artists, Maria Taglioni (1804-1884), considered the first great romantic dancer. She chose right this corner of the lake because her friend Giuditta Pasta, opera singer, already owned a villa there.

Maria bought this villa and the one next to it, Villa Serena. The two mansions are separated by a small historic port decorated by beautiful terracotta statues.

Fun fact: Villa Usuelli in 1769 gave refuge to the Austrian Emperor Joseph II, surprised by a terrible storm on the lake.

Villa Roda, today Villa Roccabruna

This incredibly romantic villa in the past was owned by Giuditta Pasta (1797-1865), one of the most beloved opera singers in Europe, for which Bellini wrote the lead role of his masterpiece La Sonnambula. The villa was a crossroad for artists, composers and singers. Unfortunately in 1904 the manor house was fully demolished to rebuild from scratch another villa, Villa Roccabruna (resort).

Fun fact: a story says that Giuditta used to look out the windows of Villa Roda to sing; while on the other side of the lake, in Moltrasio, the famous composer Vincenzo Bellini, listened her voice.

Villa Capranica

A very peculiar villa with two dormers that overlook the water like two lively eyes.

Fun fact: The origin of this little jewel is very interesting: in 1903 Marquise Maria Iukovsky, owner of a waterfront land in Blevio, obtained the permission to build a dock. Shortly thereafter, she decided that a dock wasn’t enough… she wanted to turn part of it into her personal residence!

LEZZENO

Villa Lucertola

This extraordinary private dwelling is located in what we like to define the most suggestive position of Lake Como: the coast of Grosgalli stones, one of the wildest and most deserted sides of the lake, featured by sheer cliffs and impressive gorges visible exclusively from the lake.

Villa Lucertola - christened "Lizard" for the lizards that still bask in the sun - is available for rentals.

Fun fact: according to an ancient legend, these solitary and wild places were home to witches and wizards in the past. The mysterious “Devil’s Bridge” is not far indeed from Villa Lucertola.

TORNO

Villa Taverna

Between Blevio and Torno we find this late 18th century villa.

Today Villa Taverna is a luxurious, privately owned condominium, but it’s still possible to admire it from the lake.

Fun fact: the old greenhouse has been turned into a dwelling. A magnificent example of conservative restoration!

Villa Pliniana

That’s by far one of the most iconic villas of Lake Como.

A place full of mystery - set in a pretty dark waterfront location and including inside even an old water source - but at the same time extremely romantic: the stunning villa is famous for one of the most talked-about love story ever, the one between Marie Anne Berthier, princess of Wagram, and Emilio from Belgiojoso, a protagonist of Italian Risorgimento. The lovers spent 8 long years at the villa completely alone, in total isolation.

3 Crazy and Rough Love Stories Set on Lake Como That You’ll Hardly Forget

Fun fact: on the awesome floors with mosaics there are mysterious codes dating back to the Carboneria time: one mentions "Free Italy from the foreigner”.

Villa Plinianina

As the name suggests, this villa is located near the more famous Villa Pliniana.

Fun fact: the villa stands out for its one-of-a-kind venetian style, similar to the one of the elegant dwellings on the Grand Canal of Venice. The eclectic style desired by Eng. Canzi for this villa appeared totally disrupting in the years of its construction: in that period indeed the majority of the villas on Lake Como presented a neoclassical style with English gardens.

Villa Mia

That’s another amazing eclectic-style villa in Torno.

Fun fact: in 1984, villa Mia has been bought by Prince Sultan Bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud (1928-2011), heir to the throne of Saudi Arabia. The sultan’s dynasty is one of the richest of the world!

MOLTRASIO

Villa Fontanelle

You’ll have heard about this villa because of its former owner, the Italian fashion designer Gianni Versace, who bought it and renovated it in 1977. The interior design is just spectacular and perfectly reflects Versace's ability to reinterpret classical art.

Fun fact: Versace basically turned this villa - better to call it “palace” - into his own personal shrine. Many celebs like Elton John, Sting, Diana, Princess of Wales and Madonna were regular guests at the property.

Learn more about Moltrasio with our handy infographic!

Villa Lucini Passalacqua

That’s one of the biggest villas of Lake Como, with a size of 30.000 sq.m! Its magnificent Italian garden includes awesome terraces with stairways and paths surrounded by greenery. The vegetation is incredibly rich, with centuries-old olive trees, cypresses, cedars, palms, rose and camellia woods.

Giambattista Passalacqua, one of the owners, enhanced the library with precious volumes and maintained relationships with illustrious personalities: the composer Vincenzo Bellini and the poet Carlo Porta stayed in the villa for a long time.

Today the villa is a luxurious location for corporate events and weddings.

Fun fact: the villa has been built on the ruins of a monastery.

Villa Erker Hocevar

This is another private dwelling, with beautiful linear facade and minimal decorations.

Fun fact: In the early 19th century, the villa had been rented by Giuditta Turina Cantù. This brilliant lady, artist and dancer, first lived there with her husband, then with Vincenzo Bellini from 1829 to 1833.

CARATE URIO

Villa Ai Cedri

The pinkish facade with elegant white decorations and iconic panoramic tower make this villa immediately stand out in Carate Urio.

Villa Cedri today is one of the most sought-after dwellings for staying at Lake Como.

Fun fact: the name of the derives from the presence of magnificent centuries-old cedars in the garden.

Castello di Urio

The castle today is a famous location for weddings.

The villa dates back to the 1st half of the 18th century and then it was owned by many noble families. Since the ‘50s of the 20th century, the castle has been the patronage of a group of entrepreneurs who have created a convention center.

Fun fact: the villa is nicknamed "castle" because of the crenellated turrets, built during the 19th century, which make it look like a little fortress.

LAGLIO

Villa Oleandra

The famous Italian residence owned by George Clooney dates back to 1877: a real historic jewel!

Fun fact: During the 19th century, the villa was owned by the famous American family Heinz. With them, the residence became the seat of important literary meetings, called "Como Conversazione" and dedicated to literature, travel, and comedy. The meetings were 100% private and exclusive, and were disclosed only through literary magazines!

Villa dell’Orto

The facade of this villa is emerald green, the same color that the water has in that precise stretch of coast. Villa Dell’Orto was built in the late 18th century, the golden years of the Lombard bourgeoisie.

Fun fact: Dell’Orto family company is famous for the production of carburetors and electronic fuel injection systems.

CERNOBBIO

Villa Bernasconi

This villa - built in 1906 for Davide Bernasconi, a silk merchant - is an outstanding example of Lombard Art Nouveau style, with its massive use of decorative floral.

Fun fact: The naturalistic motifs of the facade were specifically inspired by the life of silkworms, which are the starting elements of the production in the silk industry.

Villa Erba

The current villa stands on the grounds of the ancient Benedictine convent of Santa Maria Assunta, closed in 1784.

It then passed into the hands of Duke Giuseppe Visconti di Modrone, father of the well-known director Luchino Visconti who spent most of his childhood here. Villa Erba is often featured in Visconti's movies. In 1972, Luchino wanted to retire to the villa where he completed the final editing of his masterpiece Ludwig.

In recent years, in spring, the Villa d'Este Elegance Competition (dedicated to vintage cars) is organized in the villa.

Fun fact: During Second World War, the villa was requisitioned by the Housing Commissariat of the Germanic command.

Villa Allamel

Villa Allamel is a complex built by baron Stefano de Colli in 1846. It also includes an outbuilding whose access is located on the famous and very popular “riva di Cernobbio".

The Allamel family appeared in Cernobbio in 1902 with the opening of its own dyeing, an incredibly successful business.

Fun fact: In 1923, the Allamel brothers decided to install in the villa an extraordinary wrought iron and mahogany elevator. They were the first in the area doing so! That was an authentic icon of modernity.

Villa Belinzaghi

This was the waterfront dwelling of count Giulio Belinzaghi, one of the mayors of Cernobbio and one of the longest-serving mayors of Milano (1868-1884).

The villa is recognized as a "modern English" style architecture with neoclassical inspirations.

Fun fact: After a public life dedicated to both Milano and Cernobbio, Giulio Belinzaghi in the end decided to withdraw in his beloved villa in Cernobbio, and died there in 1892.

Villa Cima

By far one of the most characterful waterfront villas of Lake Como: it’s pretty impossible not to fall in love with Villa Cima’s charme!

The villa - today part of Villa d’Este - was built in 1815 for the intellectual Vittoria Cima.

The building looks similar to the chalets of the 19th century.

For thirty years, when Vittoria Cima lived there, the rooms of the villa were home to important artistic and intellectual salons.

Fun fact: Vittoria Cima della Scala was a great pianist, muse of Arrigo Boito. Even when she became blind, in her nineties, she continued to organize events and cultural trips with the intellectuals of the time.

Villa d’Este

For centuries the home of the aristocracy, after princesses, marquises, sultans and tsars, since 1873 Villa d’Este has been one of the most celebrated 5 stars hotels in the world.

In its park we find monumental plane trees: they are real natural monuments!

Fun fact: there are plenty of fun facts about this magnificent villa. One is about the three ghosts that apparently live in its gardens: one is said to belong to a rich lady killed in 1940 by a thief; the other two ghosts belong to two young caddies, who unfortunately were struck by a lightning during a match in 1976.

Villa Pizzo

Villa Pizzo is one of the most ancient villas of Lake Como - dating back to the 16th century!; what’s more, its waterfront garden is the largest of the lake. The villa is fully visible exclusively from the water.

During the Great Plague of Milano in the 17th century, Villa Pizzo hosted many families from the city; and during the Milan riots of 1848, many smugglers from Switzerland found hospitality there.

Fun fact: the waters in front of Villa Pizzo are among the deepest of Lake Como. Apparently, that was the cliff from where the corpses of political prisoners during the Second World War were thrown into the lake.

Sources: Lombardia Beni Culturali; Lake Como Ville; Fisionomie Lariane

Looking for a property in one of the locations mentioned in this article?

Jump to our listings!

36 Extraordinary Historic Villas Of Lake Como: A Roundup With Fun Facts [Como area]