Our Lake Como, City of Milan and Bergamo Italy Visit: Day 3

On the third day in Italy, and the second one at Lake Como, besides Menaggio, we wanted to get to Varenna and visit Villa Monastero, and then try to visit a part of the Greenway of Lake Como: Lenno, Tremezzo with its Villa Carlotta, and Griante.

We woke up early and had breakfast in the nice garden of the hostel. We decided to have a quick stroll through Menaggio and then go to Varenna.

Exploring Menaggio, Italy – Morning by Lake Como

The itinerary from uphill to the main road was the same: we went down a little on Via Monsignor E. Poletti, passed by Casa di Riposo Giardino degli Ulivi, descended the stairs on the left and then the second flight of stairs, and in a few minutes we got in front of Lake Como Youth Hostel La Primula and descended to the main road Via IV Novembre.

After crossing the street, we continued on the right side and eventually arrived at the small port on the lakeshore, where some swans were bathing at that moment.

Piazza Giuseppe Garibaldi in the morning and Menaggio Lake Como Promenade

Then we continued on the lake shore to Piazza Giuseppe Garibaldi, the perfect place to sit in the morning and enjoy the beautiful view of the lake.

After spending the previous evening in the piazza, we returned to visit it also in the morning light. On the left side of the piazza, we found a Ristorante Pizzeria, while on the opposite side stood the Cafè del Pess.

As we walked toward the northern side of the piazza, we came across La Fabbrica del Gelato, and right next to it stood the Chiesa di Santa Marta.

Directly in front of Chiesa di Santa Marta, Via Calvi begins — a lively street lined with small boutiques and shops offering local products, including food, shoes, clothing, and home accessories. Eventually, at the end of Via Calvi, stands St. Stephen’s Church, the principal church of Menaggio

Afterwards, we returned to the lakeshore in order to experience the elegant lake promenade of Menaggio, starting from Piazza Garibaldi, passing through Largo Cavour, and then continuing north. Along the promenade, we saw water taxis, a small beach, and also many colorful flowers.

Finally, we arrived in front of Grand Hotel Victoria Menaggio.

After the hotel we saw Gelateria il Gabbiano with its tables set on the lakeshore, surrounded by green and flowers.

We then returned along the lakeshore, in order to get to the ferry stop.

Visiting Varenna – A Romantic Village on Lake Como Italy

Afterwards, we took the boat across Lake Como to Varenna — 4.6 euros per person. Just 15 minutes later, we arrived in Varenna.

As soon as we arrived at the Varenna Ferry Station, we were greeted by the sight of the charming Art Nouveau Hotel Olivedo located on the shore of Lake Como.

We continued South along the lakeshore on Via Imbarcadero and then on Largo Enzo Venini – the romantic arched walkway called The Lovers’ Promenade or Passeggiata degli innamorati.

We could see Porto Riva Grande with its Molo Riva Grande in the distance.

Then in a few minutes we arrived in Porto Riva Grande.

Discovering Varenna Old Town and Lake Como Views

After Passerella ice cream shop we noticed some stairs that lead up to the central square of Varenna.

We continued along the lakeshore. Then we found a second stairway, Contrada Soscesa. Keeping forward along the lakeshore on Riva Garibaldi we came across charming Bar Il Molo – where we planned to return and have lunch before leaving Varenna.

We finally found the famous Contrada dei Sarti – a narrow alley. Before climbing the stairs we first entered Pelletteria Denti leather shop and had a look at their nice purses. Then we headed up the alley towards the old town center, stepping carefully on the old cobblestones.

Contrada dei Sarti took us up to Piazza San Giorgio, the center of Varenna, with its St. George’s Church standing in the middle of the piazza.

On the right side of the square we found Hotel Royal Victoria, with the two restaurants: Royal Gourmet and Victoria Grill the less expensive option.

Next to Victoria Grill there was a nice store – Macelleria salumeria lillia Pietro – selling local products.

Continuing ahead on Via 4 Novembre we saw the entrance to Hotel Villa Cipressi and its botanical garden. The entrance was 8 euros per person. But we wanted to go visit Villa Monastero first, and decide afterwards if visiting also Villa Cipressi or not.

Varenna Doorway to Stairs to Romantic View

Before Villa Monastero we noticed a sign on the wall reading ‘Doorway to stairs to romantic view’, or something like that, and arc-shaped hole in the building pointing to a stairway descending to the lakeshore and offering beautiful views. So we decided to go down and have a look and it was definitely worth it. So we spent a few minutes there and also captured some photos.

Visiting Villa Monastero

Then back to the main road and a little forward we found the entrance to Villa Monastero. We paid for two tickets of 10 euros each to visit both the villa and the garden. From there we could have bought the Abbonamento Musei in Lombardia pass – 45 euros per person, granting free access to many attractions in the whole Lombardy, and offering many other discounts, but we changed our mind and thought it wasn’t worth it because we wouldn’t have time to visit most of the attractions included in the pass. We were a little down after out flight was canceled and we wasted our first day on the road, and we also felt like bad luck was following us and constantly changing the itineraries we had planned in advance.

Villa Monastero garden’s entrance was very nice, with its cloister offering amazing views of Lake Como. The pictures below tried to capture its beauty.

Villa Monastero Gardens

Then we descended also towards the gardens and took even more pictures.

On the left there were some stairs to the terraced gardens on the side of the road. We continued forward on the lake shore and then found Caffe Bar Il Monasterio on the right side – a nice place under the trees next to the water, offering amazing views of Lake Como’s eastern shore. In the famous garden besides the beautiful plants, there can be seen beautiful architectural elements such as: banisters, statues, small temples, vases, wells and also fountains in Baroque, classic and Moorish styles.

Also the small paths, stairways and twisted columns look perfect with Lake Como in the background offering plenty of photo opportunities. See some examples in the following photo gallery.

Inside Villa Monastero

Afterwards, we tried to capture photos of every angle of the façade of the villa and also of the garden in front of it, with its columns, statues, paths, benches, palm tress and colorful flower beds.

Before entering the villa, we stopped for pictures in the cloister at the entrance. Also, we took a look at the beautiful blue mosaic floor.

First, as entering Villa Monastero we admired the beautiful staircase, the Scalone. Then we followed the arrows and visited the impressive rooms. The interiors are decorated in Baroque and also Rococo style. The furniture is in neo-Renaissance, neo-rococo, Liberty, and Baroque styles.

Also, we visited the different halls of Villa Monastero: the Council Chamber, Kennedy Room, Mornico Sitting Room, the Red Room, the Black Room, the Conference Room.

Afterwards I managed to capture a picture of the lakefront from one of the rooms of the first floor.

The furniture was very interesting and also the heavily decorated mirrors, the ceilings and all the other decorations. The bathroom was very nicely decorated also.

We finally exited the villa and returned on the same path to the main road.

Lunch at Bar Il Molo – Best Views in Varenna, Italy Lake Como

We decided to skip the visit to Villa Cipressi, given that it was already lunch time and we were a little in a hurry, because we needed to get to Lenno by 3.30 pm to visit Villa del Balbianello. We had our tickets booked and already paid for, 10 euros per person.

So, from Piazza S. Giorgio in the town center we climbed down Contrada dei Sarti to get to the lakeshore Bar Il Molo and stopped for lunch.

We chose Bar Il Molo for lunch, both for its perfect views of Varenna and for its charming white chairs, which we had often noticed in many pictures of Varenna frequently posted on social media. As it turns out, Bar Il Molo is one of the most photographed spots on Lake Como. Its terraces enjoy an ideal position, overlooking the lake and the colorful village of Varenna.

We chose a 4 Stagioni platter (for 2 people to share), consisting in a selection of cured meats and cheese, fresh vegetables and fruits, porcini mushrooms, honey and also mixed nuts, accompanied by some espresso and drinks. The food was delicious and the bill was very reasonable, only 22 euros.

Via Imbarcadero and Varenna Ferry Station

We then returned to the ferry stop and bought our tickets to Lenno, 4.6 euros per person, the departure was in around half an hour. So, in the meantime we headed to the train station Varenna Esino to check the schedule for the next morning when we would leave to Milan.

From the Imbarcadero we continued forward on the lakeshore, saw Lido di Varenna in the distance.

We turned right on Via Imbarcadero and passed by the nice iron bridge on the left. Then at the intersection we kept forward on Via per Esino and then before the tunnel we turned left on Via alla Stazione. We got to the train station, obtained the info needed and we returned climbing down the stairs at the end of the the platform to Via per Esino and at the first intersection continuing forward still on Via per Esino.

Changing Plans – Ferry Ride to Menaggio and Tremezzo on Lake Como, Italy

We then hurried all the way to the ferry station, only to find out the the ferry we were expecting to board in order to get to Lenno in time for the scheduled visit to Villa del Balbianello garden, just broke and was in the middle of the lake. Moreover, the next ferry to Lenno was departing only in 2 hours.

So we decided to change our 2 tickets to Lenno for 2 tickets to Menaggio. The next traghetto to Menaggio was leaving in 20 minutes so we spent some time resting in Via Imbarcadero park.

See below some pictures from the ferry as leaving Varenna and approaching Menaggio.

Then once in Menaggio, from Piazza Roma bus station we took C10 pullman to Tremezzo.

Strolling through Tremezzo – Greenway of Lake Como, Italy

It was too late to get in time to Lenno in order to visit the villa where once James Bond’s Casino Royale was filmed, so we decided to stop in Tremezzo and visit around. We then got off at bus stop Tremezzo – P.zza Trieste – Pontile, near Tremezzo pier. We continued on Via Regina towards Lenno, passed by nice Hotel Ristorante La Darsena, continued a little further and then entered Parco Civico Teresio Olivelli.

Parco Civico Teresio Olivelli

Because it was very hot, we decided to stop and rest in the shade on a bench while admiring the lake and the boats passing.

There was a group of boys bathing in the lake, jumping in the water and so having fun.

The park was full of people: teenagers, kids, couples, people with their dogs, laying on the grass with their towels, tanning, cooling under some trees, reading, playing games, having picnics or listening to music.

The park offers wonderful views of the lake and also of the mountains. Additionally, the entrance is free.

After crossing the beautiful public park, we left through the western exit and then passed by the nice lakeshore Bar Acqua Cheta.

Then we saw the Church of San Lorenzo across the street.

We then continued towards Lenno keeping on the lakeshore.

Villa Sola Cabiati and Other LakeshoreTremezzo Villas

From there we also could see Villa Sola Cabiati in the distance.

Moreover, on the right side of Via Regina we could see some beautiful villas, such as Villa Bertoni Grand Terrace, and also Hotel Villa Marie.

Eventually, we got in front of Villa Sola Cabiati. From there we could see the hill where Villa del Balbianello was situated. To get there would have taken us another 30 minutes of walking through the forest and keeping uphill on for about 1 km until finally reaching Tomba di Guido Monzino and Villa del Balbianello. But it was too late, because our tickets reserved for 3.30 pm have expired long ago.

We took some pictures of the impressive Villa Sola Cabiati, once known as Villa La Quiete, built in 1910 and still being one of the finest hotels around Lake Como. The villa cannot be visited but was clearly visible from the road along the lake.

Then we decided to return to Tremezzo in order to visit Villa Carlotta and then stroll along the lake and also visit Griante.

Unfortunately, as our itineraries had to adjust since day 1 because our flight was canceled, we had no time to walk all the Greenway del Lago di Como, but we got at least to walk the final length of the Greenway. That part runs entirely along the lakefront of Tremezzo, and is elegant and charming.

Tremezzo Promenade, Ice Cream Stop and Grand Hotel Tremezzo Views

We finally got back on Via Regina, passed by the pier of Tremezzo and walked along the antique arcades with shops and restaurants.

We got to Bar Red And White and we were surprise to notice some stairs in the back, because Tremezzo didn’t seem as hilly as the other Lake Como villages. Thus, it seems that Tremezzo also has its stairs.

We had some good ice cream at Gelateria Tremezzo. We then continued our itinerary and reached majestic Grand Hotel Tremezzo.

Visiting Villa Carlotta in Tremezzo, Italy – History and Gardens on Lake Como

Continuing forward on Via Statale we finally reached beautiful Villa Carlotta. First we saw its Oratorio Sommariva and across the street there was Scalo di Villa Carlotta ferry stop.

We bought tickets to visit Villa Carlotta and also its Botanical Garden, 12 euros each. It was open until 7 pm, last entrance being at 6 pm, so we got there just in time.

The villa, the gates and the front gardens were stunning. We saw a nice lemon grove and noticed an interesting glass elevator at the end of the alley, but we climbed the stairs of the villa instead, for the beautiful views of the front garden from above.

The interior of the villa was very nice and elegant, the rooms and furniture seemed more modern than the ones at Villa Monastero in Varenna.

Furthermore we captured some pictures from the balconies of the villa.

The rooms were very nice and also well illuminated at afternoon. I particularly liked the pink room.

Then we visited the garden, rich in camellias, azaleas, roses, Hydrangeas. The eastern part of the garden had also tropical plants, such as: orchids, Ficus, bromeliads. There was also a rock garden and succulents, with plants such as: cactus, agave, and aloe. There could also be found Rhododendrons and a ferns valley.

Evening in Griante and Cadenabbia – Sunset by Lake Como

Afterwards, as exiting the villaz we headed towards North on Via Regina and found a telescope placed at a viewpoint across the street offering views of Bellagio across the lake. Therefore we could see Villa di Melzi Gardens and the hamlets of Loppia and San Giovanni, the 3 sights we missed in Bellagio.

After a few meters, after passing by a parking lot we eventually entered Griante and we found a little garden on the lakeshore.

And on the left side there was beautiful Grand Hotel Cadenabbia.

We were looking for a place to have dinner. We finally found Bar & Bistrò Vittoria as a good option for dinner on the lakeshore, but decided to continue our stroll and also see other restaurants and then decide where to have dinner.

Then, after another parking lot we noticed a nice villa on the left – Villa Lucia.

We passed by the Cadenabbia ferry stop and then the stroll on the Greenway del Lago di Como ended when we reached the 1891 English church.

We continued forward north on the road and arrived at the bus station Cadenabbia Majolica and across the street there was Bar Company Vecchia Maiolica, another possible option for our dinner.

As the restaurant was full already, we decided to board the C10 bus, that was just arriving in the bus station, and have dinner back in Menaggio.

From the bus we could catch a glimpse of the beautiful villas: Villa Margherita Ricordi, then Alberghetto La Marianna, Villa Giuseppina.

Dinner in Menaggio – Ending a Perfect Day on Lake Como, Italy

Back in Menaggio we got off at the end of C10 route at the bus station in Via Roma. Then we went towards the lakeshore, on Via Roma and saw Lido di Menaggio.

Next to the lido we saw La Grolla restaurant with its mini golf field.

Then we continued our evening walk on the elegant Menaggio promenade to Piazza Garibaldi.

Once in Piazza Garibaldi we walked towards the northern side of the piazza and after the intersection, in the back of Chiesa di Santa Marta we noticed a huge line in front of Osteria Il Pozzo, a nice neighborhood osteria. Then from the little square in front of Osteria Il Pozzo we went north on Via Carlo Camozzi and found on the right Trattoria Costantin ex Menaggio Como. There were also people queuing for a table. We were lucky to find a table for two and had a pleasant dinner. We opted for some tasty burgers.

The place was a nice local find, not a touristy place. Moreover, the coperto was only 2 euros per person, and also the prices were ok.

Read On

Also, don’t miss Our Lake Como, City of Milan and Bergamo Italy Visit: Day 4 for the next chapter of our Italian journey — from hidden corners to breathtaking views, there’s so much more to discover. You can find all our posts about Lake Como on this page. Moreover, for more inspiration and practical travel tips, don’t miss our maps and travel guides. Also, visit our Italy Travel Hub and Italy Bucket List — your go-to resources for exploring Italy in depth. Want to discover more? Don’t miss our posts on Venice!

Thanks for reading!

Related:

• Destination Italy: Lake Como, City of Milan and Bergamo – Day 2
• Our Lake Como, City of Milan and Bergamo Italy Visit: Day 4
• Destination Italy: Lake Como, City of Milan and Bergamo – Day 3
• Our Lake Como, City of Milan and Bergamo Italy Visit: Day 1 and 2
• Destination Italy: Lake Como, City of Milan and Bergamo – Day 1

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