8 Best Things to Do in Tremezzo + 3-Day Itinerary for 2026

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San Giacomo church Ossuccio Tremezzina, Como Lake district. Ital

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We travelled around Lake Como from the famous towns of Bellagio and Varenna to smaller villages like Tremezzo, and Villa Carlotta is still one of the places we would make time for again.

If villas and gardens are a big reason youโ€™re coming to Lake Como, Tremezzo is one of the best places to base yourself.

Villa Carlotta is right in town; Villa del Balbianello is only a short trip away in Lenno; and you can fill the rest of your time with the Greenway, Isola Comacina, and some surprisingly good walks.

If you only have one day, weโ€™d prioritise Villa Carlotta first and Villa del Balbianello second.

We actually preferred Carlotta for the experience itself: Balbianello is more dramatic, but Carlotta felt much easier to enjoy without moving through crowds.

Below, weโ€™ll show you what we think is genuinely worth your time, what you can skip, and how weโ€™d organise your days so you spend more time enjoying Lake Como and less time figuring out logistics.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

๐ŸŒบ Villa Carlotta is our #1 thing to do in Tremezzo. We preferred its gardens to Balbianello, and it is easy to reach from the ferry. Check Villa Carlotta tickets โ†’

๐ŸŒธ Plan around Villa del Balbianello. It is closed Mondays and Wednesdays, and we think the gardens are more worthwhile than the interior. Check Balbianello availability โ†’

๐Ÿšถ Walk at least part of the Greenway. The 10 km (6.2 mi) route passes through Tremezzo and is one of the best free things to do in the area. See the Greenway route โ†’

๐Ÿ›ฅ๏ธ A boat trip is worth considering for a special trip. Carlotta and Balbianello look completely different from the water, but we would skip it if you’re travelling on a tight budget. Compare western-shore boat trips โ†’

๐Ÿš— You don’t need a car for the main villas. Ferries and buses cover the waterfront, although a car is useful for restaurants and sights higher in the hills.

๐Ÿ’ฐ Hotel La Perla is our value pick. We stayed there ourselves; Grand Hotel Tremezzo is the splurge option. Check Hotel La Perla rates โ†’

Is Tremezzo worth visiting?

Tremezzo, Lake Como, Lombardy in Italy
Tremezzo, Lake Como, Lombardy in Italy

Yes. If you like villas and gardens, this is the place to be.

We would rank it as the best base on Lake Como for anyone whose trip is built around the villas, and one of the worst for anyone without a car who wants to see four towns in three days.

Stay here if:

  • Villa Carlotta and Villa del Balbianello are the reason you are coming to Lake Como.
  • You have a car, or you are happy to build your days around the ferry timetable.
  • You want a quieter evening than Bellagio or Como.
Isola Comacina
Tremezzo from Comacina island

Skip it if:

  • You want to hop between towns quickly. Varenna and Bellagio are better connected for that.
  • You are relying entirely on public transport and travelling with luggage.
  • You want the cheapest possible base. Colico and Gravedona in the north are a lot cheaper.

If you are still deciding where on the lake to base yourself, our Map of Lake Como post explains the Y-shape and why the western shore is different from the eastern one.

Map of Lake Como with the towns Gravedona, Como, Varenna, Colico, Menaggio, Lecco, Tremezzo, Bellagio and Cernobbio
Map of Lake Como

Best things to do in Tremezzo: summary

Best things to do in Tremezzo, Lake Como
๐ŸŒบ Villa Carlotta๐ŸŒธ Villa del Balbianello๐Ÿšถ Greenway del Lago di Como
โ›ต Isola Comacinaโ›ช Sacro Monte di Ossuccio๐Ÿ–๏ธ Lido di Lenno, Golfo di Venere
๐Ÿ›ฅ๏ธ Western shore boat tour๐Ÿ•Š๏ธ Mezzegra and the 1945 memorial๐ŸŒณ Parco Teresio Olivelli, Tremezzo

Top things to do in Tremezzo and the villa coast

1. Villa Carlotta, Tremezzo

Villa Carlotta in Tremezzo
Villa Carlotta in Tremezzo

Villa Carlotta is the number one reason why you should visit Tremezzo. It is THE place to visit! Many people even take the ferry from Bellagio to Tremezzo, purely for the gardens!

It’s a 17th-century villa in the centre of Tremezzo with a 70,000 sq m botanical garden and a museum within the same ticket.

We find it the better of the two famous villas: Balbianello has a more dramatic feeling, but Carlotta is the one where you can lose an hour and a half without feeling like you are queuing.

It’s amazing to stroll through the garden and just enjoy the quiet Italian way of living.

via carlotta garden
Villa Carlotta garden

Summary:

  • ๐ŸŽŸ๏ธ Cost: โ‚ฌ17.50 for adults ($19). Expensive but worth it.
  • ๐Ÿš— Parking: Villa Mainona multi-storey on Via Peduzzi. The free white-line spaces on the SS340 are already full by morning in summer
  • โฑ๏ธ Time needed: around 1.5 hours
  • ๐Ÿ’ก Tip: Show your same-day TreNord or ASF bus ticket at the desk for a discount.
Via Carlotta in Tremezzo

More information on the official website of Villa Carlotta.

Skip the ticket queue at the gate

Villa Carlotta gets a lot busier once the ferries and coaches start arriving, which is why we’d aim for the morning if you can.

If your visit falls between 11 am and 2 pm, reserving your entry beforehand means you already have the visit organised instead of arriving at the gate at the busiest part of the day.

We’d give yourself around 1.5 hours and do the garden terraces before heading inside to the museum.

Check Villa Carlotta tickets and available entry times โ†’

2. Villa del Balbianello in Lenno

Map of Lake Como
View from Villa Balbianello

A villa on its own peninsula outside Lenno, about 5 km (3 mi) down from Tremezzo.

You’ll know this villa even if you’ve never been. It’s been a MOVIE SCENE from Star Wars: Attack of the Clones and Casino Royale.

We think the gardens are worth the visit, but the interior is rather optional and not that special.

Villa del Balbianello
Villa del Balbianello

Summary:

  • ๐ŸŽŸ๏ธ Cost: โ‚ฌ15 park only ($16)
  • ๐Ÿšถ Getting there: Ferry, bus, or drive to Lenno, then a 20 to 30 minute uphill walk of about 1 km (0.6 mi) from the dock
  • ๐Ÿ›ฅ๏ธ The easier way: Taxi boat from Lido di Lenno, roughly โ‚ฌ5 to โ‚ฌ8 ($5 to $9) one way, drops you near the entrance
  • โฑ๏ธ Time needed: 2 hours for the gardens, 3 with the interior tour
  • ๐Ÿ‘Ž The cons: Expect a lot of people in July and August. So don’t expect your Instagram images to be without people.

More information on the official website of Villa Balbianello.

Which Balbianello ticket should you choose?

For most visitors, we would prioritise the gardens. The peninsula, terraces and lake views are what made Balbianello worth visiting for us.

The interior is a different decision. We didnโ€™t find it as beautiful as the gardens, and therefore not worth the extra price.

Choose the gardens if: the famous Lake Como views are what brought you here.

Choose an option with the interior if: you are especially interested in the villa itself and donโ€™t mind spending longer here.

Balbianello is closed on Mondays and Wednesdays, and interior visits use more limited guided slots, so this is one attraction we would plan around rather than leave until the last minute.

Check Villa del Balbianello ticket and tour options โ†’

 

Visit the Hollywood-famous gardens

 

The outside gardens are amazing. The inside is not worth it if you ask us.

 Check Villa del Balbianello entry and tour options

3. Parco Teresio Olivelli, Tremezzo

Parco Teresio Olivelli
Parco Teresio Olivelli

Tremezzo’s public lakefront park, directly across the water from Bellagio. It is the best free view of the lake’s central triangle in the village.

Parco Teresio Olivelli
Parco Teresio Olivelli

Summary:

  • ๐ŸŽŸ๏ธ Cost: Free
  • ๐Ÿ“ Where: On the Tremezzo lakefront, walking distance from the ferry stop
  • โฑ๏ธ Time needed: 20 minutes
  • ๐Ÿ’ก Tip: The best sunset spot in Tremezzo that does not require buying a drink at a hotel terrace
  • ๐Ÿ‘Ž The con: It is a town park, not an attraction

Should you see the villas from the water?

Villa Carlotta and Villa del Balbianello were built to make an impression from the lake, and seeing them from the water gives you a completely different perspective from simply arriving by road or walking through the gates.

Weโ€™d consider the boat experience particularly worthwhile if this is a special trip, you want the classic Lake Como villa views, or youโ€™re trying to turn the journey between places into part of the experience itself.

We would probably skip it if youโ€™re travelling on a tight budget or already spending a lot of time using the public ferries. The villas themselves should still be your priority.

Book it if: the scenery and experience matter as much as ticking off attractions.

Skip it if: you mainly want the cheapest way to see the villas.

Compare the western-shore boat tour options โ†’

ย 

See both villas the way they were designed to be seen

ย 

Villa Carlotta and Villa del Balbianello were both built to be approached from the water, and a western shore boat tour is the only way to get that view.

ย Compare boat tours along the western shore

4. Isola Comacina

Isola Comacina
Isola Comacina

A small island off Ossuccio, and the only island on the whole of Lake Como, left with ruins, a 17th-century church and three modernist artists’ houses after Como destroyed the settlement in 1169.

This is our must-do activity in Tremezzo after doing Villas Carlotta and Balbianello, as this is the one thing near Tremezzo that no other town of the lake can offer.

Isola Comacina
Isola Comacina

Summary:

  • โ›ต Boat: Taxi boat from Ossuccio, roughly โ‚ฌ7 ($8) per person return, paid on board in cash
  • ๐ŸŽŸ๏ธ Entry: Island and Antiquarium ticket is separate, bought at the Antiquarium or the machine on the island
  • ๐Ÿš— Getting there: Ossuccio is about 6 km (3.7 mi) south of Tremezzo
  • โฑ๏ธ Time needed: 1 hour
  • ๐Ÿ‘Ž The con: It’s a very small island. If ruins do nothing for you, skip it

More information on the official Isola Comacina website.

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๐Ÿงฅ Packable rain jacket: Men | Women ๐Ÿงข Sun hat ๐Ÿ•ถ๏ธ Sunglasses
๐Ÿ”Œ EU plug adapter (Type F/L) ๐Ÿ”‹ Power bank ๐Ÿ’ง Reusable water bottle
๐Ÿงด Sunscreen โ˜‚๏ธ Compact travel umbrella

5. Walk the Greenway del Lago di Como

Greenway del Lago di Como
Greenway del Lago di Como

A waymarked walking route from Colonno to Cadenabbia that runs straight through Tremezzo, following the Antica Strada Regina, the old Roman road along the western shore.

This is the single best free thing to do in Tremezzo, and the reason we would tell a walker to base here rather than in Bellagio.

Summary:

  • ๐ŸŽŸ๏ธ Cost: Free
  • ๐Ÿ“ Distance: 10 km (6.2 mi), Colonno to Cadenabbia di Griante
  • โฑ๏ธ Time needed: About 3.5 hours end to end, more if you stop
  • ๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ Route: Passes Sala Comacina, Ossuccio, Lenno, Mezzegra, Tremezzo and Griante
  • โ›ด๏ธ Getting there: Ferry or C110 bus to Colonno, then walk north so the afternoon light is behind you and you finish near a ferry stop. It’s nice to have a go at this; you can then have an afternoon drink in Cadenabbia and take a ferry or bus ride back to Tremezzo or any of the other towns.
  • ๐Ÿท On the way: Bars, trattorias and small beach kiosks throughout, so no need to carry lunch
  • ๐Ÿ‘Ž The con: Waymarked with metal plaques set into the pavement, which are easy to lose inside the villages. Download the route offline first via AllTrails.

Download the route before starting the Greenway

The Greenway is easy to follow on the open stretches, but the pavement markers become much easier to miss once you enter the villages.

That’s the annoying part: taking one wrong turn can mean unnecessary backtracking when you would rather be stopping for lunch or a drink.

We’d download the route before starting so you can keep walking even if you lose one of the markers.

Open the Greenway route, map and walker reviews on AllTrails โ†’

6. Sacro Monte di Ossuccio

San Giacomo church Ossuccio Tremezzina, Como Lake district. Ital
San Giacomo church Ossuccio Tremezzina in Como lake district

Fourteen chapels climbing the hillside above Ossuccio through olive terraces to the Sanctuary of the Madonna del Soccorso, listed by UNESCO in 2003.

It’s a nice walk and something active to do when you’re done with the villas and the small island, and we would take this walk over a third villa.

Summary:

  • ๐ŸŽŸ๏ธ Cost: Free to walk the path and see the chapels from outside
  • ๐Ÿฅพ Getting there: Start in Ossuccio and follow the signs uphill. An easy climb through olive groves, not technical
  • โฑ๏ธ Time needed: 1.5 to 2 hours return
  • ๐Ÿ’ก Tip: Go in the afternoon. It will be warm, but the chapels will face the lake, and the light on the way back down is the best part
  • ๐Ÿ‘Ž The con: A real uphill walk in full sun with almost no shade.

More information on the official Sacro Monte di Ossuccio website.

7. Lido di Lenno and the Golfo di Venere

A sandy beach club on the Golfo di Venere, the sheltered bay at Lenno, with sunbeds, a restaurant and a beach bar.

It is also where the Balbianello taxi boat leaves from, which makes it the obvious place to land after the villa.

Summary:

  • ๐ŸŽŸ๏ธ Cost: Beach entry around โ‚ฌ4 ($4.50) per person
  • ๐Ÿšถ Getting there: Five minutes along the lakefront from Lenno’s main square. From Tremezzo, a short bus ride, drive, or Greenway section
  • ๐Ÿ’ก Tip: Do Balbianello first thing and come straight back. The bay is calm in the afternoon, and it is the most efficient half day on this shore. You can then spend the rest of your afternoon in Lenno at the beach before returning to Tremezzo in the evening.
  • ๐Ÿ‘Ž The con: A paid beach club, not a free public beach, and it gets loud in high season

8. Mezzegra and the 1945 memorial

On 28 April 1945, Benito Mussolini and Claretta Petacci were shot by partisans at the gate of Villa Belmonte in Giulino di Mezzegra, and a black cross set into the wall marks the spot.

We would not call it a sightseeing stop, but just so you know why that black cross is there.

Summary:

  • ๐ŸŽŸ๏ธ Cost: Free
  • ๐Ÿ“ Where: Giulino di Mezzegra, Via 24 Maggio. A black cross in the wall and a roadside information board
  • ๐Ÿšถ Getting there: The Greenway passes through Mezzegra, so it fits in without a detour
  • โฑ๏ธ Time needed: 1 minute
  • ๐Ÿ‘Ž The con: There is nothing to see beyond the marker
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๐Ÿ‘Ÿ Walking shoes: Men | Women ๐Ÿฅฟ Walking sandals: Men | Women ๐Ÿ‘• Breathable layers: Men | Women
๐Ÿงฅ Packable rain jacket: Men | Women ๐Ÿงข Sun hat ๐Ÿ•ถ๏ธ Sunglasses
๐Ÿ”Œ EU plug adapter (Type F/L) ๐Ÿ”‹ Power bank ๐Ÿ’ง Reusable water bottle
๐Ÿงด Sunscreen โ˜‚๏ธ Compact travel umbrella

Where to eat in Tremezzo

Our recommendation is to eat where the locals eat. Not on the promenade, but a bit more uphill (in Rogaro and the hills above the SS340).

The restaurants at the promenade are for the tourists coming with ferries to Tremezzo.

pasta cooking class as one of the best things to do on Lake Como

La Fagurida, Rogaro di Tremezzo

Rustic and family-run in the hamlet of Rogaro above Tremezzo, cooking seasonally on local produce: roast rabbit with rosemary and polenta when it is cold, lake fish through the summer.

This is the one we would book first, and the pick if you want a proper Lombardy meal with a view over the lake!

Discover the restaurant here!

Summary:

  • ๐Ÿฝ๏ธ Best for: Traditional Lombardy cooking
  • โญ Rating: 4.2 out of 5 across roughly 370 Tripadvisor reviews, best in Tremezzo
  • ๐Ÿš— Getting there: Uphill in Rogaro. Car, taxi or walk there

Al Veluu, above Tremezzo

Family-run for generations in the hills above Tremezzo, with a terrace looking down over the lake and fresh lake fish on the menu.

Go here for the view: it is the special-occasion option that is not the Grand Hotel.

Summary:

  • ๐Ÿฝ๏ธ Best for: A view dinner
  • โญ Rating: 4.1 out of 5 across 557 Tripadvisor reviews
  • ๐Ÿš— Getting there: Narrow drive up from the SS340. Make a reservation beforehand.
  • ๐Ÿ‘Ž The con: The view is priced into the expensive bill

Discover the restaurant here!

Cantina Follie, Tremezzo

A small wine cellar where you drink in the cantina or outside on the terrace under the vines, with local cold cuts and cheeses.

Not dinner: this is the aperitivo stop after a villa, and the platter plus a bottle beats a mediocre lakeside pizza.

Summary:

  • ๐Ÿท Best for: Aperitivo after a villa
  • ๐Ÿง€ Order this: The tagliere dell’amicizia, the friendship platter of local cheeses and some meats
  • ๐Ÿ‘Ž The con: Small, and a wine cellar rather than a restaurant. Do not arrive hungry expecting a full menu

Discover the wine cellar here!

If you fancy a (very) fancy aperitif on a beautiful terrace facing the lake, go for Bar Roma (Piazza Roma 2/A), a few meters from Villa Sola Cabiati (the ancient faded sign of the former consumer cooperative in Tremezzo is also beautiful: a nice detail to photograph if you love this kind of nostalgic shots!)

Where to stay in Tremezzo

Grand Hotel Tremezzo
Grand Hotel Tremezzo

Hotel La Perla, Tremezzo (best value)

Family-run and run well, looked after by twin sisters and their husbands, with amazing lake-view rooms, most with a balcony, and a pool deck with a restaurant terrace above it.

We stayed here ourselves and think it is the strongest value option if you want a lake view without Grand Hotel Tremezzo prices.

Just factor the steep hill into your plans.

Summary:

  • ๐Ÿ’ฐ Best for: Value with a view
  • ๐Ÿ›๏ธ Rooms: Most have a private balcony and lake views
  • ๐ŸŠ Facilities: Pool deck and restaurant terrace
  • ๐Ÿšถ Getting there: About 20 minutes downhill to the ferry and bus stop, steep on the way back. The hotel shuttle costs little, and you will use it.
  • ๐Ÿ‘Ž The con: That hill. Without a car or the shuttle, it shapes your whole day

Check rates and availability at Hotel La Perla

San Giorgio Hotel, Lenno (mid-range, lakeside)

Built in 1920 and run by the fourth generation of the same family, with a garden that goes down to the water so you reach the lake without crossing the SS340.

If Villa del Balbianello is the main reason for your trip, staying in Lenno removes a lot of unnecessary back-and-forth and puts you close to the taxi-boat departure point.

Summary:

  • ๐Ÿ’ฐ Best for: Direct lake access without crossing the road
  • ๐Ÿ“ Where: Lenno (so not in Tremezzo itself), walking distance from the dock and the Balbianello taxi boat
  • ๐Ÿ‘Ž The con: Traditional rather than modern furniture, and the period character comes with period fittings in places

Check rates and availability at San Giorgio Hotel

Grand Hotel Tremezzo (luxury at its finest)

Grand Hotel Tremezzo
Tremezzo, Italy, Apr. 26, 2024. Grand Hotel Tremezzo entrance with lush greenery on Lake Como

The famous grand hotel in Tremezzo, with the floating pool set into the lake, views across to Bellagio, and La Terrazza Gualtiero Marchesi downstairs.

We would consider Grand Hotel Tremezzo for a special stay in shoulder season.

At peak August prices, we find the value becomes much harder to justify.

Summary:

  • ๐Ÿ’ฐ Rates: Roughly $1,000 to $2,000 a night depending on season
  • ๐ŸŠ The draw: The floating pool on the lake, and the Bellagio view
  • ๐Ÿฝ๏ธ Dining: La Terrazza Gualtiero Marchesi on site
  • ๐Ÿ›ฃ๏ธ Worth knowing: The main building is separated from the floating pool by a busy road, with staff stopping traffic for guests
  • ๐Ÿ‘Ž The con: At high occupancy, nearly everything needs a reservation, including lunch and pre-dinner drinks, and the best loungers and breakfast tables go early

Check rates and availability at Grand Hotel Tremezzo

 

Lake-view rooms in Tremezzo go first

 

Tremezzo has fewer hotels than Bellagio or Varenna, so the good lake-view rooms are worth checking once your dates are fixed.

 Look at different Tremezzo hotels and lake-view rooms

3-day Tremezzo itinerary

How We Would Spend 3 Days in Tremezzo

Three days is enough time to see the two famous villas without turning the entire trip into a checklist.

We would make Day 1 the structured sightseeing day, Day 2 the walking and island day, and keep Day 3 flexible for Sacro Monte, time by the lake, or a boat trip.

The important thing is to plan Villa del Balbianello first because it is closed on Mondays and Wednesdays. Once you know which day you can visit Balbianello, book Villa Carlotta for the same day and build the rest of your itinerary around them.

Check Balbianello availability โ†’

Check Villa Carlotta availability โ†’

This is our favourite 3-day Tremezzo itinerary:

Day 1: Villa Carlotta + Villa del Balbianello
Day 2: Greenway + Isola Comacina
Day 3: Sacro Monte + slow afternoon or boat experience

Day 1: The two villas

Morning: Villa Carlotta

Be at Villa Carlotta for the 10:00 opening.

The ferry and C110 bus both stop around 400 m (0.25 mi) from the gate, so you donโ€™t need a car for this part of the day.

Give yourself around 1.5 hours. Weโ€™d do the garden terraces first and the museum rooms second because the coaches start arriving from around 11:00 and it becomes noticeably busier.

If this is the one villa you absolutely do not want to miss, organise the entry before your trip rather than leaving it until you reach Tremezzo.

Reserve your Villa Carlotta entry โ†’

Lunch: Tremezzo waterfront

Eat somewhere convenient on the waterfront rather than turning lunch into another journey.

We donโ€™t think the promenade is where youโ€™ll find the best food in Tremezzo, but today the location matters more: youโ€™re only around twenty minutes from the next part of the itinerary.

Save the better restaurant experience for the evening.

Afternoon: Villa del Balbianello

Continue to Lenno by ferry, bus, or ten minutes by car.

From Lido di Lenno, take the taxi boat across to Villa del Balbianello for roughly โ‚ฌ5โ€“โ‚ฌ8 one way. It saves the 20โ€“30 minute uphill walk from the dock and, in our opinion, gives you a better arrival.

Allow around two hours for the gardens.

We would choose the garden-focused visit unless you are particularly interested in seeing the interior.

Check Villa del Balbianello entry options โ†’

Evening: aperitivo and dinner

Head back to Tremezzo for an aperitivo at Cantina Follie and order the tagliere dellโ€™amicizia.

Then have dinner nearby before heading back to your hotel.

If youโ€™re following this itinerary and want a quieter base above the lake, Hotel La Perla is where we stayed and the hotel we personally recommend for value. Just be aware of the steep hill back from the lake.

Check Hotel La Perla rates for your dates โ†’

Sundown in Tremezzo
Sundown in Tremezzo

Night.

Back to Hotel La Perla.

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๐Ÿงณ Carry-on / travel duffel ๐ŸŽ’ Daypack ๐Ÿ‘œ Anti-theft crossbody bag
๐Ÿ‘Ÿ Walking shoes: Men | Women ๐Ÿฅฟ Walking sandals: Men | Women ๐Ÿ‘• Breathable layers: Men | Women
๐Ÿงฅ Packable rain jacket: Men | Women ๐Ÿงข Sun hat ๐Ÿ•ถ๏ธ Sunglasses
๐Ÿ”Œ EU plug adapter (Type F/L) ๐Ÿ”‹ Power bank ๐Ÿ’ง Reusable water bottle
๐Ÿงด Sunscreen โ˜‚๏ธ Compact travel umbrella

Day 2: Walk the Greenway + Visit Isola Comacina

Morning: Walk part of the Greenway del Lago di Como

After a full day of villa sightseeing, we would make the second morning much less structured.

Start with the Greenway del Lago di Como, the 10 km (6.2 mi) walking route that follows parts of the old Strada Regina between Colonno and Cadenabbia.

You absolutely do not need to walk the entire thing.

๐Ÿšถ Walking the Greenway today?

The route is straightforward in the open sections, but the markings become much easier to miss inside the villages.

We would save the route before leaving so you aren’t trying to work out where you went wrong halfway through the walk.

Open the Greenway map and walker reviews โ†’

If you’re staying in or around Tremezzo, we would choose the stretch that takes you toward Ossuccio and Lenno so the walk naturally leads into the afternoon rather than forcing you to retrace your steps.

The route passes through villages, churches, small lanes, and sections with open lake views, which makes it feel completely different from spending another morning inside a formal attraction.

We would download the route beforehand because the pavement markers become easier to miss once you enter the villages.

Open the Greenway route, map and walker reviews on AllTrails โ†’

Lunch: Ossuccio or Lenno

Stop for lunch before heading to the island.

If the weather is hot, this is also a good time to slow down before heading across the water.

Afternoon: Isola Comacina

From Ossuccio, take the taxi boat across to Isola Comacina, Lake Como’s only island.

After visiting Carlotta and Balbianello on Day 1, we think this is one of the better ways to spend the second afternoon because it does not feel like you’re simply visiting a third villa.

Give yourself around an hour to explore the archaeological remains, paths and viewpoints.

This is also where we are quite clear about who should skip it:

Visit Isola Comacina if: you like ruins, quieter historical sites and being somewhere that feels different from the villas.

Skip it if: archaeological remains don’t interest you and you’re primarily looking for grand interiors or manicured gardens.

Late afternoon: Continue through Ossuccio or relax by the lake

Once you’re back on the mainland, don’t immediately rush to another major attraction.

Walk a little farther around Ossuccio, stop for a drink, or head back toward Tremezzo.

Day 2 works because it gives you some breathing room after the much more scheduled first day.

If you’re travelling in summer, we would leave space here for simply sitting by the lake rather than trying to squeeze another attraction into the itinerary.

Evening: Go uphill for dinner

This is the night we would leave the promenade.

Head toward Rogaro or one of the restaurants above Tremezzo instead.

The waterfront is convenient, but we found some of the more memorable food away from the busiest lakefront strip.

If you have a car, this is exactly the kind of evening when having it becomes useful.


Isola Comacina
Tremezzo from Comacina island

Day 3: Sacro Monte + Slow Afternoon on Lake Como

Morning: Walk to Sacro Monte di Ossuccio

Start early and walk up to the Sacro Monte di Ossuccio before the hottest part of the day.

After spending Day 1 inside the famous villas, we would choose this over squeezing another villa into the itinerary.

The route passes the chapels on the way uphill and rewards you with elevated views over this side of Lake Como.

The point of doing this on Day 3 is not to tick off another attraction. It gives you something completely different: a walk, a viewpoint and a quieter side of the area.

Take water and avoid starting in the middle of the afternoon during the hottest summer months.

Lunch: Slow lunch back near the lake

After the walk, come back down and have a slower lunch.

Do not build Day 3 around rushing between ferry departures.

By this point in the trip, you’ve already seen the two major villas and covered part of the western shore on foot, so this is the day when I’d leave more room for whatever you enjoyed most.

Afternoon Option 1: Boat experience

If you want one amazing experience, we would put it here rather than on Day 1.

Why?

Because Day 1 already has enough going on with two villas.

On Day 3, the boat becomes the activity itself rather than just another thing you have to fit between reservations.

Villa Carlotta and Villa del Balbianello both make much more visual sense when seen from the lake, so this is the option I’d choose if you want the classic Lake Como scenery and don’t mind spending more for the experience.

Book this if:

  • this is a honeymoon, anniversary or special trip;
  • you care about photography and the lake views;
  • you want a slower experience after two sightseeing-heavy days.

Skip it if:

  • you’re watching your budget;
  • you’ve already spent plenty of time on ferries;
  • simply seeing the villas from land was enough for you.

Compare western-shore boat experiences โ†’

๐Ÿ›ฅ๏ธ Want one splurge experience in Tremezzo?

We would save the boat trip for your final day rather than squeezing it between the villas, so seeing Lake Como from the water becomes the experience itself.

It is most worth the money if this is a special trip or you particularly want the classic villa views from the lake.

If you’re travelling on a tight budget, the public ferries already give you plenty of time on the water.

Compare western-shore boat experiences โ†’

Afternoon Option 2: Lido di Lenno or lakeside downtime

If you don’t want to pay for a boat experience, we would make the afternoon inexpensive.

Head toward Lido di Lenno, sit by the water, swim if conditions allow, or simply find somewhere for a drink.

This option makes the most sense during warmer months.

Final evening: Aperitivo + your best dinner

For your final evening, choose the place you most wanted to try rather than automatically eating wherever is closest to the ferry.

If you’re staying above Tremezzo, this is another good night to eat around Rogaro or farther uphill.

If you stayed on the waterfront, start with an aperitivo and make the evening itself the last experience rather than squeezing in one more sightseeing stop.

Tremezzo, Lake Como, Lombardy in Italy
Tremezzo, Lake Como, Lombardy in Italy

Tremezzo travel tips

Best time to visit Tremezzo

May, June and September.

The villas and gardens are at their best, the Greenway is perfectly walkable without suffering from the heat in July and August, and you avoid the July and August rush at Balbianello.

April is also nice, but some hotels and restaurants are not open yet.

Getting there

Tremezzo has no train station.

If you want to take the ferry, you can do so to Varenna-Esino on the Milan to Tirano line, and then take the Navigazione Laghi boat across to Tremezzo.

Driving from Milan, take the A9 to the Lago di Como exit, then the SS340 Strada Regina north.

Coming from further afield, our Venice to Lake Como guide covers that route in full.

Getting around

The C110 bus (Como to Menaggio to Colico, ASF Autolinee) runs the length of Lake Como and stops at Tremezzoโ€“Villa Carlotta and the other main villages.

A car makes the difference here.

Not for the villas, which are all on the ferry and bus line, but for the restaurants uphill in Rogaro, for Ossuccio and for getting between villages after the buses thin out in the evening.

Our Map of Lake Como post shows exactly how Tremezzo sits relative to the rest.

Parking

Use the Villa Mainona multi-storey car park on Via Peduzzi in Tremezzo. The free white-line spaces along the SS340 exist, but they fill early in summer, and the blue-line spaces are paid.

Frequently asked questions about Tremezzo

Is Tremezzo worth visiting on Lake Como?

Yes, particularly for Villa Carlotta on its doorstep and Villa del Balbianello a short hop away, plus the Greenway, Isola Comacina and the UNESCO Sacro Monte di Ossuccio, which most people miss.

What is the difference between Tremezzo and Tremezzina?

Tremezzo is the village. Tremezzina is the municipality it belongs to, created on 4 February 2014 by merging Tremezzo with Lenno, Ossuccio and Mezzegra. If you are booking a hotel or searching a map, you will see both names used for the same stretch of shore.

Is Villa del Balbianello open every day?

No. Outside public holidays, it is closed on Mondays and Wednesdays, which catches out a lot of people.

Is Villa del Balbianello hard to get to from Tremezzo?

You take a ferry, bus, or short drive to Lenno, then either a 20 to 30 minute uphill walk of about 1 km (0.6 mi) from the dock or a short paid taxi boat from Lido di Lenno. The interior is a separate guided ticket with limited slots that sell out.

How many days do you need in Tremezzo?

One day covers both villas if you plan around the ferry times. Two days add the Greenway and Isola Comacina without rushing.

Do you need a car in Tremezzo?

Not for the villas, which sit on the ferry and C110 bus line. But we very much recommend a car for the good restaurants which are uphill. There are also fewer ferry connections in Tremezzo than in Bellagio and Varenna so you might first have to go to Bellagio and take another ferry connection from there.

Where should I stay in Tremezzo?

Hotel La Perla for value with views, San Giorgio in nearby Lenno for direct lakeside access, Grand Hotel Tremezzo for one genuine luxurious stay.

Where is the best food in Tremezzo?

La Fagurida in Rogaro for traditional Lombardy cooking, or Al Veluu for the view.

The Italy travel items you’ll wish you had

One often-overlooked part of a trip to Italy is WHAT YOU WEAR AND PACK.

You don’t need to invest in expensive gear, but having the right ESSENTIALS FOR COBBLESTONES, SUMMER HEAT, CHURCH DRESS CODES, AND BUSY CITIES will make your trip far more comfortable.

Here’s a QUICK SUMMARY:

  • ๐Ÿงณ A light CARRY ON BAG keeps you mobile on trains and up the narrow staircases of old-town hotels.
  • ๐Ÿงณ To keep a carry-on organised across multiple towns, a set of VACUUM SUCKED PACKING CUBES makes living out of a bag far easier.
  • ๐Ÿ‘• Summers get hot, so pack breathable LIGHT LAYERS AND LINEN SHIRTS (Link for men) (Link for women) to stay cool and presentable.
  • ๐Ÿฉน The Italian cobblestones are famous for causing blisters, so a few BLISTER PLASTERS in your daypack are always worth it.
  • ๐Ÿ”Œ Italian sockets are Type F and Type L, so a UNIVERSAL PLUG ADAPTER keeps your devices charged everywhere.
  • ๐Ÿ”‹ Long days of maps, photos, and tickets drain a phone fast, so a POWER BANK is a lifesaver.
  • ๐Ÿ’ง Many towns have free drinking fountains, so a REUSABLE WATER BOTTLE saves money and keeps you hydrated in the heat.
  • ๐Ÿงด The Mediterranean sun is stronger than it feels, so pack SUNSCREEN to avoid ruining a day with a burn.
  • โ˜‚๏ธ Summer thunderstorms roll in quickly, so a COMPACT TRAVEL UMBRELLA keeps a sudden downpour from cutting your day short.
  • ๐ŸŽ’ A comfortable DAYPACK is perfect for carrying water, layers, and a camera through long days of sightseeing.
  • ๐Ÿ‘œ Pickpockets work the busy squares and stations, so an ANTI-THEFT CROSSBODY BAG lets you relax and keep valuables in front of you.
  • ๐Ÿ‘Ÿ Italy means cobblestones and a lot of walking, so broken-in WALKING SHOES (Link for men) (Link for women) will save your feet.
  • ๐Ÿฅฟ For hot afternoons, a pair of supportive WALKING SANDALS (Link for men) (Link for women) beats sweaty trainers.
  • ๐Ÿงฅ Lake and mountain weather changes fast, so a packable RAIN JACKET (Link for men) (Link for women) is worth the space it takes.
  • ๐Ÿงข The midday sun is strong, so a SUN HAT makes long piazza days and boat trips much more comfortable.
  • ๐Ÿ•ถ๏ธ Good SUNGLASSES cut the glare off the water and the pale stone facades.

Final thoughts on visiting Tremezzo

What would we book in Tremezzo?

If we only had one day in Tremezzo again, Villa Carlotta would be our first booking.

It was our favourite villa here for actually spending time in the gardens, and weโ€™d go as early as possible before the larger groups arrive.

Then weโ€™d continue to Villa del Balbianello in the afternoon. The setting is more dramatic than Carlotta, and arriving from the water makes it feel like a completely different experience, but we would spend our money on the gardens rather than automatically adding the interior.

๐ŸŒบ Check Villa Carlotta tickets โ†’

๐ŸŒธ Check Villa del Balbianello tickets โ†’

If those two are already booked and you want one experience that feels more special than another villa visit, weโ€™d look at seeing this stretch of Lake Como from the water.

๐Ÿ›ฅ๏ธ Compare western-shore boat experiences โ†’

ย 

Planning the rest of your Lake Como trip?

ย 

Our full guide covers Bellagio, Varenna, Como and the northern villages most visitors never reach.

ย Read the best things to do in Lake Como

Written by Laura and Alexander. We travelled around Lake Como from Como, Bellagio and Varenna, to the smaller villages of Colico, Gravedone and Tremezzo.


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Laura and Alexander

Laura and Alexander

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