Italy’s most glamorous lake has been a holiday hotspot for millennia. From Bellagio to Cernobbio, there are hundreds of stylish villas from which to explore its mountain-backed shores.
Villa Sol, nestled in the hills above Bellagio with sweeping lake views (Photo: Lemon Tree Rentals)
Located just one hour north of Milan, Lake Como is ripe for exploration. From its picture-perfect villages like Bellagio and Varenna to sleepy fishing villages like Torno and Nesso, this ritzy region has plenty to offer the most discerning visitors. It’s rich in culture too and brimming with neoclassical villas that once belonged to artists, writers and explorers. Thankfully there are hundreds of villas peppered across the landscape, which are just as glamorous as their location. You could book into a hotel, but a villa rental will give you more flexibility. With dozens of companies to choose from, we’ve selected three of the best places to rent a villa in Lake Como for a range of budgets and tastes.
Plum Guide
Plum Guide is the best place to find one-of-a-kind villas in Lake Como. There are currently more than 150 villas listed on the website, from 20th-century palazzos to eco-friendly cabins. Each has undergone a meticulous multi-stage vetting process to be listed on the website and properties are regularly reviewed by the team to ensure each is deserving of retaining its spot. For those who prefer the finer things in life and don’t mind paying a premium for an extra special stay, Plum Guide is an excellent choice. The website is easy to navigate too, with handy filters for the number of guests, amenities, facilities and location.
Booking.com
Booking.com offers some of the best value vacation rentals in Lake Como. With more than 200 villas to choose from, the platform offers one of the most comprehensive selection of properties too. You can sort your search by price, rating, guest reviews and discount, as well as helpful filters to help whittle down your searches, such as room facilities, nearby landmarks and fun things to do nearby. Each listing is reviewed by previous customers, who rate the property based on staff, facilities, comfort, cleanliness, value for money and location. You can see which types of travellers rated the property highly too, which is helpful if you’re travelling as part of a family group or couple.
Lemon Tree Rentals
For those who prefer to have a human point of contact during the booking process rather than relying on chatbots, Lemon Tree Rentals is an excellent option. Founded by husband and wife team Richard and Christina, the company specialises in Lake Garda, Lake Como, Lake Maggiore and the Dolomites villa rentals. Each property is hand-picked by the team, who are based in Lake Garda, to ensure it is stylish, unique and special. The team actively supports local businesses and communities, and can help visitors connect with local culture through local experiences. There are currently around 10 villas listed on the website, some perched high on the mountainside and some within walking distance of the region’s most popular towns.