Villa Monastero

Dogs are allowed on leash and it felt very dog friendly. Lake Como is known for being dog friendly and Villa Monastero fit that perfectly. I loved walking through the gardens of Villa Monastero in Varenna🐾 I was there together with two other dogs and the atmosphere felt relaxed and welcoming. Beautiful views over Lake Como and a very peaceful atmosphere. Plenty of space for a calm stroll and I felt welcome everywhere. Very beautiful memories and a lovely stop during our travels through Italy.

Villa Monastero – Lake Como, Italy Villa Monastero in Varenna is one of the most refined and visually captivating places on Lake Como. The moment you enter the gardens, you feel the harmony between Italian elegance, historical architecture, and the breathtaking beauty of the lake. The botanical garden stretches gracefully along the shoreline, offering a succession of terraces, sculptures, exotic plants, and perfectly framed perspectives of Lake Como and the surrounding mountains. For photographers, it is nothing short of extraordinary. Every few steps reveal a new composition: romantic archways, classical balustrades, cypress-lined paths, and reflections of the lake that change beautifully with the light. What makes Villa Monastero exceptional is the way nature, history, and landscape merge together. The long lakeside garden walk creates an almost cinematic experience, where every corner feels carefully designed to highlight the natural beauty of the lake. For lovers of photography, architecture, and timeless Italian gardens, Villa Monastero is not simply a visit — it is an experience. A true jewel of Lake Como and without doubt one of the most photogenic locations in northern Italy.

Easily one of the most beautiful places I've been. There was a crowd (we visited in September), but it was manageable and didn't bother us too much. Entry was quick and efficient and for 7 euro (13 for regular entry but still) you get access to arguably the most gorgeous views you would have seen in your life.

nice place. if you want to walk through the garden, it is worth spending 2 hours. there is a queue at the popular places to take pictures and you can't even look at it if you don't wait. difficult with a stroller. It's worth going in the morning, there's no line, there are fewer people

One word – magnificent. I recommend buying tickets in advance to avoid waiting. We arrived at 10 a.m. and waited about 20 minutes in line. The villa opens at 10:00 a.m. They allow only a limited number of visitors inside, which is great because it’s not overcrowded. The ticket costs €10

This is truely a lovely villa. The setting on the north end of Varenna is perfectly quiet. Property is between the road and Lake Como allowing for a magical stroll along the water. The property seemed a little worn. After a couple of days of train the paths suffered from large puddles making passage distracting on some portions. Other features were closed for repairs. The house was a treat and more intimate than some of the other villas we visited. Be sure to visit the exhibit room under the where you'll get your tickets and enter property. They have a fine audio and visual show that allows you to chose topics on the family and property history of the villa as well as the garden and it's flora. We visited in the second half of September but I can imagine Villa Monastero in blume is just amazing.

The gardens are absolutely stunning and the views of Lake Como are unreal — definitely a must-visit for photo lovers! Dress cute, this place is made for dreamy pics. We bought tickets online and skipped the line. The villa interior isn’t super impressive, but the outdoor beauty makes it 100% worth it.

The garden itself is beautifully maintained and features not only lovely plants but also statues and fountains. However, in my opinion, the €7 entrance fee doesn’t quite match the small size of the place. I’m not much of a culture person myself, but I would much rather come here than to a museum! The views over Lake Como are beautiful, and there are several spots to sit down and relax. Surprisingly, the place was still quite crowded in the last week of September. If you’re arriving by car, be prepared for very limited parking. We visited on a weekday: in the morning, all city parking spots were full, including the paid parking garage. In the afternoon, the situation eased slightly, and we only had to wait for two cars before entering the parking garage in front of the area.

If you want the BEST pictures and views then come here on the early train from Milan and globe there at 0930 when they open. The early morning light of the grande and lake make superb lighting for all your personal photos. Quiet and serene this is the place to pray, relax or just walk around and enjoy the fantastic views. A MUST SEE when you travel here.

Absolutely loved this garden! Pros: - If you have a student ID, it's only 2 euros to get in, if not only 5 euros - The place is fairly large, we spent 2 hours here just relaxing and taking tons of photos - Bring food, wine and games for a picnic - they have benches scattered around the garden - Lots of shade so don't worry about getting stuck under the sun all day - The amount of work they put into the garden is reflected by the stunning visuals you'll see Cons: None!

Great place to take a romantic walk in the gardens. There are old statues, various plants and flowers as well as healthy orange trees. The walk runs right along the lake side with gorgeous views of the towns across the lake and distance mountain peaks. The path wraps around into the hotel next door. There was a gathering the weekend we were there, a farmers market kind of thing. So the entry to the garden was free but would cost 3 euro other days as told from front desk attendant.

Villa, nice garden with great views, a cafe and a small museum. Friendly staff (gardener). Sit by the lake and sip a cappuccino in the morning.

Stunningly beautiful garden with amazingly friendly and helpful staff! Our host recommended this garden for relaxation and beauty and boy was he correct. There is a small admission price of 5 Euro but that is nothing for what you get. The peace and tranquility we felt while visiting was exactly what a couple weary travelers needed. We ate a ham panini and enjoyed some nice wine by the water just enjoying the views. Note: This place is also handicap friendly! I have to walk with a cane so the staff took us down to the garden via golf cart and when we were done, they came and picked us up! Simply amazing!

Probably one of the best villas in the Lago di Como region. Beautiful gardens and a nice cafe to rest. Views are all breathtaking. Don't know if they rent out the place for parties, but if we ever hold a destination party, this place has the charm.

Compare to the Cipressi's garden next door, I like Cipressi's better. The width of the garden was not as wide Cipressi's, which limited the walkway design. Some view of Monastro were actually better from Cipressi point. It does have pretty good view of Fiumelatte, but not early in the morning (the sun is behind the hill and makes everything look gray/shaded).