What an experience!!! My husband had been wanting to visit for a long time due to his love of movies in particular Star Wars & 007. We visited the locations where the movies were filmed and wandered around the whole surroundings. Villa del Balbianello is breathtaking, do yourself a favour and go! Side note: We caught the private water taxi here and that helped capture some of these gorgeous shots due to the better access spot for drop off.

Small beautiful villa with an exceptional garden. It was very easy to reach on foot and was a nice walk. We took our baby with us and if you love walking it was not that difficult to reach. You can also take a water taxi which costs 6-8€. We did not buy the tickets in advance, fortunately waited only 5 minutes to buy the tickets.

Charming Villa on top of a small hill which enjoys marvellous views of lake Como. The trees, the plants, the flowers, the rockery, the variety of natural landscapes and man-made pathways is simply amazing. Fascinating history of the place, full of twists and turns until the last owner died and donated it to a National Trust. The architecture blends in beautifully with the complexity of the natural landscape surrounding the villa. Almost a fairytale place, unsurprisingly used as a cinema set for some very famous movies. Not to be missed!

Exceptionally beautiful garden and villa. The garden is very well groomed and the views of the lake are stunning. What you need to know is: there is a fee to enter the headland at all (11 EUR), there are two ways to get there: a 1 km soft walk on the lakeside (stroller/kids friendly) or an extremely steep way up the hill that’s 2.5km long in total. The latter is not worth it :)

So so glad we booked the day out here! If you have the opportunity book a guided tour as you can go inside, and it went through the history which was so interesting. The gardens are gorgeous, extremely well kept, and were very fun to explore. There's a small ice cream place within which was nice as it can get hot, but I would love to visit this again!

Pro Tips: - If you want to visit the inside, you need to book in advance. In order to visit the garden, you don’t need to book in advance. - Plan to go early in the day, specially during summer season. This is a highly visited Villa and there is a lot of people visiting it and also waiting minutes and minutes to get a nice selfie. - From Lenno’s Boat Gate, count around 15/25 minutes to go to the Villa The Villa’s garden is really beautiful, it’s almost like you are in Disney. For the garden, plan at least 1 hour to slowly visit all part of it.

What a wonderful place to visit. This villa and it’s beautiful garden are one of the most beautiful places I have visited. The tour guides are lovely, so informative about the owner, the contents and their admiration for the man who owned it. Totally fascinating story of this explorers life and his residence. Many films have had scenes taken on this Island including scenes from Casino Royal and Star Wars. Well worth a trip to see the gardens with its views across the bays from every outlook.

Insgesamt ein sehr schönes Anwesen mit einem atemberaubenden Außenbereich. Jedoch war es bei unserem Besuch (trotz beschränkter Besucherzahl) einfach zu voll. Es gibt für die hohe Anzahl an Besuchern einfach zu wenige Parkplätze, was u einem riesigen Chaos auf den Straßen führt. Ansonsten gab es dort einiges zu sehen. Die Führung begleitete uns durch die einzelnen Räumlichkeiten der Villa und erzählte uns vom Leben des ehemaligen Besitzers, welcher die Villa zum Museum über sein Leben einrichtete. Die Mitarbeiter waren Nett und Kompetent.

Well known from the movies - James Bond and Star Wars - place, even for the people never visited. In reallity, the filling is much more impressive. Beautiful spots to take photos over the lake. Well maintained garden an buildings. Must visit and see.

This is an otherworldly place. The gardens are so well maintained and manicured it's ridiculous. A must visit if you are ever in the Lake Como area. Very easy to get to using boat taxi, but expensive. Cheaper to get there using the ferry, but that does involve a decent hike of 20 minutes or so. But it's well worth it.

Parking was completely full, so we had to find another place around 5 min. from the start of the trail. Getting to the villa is quite a hike as it is very steep and takes around 15-20 min. As soon as we arrived, we were able to skip the long line as we had already prebooked. The villa and grounds are absolutely beautiful and very well maintained. Can definitely recommend this place if you want to take pictures of pretty Lake Como as well.

Amazing beautiful villa. 11€ entry for the garden and 11€ For the villa (you can choose to visit either one or both-highly suggested) Around 12ish when the sun hit the water straight, it create the magical sparkling effect on the water, just beautiful to photograph.

The best thing about the lake. The most unbelievable upkeep and incredible views. Really nice to learn about the history of the villa. Also loved seeing where Star Wars was filmed!

We were lucky enough to visit during wisteria season (April). I loved the beautiful villa and gardens and the English speaking tour guide was so insightful and funny. It is quite a climb but totally worth it (and that’s coming from someone with bad knees). Only thing I did miss was a place to eat something. We had an ice cream from the gift shop which was delicious. But we would have welcomed the opportunity to eat a sandwich or something else that resembled lunch.

Amazing villa to visit which was one of our highlights during our stay in Lake Como. Be prepared for a 20 minute walk uphill or alternatively you can get a boat to take you around to the other entrance. Highly recommend attending early so it is quiet for you to walk around the gardens. Also the guided tour of the interior was really good and insightful, highly recommend doing that as well.

Beautiful experience visiting the well taken care of gardens. If you walk from town be prepared to hike up hill in many spots and remember to bring water. I recommend taking the boat over for older folks. There is a book shop on site that sells water. Get tickets in advance to the gardens as it can get busy.

I had one incredible experience visiting this fabulous Villa. FAI does an incredible job, as always. The tour guide (in English) was really nice! It was so surprising all the details and stories about the place especially about Guido Monzino. The villa is kept flawlessly and it's stunning, inside and out.

Beautiful location like a movie. It requires a ferry ride if you are not staying in lenno and a 25 min walk. Highly advise taking the tour and checking the villa on the inside with its story.

Such a stunning and historic place. My husband loved visiting as he knew this is was a famous film location (Star Wars and 007). It’s a beautiful property with a very interesting history. Definitely recommend day trip here if you are visiting the Lake Como area.

Stunning is the right word to describe the place. You will need a bit of patience if you want to take some pictures as it is quite crowded and some people can be a bit selfish for that social media post. We got a guided tour which we highly recommend, the villa is amazing on the inside!

We were not expecting it to be as popular as it was, so be prepared to fight for parking (we did) but it is so worth it once you get there. It is a 20 minute walk from the parking, or you can take a boat trip there but it's every 20 min, so you might have to hang around. Once you get there you will see why it's so popular, what a stunning location and well worth a visit if you are in this area, best to book online first, don't worry if you are a little past your time of booking, we were and they were great about it. Highly recommended!

I think it's just an incredible place! It looks especially beautiful from the water, so be sure to try to rent a boat or take a cruise on a tourist boat. It's definitely worth it! After my last visit here, I had a dream to celebrate some important event right here! Therefore, this is my sincere recommendation❤️

We purchased tickets online a few weeks before our visit in August 2023. We arrived early, but decided to visit the shops by the water. We came back at our slotted time and were allowed to enter without waiting. There were a lot of people queued up, but I'm not sure if this was necessary as people were only allowed to enter at their slotted times. We entered from the park by the street. The villa was nicely up kept and very lush/green. We didn't do the interior tour and only walked around the premises. The views of the lake are great. The villa is a lot smaller than anticipated and there was quite a bit of boat noise. There is a small hike up a hill you can do at the entrance or after your leave. Don't do it, it's not worth it, the trail is overgrown and trees are covering up all the views.

Impressive ornate Villas like this were designed and built to be admired from the lake Film location for Casino Royale Would 100% recommend visiting from a boat . We went swimming just off here and it will be a memory that lasts a lifetime for me

Beautiful, worth the 11 euro to just do the garden tour. It's a striking setting and they've clearly put quite a bit of thought and care and maintenance into the landscaping. And for the IG girls: this is where you should go to take pics.

Very beautiful villa. I didn’t give 5 star because 1. We can not visit the villa as we r not the “ member”. A tourist will not join some kind of membership as we r here only to visit the villa once 2. Many people keep asking us to buy some specialty from Sicily which makes us uncomfortable.

Seen from the Como Lake it is as beautiful as I've seen it on movies like Star Wars & James Bond. If you ever rent a boat on Como Lake this a must to visit. Really worthy the trip. Next time I'll pay it a visit on land.

I wanted to see thos Vila for a long time as it was in Casino Royal & star wars movie . But it was more then I expected. Superb Gardens n Views all around. Must thing to do if I Como .

Very, very nice place to visit. Beautiful gardens and spectacular views of Lake Como. Don't forget to visit the balcony where Anakin and Padme (Star Wars) got married.

Wonderful villa, placed a short walk of 1 km from the parking places 😊👍 We spent several hours studying the garden, and got a guide tour around the amazing villa. Definitely a must see when you visit the Como lake ⛲🦋

I do not recommend coming here. The price for the gardens at €11 is steep and the gardens are small. The hike to the entrance was painful as well. Tickets can be bought at the entrance. So, no need for online tickets. Too many people for such a small garden. Two stars for the following: Clean toilets Beautiful gardens & flowers & manicured trees

Fantastic villa and gardens. Breathtaking atmosphere. This is where the famous kiss between Anakin and Padme (Star Wars) takes place. And also 007. The view is incredible, the guided tour was also very nice.

Just like heaven! Every single conner of the place is beautiful. Fantastic combination of landscape and architecture. The view is to die for. And give a round of applause to the gardener!

Great place to spend a few hours. Some pics are from the 45 minute trek to the Villa vs. the 20 minute one. For those who cannot do the walk, which may be challenging, there is a boat for 8 euros that will take you to the Villa from Lenno. Same for the return.

Wasn't able to get tickets to tour the inside (you need to do that far in advance) but even just coming to the grounds was worth it. Incredibly beautiful gardens with statues and great views of the lake. Only took about an hour to see everything at a leisurely pace with options to sit down.

Definitely had to visit this place. Rain didn’t stopped us just make sure you have umbrellas. Beautiful gardens, beautiful villa, amazing views… Casino Royal and Star Wars vibes. Very romantic, fancy, beautiful.

This villa is absolutely gorgeous and completely picturesque. Walking the grounds did not take very long but there is a lot to look at. Added bonus that the villa was used in Star wars and a James bond film. It was such a great experience.

I only took the gardens tour. From the outside the villa looked small so i wasn't disappointed. The gardens are really beautiful with nice views of surrounding towns. Obviously there are a lot of people but it's not overcrowded. There is a 20 min walk to the gardens with slopes. Parking is limited.

The Villa del Balbianello has been beautifully preserved for centuries. The grounds are very well-maintained, and so are all of the buildings. It is a bit of a hike to get to it from the entrance, but just treat it as a leisurely stroll. You could easily spend a half a day on your visit. Be sure and arrange a tour of the house or you will really miss out. Our guide was very knowledgeable about the history of the place and the lives of the people who lived here.

The most famous villa in the lake como region for a reason. The garden has is pretty picturesque with the breathtaking backdrop of Lake Como. Two ways to enter there.. One is from the garden by feet and the other is from water by boat. The view from the boat is amazing. It get vary busy in the summer time hence better to book online ahead of time.

Absolutely stunning place to visit. Unfortunately the day we went the river taxis were unavailable so we had a bit of a trek.. however it was absolutely worth it. The views are just incredible and it is a must see. It is easier to purchase tickets beforehand and they might even be slightly cheaper! I discovered this place after our stay in como and was unaware that it was used in a Star Wars film! Would highly recommend.

Beautiful place! Went round the gardens as hadn't pre-booked a tour inside. If you struggle walking definitely choose the shorter 20-minute route through the park to the entrance as the longer 40-minute route if very steep and rough terrain. Bus C10 takes you pretty close to the park. As a Star Wars fan this was so worth a visit for the famous arch and balcony. The views are incredible too. Would recommend if in Lake Como.

One of the more interesting villas in all of Lake Como. The full guided tour was absolutely worth its price. The view was also fantastic, being surrounded by lakes at almost all its surroundings. However needs a 1 to 2km walk in from the entrance, so do plan in advance.

This place is absolutely stunning. I went to both the garden and the villa (guided tour), and it was amazing. The villa was huge, great for taking pictures of scenery and yourself. The atmosphere gave out old money vibes, loved it. The tour guide who showed us inside the villa was really friendly and patient with us as well. The only downside was that it was a one hell of a hike before you can reach the destination ( a good workout though). Definitely worth a visit if you’re ever in Lake Como. 😎

It’s definitely beautiful but the entrance is €15. A little bit over price. Not worth it

Went here with friends as they were having a concert and had opened the Villa for tours. So happy we opted in to make time for this experience as the Villa is stunning and it was an easy boat ride over and back. Absolutely recommend this if you’re able to make time!

It's a gorgeous mansion and a wonderful garden, the visit with a guide is to be done or you miss something, but I'm sure there are other nice villas on the lake and this one is not obviously the most beautiful as we tend to see in the reviews. It is the beautiful house of a dead rich man.

Superb experience ? I was scared about the tourist trap because of the popularity of the area. But I was positively surprised by the Spot. I advice you to take the full ticket and not only the garden even if it's twice the price. You will have access at the inside of the villa and its history. It's a very dynamic visit of one hour. You'll see and learn a lot. Definitely worth it !

To be honest this wasn’t as grand as expected. The villa itself is buried on the side of the hill so you will need to approach by water transfer or taxi in order to see it. Gardens are well kept and quite steep. Hedges are fantastic. There are a few people trying to take photos so you may need to wait a bit before you can get your ideal instagram photo

I think this is one of the most Beautiful places to visit on Lake Como. No wonder why it has featured prominently in a lot of movies. The Villa and the surrounding areas combined with the tranquility of the beautiful lake makes this such a relaxing place to visit. There is a small hike up here, unless you take a boat taxi from the village nearby so it's not particularly friendly for the disabled.

Being a film fan or not, visit Villa del Balbianello, it’s a much more awesome experience than visiting any other castle. Gardeners make an incredible work to keep the atmosphere natural and magic at the same time. Great view on the lake, with some red flowers that greatly mix your view over the blue landscape.

This is an amazing villa to explore, and if you’re staying anywhere near Como, make sure you reserve a few hours for this villa. Check out the tour as well (the staff at the entrance of the villa will mention it, I’m sure), which is available in both Italian and English. There are places for you to rest, have a refreshing ice cream, or just take solace underneath one of the many trees here. There is history everywhere around here, soak it in. Also, if you need to park, make sure you come super early, as there aren’t that many free spaces available. If you can’t find a free space, there are a few parking areas 15-20 mins walk away.

Beautiful villa, well worth the visit!

Got to see virtually nothing inside the villas

Sempre bella. Peccato che per l'emergenza Covid19 non di possa visitarla nella sua bellezza. Ma solo il giardino e quattro ambienti in pochi minuti a disposizione.

Très beau site. On fait vite le tour mais ça vaut le coup. Il faut compter une bonne vingtaine de minutes pour grimper du parking (pas adapté aux poussettes et personnes à mobilité réduite). La balade est agréable. En revanche, le parking n'est pas très grand, nous avons eu beaucoup de difficultés à nous garer.

Beautiful villa. The garden is amazing, you can see the lake wherever you are. You can also visit some room of the villa but the garden is really the master piece.You have to walk 15/20 minutes from Lenno center to go there or take the boat. To enter the villa the ticket cost 15 €

Splendida dimora storica lasciata, alla sua morte, in gestione al FAI da guido Monzino, erede del gruppo standa. Appassionato di spedizioni, montagne ed esplorazioni, Monzino lascia un patrimonio fatto di libri, oggetti, e arredi provenienti da tutto il mondo, raccolti e visitabili nelle varie stanze di quella che era la sua Dimora. Splendidi i giardini e la vista sul lago, da cui volendo si può accedere alla villa tramite la navetta via acqua, che vi permetterà di godere appieno della villa a picco su uno dei laghi più belli e celebri d'italia. Resa celebre anche grazie alle riprese del secondo capitolo della saga di star Wars, saprà catturare la vostra attenzione e meritare una visita.

Splendida Villa, peccato per il parcheggio introvabile.

Beautifull garden with great view over the lake

Bellissimo panorama e giardini tenuti benissimo

Bellissimo giardino e villa...posto fantastico ...giardini molto curati e puliti...ogni angolo della villa meraviglioso?

Wejście na górę wymaga raczej dobrej kondycji zwłaszcza w upał, na miejscu przede wszystkim taras z super widokiem ze ślubu Anakina z Gwiezdnych Wojen.

Incantevole. Toccasana per l'animo. Obbligatorio visitarlo. Rimarrete soddisfatti.

Bellissima location, giardini curatissimi, panorama spettacolare, clima estivo e paesaggi fantastici

...... bellissima..... dalle cartoline! Peccato fosse chiusa! Mi sta bn la chiusura della villa peraltro non indicata da nessuna parte, ma anche tutto il parco x arrivarci..... caro FAI no ci hai fatto una bella figura!

Giardino bellissimo troppo alto il prezzo del biglietto per quello che ti permettono di vedere

Bellissima villa di fine '700. Da visitare assolutamente bosco giardino e villa anche se non tutte le stanze ora sono accessibili al pubblico. La prenotazione online è semplice veloce. Servizio accoglienza impeccabile. Bagni molto puliti. Il giardino è tenuto egregiamente. Due ore spese bene

(Translated by Google) Wonderful (Original) Stupenda

(Translated by Google) Fantastic garden Last year we only looked at the villa from the lake. Finally visited this year Just beautiful The hiking trail there is signposted There is a longer one with a picnic area and a view not of the villa but of the lake. (Original) Traumhafter Garten Im vergangenen Jahr haben wir uns die Villa nur vom See aus angeschaut. Dieses Jahr endlich besucht Einfach wunderschön Der Wanderweg dorthin ist ausgeschildert Es gibt einen längeren mit einer Picknick Area und Aussicht allerdings nicht auf die Villa sondern auf den See.

Luogo suggestivo e splendido

(Translated by Google) I took advantage of the FAI days to visit the villa for free. What to say? Stunning, with a breathtaking view of the lake and with beautiful gardens. To visit absolutely (Original) Ho approfittato delle giornate FAI per visitare gratuitamente la villa. Che dire? Stupenda, con una vista mozzafiato sul lago e con degli splendidi giardini. Da visitare assolutamente

Enjoyed a nice shadowy walk through the park to the villa. We only checked our the garden. It was pretty and neat. Even saw piece of Naboo ? A bit pricy at 15€ but well... hope the money will be used for good causes there. So why Not? You can take your dog with you as well (access inside Not in every room but well). Had rather short but nice time there. May the force with you. Parking situation: some blocks down the street is quite a big public space. Take a Look at google.

Super schön, Eintritt zu teuer

(Translated by Google) Beautiful but seen little because many rooms closed (Original) Bella ma visto poco perché molte stanze chiuse

(Translated by Google) Very very nice really great location (Original) Molto molto bella posizione davvero fantastica

Una perla sul lago! Se uomo e natura lavorano in sinergia si crea solo meraviglia! Da non perdere assolutamente se si passa dal lago di como!

(Translated by Google) Romantic and breathtaking place. I had a wonderful aperitif at dusk. The villa is unique and well cared for. Thanks to Monzino! The story of the last owner is fascinating. (Original) Luogo romantico e mozzafiato. Ho fatto uno stupendo aperitivo all'imbrunire. La villa e unica e ben curata. Grazie a Monzino! Affascinante la storia dell'ultimo proprietario.

(Translated by Google) Beautiful location. Garden very well kept. Too bad you can only see a few rooms in the villa. Seeing it from the lake has a completely different effect than arriving from the pedestrian path. Anyway congratulations to Fai's commitment to the conservation of many assets and to the organization of the views. (Original) Bella location. Giardino tenuto benissimo. Peccato si possa vedere solo pochi locali della villa. Vederla dal lago fa tutto un altro effetto che arrivare dal percorso pedonale. Comunque complimenti all'impegno del Fai per la conservazione di tanti beni e per l'organizzazione delle viste.

La villa e il luogo dove è locata sono semplicemente splendidi. Il giardino è curato nei minimi dettagli. I musei all'interno sono interessanti.

It was a great experience for me and the views were just stunning. Everything was definitely perfect and more than I expected.

(Translated by Google) From fairy tale (Original) Da fiaba

Amazing Villa by the lake of Como managed by the FAI. Extremely well-kept gardens, which are the most fantastic part ofof the villa offering views on two sides of lake because the villa is located on a peninsula. Particularly pleasant around sunset. The interiors of the buildings are very small so the number of visitors is restricted. you would normally park at the level of the lake and then you have to climb about 1.5km up to the villa. Mind that the gate below closes at 18 not the one above by the villa.

(Translated by Google) Wonderful, well kept, a real gem (Original) Meravigliosa, tenuta benissimo, un vero gioiello

Beautiful setting with manicured gardens

(Translated by Google) the park and the villa are interesting, as is the story of the last owner, Guido Monzino, mountaineer explorer and owner of the Standa warehouses. Worth the hike! (Original) il parco e la villa sono interessanti, così come la storia dell'ultimo proprietario, tale Guido Monzino, alpinista esploratore e proprietario dei magazzini Standa. Vale la scarpinata!

(Translated by Google) Beautiful villa absolutely to see ... (Original) Villa bellissima assolutamente da vedere...

(Translated by Google) A beautiful place, do not be afraid path waiting for you less than 10 min I needed to get to the Villa, I recommend you go by boat that you can take the most beautiful photos from the lake, and go back on foot, on the entarta there is a bar with the breathtaking view, inside the "church" there is a very nice shop (FAI) I took jams that are very good, very kind and friendly staff Thanks Como?❤❤❤ (Original) Un posto bellissimo, non spaventatevi percorso che vi aspetta meno di 10 min mi è servito arrivare fino alla Villa,vi consiglio andare von la barca che dal lago si puo fare le foto piu belle,e tornare a piedi,sul entarta cè un bar con la vista mozzafiato, dentro la "chiesa" ce un negozietto molto carino (FAI ) ho preso marmelate che sono buonissimi ,personale gentilissimo e cordiale Grazie Como?❤❤❤

(Translated by Google) Impressive panorama, garden and villa perfectly kept by the FAI. Operators, very kind and generous to illustrate the wonders and history of the villa. (Original) Panorama suggestivo, giardino e villa tenuti perfettamente dal FAI. Operatori, molto gentili e prodighi ad illustrare le meraviglie e la storia della villa.

(Translated by Google) Because it has a wonderful garden with attention to the smallest details, the villa is wonderful and the people who manage it are very kind organized (Original) Perché ha un giardino stupendo curato nei minimi particolari , la villa è stupenda e le persone che la gestiscono sono gentilissime organizzate

(Translated by Google) Magnificent villa and garden. By the lake and isolated from the city (Original) Magnifique villa et jardin. Au bord du lac et isolé de la ville

(Translated by Google) Extremely beautiful garden and environment, 40 € paid for the visit of the gardens open to the public free of charge… At the entrance, at the ticket office, no pricing displayed, on 2 occasions, I am told that there is no formula free to return, although I specify that I only want to walk without visiting the rooms of the castle. Finally I pay the 40 € (Family 4 people) and then I learn that I should not pay to return without visiting… At the exit, I will find the counter clerk and I specify that I have learned that the visit is indeed free and that he subtly misled me. He recognizes but, new argument, impossible to refund because the payment was made by card… He then asks me if I intend to come back another day to visit and thus give me a voucher… Something impossible to do in 99% of cases for a passing tourist… In short, a visit with a bitter taste… (Original) Jardin et environnement extrêmement beaux, 40€ payé pour la visite des jardins ouverts au publique gratuitement… A l’entrée, au guichet, pas de tarification affichée, à 2 reprises, il m’est indiqué qu’il n’existe pas de formule gratuite pour rentrer alors que je précise que je souhaite uniquement me promener sans visiter les pièces du château. Finalement je paye les 40€ (Famille 4 personnes) et j’apprends ensuite que je ne devais pas payer pour rentrer sans visiter… A la sortie, je vais retrouver le guichetier et je précise que j’ai appris que la visite est bien gratuite et qu’il m’a induit subtilement en erreur. Il reconnait mais, nouvel argument, impossible de rembourser car le payement a été effectué par carte… Il me demande alors si je compte revenir un autre jour pour visiter et ainsi me donner un bon à valoir… Chose impossible à faire dans 99% des cas pour un touriste de passage …Bref, une visite au goût amer…

Just wow. Every angle of the property is amazing

Very interesting and beautiful villa, definitely recommend the tour inside to understand its history and especially the history of the last owner, Guido Monzino.

Excellently presented 18th century villa on the coast of Lago di Como, that was last owned by the polar explorer Giudo Monzino. Informative tour and beautiful gardens. Convenient parking in Via Lavedo, but coming early is essential.

Beautiful mansion, park, and lakeside. Not necessary to visit inside the house, since the scenery is already breathtaking.

The best villa in lake Come with a stunning view. The place is perfectly manged by FAI, the buildings are perfectly conserved in an Italian-style garden

beautiful place, we rented a boat to explore Lake Como, and the view is just wow.

Wonderland villa on Como lake! Breathtaking view on the lake and very nice garden. Possibility to visit the garden only or the inside.

This gorgeous villa was built in the 18th century on the site of a monastery. It passed from the first owner, Cardinal Durini to a series of Italian noble men. As the noble class was dying in Italy, the villa went into oblivion and neglect. It ended up in the hand of an American businessman who sold it to Mr Monzino, an Italian Investor. When Monzino died, the villa went to the Italian authorities. The villa now is a tourist attraction with a marvelous views of Lake Come. It can also be rented for wedding parties. You can reach the villa by water-taxi, or by any ferryboat that makes a stop at the town of Leno. From the docks you can stroll for almost 20-30 minutes to the villa. Needless to say, if you are on this side of the lake you can just drive to it. Admission fees: Garden only: 10€ (reduced: 5€) Villa and garden: 20€ (reduced: 10€)

Great experience, can highly recommend the tour of the villa as well as seeing the majestic gardens.

Star Wars and James Bond filmlocation. Beautiful place, worth a visit, but expensive tickets. Plus watch out for semi modelchicks who try to photograph themselves rather than the nice garden 😂

In my opinion, one of the most beautiful villas around lake Como. Definitely, worth to visit. Beautiful garden, wonderful place to enjoy the view of lake Como.

Beautiful villa and surrounds. Loved the tour of the villa itself with all its history. I loved that the last owner set it up to be a kind of museum of his own life and adventures.

Beautiful place. Gardens are amazing and perfectly maintained. This is where few famous movies were filmed: Star Wars weeding (II part) and Casino Royals. View from the villa is as well amazing. I was a bit unlucky and haven’t taken picture of the “famous” tree. Villa is closed on Mondays and Wednesdays - I went there on Wednesday because I didn’t check the opening times. When I went there on Friday a preparation for the weeding took place. But there is a second 🌳. I had a ticket just for the gardens and fully recommend this place. You can get there from Lenno ferry boat and choose one of the route - 20 mins or 45 mins. I took 20 mins and then back with the second - 45 mins through the forest. Also you can take water taxi - there is a second entrance from the lake.

Absolutely stunning view and beautiful architecture. It's a must! If you want to see the inside of the villa it's a better idea to book tickets in advance, as they only sell tour of the garden at the entrance.

Stunning villa! Very touristy but definitely worth a visit also in the peak season. Just make sure you allow enough time to find a carpark because all were taken when we arrived at 9:30 am. The walkway to the villa is short (10mins) slightly uphill. You have unlimited time to visit the garden, have an ice cream or drink at the little store. It's lovely to soak in the views and beautiful scenery:)

One of my highlights during our stay at lake Como. The house, together with the garden and the view, crafted a picturesque scene that is well-deserved after a 1-km hike to the villa. I definitely recommend buying the ticket for inside the house too, not just for the garden. Beautiful and most exotic collections of the famed explorer Guido Monzino awaits you inside.

This is the most amazing place on the lake Como we have seen. Gorgeous garden and very interesting history of the villa creates a unique experience for any visitor. Everything is in pristine condition and the view from any point of the villa is breathtaking. It's not very easy to get there, but it's definitely worth your time/money.

Definitely must see! It is better to buy tickets in advance, however it wasn't that easy :( During hot summer day I recommend to take a boat taxi instead of walking the hill (bonus will be a view from water)

Most amazing villa at lake como. It is beautiful inside out. Garden is gorgeous all round. Parking can be a bit challenging but you will find a spot near or a bit far, near is many options. You can take a boat taxi or the public boat transfers on foot or with car. The Handmade ice cream was very good. Dont miss it. Its a gem.

Absolutely spectacular! Incredible villa with beautiful gardens and rich history right on the lake! It's a little bit of a walk up to it but worth every step!

Very nice Villa. It is at about 15-20min walking from the parking. you need to climb a bit but it's not very difficult. You could buy the tickets online to avoid queue. The villa garden is splendid.

Stunning location and incredible views! I found the guided tour of the house really interesting, our guide ( I can't recall her name) young Italian lady dark hair with fluent English, made the tour engaging and she really had a passion for the history which was infectious. My advice would be to book well in advance and go as early as possible. Our slot was 12.15pm but we had problems with the ferry getting there as it was so busy. Taxi boat queue from Lenno to the villa was too long so had to walk and it was 36 degrees😎. From the ferry port it will take at least 30 minutes to walk and it's hilly.

Villa del Balbianello is something you need to go visit! Absolutely breathtaking place. Like some of you know was the location of some well-known film locations. To stand exactly where for example Daniel Craig stood, gave us a very special memory we will never forget! Must say that we're huge fans. Beautiful gardens worth visiting, someone is taking very good care of this small piece of Italy alongside the como lake.

Amazing villa and garden. Initially built in the 1300s, for ling abandoned and recover in the last centuries. Recommended the boat shuttle from inside the villa to go back to the small town port: allows to enjoy the magnificence of the building from the lake. Stunning. Very helpful staff

Amazing location! Beautiful sights and wonderful garden to see. I have not been inside the villa itself but the gardens are worth it. Make sure you get tickets online begrote you go otherwise you might not get in.

Beautiful gardens. We were unable to get tickets for the villa, only the gardens. A beautiful picturesque place, wonderful to take photos. We got a water taxi there and back which was a lovely experience but there was a long wait time and haphazard queues. Will book the tickets well in advance for the villa next time.

This place is so beautiful and I wished I could stay for the sunset but they closed at 5pm. Buying tickets online is recommended. This place is also a little bit touristy. Walking from Lenno ferry to the villa is not too far like how Google map said “30 minutes”, like around 15 minutes. It’s better to walk there from Lenno ferry instead of taking water taxi

Iconic, relaxing and breathtaking views. This has been photographed so many times but these pictures does not do justice to the villa. You have to be there to immerse and really experience the true beauty of the place. You got the villa, the lake, the mountains, and the garden. When there are few tourists, it is just heaven. So you got two options to get there, hike or ride the ferry. I would not recommend the hike if you’re out of shape of elderly with lots of aches and pains. Thus I only gave 3 stars for the location. And btw, book in advance.

One of our best experiences around Lake Como. I strongly recommend booking a guided tour in advance. Without a reservation you risk not finding any more tickets on site. Additionally, the guided tour allows you to visit the villa itself, without one you can only tour around the gardens.

If you are going to visit one of the many Villas and gardens around Lake Como this is definitely my recommendation. It does get extremely busy so booking tickets in advance will make your experience much more pleasant. The gardens are spectacular and have been used for James Bond Casino Royale and Starwars Attack of the Clones. Enjoy the experience 🫶

It’s a very pretty Villa and garden. To get there, we took the ferry from Bellagio to Lenno and walked (30 minutes). It was definitely a bit of a challenging walk / hike because parts of it are pretty steep. We noticed people in heels managing it and were pretty impressed since we definitely had to catch our breath a couple of times and were thankful for our sneakers. The villa itself was booked out when we arrived so we could only purchase tickets to the garden which was pretty.

Amazing Villa and gardens. The history of the place is amazing. Must see. The guide was very funny and friendly and knew the place inside-out (Helen). 5 stars for this, but I gave only 4 stars because there is no parking places at the villa and not even in the close proximity. Sometimes are huge queues to enter and they have a fix number of people that they can accept per day. I tried to visit for 3 days... sometimes I could not find parking, sometimes there were no more tickets.

Fun day trip to Como and Lenno to see VdB. We got tickets for the gardens which were lush and had stunning views of the lake, great if you’re a James Bond fan. The gardens are also big enough that they don’t feel over crowded. Would recommend if you’re visiting Como!

Beautiful villa to walk around. The views are spectacular and the building is well designed. Buy tickets in advance or you may get turned away. Highly recommend visiting!

So romantic and peaceful. After parking you will need to walk around 1 km from the parking lot to the villa entrance. You can either buy the ticket in advance or buy at the entrance. Recommend to buy the garden-only ticket.

A Serene Retreat with a Touch of Adventure Villa del Balbianello is a hidden gem that transports you to a world of tranquility and natural beauty. Nestled on the shores of Lake Como, this magnificent villa is a sight to behold. When planning your visit, it's important to note that reaching the villa may require a bit of effort. If you choose to drive, be prepared to park and enjoy a scenic 15 to 20-minute walk on a road leading to the villa. However, if you prefer a more picturesque journey, consider taking the ferry, which operates depending on the season. This adds an adventurous touch to your visit and allows you to soak in the stunning views of the lake. Once you arrive, the beauty of Villa del Balbianello unfolds before your eyes. Surrounded by meticulously manicured gardens and commanding views of the lake, the villa exudes elegance and charm. It's no wonder the villa has been featured in films such as "Star Wars" and "Casino Royale." Exploring the villa's interior is like stepping back in time. The rooms are tastefully decorated, showcasing a blend of historical artifacts and exquisite craftsmanship. The knowledgeable and friendly guides provide fascinating insights into the villa's rich history, adding depth to the experience. One of the highlights of the visit is undoubtedly the breathtaking terrace. As you step onto it, you are greeted by sweeping panoramic views that leave you in awe. The combination of the surrounding natural beauty and the architectural marvel of the villa creates a truly magical atmosphere. For nature enthusiasts, the villa's surrounding gardens offer a serene escape. You can wander along the well-maintained paths, discovering hidden corners and tranquil spots to relax and take in the stunning surroundings. It's a perfect place to unwind and feel at one with nature. In conclusion, Villa del Balbianello is a place of unparalleled beauty and charm. While the journey to reach the villa may require a bit of effort, it only adds to the sense of adventure and anticipation. Whether you choose to arrive by foot or ferry, this serene retreat promises an unforgettable experience. Don't miss the opportunity to immerse yourself in the splendor of Villa del Balbianello and the breathtaking views it offers.

A fabulous out of this world beautifully villa and experience! Definitely take the tour! Immerse yourself in the life of. 70s Italian explorer, the history and mini-museum feel of the place, and a must for Star Wars or 007 fans!

Villa Balbianello, built in 1787 on its own peninsula, is a veritable icon, renowned the world over for its exceptional beauty. Its Loggia, immortalized in the film Star Wars Episode 2, adds a touch of magic to an already enchanting setting. Surrounded by century-old trees, the property is impeccably maintained, offering breathtaking views of the lake and the Alps. A true architectural gem, Villa Balbianello is a magical and unique place in the world. Thank you for a wonderful visit, every corner of the villa tells a story of elegance and refinement. Although the night may cost around 1200 EUR, every euro spent is well worth it for this exceptional experience. For the next time ;0) Best regards, #B4YOUDISCOVERY