The 11 best things to do and see in Varenna

Villa Cipressi is a historic complex built between 1400 and 1800 and is surrounded by fantastic botanical gardens that tell the story of the biodiversity of each area of the country.

In this experience you will enjoy a visit to these gardens followed by a lake-view lunch or dinner.

The price starts at €45 per person for adults and €35 per person for children up to 12 years old. The price includes the visit and lunch or dinner with a choice of 2 dishes, but drinks are not included

Next to Villa Cipressi, the wonderful structure of Villa Monastero appears.

This villa is a true jewel of Lake Como and houses a 2km-long botanical garden outside that overlooks the lake entirely and offers spectacular panoramic views.

To date, the villa is considered a house-museum that can be visited from March to November by purchasing a ticket at a cost of €13 per person for adults and €7 per person for children aged 15 to 25

The center of Varenna is characterized by small alleys that appear very narrow because of the high walls of the houses that make up the center.

Taking a walk through the alleys of this village will take you back in time and give you fantastic views of the lake if you know how to look carefully

This speedboat tour usually starts from Bellagio, but if arranged with the skipper, it can also start from Varenna.

Thanks to the speed of the speedboat, you are able to visit some more distant places that you would not be able to see with another boat.

The cost starts from 100€ per person and depends on the number of participants (2 to 6 people). The skipper and an aperitif consisting of wine, drinks and other snacks on board are also included

If you are looking for an activity to do as a couple, but not only, the Lovers' Walk may be for you.

A 350m path suspended above the lake that starts from Varenna's Imbarcadero and goes all the way to the center of town, offering a 180° panoramic view of the lake

An evocative Vespa ride on the shores of Lake Como, discovering all its wonders.

This tour takes place over the course of anentire day, with the opportunity to taste local wines and have lunch in a typical local restaurant.

The price starts at €65 per person and includes vehicle rental and insurance, with full/full policy

The Visteria Restaurant is located inside the 4-star Royal Victoria Hotel, overlooking a wisteria veranda and offering breathtaking views of Lake Como.

It is a high quality gourmet restaurant, for which the chef, Francesco Sarno, has chosen to use fresh and natural raw material, reminiscent of his Campanian origins

On the promontory behind Varenna appears the Castle of Vezio. This structure, dating from the Middle Ages, was built in a militarily strategic position since it offers a 360-degree view.

Precisely for this reason, to this day Vezio Castle is one of the best scenic spots in all of Varenna.

From March 1 to November 1, it is possible to visit the castle by purchasing an entrance ticket at a cost of €5 per person for adults and €3 for children aged 7 to 18

As mentioned in the Colico article, the Sentiero del Viandante is a trail that runs along the eastern side of Lake Como and has 8 stages.

Being in Varenna, you will then have 3 options:

1. Leave from Varenna and arrive in Bellano: a 2/3-hour route of medium/low difficulty with several points of great interest
2. Leave from Varenna and get to Lierna: half-day route with more than 500m of elevation gain. Medium level of difficulty.
3. Starting from Varenna and arriving at Albiga: full-day route of medium/high difficulty.