Things to do in Varenna: the 11 best ideas for a holiday on Lake Como

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 €55 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.

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

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 degrees 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 an entire 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.

One of the best ways to explore Lake Como è via a boat ride.

We recommend, for example, the company Bellagio Sailing which, starting from Bellagio, will allow you to see Varenna from a different point of view to explore it 360 degrees.

You can choose from several tours with different durations and the price starts from 600€ per group.

As mentioned in the Colico article, 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.

History has it that the patriarchs are the wise elders of Varenna, and it was in their honor that this path was created that will take you between Varenna and Fiumelatte.

The start has conventionally been decided at the hamlet of Olivedo in Varenna, but it is a circular route, so wherever you start, you can return to the starting point.

The one-way walking time is about 2 hours for a length of 6km. The elevation gain traveled uphill is about 130m, making it a walk suitable for everyone.

The Church of San Giorgio, located in Piazza San Giorgio, is an example of 14th-century Lombard architecture.

Inside, in addition to various architectural elements, it is possible to notice some frescoes on the walls. If you are a fan of art or architecture, the church can be visited daily from 8:30 am to 7 pm with free admission.

Finally, another noteworthy church in Varenna is the small Church of St. John the Baptist, which is always open and can be visited.