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Villa Del Balbianello

Landmarks ·Tremezzina ·Closed
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#2Things to do in Tremezzina Lake Como LombardyTravelers' Choice 2026
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About

Villa Del Balbianello is a villa with terraced gardens on the Lavedo peninsula at Lenno, Lake Como, 1.5 km from Isola Comacina.

Menu & prices

Collezione di Carte Varese

More photos 8

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Villa Del Balbianello

Villa Del BalbianelloVilla Del BalbianelloVilla Del BalbianelloVilla Del BalbianelloVilla Del BalbianelloVilla Del BalbianelloVilla Del BalbianelloVilla Del Balbianello

Why go

  • The loggia at the top, with a panoramic view of the Alps and the lake, and the belvedere over the gulfs of Vénus and Diane
  • The umbrella-shaped holm oak, pruned so Guido Monzino could see Monte Legnone
  • The attic expedition museum, with the largest Inuit ivory collection outside Greenland

Opening hours

TodayClosedShow all
MondayClosed
Tuesday10:00 – 18:00
WednesdayClosed
Thursday10:00 – 18:00
Friday10:00 – 18:00
Saturday10:00 – 18:00
Sunday10:00 – 18:00

Know before you go

  • The interior is visited only with a guide, on a one-hour guided tour.
  • Guided tours are offered in English as well as Italian.
  • Visitors can wander the gardens on their own.

Tips for your visit

  • Some suggest going by boat in one direction and walking back.
  • Leaving from the top of the garden means part of the uphill walk is already done.
  • Regular motorboat service from Lenno reaches a point 800 m from the villa.
  • From Lido di Lenno, a taxi boat runs round to the villa.
  • Benches throughout the garden give views of the villa and the lake.

Best time to visit

  • Arriving just after an English tour starts may mean a wait of about an hour.

With kids

  • The attic holds an expedition museum with a sledge from the 1971 Polo Nord expedition and Inuit ivory.
  • The study keeps rock fragments from the Everest summit, brought back by two guides.

Interesting facts5

1/5

  1. The complex is built as two squares stacked on top of each other, joined by a pergola.

    Villa del Balbianello - Wikipedia

  2. Two towers on the grounds are what remains of the monastery church's bell towers.

    Villa del Balbianello - Wikipedia
  3. 2002

    It doubled for the lake retreat in Star Wars: Episode II Attack of the Clones (2002).

    Villa del Balbianello - Wikipedia
  4. 2019

    It is the most visited of the 52 FAI properties, with over 135,000 visitors in 2019.

    Villa del Balbianello - Wikipedia

  5. The library holds a precious Agra carpet from the 19th century.

    Villa del Balbianello - Wikipedia

Shorts

History

Two towers of the old monastery church still stand on the grounds. Butler Ames bought it in 1919 and had it fully restored. When he died in 1988 he left the villa to the FAI, the National Trust of Italy, which looks after it now.

  1. 13th centuryA monastery stands on the tip of the peninsula.
  2. 1787Cardinal Angelo Maria Durini has the villa built on the site of the monastery.
  3. 1796After the cardinal's death the villa passes to the Porro Lambertenghi family.
  4. 1919Butler Ames buys the villa and has it fully restored.
  5. 1974Explorer Guido Monzino buys the villa and fills it with relics from his expeditions.
Show all
  1. 1988Monzino dies and leaves the villa to the FAI.
  2. 2002Scenes for Star Wars: Episode II Attack of the Clones are filmed here.

How to get there

  • 20 minOn footEastern route: 1 km round the edge of the peninsula from Lido di Lenno, about 20 minutes.
  • 45 minOn footHilltop route: more strenuous, crosses the top of the peninsula from Lido di Lenno, about 45 minutes.

Sources: Villa del Balbianello - Wikipedia · Tremezzo - Wikivoyage (see) · VILLA DEL BALBIANELLO | Bene FAI · Villa del Balbianello - Wikipedia · Villa Balbianello - Wikipedia · Villa del Balbianello - Wikipedia · checked 25 Oct 2026

Where
Via Guido Monzino, 1, Tremezzina

Plan from here: A day out →

Questions and answers

How long does a visit to Villa Del Balbianello take?

Going inside means joining a one-hour guided tour. The gardens can be walked on your own.

What are the opening hours of Villa Del Balbianello?

The villa is open Tuesday and Thursday to Sunday, from 10:00 to 18:00.

How do I get to Villa Del Balbianello from Lenno?

A regular motorboat service from Lenno reaches a point 800 m from the villa. On foot from Lido di Lenno, the eastern route takes about 20 minutes over 1 km, and the hilltop route about 45 minutes.

Can I visit the inside of Villa Del Balbianello in English?

Yes. Guided tours of the interior are offered in English as well as Italian. Arriving just after an English tour starts may mean a wait of about an hour.

What can children see at Villa Del Balbianello?

Children can wander the gardens on their own. The attic holds an expedition museum with a 1971 sledge and Inuit ivory.

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