VILLE DEL LAGO

Ville del Lago is one of Lake Como’s most exceptional estates, prized for both its grandeur and character. Two and a half hectares of landscaped gardens and winding paths surround two historic 19th-century villas, set within a serene location along the southwestern shores of Lake Como. The celebrated ballet dancer Maria Taglioni owned and restored the villas during the early 19th century, welcoming guests including Bellini, Rossini, and Franz Liszt. The artistic spirit of that era has since been beautifully recreated by the current owners, who have dedicated some 20 years to redeveloping the estate. Today, the property combines this rich history with state-of-the-art infrastructure, including full air conditioning and radiant heating, 13 individual guest rooms, two swimming pools, a private dock with two self-drive boats, and underground parking.

Within the manicured grounds, a heated lakeside swimming pool on the upper lawn offers truly memorable views, complemented by a further hillside pool and a large sun terrace. Alfresco dining can be enjoyed right on the shores of the lake on the lower terrace, or beneath the shade of the pergola on the upper terrace. Importantly, the estate sits below the road and faces west, offering delightful sunset views each evening.

This southern arm of the lake remains the most exclusive and sought-after stretch among Milanese society and other European aristocrats, who spend long weekends and entire summers here. Cernobbio and the celebrated Villa d’Este, under 10 minutes away by boat from Ville del Lago, remains the epicentre of Lake Como’s timeless charm for visitors year after year. The village above offers a short walk to an excellent lakeside restaurant, along with access to Blevio’s municipal tennis courts. For many guests, chartering a private Venetian taxi transforms the stay entirely — the freedom to come and go at leisure offers a truly rewarding way to experience the characteristic liveliness of the lakeside towns. The surrounding mountains offer an entirely different experience altogether. Dotted with chapels, refugios, and the occasional farm, spending a day up in these hills — walking, admiring the views, and feeling on top of the world — makes for the perfect prelude to an afternoon swim in the lakeside pool back at the villa, before evening apéritifs are served.