Holidays in Bellagio

On an Inghams walking holiday, you have the freedom to explore the area at your own pace. Each day, a new adventure, with as much or as little walking as you like.

Why we love walking in Lake Como

Want to get to know the real Lake Como? Then put on your walking boots and hit the trails above the lake. Walking above and around the lake will open up an entire area of traditional farmland, mountain huts, sleepy old towns and historic churches, that you'd have never seen following the typical tourist trail. There's so much more to Lake Como than just celebrity-spotting or snapping lakeside Instagram photos, and walking is the way to discover the area in a whole new light.

Ferries

The ferry network is one of the most efficient ways to explore the lake. With direct links between Menaggio and Bellagio and access to many other resorts, we'd recommend making the most of it on your summer holiday. Buy a 6 day ferry pass for easy access to resorts in the central Lake Como area. For more information head to the Cards & Passes tab. The official ferry website has information about timetables and dropping off points.

Buses

The buses in our resorts can be a useful and cost effective way of travelling short distances along the lakeside. For getting to next door towns and attractions such as Villa Balbianello in Lenno. The C10 bus will take you directly from Menaggio to Lenno in under 20 minutes. However, if you're hoping for a punctual service, the ferry is the better option as the buses run on their own timetable and may not come when you expect them to!

The Greenway Path

The Greenway Path is one of the most popular trails in Lake Como. Its well-maintained paths and gentle ascent makes it accessible for all walking abilities. The walk takes you through some of the most charming villages on the lake, including: Colonno, Sala Comacina, Ossuccio, Lenno, Mezzegra, Tremezzo and Cadenabbia before arriving at the village of Griante. The path follows some of the old ‘Antica Strada Regina’ and takes you up to some beautiful viewpoints of the lake and through some traditional towns on the mountain side, slightly off the usual tourist trail.

• Difficulty: Easy-Moderate
• Walking time: approx. 4 hrs
• Ascent: 100m
• Distance: 10km

San Martino Chapel Walk

The church of San Martino sits at an altitude of 475m on the steep slopes of Sasso San Martino above the village of Griante. An easy path leads up to the church from where you have one of the most beautiful views of the central part of Lake Como. The walk is mostly an ascent up the mountain, but the trails are well-maintained and easy to navigate. You'll pass through wooded areas and come across little religious shrines, dotted along the path. Make sure you read up about the history of the church before you go, in particular its relation to the First World War.

• Difficulty: Easy-Moderate
• Walking time: approx. 3 hrs
• Ascent: 100m
• Distance: 6 kilometres

Rifugio Menaggio

Rifugio Menaggio (1400 m) is situated on the southern slope of Monte Grona where one can enjoy a spectacular view of Lake Como and the surrounding mountains. From the rifugio you can add on more by hiking to Monte Grona (1736 m) and to Monte Bregagno (2107 m). Or, stop for a drink and a bite to eat in the rifugio, before heading back to the walk starting point.

• Difficulty: Moderate-Challenging
• Walking time: approx. 4 hrs
• Ascent: 650m
• Distance: 10km
• Useful Information: This walk starts from the mountain town of Breglia, which you can get to from Menaggio on the C13 bus line

Bellagio–Brogno–Belvedere di Makallé–Visgnola–Bellagio

A circular route heading past churches and through rustic villages and forested trails, this walk will take you over to Mount Nuvolone. Literally translated, Mount Nuvolone means Cloud Mountain; so you can imagine how good the views will be from up here! You'll head up to the Belvedere di Makallé which is a fantastic viewpoint with panoramas over the tip of Bellagio.

• Difficulty: Moderate-Challenging
• Walking time: approx. 4 hrs
• Ascent: 550m
• Distance: 11km
• Useful Information: This walk starts from the Bellagio ferry point

Recommended equipment

Suitable walking shoes with good grip, appropriate clothing, rain jacket, sun cream, insect repellent, sun glasses, rucksack, at least a litre of water, a re-usable water bottle and a snack. You may find walking poles useful.

Walking guidelines

The mountains, lakes and natural parks are a natural paradise, with lots to explore and discover. To help them stay that way, and remain enjoyable and safe places for everyone, we recommend following our little list of do's and don'ts:

• Plan your route well and don't overestimate yourself
• Check the weather forecast
• Tell someone where you're planning to walk and what time you're expecting to be back
• Take all the recommended equipment
• Make a note of emergency numbers:
  Italian Emergency Services: 112
• Don't leave the marked trails without a guide
• Let nature stay wild by not picking wild flowers (it's illegal in some places) or getting close to/making contact with wild animals
• Always leave gates as you found them and don't climb over fences
• Leave no trace

Check out our Responsible Walking insider guide if you want more tips for your summer walking holiday.

Flights to Milan are available from London Gatwick, London Heathrow, Manchester, Bristol, Edinburgh

Transfer times: 

• Milan airport: approx. 2 hour by coach

Private transfers are available on request, for a supplement.

We offer holidays by train to Bellagio, which depart on a Wednesday and Friday. The journey takes around 14 hours. 

Provisional outbound timings are: 

Discovering cathedrals and churches

Lake Como's religious past means you'll find cathedrals, churches, chapels and baptistery's dotted everywhere you go. Many of which are dedicated to different saint's and religious figures. From the more niche 17th Century Sanctuary of Madonna del Ghisallo, the patron saint of cyclists, to the more familiar 12-13th Century Romanesque Basilica of San Giacomo, patron saint of pilgrims and soldiers. We'd always recommend popping into an Italian religious building when you get the chance, as more often or not, you'll find a few hidden artistic gems, sometimes by master painters; and if nothing else the architecture is always something to be marveled at.

Attractions in Bellagio: walking through botanical gardens

Whilst in Bellagio, make sure you head over to the 19th Century neo-classical Villa Melzi, famous for its beautifully curated botanical gardens. The villa was built as the summer house of Francesco Melzi d’Eril, who was vice president of the Italian Republic during Napoleon's rule. Stroll through labyrinths of azaleas and rhododendrons and breathe in the floral aromas, discover Napoleonic history in the museum and soak up the atmosphere in the little family chapel. Finish the day with a cup of tea or a glass of prosecco in a lakeside cafè.

Exploring other towns on Lake Como

With its central ferry point and regular services, Bellagio's a fantastic base if you're hoping to explore several towns on your summer holiday. Head over to Menaggio for the day and walk along the lakeside promenade, grabbing a gelato on your way. From this side of the lake you can easily access the famous Greenway Path or walk up to the Church of San Martino; we highly recommend this walk, not only for the incredible lake views, but for its historical significance, which is worth reading up on.

If you head over to Cadenabbia and Tremezzo, then don't miss the Villa Carlotta and its botanical gardens. Built by the Marquis of Milan at the end of the 17th Century and well worth a visit if you're in the area. Como city is also around 45 minutes away on the ferry, which is home to the awe-inspiring Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, built in the Gothic style. The cathedral we see today was completed in the 18th Century and has an intricate Rococo cupola and 15th Century Rose Window, which is a real treat for art history lovers.

Book Locally

Milan from £70 per person (full day)

An expert guide will show you Milan’s highlights starting with Sforzesco Castle. Once you reach La Scala, Milan’s famous opera house, you’ll continue on foot through the historic centre to see the Duomo and Galleria Vittorio Emanuele – the world’s first shopping mall! The afternoon is at leisure exploring Milan at your own pace.

Departs on Tuesdays

Lake Maggiore from £75 per person (full day)

Hop on a bus to the second biggest lake in Italy, Lake Maggiore where you'll get to experience a private boat trip which will take you across the lake to the Borromean Islands where you can visit the botanical gardens of Isola Bella and the Borromeo Palace. Next, you'll stop off at the traditional fishing island, Isola dei Pescatori with its narrow lanes, little boutiques and wonderful fresh fish. You'll finish the day in Stresa where you'll have some free time before returning to Lake Como by bus.

Departs on Fridays. Entrance fee to Isola Bella is payable locally.

Villa Balbianello from £70 per person (half day)

No visit to Lake Como would be complete without seeing its most beautiful villas and spectacular gardens. Built at the end of the 18th century, the villa now belongs to the FIA, Italy’s version of the National Trust. Wander through the villa and admire exquisitely-furnished interiors and a vast art collection. The manicured gardens are a delight to walk through – there’s lots of spots where you can admire the stunning lake views.

Departs on Sundays. Discounted tickets for National Trust members are also available. 

Como & Lake Lugano from £66 per person (full day)

You'll start the day by heading to Gandria a little lakeside village on the border of Italy and Switzerland. From here you'll take a 45 minute boat trip over to Lugano where you'll have some time to explore this beautiful town and the markets, shops and architecture it has to offer. Lugano is often called the Rio de Janeiro of Switzerland due to it's friendly and lively atmosphere and is home to the famous Franciscan church of Santa Maria degli Angeli - definitely worth a visit! After lunch you'll transfer to Lake Como where you'll have some more free time to enjoy the fantastic artwork, churches, gardens, parks and palaces. You'll then head back to your hotel by bus at around 5pm.

Departs on Fridays. A passport may be required for this excursion as you will be crossing country borders.

Please note that guests staying in Bellagio will need to make their own way to Cadenabbia to begin these excursions and ferry tickets are payable locally. 

We act at all times as a selling agent for our suppliers. All excursions require minimum numbers to run and are subject to change. Some excursions may not be available to pre-book in low season but may be available to book locally subject to numbers. Prices will be confirmed at the time of booking. See terms & conditions.