12 Best Things to Do in Varenna

Looking for a great little town to visit during your trip to Lake Como? Varenna is surely worth a visit – keep reading to find out the 12 best things to do in Varenna!

Are you planning to visit Lake Como and looking for the perfect picturesque lakeside village, also easy to reach by public transport? We have the right place for you – Varenna!

I’m sure your Lake Como dreams included a village with narrow streets and colourful houses by the lake, a romantic promenade, villas surrounded by sprawling gardens, and stunning views everywhere you look. This is Varenna, and as an added bonus, it’s less than an hour by train from Milan.

Now, I won’t lie and say that Varenna is a hidden gem and all that, because it isn’t. It does get busy and restaurants are anything but authentic. Anywhere with a menu in 5 languages that serves carbonara with Aperol spritz on the side is best avoided.

Yet, Varenna is indeed very pretty, and worth visiting. If you can avoid the summer months, when the crowds of day-tripping tourists have gone, even better. Extra bonus points if you opt for a cloudy day in November, when mist rises from the lake and you might have the place to yourself.

One of the best reasons to visit Varenna is the fact that it’s super easy to access by train. The Varenna-Esino station is just 10 minutes walk from the town centre and the lakeside, trains run regularly and it takes just 1 hour to get there from Milan.

For this reason, if you are visiting Lake Como on a day trip from Milan, we recommend starting your trip from Varenna. Then, you can hop on a ferry to reach Bellagio, Menaggio or even Como.

But for now, let’s focus on this picturesque lakeside town with some practical Varenna info!

Varenna, Lake Como – Practical Info

Where is Varenna?

Varenna is in the central part of Lake Como. This glitzy lake is shaped like an inverted Y, with the two main cities – Lecco and Como – located on the southern tips of the two branches. Varenna is approximately 20 km north of Lecco, on the southeastern branch of the lake.

Looking at a map of Lake Como, you’ll notice that Varenna is right across the lake from Bellagio, the uber-famous Lake Como village that no doubt many of you will want to visit. It’s very easy to move between Varenna, Bellagio and Menaggio (another stunning lakeside town on the western shore of the lake), with frequent ferries covering this triangle-shaped route.

You can easily spend a day visiting Varenna, Bellagio and Menaggio, or have a look at our three-day Lake Como itinerary for more inspiration!

Best Time to Visit Varenna

Please, avoid summer! Over tourism has taken Lake Como by storm over the past few years (so much so that a day-tripper fee is rumoured to be introduced) and to be honest, visiting on a hot summer day when the streets, ferries and trains are all packed is not that much fun.

We recommend opting for shoulder season (April/May and September/October) or even winter as the best time to visit Varenna. During spring/autumn Varenna is still active, especially during the weekends when day-trippers from Milan often visit, while during the coldest months some shops and restaurants might be closed.

Varenna also looks special on cloudy and misty days, but we recommend not visiting on rainy days, as most attractions are outdoors. If you really don’t have a choice, check out our Lake Como in the rain guide for tips on what to do!

Getting to Varenna

Assuming you’re coming from Milan, the train is by far the easiest way to get to Varenna. There are frequent departures from Milan Centrale and Garibaldi stations to Varenna-Esino station, from where you can reach the centre of Varenna in just 10 minutes.

Ferries from Como, Bellagio, Menaggio and other lakeside localities also call in Varenna. For info on routes and schedules, check out the Navigazione Laghi website, where you can also buy tickets. There are also buses connecting Varenna to nearby lake towns, but getting around by ferry is a lot more fun!

We don’t recommend driving to Varenna, especially in summer, as there’s not much parking and the place gets really busy.

Getting around Varenna

Varenna is small and you can easily get around on foot. Nearby towns and villages can be visited by bus or ferry – check our Lake Como guide for more info.

The only place that requires a long walk is Castello di Vezio, about half an hour from Varenna following an uphill path. If you’re in good physical condition. we recommend walking there as the views over Varenna are really nice. Alternatively, opt for a taxi – if you can find one!

Things to Do in Varenna, Lake Como

1) Villa Monastero

Let’s start with Villa Monastero, a former monastery dating back to the 12th century. Today, it is one of the most impressive villas in Lake Como, making it a must-visit and one of the best things to Varenna. It’s located 15 minutes walk from the train station, just past the hotel of the same name.

We recommend starting your Varenna visit at Villa Monastero, trying to visit as early as possible to avoid the crowds.

The villa is surrounded by a stunning terraced botanical garden where you find many different plant species like cypresses and roses, and rare exotic plants like agaves and yuccas. Going for a walk through the garden, you will also come across decorative sculptures and fountains.

Inside the villa, you can visit the house museum showcasing 19 rooms, taking you back to the second half of the 19th century with lavish furniture and decorations that would have filled the home in those times. The villa contains a large art collection of paintings, porcelain, sculptures, and other items worth seeing.

Villa Monastero is open for visits between March and November, and closes over the winter months.

Opening Hours: 10 AM to 5 PM – Tickets: 10€ garden, 13€ garden + house museum (7€ – 9€ reduced)

2) Villa Cipressi

Villa Cipressi’s different buildings and gardens were built between 1400 and 1800. It has passed hands between many wealthy families throughout the years, and even housed Emperor Ferdinand I of Austria in the 1800s when the villa served as a hotel.

Today, it houses a hotel once again, the 4 star Hotel Villa Cipressi which is absolutely stunning with its lake views making it one of the most unique places to stay in Varenna. But even if you choose to stay somewhere else, you can visit the botanical garden with its elegant staircases and terraces leading to the lakefront.

Besides the Californian Monterey cypresses and cypress trees (as the villa’s name derives from) there is a magnificent blend of Mediterranean and exotic plant species to admire from colorful oleanders and gardenias to palm trees.

Villa Cipressi is open from March to mid-October – weekends only in March, daily from April 1st onwards.

Opening Hours: 9 AM to 7 PM – Tickets: 10€ garden, 19€ combo ticket with Villa Monastero (7€ – 13€ reduced)

3) Passeggiata degli Innamorati (Lover’s Walk)

Not far from the ferry dock, you will reach a little 350-meter promenade named Passeggiata degli Innamorati, meaning Lover’s Walk. As the name suggests, it is quite a romantic place. Following the arched promenade, you’ll get to Varenna town, walking along vertical stone walls decorated with plants.

The lake views are nothing but idyllic. If you take the boat to nearby towns like Bellagio or Menaggio you can follow the Lover’s Walk on your way to the ferry, but even if you don’t we recommend going for a stroll there.

4) Explore the Town Centre

One of the best things to do in Varenna is to stroll around the tiny town center. Narrow streets wind through colourful houses, and little squares like Piazza San Giorgio are the ideal place to stop for a coffee or a gelato.

The square is also home to the early 14th-century Church of San Giorgio where you will find several paintings and frescoes. The church is a perfect example of Lombard architecture, with a simple yet beautiful interior. Follow the large stone pillars all the way to the marble Baroque altar, with a Neoclassical tabernacle.

Make sure you also check out some of the frescoes decorating the interior – behind the façade there’s one depicting Satan holding the Anticrist, and on the two columns next to the altar there are some very old frescos of a male and female saint.

The lakefront is also a nice place for a break, with plenty of restaurants and bars where you can grab a bite to eat or a drink taking in the vibrant town. Restaurants around Lake Como are often hit-and-miss – in Varenna, Il Cavatappi and Al Prato are two good choices.

Things to Do Around Varenna, Lake Como

5) Sentiero del Viandante (Wayfarer’s Walk)

The Sentiero del Viandante (Wayfarer’s Walk) used to be the only path connecting Lake Como’s eastern shore villages by land. It was once an important path connecting Milan and Switzerland, but actually dates back to Roman times.

Nowadays, it’s been turned into a popular long-distance walking route. The total length is 50 kilometers, but can be done in multiple sections.

Walking from Varenna, you will soon reach the trail in Vezio just above the town. From there, we suggest you take the route to Bellano, which is an easy 2.5-hour hike. You will pass small chapels, ancient farmhouses, and Vezio Castle on the way. You will also pass the stunning ravine, Orrido of Bellano. But most importantly, the views over the lake are absolutely stunning.

If you are intrigued by a more challenging route, take the path to Lierna which takes about 4 hours. This path forks into two options, where you can either take the higher route that goes nearly up to 1000 meters from Vezio to Ortanella or the lower route that climbs to 780 meters from Pino, through Coria, to Lierna.

The hike to Lierna takes you past landmarks like a cemetery, Villa Capuana, and Lierna Castle. We do not recommend hiking this section in the summer when it is very hot due to the steep ascents – if you really want to do so, start as early in the morning as possible.

6) Castello di Vezio

The medieval Castello di Vezio is in the hamlet of the same name, just above Varenna, and offers unparalleled panoramic lake views from its watch tower. It takes about 30 minutes to walk there from Varenna.

Just beyond the entrance, you can admire a hydrangea flowerbed, homage to the stunning gardens of the grand Lake Como villas. There are also two more flowerbeds worth paying noticing – one dedicated to medicinal plants, and an eco-friendly lawn with plants that require very little water.

But what sets Vezio Castle apart from the rest of Lake Como’s castles are the human sized “ghosts” scattered around the property. The quirky white plaster figures are made new every year with the use of volunteers posing until the chalk is dry. The “ghost” figures give the castle a true haunted feel to it and are truly a unique touch – they are left in place until winter, when they get eroded away by the wind and rain.

Besides, you can learn about Lake Como’s answer to Loch Ness in the permanent exhibition dedicated to Lariosaurus, also known as Larrie, the Lake Como Monster. It’s actually a nothosaur, a Jurassic-time dinosaur and the earliest reptile to be studied in the Alps. You can see the fossil of the creature in the museum, which is quite incredible.

Opening Hours: vary throughout the year, find more info here – Tickets: 7€ – 4€ reduced

7) Greenway dei Patriarchi

The Greenway dei Patriarchi is another great walk, without the steep climbs of the Wayfarer’s Walk. It only measures 6 km with 100 meters altitude difference, and connects Varenna with Fiumelatte, home to a unique miniature river.

In Italy, the term “greenway” indicates a walking/hiking route following the course of an abandoned railway. For this reason, greenways usually climb very gradually (if at all), making them ideal for beginner hikers, families or people with pets.

The Greenway dei Patriarchi takes its name from “patriarchini”, the nickname given to Varenna people, who historically followed the Eastern Christian liturgy, headed by the Patriarch of Aquileia.

The route passes through the centre of Varenna, the Lover’s Way and then starts climbing gradually, offering great views over Villa Monastero and Cipressi. It also passes by the Varenna Cemetery, also known as “English Cemetery” as many Britons chose it to be their resting place in the 19th century.

The Greenway is well marked and easy to follow – make sure you also check out the view when you get to Fiumelatte station!

8) Fiumelatte

Fiumelatte is the shortest river in Italy, measuring only 250 meters long from the waterfall that forms it to where it enters the lake. The name means Milk River, and it comes from the white colour of the water – it flows down the valley with an average gradient of 36%, making the water very fast and foamy due to the air content.

You can only see this phenomenon between the end of March and October, which is also the best time to visit Varenna. It is believed that the river might work like a natural overflow drain for a hollow inside a glacial accumulation area in the Northern Grigna which results in this sudden flush (and stop to it).

You can reach the little hamlet of the same name by a 20-minute walk along the Greenway dei Patriarchi from Varenna. There is another 10-minute walk up a mule track to the source of the river. Surrounded by nature, there is also a picnic table which makes for the perfect picnic spot on a hot day under the canopies of the forest.

9) Boat to Bellagio

Bellagio is one of the most charming towns in Lake Como, easily reached by a 20-minute ferry ride from Varenna. Mostly recognized by the picturesque views from Salita Serbelloni, there are plenty of things to do in Bellagio. The old town is great for shopping for leather goods, clothing, and food items like local cheese.

On the northernmost tip of Bellagio, you can take a walk in Punta Spartivento, a beautiful lakeshore park crisscrossed with trails. Make sure to bring your bathing suit so you can go for a dip. Punta Spartivento is located right on the Y-split of Lake Como, so you can enjoy lovely lake views.

You can also visit the botanical garden of Villa Melzi. There, you can stroll through beautiful paths between local and exotic plant species and even a Japanese garden. The villa itself is closed to the public. We also recommend booking a guided tour of the stunning Villa Serbelloni Gardens which overlooks the town and the lake.

Just remember Bellagio is very, very touristy. Try visiting off-season, and in summer give it a miss in favour of lesser-known towns like Menaggio for example.

10) Boat to Menaggio

Another lovely place to visit is Menaggio, only a 10-minute boat ride from Varenna. The beating heart of Menaggio is Piazza Garibaldi, filled with restaurants and bars overlooking the lake. From there, you can easily find your way into the town centre, where you can snap pictures in narrow streets or go shopping souvenirs along Via Calvi.

In the town center, you can also visir the 19th-century Church of Santa Marta and the Church of Santo Stefano which is home to beautiful frescoes. The lakefront in Menaggio is stunning with one of Lake Como’s longest promenades. Don’t miss the Monumento alla Tessitrice, a 10 m marble monument dedicated to Lake Como weavers.

Located above Menaggio, you find the charming hamlet of Loveno. It is a 15-20 minute walk where you will pass the old city walls. The highlight of Loveno is Villa Mylius Vigoni. The 19th-century villa overlooks Lake Como and is surrounded by an idyllic English garden.

Today, the villa houses the German-Italian Center for European Excellence and can only be visited on a pre-booked guided tour every Thursday between March and October (except in August). Tickets are 14€ and need to be booked in advance at reception@villavigoni.eu.

11) Orrido di Bellano

Orrido di Bellano is one of the most breathtaking natural sites in Lake Como and is only an 8-minute drive from Varenna. It is a deep ravine formed 15 million years ago due to erosion of the Adda Glacier and the Pioverna River.

The strength of the water in Orrido di Bellano has been utilized for centuries for machines in industries like ironwork and cotton mills. Today, the waterfall powers the hydroelectric power station.

A footpath pinned on the high gorge walls allows you to explore the ravine with its caves and waterfalls. If you visit in the evening, the path is lit giving it an even more dramatic vibe.

At the entrance, you will see a pentagonal tower known as Cà del Diavol that dates back to the 17th century. The name derives from the frescoes inside of different mythical figures including the devil, and from local legends of satanic rites and witches’ covens being held in this location.

Inside you’ll find exhibitions on three levels – one dedicated to the geology of the Orrido, one to local traditions, and one to a VR experience.

You can see the Orrido for free from a lookout located in the town centre. If you want to see the waterfall up close and hike along the path, you’ll need a ticket, also including access to Cà del Diavol.

Opening Hours: 9 AM – 5 PM – Tickets: 10€ – 5€ reduced

Unique Things to Do in Varenna

12) Go Kayaking at Sunset

Kayaking is a wonderful way to explore the coastline around Varenna without getting on a boat tour. Lake Como is usually calm, and provided you stay close to the coast, it’s straightforward and safe to paddle around.

Near Perledo beach you can find kayaks for rent – opt for single rather than double kayaks if it’s your first time kayaking. Sunset is the most magical time of the day, and also the best time to avoid the heat in summer!

You can also join a guided sunset kayaking tour from nearby Bellagio to the Villa Serbelloni Hotel and back – BOOK HERE!

13) Go on a Secret Picnic

Another fun activity near Varenna is going on secret picnic! I actually found two different secret picnic experiences near Varenna – one in a secret garden in the middle of a forest, and the other one in a scenic location on top of a mountain.

I haven’t tried them (yet) but both experiences look great – if you do, let us know how it goes!

14) Take a Cooking Class

A cooking class is a great way to spend a day on Lake Como! There are plenty of cooking classes on offer, including a pasta and tiramisu-making class and even one focused on pizzoccheri, a local dish from nearby Valtellina.

If you don’t feel like cooking, you can join a dinner party at a local’s home. There’s no better way to make friends and taste delicious food!