Villa Monastero
Villa Monastero
4.5
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Best nearby
Restaurants
193 within 3 miles
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150 within 6 miles
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
1,411 reviews
Excellent
844
Very good
461
Average
90
Poor
10
Terrible
6
Escape from Reality
Kent, UK96 contributions
Aug 2022 • Family
An absolute must see, although aia enjoyed it a little more than my young children (7 and 8 years) it was a welcome change from the beach, boats and pool.
If you’re visiting Varenna, Villa Monastero is a must! It’s a 10 minute walk from the ferry dock or if you’re driving there is a multi-storey car park opposite, however be warned the car park is VERY narrow and gets VERY busy so I’d get there early.
Villa Monastero is beautiful, we paid for a Garden and House ticket for a family of 4 and it was 31.20EURO. The whole visit took us around 2.5 hours and we had a drink in the cafe too overlooking the lake.
I would 100% recommend a visit if you’re looking to experience the beautiful of one of Lake Como’s most popular villas, giving you a wonderful insight in to their inner beauty.
I hope this review is helpful, happy exploring
If you’re visiting Varenna, Villa Monastero is a must! It’s a 10 minute walk from the ferry dock or if you’re driving there is a multi-storey car park opposite, however be warned the car park is VERY narrow and gets VERY busy so I’d get there early.
Villa Monastero is beautiful, we paid for a Garden and House ticket for a family of 4 and it was 31.20EURO. The whole visit took us around 2.5 hours and we had a drink in the cafe too overlooking the lake.
I would 100% recommend a visit if you’re looking to experience the beautiful of one of Lake Como’s most popular villas, giving you a wonderful insight in to their inner beauty.
I hope this review is helpful, happy exploring
Written August 22, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Jerseybean26
Jersey, UK3,954 contributions
Jul 2022 • Couples
We got there just after it opened which was a good move as when we left, around mid day, there was a long queue to enter. Beautiful grounds, not too formal with stunning lake views. €8 for the garden or €10 for the garden and house (they offer a senior discount for those 65+)
We strolled for about 1:5 hours. There is a cafe.
We strolled for about 1:5 hours. There is a cafe.
Written July 25, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Suresh C
Charlotte, North Carolina, United States941 contributions
Aug 2022
From Bellagio, we took a ferry to reach Varenna. View of the place from the ferry is very beautiful. After a walk of around 10 minutes or so over a pathway built, crossing few shops and streets - took us to Villa Monastero. Pathway to this place itself had a nice to stand in little beach. Place provides some excellent photo perfect opportunities. Cafe and a Rest room are available. We wanted to go up the hill to get view of Varenna and Lake Como - but the heat was too much for us who have come from UK. So made the trip short and returned back to Bellagio. There was one parking lot next to this place, but it was full - so lot of confused car travellers around the place, best to avoid travelling by car to this place.
Written September 11, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
cannonfodder_12
Cambridge, UK142 contributions
Sep 2022 • Couples
Note that we went wound the garden at the end of September, clearly after several flowering plants we past their best.
Find it odd this garden is so highly rated though. Although the structure is beautiful the underplanting is poor and getting dishevelled. Paths made from crazy paving are incomplete and the place has an overall look of being in need for some TLC. Nowhere near as well kept as Villa del Balbianello across the water (although that's very much not a flow garden)
Find it odd this garden is so highly rated though. Although the structure is beautiful the underplanting is poor and getting dishevelled. Paths made from crazy paving are incomplete and the place has an overall look of being in need for some TLC. Nowhere near as well kept as Villa del Balbianello across the water (although that's very much not a flow garden)
Written September 30, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Leslie C.
8 contributions
Sep 2020
I've seen many a garden, botanical and otherwise, but this must be the most beautiful of all. The location alone, just above Lake Como with the mountains in the background and the exquisitely landscaped terrain leaves an unforgettable impression. Even the stone wall framing the garden is a work of art. The garden winds it's way along the shore of the lake, offering one outlook more captivating than the other. This is romantic Italy at its finest.
Written September 29, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Sally
3 contributions
Jun 2022
Ok villa if already in Varenna. Staff at ticketing good but lady in cafe shouts at customers. We ran in requesting couple of paper napkins after bird pooped on daughter's shirt. She screamed that only 1 paper napkin, and that they are too expensive. We left without a single napkin and even asked her how much does she want paid for a paper napkin. Cleaned up shirt after we got napkins from a restroom.
Written July 10, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Studio9
Las Vegas, NV145 contributions
Jun 2022
Beautiful garden grounds on the side of Lake Como; many varieties of trees and shrubbery. We spent about 1.5 hours enjoying the neatly kept grounds and just drinking in the ambiance. Lots of photo opportunities here!
Written June 20, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Katie
Winchester, UK7 contributions
Aug 2020 • Couples
For the price we paid for the entry to the garden we couldn’t have expected a lot. We didn’t enter the villa monastero itself, however we were almost disappointed by the garden. If it hadn’t been for the beautiful weather and views it wouldn’t have been worth the while. The garden had barely any flowers in bloom and it all seemed a little run down. Also seemed like it hadn’t been watered in a while. If we returned to Varenna, I would go again in hopes that we’d be a little more lucky in how the garden was presented. It had the potential to be a stunning area.
Written August 12, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Daniele
Richmond, TX5 contributions
Aug 2022 • Family
Must see if you are in Varenna. Amazing views, beautiful gardens. Quick walk to it from main square since the town is so tiny. We fell in love with Varenna / Lake Como area.
Written August 8, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Peg S
Granby, Massachusetts, United States56 contributions
Sep 2022 • Family
Beautiful gardens on the shore of Lake Como. Peaceful to walk the area and stop for a cup cappuccino.
Pleasant to watch the boat traffic on the lake, and stop for pictures.
A lovely area for the newlyweds and their photographers.
Pleasant to watch the boat traffic on the lake, and stop for pictures.
A lovely area for the newlyweds and their photographers.
Written October 9, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Marie W
Freehold, NJ1 contribution
Hi we will have 2 hrs to visit on Monday May 16th I can see that the villa is closed on mondays but website states gardens are open daily in May ? Will we be able to enter the gardens on a Monday ? Thank you in advance
fstsai
San Jose, CA1 contribution
if I only have 2 hours in Varenna, should I visit Castello di Vezio or Villa Monastero? Thank you!
LynneCA
Glasgow, UK36 contributions
You won’t have time for castello - it’s a steep hike up and back down, you’d only have a very short time there.
Gardens at villa monastero are well worth the wander around.
Buongiorno, per la visita completa, tra casa e giardini, quanto tempo devo considerare?
Alberto C
Province of Ravenna, Italy68 contributions
un paio d'ore
Hi, Steven. What would you like to know about this attraction? hi, is it easy to reach this garden from town center Varenna?
thanks for your time.
Incognito_Voyageur
Mumbai, India67 contributions
This location is at a 15 mins walking distance from Varenna railway station and around 5 mins from the port. Hope this information helps.
Pueden entrar perros a los jardines ?
Alexander P
Denzlingen, Germany356 contributions
Yes.
bisogna prenotare per entrare?

SorelleInViaggio
Monza, Italy207 contributions
No! Si entra liberamente senza prenotazione
eilyl
Ankara, Türkiye102 contributions
Is the coastal garden open in March?
🎓🤓 Keep Life Simple 🤓🎓
Pittsburgh, PA68,601 contributions
I am not sure if it is open. But, however if it is not open, you can walk along the road about 7 feet from above it and actually see it all from the road.
armandnani
Como, Italy
Ciao.Volevo sapere il prezzo del biglietto e gli orari di apertura. Grazie a chi mi risponde
Chia281991
Province of Varese, Italy63 contributions
Se vai sul sito trovi tutte le info: villamonastero.eu
Villa Monastero (Varenna) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go
Frequently Asked Questions about Villa Monastero
- We recommend booking Villa Monastero tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 7 Villa Monastero tours on Tripadvisor
- According to Tripadvisor travelers, these are the best ways to experience Villa Monastero:
- Varenna on the Como Lake, the Villa Monastero and the Patriarch's Greenway path (From $155.00)
- Bellagio & Varenna, Lake Como, private guided tour (From $186.97)
- HIKING TOUR: VARENNA, Castle of VEZIO Villa MONASTERO, FIUMELATTE (From $98.99)
- Kayak Trip to Varenna, on Como Lake (From $60.49)
- LA DOLCE VITA : BELLAGIO CRUISE & VILLAS + Michelin Lunch (From $313.46)
- Hotels near Villa Monastero:
- (0.06 mi) Villa Monti
- (0.13 mi) Eremo Gaudio
- (0.05 mi) Geranium: Lake View Apt. in Varenna
- (0.07 mi) Villa Monti: apt. Tulip
- (0.05 mi) Primrose: Lake View Apt. in Varenna
- Restaurants near Villa Monastero:
- (0.30 mi) Il Cavatappi
- (0.16 mi) Locanda Cavallino
- (0.32 mi) Al Prato
- (0.25 mi) Victoria Grill
- (0.34 mi) Gelateria Riva di Riva Duilio