The most fascinating historic villas on Lake Como

Getting married on Lake Como, the “most romantic lake in Italy”? Why not. Take a look at these historic villas, among the most beautiful in Italy and tell me if you can’t fall in love with them…

Have you decided to get married, and have you opted for Italy as your dream destination? Good choice. Italy is the home of breathtaking panoramic views, locations that tell a story, as well as pieces of history, culture and beauty at every step.

For example, in northern Italy, in Lombardy, there is Lake Como, rightly defined as the “most romantic lake in Italy”: for its villas overlooking the water, for its sumptuous gardens, for its panoramic terraces, for its small churches from whose churchyard you can admire all the beauty of the lake. And then “that branch of Lake Como” was the theater of the love story par excellence, that of the “Promessi sposi”, narrated by Alessandro Manzoni.

But where can you say yes on Lake Como? Which venue could leave you and your guests speechless? Below we propose some of the most fascinating ones.

Villa Pizzo

Villa Pizzo is one of the oldest residences on Lake Como. It takes its name from the rocky spur on which it stands. Halfway between Moltrasio and Cernobbio, Villa Pizzo, with its wonderful gardens and magical spaces, is the ideal place for fairytale weddings. In the splendid park that surrounds the Villa and which stretches alongside the lake, you can enjoy the beauty of shrubs and centuries-old trees, avenues of cypresses, a Tassi Gallery, as well as an Italian Garden with its Baroque fountains. The large nineteenth-century dock surrounded by original statues is one of the magical and extraordinarily romantic places to exchange your vows, while the space in front of the villa, where there is a magnificent statue in the center, is available for dining with your guests under the stars. The interiors are available, with large finely frescoed neoclassical-style rooms, to enjoy a glass of prosecco before the reception or to party after dinner.

Villa Pliniana

Villa Pliniana is a splendid 16th century Italian palace, built on a cove of Lake Como, surrounded by lush greenery. Very close to the Villa, the stream of the Colored Valley plunges into Lake Como, after a waterfall of seventy meters. The villa, for its spaces and its luxury, is suitable for unforgettable weddings: the loggia separates the main floor into two distinct parts that house two large rooms, the reception, the billiard room, the dining room and the kitchen. The villa also features 18 bedrooms, a private dock, a helicopter landing pad, spa and expansive gardens – a dream.

Villa Sola Cabiati

Dating back to the Renaissance and transformed into a ‘villa of delight’ in the eighteenth century, Villa Sola Cabiati is a real work of art: it will welcome you in its large halls decorated with opulent stuccos by the best artists of the time and furnished with collections of tapestries, invaluable paintings and ceramics to take you back to times when refinement knew no bounds. A continuous search for beauty that also extends to the gardens directly overlooking the lake and the outdoor swimming pool, where you can celebrate love, surrounded by nature.

Villa Balbiano

Situated on the western shore of Lake Como, Villa Balbiano is an awe-inspiring Italian jewel, an exceptional historical palazzo, built at the end of 16th century. It is the largest private residence on the lake, occupying over 2ha, with extensive sumptuous garden, which was distinguished by the British Society of Garden Designers, outdoor swimming pool, a private pier and a boathouse. Inside, its historic interiors have been filled with finest objets d’art and furniture of past centuries, sourced from Sotheby’s and Christie’s. Spectacular 17th century frescoes painted by the Recchi brothers and Agostino Silva still decorate the walls, untouched by time. With its illustrious past, an unparalleled mix of man-made and natural beauty, Villa Balbiano is one of the most glamorous locations on Lake Como.
Curiosity to know: some scenes of the movie “House of Gucci”, inspired by the true story of the Gucci dynasty, with Lady Gaga and Adam Driver as the protagonists and directed by Ridley Scott, were shot here.

Villa Erba

Villa Erba is a magnificent and imposing villa of the 19th century, located in Cernobbio, on the shores of Lake Como, designed in accordance with the standards of the Italian Mannerism. Its ancient park offers a delightful botanical walk amongst trees, groups of flowering shrubs, and elegant multicolor flower beds on the lakefront, providing a wonderful sight of Lake Como. The villa is distributed over two floors and houses several prestigious rooms suitable for wedding reception that can also accommodate many guests, while outside it is possible to set up the ceremony in front of the villa, right at the water level, for a wedding overlooking directly on the lake.

Villa del Balbianello

From the tip of the small wooded peninsula of Lavedo, stretched sheer above the waters of the center of Lake Como, the Villa elegantly overlooks a wide panorama that makes it one of the most scenic residences of the Lario. This elegant and romantic 18th-century mansion and its amazing garden have hosted writers and travelers up to its last owner, Guido Monzino, the first Italian to reach the top of Everest. Romantic glimpses, avenues flanked by statues, panoramic terraces and copious blooms, culminating in the eighteenth-century Loggia that crowns the entire complex giving a double and aerial panorama are the strong points of this residence, one of the most fascinating in the world, so much so that the the beauty and wonder of the Balbianello, which can also be accessed via the lake, were the key that prompted many Hollywood directors to set famous sagas here, such as those of Star Wars and 007.

Have you fallen in love with these historic residences, or with Lake Como in general? Do you want a wedding on these magical shores? Contact me and together we will give life to a dream!