Villa del Balbianello, Tremezzina

The queen of Lake Como, Villa del Balbianello rests on the tip of a small wooded peninsula and is celebrated for its elaborate terraced gardens. The villa was built in 1787 on the site of a Franciscan monastery. By the time wealthy American businessman Butler Ames purchased the property in the early 20th century, the villa had fallen into a state of neglect. Ames renovated the estate extensively, making vast improvements to the already impressive gardens. In 1974 the property was sold to Guido Monzino, the leader of the first Italian expedition to Mount Everest, who filled the villa with a rich collection of fine art and artifacts acquired on his expeditions. After paying the entry fee, you can walk freely through the gardens and enjoy the sweeping views of the lake. Guided tours of the interior are available at additional cost. To visit Villa del Balbianello and get the most from your holiday in Tremezzina, create itinerary details personal to you using our Tremezzina day trip planning tool.