Amazing garden, nice villa museum, there is a coffee shop where you can take a break. Worth a visit. Can get crowded so I recommend comming in the morning for easy access to the parking lot amd to photogenic locations.

The botanical garden is beautiful, with must-see visits. The place is very well organized so you can spend a few hours admiring the views and taking photos. A must-see if you visit Varenna.

An amazing place to visit. The garden is full of greenery, everything is very well-maintained, and the view from the villa is absolutely unreal. There's also a building on the garden grounds that you can enter, which houses a museum. It’s really interesting to see how people lived in different times, their household items, and their way of life. I highly recommend visiting this place.

We came here on a gloomy Friday in March and had an amazing visit. The admission fee was minimal so definitely worth doing! We enjoyed walking through the gardens and looking at the lake without the crowds. Be prepared for the occasional disrespectful "influencer" who is more interested in selfies than the scenery and hogging the best views for photo ops. Overall, a beautiful and charming villa with stunning views that I'll always remember!

Villa Monastero has a stunning view of Lake Como and is marvelous, even on a cloudy day. The botanical garden here is amazing – I loved it so much! The design is just genius, with so many different plants and beautifully laid-out paths. I feel so relaxed and lucky to come here to appreciate the beauty of Italian garden. You need to buy the ticket to visit. This is a must-visit spot!

The botanical gardens of Villa Monastero are arguably its crown jewel, stretching over 2 km along the picturesque shore of Lake Como, allowing you to enjoy the calming presence of the water while surrounded by verdant landscapes. The pathways are well-paved and accessible, making it suitable for visitors of all ages and physical abilities. It takes you through various themed sections of the garden, each showcasing a different array of plant species. Highlights include the Citrus Garden with its fragrant lemon and orange trees, the Rose Garden bursting with colorful blooms, and the Tropical Garden featuring exotic plants from warmer climates.

An excellent view on Lago di Como, and an incredible architecture. It’s a must-see if you’re in or near Varenna. The car park is vis-a-vis the entrance.

This is one of the places that absolutely lives up to the hype as you see online. Just a beautiful lake, and pictures don't do it justice. We did have trouble getting tickets for the day ferry, they sell out fast and you can only buy tickets for each day, cannot prebuy for another day. We ended up paying for a private boat tour, was worth it! If you can find other groups of tourists to share a boat, price is very reasonable. About €60 per person for an hour.

This is a wonderful destination for a romantic holiday. It’s vibrant and picturesque. A lot of cobblestone areas so can be a bit difficult for wheelchair users.

This place is the perfect getaway for a holiday with your family. There are also birds everywhere and the ferry is very fun to take. Highly recommended!

It’s a very peaceful place with a beautiful view. However, as of May, it attracts a large number of tourists. Especially around the Phinikoudes area and the ferry docks, you can expect long queues for tickets. We opted to rent a private boat instead. With some negotiation, prices can go down to around €200, depending on the boat.

A magical place. It felt like you were in paradise. So beautiful houses, palaces, bars, people... everything so beautiful. I enjoyed the tour on the lake the most, we were lucky that for the month of November a day with so much sun for the North is not very possible. The sunset in Como is fantastic. I think it is a place that does not take a day to visit because there are so many things to see and you have to go early in the morning because the boat tickets are sold out and you don't even have time to stop in every small village there is. I am planning another trip to Milan with a long-term plan 🥰

Breathtaking place! I was amazed💙 it's a very lovely place! so clean, parks, hotels, landscape it's just something that you can never get tired of looking at! Took a walk by Grand hotel park, I felt like I'm walking in a movie🫠 loved to come back to Como lake every year! Love Italy 🇮🇹💚🤍❤️‍🔥

Lake Como is one of the most beautiful and peaceful destinations I’ve ever visited. The combination of crystal-clear water, majestic mountains, and charming lakeside towns like Bellagio and Varenna creates a truly magical experience. The boat rides, local cuisine, and scenic views are unforgettable. Whether you’re exploring historic villas or simply relaxing by the water, every moment feels like a dream. A must-visit for anyone who loves nature, culture, and timeless beauty! The drive is picturesque, the roads are smooth . It's picture perfect

Stunning castle. Well worth visiting. The groundsman puts so much effort into the garden. It was so beautiful. So much to see. The view was fantastic. We had a cute little picnic on a bench overlooking the lake. Theres also dungeons to go down into with spooky mannequins that move it was fun! We walked a circular route and hardly saw any other people.

Beautiful views of the lake and a very well maintained castle with fun things to do for kids. The plants and flowers around the property are an extra part of the visit. 7 euros for adults and 4 euros for kids/senior was worth the visit.

It takes about 20-30 minutes by foot to reach the castle down from Varenna. It goes quite a bit uphill with some steep passages. Wearing good shoes is definitely a plus. Once you reach the castle you're rewarded with a stunning view on the lake and the castle itself with its surroundings.

A bit of climbing but the view is definitely worth the effort. Also loved the art shop in in the village on the way to castle.

Bring your hiking shoes. You can purchase water at the top, but bring some with you. Uneven terrain and not suitable for mobility issues. The view and castle tour was worth the hike for us!

Although it’s not easy to get to the castle, but I recommend this place if you’re around. The view is really beautiful.

Not very big, but absolutely worth seeing. Spectacular views, well-kept gardens, funny and creepy dungeon, nice bar next to the castle.

One of the best dining experiences! We had lunch here and I can’t fully describe how delicious it was - it was that good! We didn’t book but they were so accommodating and lovely. The menu was perfect - not overly complicated and simple (just how menus should be!) Notable dishes were the octopus with mash potatoes, pesto & pine nuts. The gnocchi with shrimps another spectacular dish as well. We will definitely go back!

Traditional food in a cute tiny space! We were a table of 6 and they found us really fast a table inside! The ossobuco was amazing, the perfect combination between the taste of carrots and the meat! Very friendly staff and a good choice not far from the hot views of the lake!

We had an excellent experince dining here on our first night in Varenna. We were lucky to get a table straight away. We ordered the duck ragu, beef sirloin, tiramisu and chocolate cake. All the food was excellent.

Visited Varenna over the May bank holiday weekend and decided to try this restaurant after seeing it recommended on several blogs. Varenna itself is absolutely beautiful, and the restaurant is tucked away along one of the town’s charming, picturesque alleyways. We had booked an indoor table, which was cosy, though not as pleasant or comfortable as the outdoor seating. The tables inside were quite small and packed closely together, which made it feel a bit cramped. The service, however, was excellent—polite, attentive, and very welcoming. As for the food, it was good but didn’t quite live up to the high expectations we had for Italian cuisine. We tried the octopus pasta and the osso buco—both were well-cooked and nicely presented, but lacked that memorable "wow" factor we were hoping for. I wouldn’t say it’s the restaurant’s fault necessarily—it may just be a case of too much online hype raising expectations a little too high. One important tip: definitely book in advance. Varenna was overrun with tourists the day we visited, and without a reservation, we likely wouldn’t have found a place to eat.

We had pasta with fish (18), pasta with octopus (18), beer(8) and bottled water(4) together with coperto(2x3) this came to 52 euro. Bread was provided and a small entry of sausage in pastry. The quality of the dishes were high and the service was attentive so if you can afford it go for it. Most of the customers were tourists.

This is a beautiful restaurant in the heart of sweet Varenna. The owner was kind enough to keep the restaurant open for my family as a walk in guest. It was the uncontested best meal I had in Lake Como. The caprese salad is both light and rich with a wonderful buratta. The lemon ricotta ravioli were to die for and the octopus was so deliciously enjoyable and fresh. The staff even provided a stain remover for my sister who spilled something. Thank you for the wonderful meal!

A good place is worth the wait—a proper queue, not stepping away for food or drinks and returning to reclaim your spot. It’s about respecting the experience and the art you’re paying for.

One of the only rooftop restaurants we could find in Varenna. While the atmosphere was beautiful overlooking Lake Como, the food came short. We weren’t impressed with the pastas, and we had ordered a bottle of hard cider that had gone bad. We did however enjoy the peaches and cream dessert. The servers were trying to rush us out as we were dining late, seemed to be a trend as most of Varenna closes down early.

We showed up at the perfect time as someone was just leaving and so we were seated within a few minutes for dinner without a reservation. We were seated right by the window and enjoyed a beautiful view for a few minutes while the sun set. I got the risotto special which was perfectly cooked and incredible flavor. My husband got the mushroom ravioli which he really liked. I also got the dessert special of the day which was caramelized peaches with a cream and crumble and it was amazing!! My husband got the chocolate mousse which he said was so chocolatey and paired perfectly with the raspberry sauce they give you.

This was our last night in Italy for our honeymoon and we wanted to spend it having a special dinner so I made the reservation at La Vista months in advance. The restaurant is located overlooking the lake and has a beautiful view. Unfortunately, the owner/manager sat a table in front of us, which would not have been an issue except he proceeded to stand at the table nearly our entire meal. It was clear he had a personal relationship with them and was ensuring they had a VIP experience. They were given the middle front table of the restaurant (with their dog) and he was standing a foot in front of us, blocking views of the lake, not only for us, but for the entire restaurant for nearly the entire meal. We did three courses, and he was still there by the time we were served dessert. After an hour of this, we decided to move to a table adjacent to where we were sitting and were scolded by the same manager for doing so. The food was also hit or miss. We enjoyed the octopus app and the steak plate, but the beef tartare and shrimp spaghetti were misses. The crème brûlée was also a weird jello and basically inedible. Tiramisu was okay but also not worth it in our opinion. The servers were nice otherwise, but the whole point was to have a fine dining experience with a view and that was not what we got.

Pretty much paying for the view and rooftop alfresco dining vibe. The food was honestly disappointing. I got the salmon for 32 euros. ( had to top up 6 euro if u got the 3/4 course set, which you may just want to order ala carte because the set is the same price as ala carte) The salmon was recommended to me by the waitor but just tasted like regular smoked salmon.. Service was ok, but some of the waiters aren’t as friendly as others. Had trouble getting a confirmation for our reservation so they could not find us on the list, still gave us an outdoor table but one far back claiming that the other tables were reserved. ( Although when we left at 9pm, the nicer tables were still empty) Food took soo long to come. Got our appetisers at 8pm, and cleared it around 8.10pm. Only got our mains at about 8.45pm. 35minute wait for the food. We had to leave at 9pm because we had to make it for the last train. My bf actually asked them if they could make the dessert slightly special as it was a surprise for my birthday, they mentioned they would put some cream & cherries but there was none. simply just a candle. Had to takeaway the dessert as we had no time. They didn’t even have takeaway cutlery. Really wanted to like the restaurant but I just dont think its worth it for what ure paying.

We had very pleasant dinner here, the service was great and athmosphere lovely, with a great view. Food was great, but perhaps hoped for stronger flavours. Big recommendation for this place though!

We had lunch at La vista during our trip to lake como , last week of October 2023. The experience was delightful 🙂 The seating overlooking the lake is just beautiful. We tried sea bass and stuffed chicken. The staff are very polite and we're happy to assist us with suggestions. Reservations in advance could be a good idea since it's quite busy in tourist season. It's closed for off season holidays in November.

Highly recommend not eating here. Try to pass for fine dining, and it’s nothing but mediocre. We had a fish pasta, that was exceptionally fishy. The salmon and grilled veggies were flavorless. If I paid €40 total I wouldn’t mind, but the price was unacceptable and the service was unwelcoming. You are paying for a view, which is free if you stay at the hotel and have breakfast. I have been on an eight week Eurotrip, and that was the worst food I had the entire time. It’s like paying for a luxury item and finding out it’s a knockoff.

Lovely place and personnel! The presentation of the food was amazing and it was really delicious! The restaurant has a tradition in preparing home made deserts. I recommend making a reservation upfront, otherwise it won’t be possible to have a table.

A fantastic spot for delicious Italian food and desserts. The dishes are fresh and flavorful, with a great selection of local specialties. The desserts are a must-try, and the friendly staff makes the experience even better. A perfect place for a relaxing meal in a charming setting!

There is not much I can say about this place that have not been previously mentioned by others. This restaurant serves high quality, 5-star level dishes. The manager and staff were very friendly, accommodating, and constantly checked on our needs! Be sure to make a reservation as walk-ins are seldom entertained. This place is always fully booked because they pay close attention to serving high quality dishes! You will surely love it when you dine here!

Hands down THE best food and best service of the Italy portion of our trip, which also included Venice and Verona. I’ve eaten at restaurants with 2 Michelin stars and am shocked this place doesn’t have at least one. I chose it for a very special birthday dinner for my father and could not have been more pleased with the food, service and overall experience. Be sure to reserve a table in advance as they fill up quickly. I’d give it 10 stars if it were an option.

This place was amazing! Great service, delicious food, tasty appetizers, they know English, very polite and careful. Food.. just the best steak I have ever had in my life. Lasagna was also very good! Totally recommend. Also we liked a lot that there is no music, you can relax and enjoy.

The service is great, and the food is amazing, involving local dishes and excellent seafood. For example the grilled fishes from the Como lake. The appetizers are also specials and give a tasty feeling. I recommend to come hungry ;) Outstanding restaurant in Varenna.

Al Prato is one of the best restaurants I have ever been to. Both the hospitality and food is 10/10. I had a prawn & stracciatella pasta and lamb main that left me speechless. The service was amazing, everyone who attended us was lovely and made us feel like the only people in the restaurant. Best restaurant in Varenna, maybe even the whole lake!

An absolute beautiful place to spend the early evening. we sat outside and had an amazing lake view. the dinner was also delicious. well balanced flavours. the only critic for our meal was the we ordered the steak medium rare and it was more than medium cooked. not sure if that happens often or just for us. but the pasta was fresh and close to perfect. totally recommend the place

Best food we had by the lake. Great Lake views, Michelin standard food, great service. 5 *

Our best meal in the area! The food was exquisite. My husband had a 3 course meal. Beef tartare, spaghetti bolognese ( with duck), and lamb chops ( the best lamb chops I ever tried). On the other hand, I went all vegetarian, but heavenly as well. I had a fried zucchini with ricotta inside and a spaghetti with mushroom/coliflower/ brocoli. A mix of vegetables that made it extremely flavorful. For dessert, I ordered the soft ice cream with walnuts and some coffee. The restaurant was a lovely combination of rustic and clasic. Very beautiful. And our service was outstanding 👏 👌 We really enjoyed our experience.

15 minute walk under the Sun ☀️ from Varenna was a bit rough BUT definitely worth it. We ordered beef tartare and the very salty fish as starters - they’re absolutely umami BOMBs 💣, the MOST delicious salted fish we’ve had in the entire 3-week Europe trip. For the main dish I ordered the fish with aubergine 🍆 and my partner had the pasta. We both agreed that my fish with 🍆 was over the moon 🌙. His pasta was good as well but not as memorable. The eggplant was perfectly seasoned and paired beautifully with the fried fish which was cooked, again, to perfection. Then we went for a dip in a nearby beach that was tiny and full of rocks but amazing privacy. ✨ definitely one of the best decisions we made on this trip!

Service and wine was perfect, but the food is not really good for the price. If you gonna pick 2 dishes per person (you can choose from 1 to 3 dishes) you will get out hungry… Dry bread (market quality) on the side without any olive oil or butter (or whatever) is really not something you want to eat there. It’s Michelin’s guide restaurant probably of a cease of destination. Waiter was doing her best, that’s all. We paid 160€ for 2, went out to other restaurant to eat some more. There is not even deserts? Shame to came unfortunately

This was our favorite most memorable dinner in Italy! The service, ambiance, location, quality of food and drink is remarkable and outstanding. Thank you to the staff for making this a highlight!

Bravo! This restaurant served the best meal I had in all of Italy. The beef tartare, beef plate, and chocolate lava cake were phenomenal. The restaurant is run by four people only. The amount of detail they put into the food and experience is bar none. The wine, bread, and entrees were delicious. I would recommend them to anyone! They have limited seating due to the size of their staff. Be sure to call at 10am the day of - they don’t take reservations ahead of time - or arrive at 7pm when they open. Otherwise you will be turned away if full.

The only good thing about this place is the view of the lake. The food is pretty awful so does the drinks. I had the bolognese pasta the portion is tiny and the noodle is undercooked and there’s barely meat in the sauce. My partner had lasagna , it looks nothing like a lasagna and didn’t taste good either. There’s a very big menu of cocktails. I had the basil smash, but it’s overly sweet and artificial flavor and color added looks lime green. The outdoor space with view is limited and very tight. Service is pretty bad, can hardly get anyone’s attention.

This place is right below our Airbnb. We’ve been here 3 days and have eaten here 3 times - twice for breakfast and once for dinner. Service has been great! Food has been better than expected. Get dessert at dinner and get a made fresh croissant for breakfast! Eggs, yogurt, and more available! Location is amazing!

The pasta was good but the service we got at Caffe Varenna was the best ever! A wonderful server made the entire experience wonderful. Wine, pasta and the views made this dinner one to remember💯

What is the difference between two sparkling wines we asked the waitress. I don't know was the reply. We took the cheaper one at 7 and a grappa at 5. We skipped the Aperol which at 12 is out there even for varenna and service was slow. But.... Another waiter was quite friendly and aperetivo ( snacks accompanying the drinks) was better than normal. In addition to the inevitable crisps there was some olives (unfortunately not very good ones), pickled onions, peanuts and 2 micro sandwiches. Finally a view to die for so overall i recommend.

Best service ever, this busy caffe have the best food and view and service, it can be slow but totally enjoyable and worth it, loved all their items would definitely come back 😀

Great stop after getting off the ferry. We were craving bacon and eggs and they did not disappoint. Wonderful cappuccino and beautiful view!

We ate here twice during our stay in Varenna. It has excellent views of the lake. We got sandwiches and bacon and eggs and both were great.