COMO VILLAS: VILLA MONASTERO OR VILLA DEL BALBIANELLO, WHICH ONE IS BETTER?

Wondering whether you should visit Villa Monastero or Villa del Balbianello?

Lake Como is one of Italy’s most famous tourist locations. A place much different from Rome or Florence, lake Como brings you closer to nature and offers a more relaxed Italian holiday. Some of the key tourist attractions on lake Como are the gorgeous villas with amazing gardens and breathtaking views. There are many of them, but Villa Monastero and Villa del Balbianello are the two most popular ones. Now, the question is… if you can only visit one, which one is the better choice?

Well, keep reading!

Read more >>> LAKE COMO: 2-DAY ITINERARY FOR THE BEST COMO EXPERIENCE

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VILLA MONASTERO

WHERE: Varenna

HOW TO GET THERE: Ferry

TICKET: 10 euros

LOCATION

Villa Monastero is one of the most famous villas on Lake Como. Located in Varenna, it’s one of the main reasons why people come to this tiny, colourful town. The beautiful location of Villa Monastero gives you incredible views of lake Como and the mountains close by.

HISTORY

Villa Monastero has a really rich and interesting history. When it was built, it was a Cistercian monastery. During the Renaissance, the Mornico family did significant renovations on the villa and transformed it into a noble residence. With that, the blend of various architectural styles began. In the early 19th century, a new wing to the building was added and the beautiful botanical gardens that Villa Monastero is known for today were created.

GARDENS

The most beautiful part of Villa Monastero is its botanical garden. Once you enter the gardens of this lovely Villa, you will not want to leave. The gorgeous paths will lead you through various segments of the garden where you’ll have the chance to enjoy some of the most incredible views of lake Como. Villa Monastero has over 900 different species of plants and flowers so don’t miss out on this botanical garden.

VILLA DEL BALBIANELLO

WHERE: Lenno

HOW TO GET THERE: ferry

TICKET: 12 euros

LOCATION

Villa del Balbianello is situated in a small town of Lenno, on the west coast of lake Como. Similar to Villa Monastero, the location of this villa gives you amazing views of both the lake and mountains nearby, as well as some neighbouring towns.

HISTORY

Villa del Balbianello was constructed in the late 18th century. It was built as a Franciscan monastery known as Monastero di Santa Maria degli Angeli. In 1787, the property was purchased by Cardinal Angelo Maria Durini, who constructed a new villa on the site including various architectural styles such as Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque elements.

GARDENS

The gardens of Villa del Balbianello are dream-like. The meticulous gardening makes this garden one of the prettiest gardens in the world, and a very coveted destination of many tourists. In this beautiful garden each sliver of grass is its place, the trees are perfectly kept, and the picturesque views of the lake are stunning. The gardens are also popular because many Hollywood movies were filmed there, such as James Bond and Star Wars.

WHICH ONE IS BETTER?

Both Villas absolutely deserve to be visited and you’ll have an amazing time in both of them. You can reach them easily and they are both quite affordable. The main difference is the ambiance! Choose Villa Monastero if you’re into natural beauty of the gardens and various plants and flowers.

Choose Villa del Balbianello if you’re into gardens with meticulous upkeep and a carefully curated aesthetic. The ambiance of Villa Monastero seems untouched and authentic while Villa del Balbianello is more designed and well-maintained.