When I was planning my trip to Lake Como, I definitely overthought where to stay. If you are searching on where to stay in Varenna, this guide is for you.
I ended up booking Como City, thinking it was the most practical choice only cause I read the wedding invitation wrong. It made sense at the time, but after actually going around the towns in Lake Como, I realised I would have done it differently.
If I went back, staying in Varenna is a reasonable choice.
💡 Tip: Varenna has a small number of hotels and most of the best ones fill up 3 to 5 months ahead for summer. If your dates are set and you see availability, lock it in. This is not the place to browse and come back to later especially in the Summer.
Varenna is small, incredibly picturesque, calmer (with the exception of the train station and ferry) and relatively quieter than Bellagio.
What makes Varenna a good base is the direct Trenord train from Milan Centrale takes about an hour, and when you step off at Varenna-Esino station, you walk down through the village to the water which takes about 10 to 15 minutes.
In this guide, I’ll break down the best areas to stay in Varenna based on my own trip, along with the hotels I’d personally recommend in each one, so you can pick the spot that fits your travel style the best.
Lake Como Trip Planning at a Glance
Don’t have a lot of time? Here’s a quick mini guide to Varenna Lake Como to help plan your epic adventure!
Varenna has very limited hotels and especially in the summer, it can book out incredibly fast.
- ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️ ⭐️ Villa Cipressi (Location: Heart of town) Click here for rates & availability
- ⭐️⭐️⭐️ Albergo Milano (Location: Heart of town) Click here for rates & availability
- ⭐️⭐️⭐️ B&B il Bolentino (Location: Near the train) Click here for rates & availability
Things to do:
Book your Experiences through GetyourGuide | Viator
Do you stay in Varenna or Bellagio? The Quickest Comparison
This is the question everyone always asks, and honestly, it’s not as complicated as it sounds. Though it depends on your style of travel.
So as you know, Bellagio is bigger than Varenna, it is busier and more bustling, but there’s also more things to do here, if this is your vibe then Bellagio is your best bet.
But if you prefer somewhere that feels calmer, quieter, easier to settle into, then stay in Varenna.
In Bellagio, by mid-morning, it’s already busy. In Varenna, if you wake up early, walk down to the water, and take the Passeggiata while it’s still quiet, it feels like a completely different place.
I feel like this is the version of Lake Como most people don’t get to see. Most including myself, see Lake Como is a few hours or a day in one town.
And the best part is, you don’t really have to choose properly. The two towns are so close to one another, I mean the ferry between them takes about 15 minutes, so you can stay in Varenna and still spend time in Bellagio whenever you want.
👉 If you’re still deciding, I’ve broken it down properly in my guide on where to stay in Bellagio, including cost differences and what you actually get for your money.
The 3 Best Areas to Stay in Varenna Lake Como and Hotels I’d Recommend
The Waterfront (Lungolario)
If it’s your first time visiting Varenna, this is hands down the easiest place to stay. I really think Varenna waterfront is the best area to stay in for anyone coming to the city for the first time, purely for convenience reasons.
The waterfront has to be one of the best areas to stay in Varenna, for me personally. You will be right on or immediately adjacent to the water and having the view of Lake Como is just amazing.
What I like about the waterfront is that it’s just easy. There are plenty of hotel options, it’s super convenient, and you don’t have to overthink logistics at all cause you will be so close to the ferry dock so it’s easy to ferry hop around the lake and be back in the evening.
Oh and the Passeggiata degli Innamorati promenade literally outside your door. It is the most sought-after position in Varenna and the most booked. Hotel Olivedo, Hotel Royal Victoria and Hotel Du Lac all sit in or around this zone.
👉 I’ve put together a full things to do in Varenna guide, including what’s actually worth your time and what you can skip.
The Village Centre (Around Piazza San Giorgio)
The village centre is another area that I think would be amazing to stay in. I haven’t stayed here myself yet, but I spent quite some time exploring Varenna and I really liked it
It’s nearby to the waterfont, this area is still very central but feels a bit more local and slightly quieter. You’ll still be close to the waterfront but with fewer crowds and more low-key restaurants and stays. It’s a great middle ground if you want convenience without being right in the busiest part.
This area felt a bit more low-key to me, with more everyday restaurants and fewer crowds than the waterfront. You can step outside your hotel and feel like you’re in a more lived-in part of the city rather than right in the middle of the tourist buzz, which I can definitely appreciate.
If you like the idea of being close to everything but having a slightly calmer base to come back to, the area around the Piazza is a really solid choice. It gives you the best of both worlds without sacrificing convenience.
The Hillside and Surrounding Area
If you have a car with you, you could consider apartments and smaller properties that are up the hill above the village, including in the hamlet of Perledo.
The views from up here are just something else and its more affordable than the waterfront. You do have to hike up and it’s a good trail hike which you can also do if you are staying for a few days here.
You can use this map to find accomodations, recommendations are below:
Best Hotels in Varenna, Lake Como (2026)
Luxury and Standout Stays
Hotel Royal Victoria by R Collection Hotels
If it’s your first time in Varenna and you want that classic Lake Como experience, this is probably the one.
It sits right on the lake in the centre of town, so you’re close to everything without needing to think about it. You wake up, walk outside, and you’re already in the middle of it.
The lake view rooms are the reason people book this place.
I have to say it’s not the cheapest option, but idefinitely if you can, this is one place I would come to stay.
👉 Book Hotel Royal Victoria now
Hotel Villa Cipressi by R Collection Hotels
Needless to say, I didn’t stay here myself since I’m not super rich! However, if you are looking for an amazing luxury hotel in Varenna, then Villa Cipressi could be your first stay.
The whole rooms, interior and exterior are incredibly grand. The gardens are stunning and this is where you have wisteria and the gates leading to the lake.
If you want something a bit more special or romantic, this is the one I’d lean towards.
One thing I would say is to check your room type carefully. Some are much better positioned than others, and it’s worth getting that right.
And if any of the people from Hotel Villa Cipressi are reading this and want to invite me for a promo stay, I’m all ears! Haha.
👉 Book Hotel Villa Cipressi now
Mid-Range Hotels in Varenna, Where Most People Should Be Looking
These are the hotels that come up again and again in the reviews of people who have been to Varenna multiple times and keep coming back. They are not the most expensive option, but in many ways the most memorable either for convenience, lovely rooms and the simplicity for access to the ferries.
If you want something that actually feels personal, this is it.
It’s small, family-run, and the kind of place where people come back again and again. Not because it’s flashy, but because it just works.
The terrace overlooking the lake is the highlight. Dinner here is one of those moments you remember from the trip.
If you can, book one of the front-facing rooms with a balcony. There are only a few of them and they go early.
This is one of the first places I’d check availability for.
Right on the waterfront. Built as a villa in 1823. The dining terrace extends over the water.
This is the one if you want to be right on the water without paying top-end prices.
The best part is the terrace. It sits directly over the lake, and you’ll probably end up spending more time there than you planned.
Rooms vary quite a bit, so again, lake view makes a difference here.
It’s a really solid option if you want location and views without overcomplicating it.
👉 Book Hotel Du Lac Varenna now
Hotel Olivedo
Right across from the ferry terminal. 90 seconds from the ferry to your room. Family-run for generations with a lakefront terrace and breakfast included.
If you’re planning to use the ferry a lot, this location is hard to beat.
It’s right by the terminal, which makes moving around the lake very easy. You step off the ferry and you’re basically at your hotel.
It’s not luxury, but it’s comfortable, well run, and the views from the balcony rooms are still very good.
Worth knowing it doesn’t take children, so it’s more suited to couples or solo travellers.
| Hotel Olivedo does not take children. Worth knowing before you book if you are travelling with family. |
Budget Hotels in Varenna
I’ve been a budget traveler myself, and honestly, a most of the time I still am and it’s even better getting an amazing hotel for a very good low price. In Lake Como, I did splurge out more than usual but I wanted to make sure to include a more budget-friendly option too but still with flair.
If you’re out all day exploring and just need somewhere clean and central to sleep, it does the job.
Apartments in Varenna
For stays of three nights or more, or for groups of three people and above, apartments in Varenna often give you more space and better value than hotel rooms. Varenna has a solid selection.
200 metres from Villa Monastero with lake views and an outdoor pool. Good for families or longer stays.
This is one of the better options if you want more space without losing location.
You still get lake views, you’re close to everything, and having a kitchen makes a difference if you’re staying longer.
It’s a good balance between comfort and flexibility.
👉 Book Villa Monti Apartments now
💡 Courtney’s Tip: For Varenna, I would check hotels first, then look at apartments if prices are high. The good hotels here book out fast, especially for summer.
When to Stay in Varenna
- May and early June: The best overall timing. Gardens at Villa Monastero and Villa Cipressi at their peak, warm enough for the lake, prices noticeably lower than July, significantly fewer crowds. If your dates are flexible, this is when Varenna is at its most enjoyable.
- July and August: Peak season. The most expensive period and the busiest. Ferry queues at Easter in 2026 were already described by visitors as substantial. Book accommodation and restaurant tables well in advance. Still worth it if this is when you can go.
- September: The best balance. Weather still warm, crowds are less after the first week, prices drop. This is when many regular Lake Como visitors prefer to go.
- October to March: Quiet and beautiful, but many Varenna restaurants and some hotels close for winter. Worth knowing before you book. Varenna in January 2026 had guests reporting fewer dining options open, though the lake and the views are just as good.
👉 My 9 best towns in Lake Como guide breaks down which ones are actually worth visiting and which ones you can skip.
Things to Know Before You Book in Varenna
- The train station (Varenna-Esino) is at the top of the hill, not by the water. The walk down to the lake takes about 10 minutes and involves steps and slopes. With a heavy suitcase this is worth factoring in, some hotels offer a shuttle or porter service.
- Most Varenna hotels are small with limited rooms. This is part of the appeal but it also means availability goes fast. Book direct with the hotel or via a booking platform early, especially for summer.
- Not all hotels have lifts. Hotel Olivedo confirmed this in reviews, particularly for upper floors. If this matters to you, ask specifically when booking.
- Parking in Varenna is limited and the old town is not easily driveable. If arriving by car, Hotel Villa Cipressi offers free parking. Hotel Royal Victoria has nearby parking at around 22 euros per day. Arriving by train is cleaner.
- A lake-view room costs more and in Varenna it is worth the difference. The reason people come here is the view. Saving 30 euros on a room that faces the hillside instead of the lake is a false economy over a 3-night stay.
Other Things to Know Before Your Trip to Varenna Lake Como
Is Varenna worth staying in?
Yes, particularly if you want a quieter base on Lake Como that still gives you central access to the lake by ferry. It is one of the best-connected towns on the lake for train travellers from Milan, and the atmosphere in the early morning and evening is unlike anywhere else on the lake.
How many nights in Varenna do you need?
Two to three nights is the sweet spot. One night is not enough to appreciate it properly. More than three nights and you may want the variety of a second base, though some guests happily spend a full week there.
Is Varenna expensive?
Less expensive than Bellagio but still not cheap in summer. A good mid-range hotel in peak season runs 130 to 200 euros per night. The Albergo Milano and Hotel Olivedo offer the best value in that range. Budget options exist around 80 to 130 euros at Hotel Montecodeno.
How do I get to Varenna?
The Trenord train from Milan Centrale to Varenna-Esino takes about one hour and costs around 8 euros. This is the easiest and most reliable way to arrive. The station is at the top of the hill, about 10 minutes walk down to the lake. By ferry from Como the journey takes about 2 hours on the slow boat.
Can you visit Bellagio easily from Varenna?
Yes. The car ferry between Varenna and Bellagio runs frequently and takes about 15 to 20 minutes. It is one of the most enjoyable short crossings on the lake. Many Varenna-based visitors treat Bellagio as a half-day destination and come back for dinner.
Is Varenna better than Bellagio for first-time visitors?
It depends on what you want. Bellagio is more famous and has more hotel variety. Varenna is smaller, less crowded, and for many people more enjoyable. For first-time visitors arriving by train without a car, Varenna is often the better base.
Final Thoughts
I didn’t expect Varenna to be the place I preferred on Lake Como, but it ended up being the one that felt the most like somewhere I’d actually return to.
Bellagio is impressive, but Varenna is easier to settle into.
If I were planning the trip again, I’d base myself here, take the ferry across when I wanted to explore, and come back in the evening when everything slows down again.
That balance between seeing the lake and actually enjoying it is what Varenna does really well.
Courtney xx
If you’re planning your trip around Lake Como, these guides will help you in planning your trip without the stress:
Best things to do in Varenna, Lake Como Italy 2026 + One Day Itinerary
Best things to do in Como City, Lake Como Italy + One Day Itinerary
Best things to do in Bellagio, Lake Como Italy 2026 + One Day Itinerary
Lake Como Travel Guide 2026: Your Next Dream Summer Vacation
Villa del Balbianello: Is It Actually Worth the Hype? (2026 Guide)
9 Best Towns in Lake Como (2026): Where to Visit + The One Most Tourists Miss
This post may contain affiliate links, meaning I get a commission if you decide to purchase something through the links, at no additional cost to you. Your support helps me continue doing what I love and continue to provide you with free Travel guides. Thank you!
Leave a Reply