There’s arguably no better way to see Lombardy than from a private villa overlooking Lake Como. Whether you prefer traditional Italian grandeur or sleek modern glass, these 21 handpicked villas and apartments—selected for style, location, amenities, and charm—offer everything from intimate cottages to expansive estates with pools, saunas, and private gardens. Below are concise highlights for each property to help you choose the perfect lakeside stay.
1. Villa Tremezzina — Mezzegra
Number of guests: 12. Bed and bath: 6 bedrooms, 6 baths. Why we love it: Waterfront views, long infinity pool, hot tub. Elegant three-floor villa with panoramic decking, an Olympic-length pool, hot tub, billiards, and space for large groups close to charming villages.
2. Villa Como Views — Lombardy
Number of guests: 14. Bed and bath: 8 bedrooms, 7 baths. Why we love it: Alpine gardens, wraparound terrace, wellness room. Art Nouveau elegance set 2,890 feet above the lake with 4.5 acres of gardens, heated infinity pool, cliff-carved wellness room, elevator, treehouse and private boat.
3. Lake Como Hideaway (Plum Guide 1284259) — Cernobbio
Number of guests: 4. Bed and bath: 1 bedroom, 2 baths. Why we love it: Steps from the shoreline, botanical gardens, cafés, free parking. Modern apartment with open plan living, terrace among palms, access to communal gardens—an ideal base for local cafés and Villa Erba.
4. Breakwater Bellagio — Bellagio
Number of guests: 14. Bed and bath: 7 bedrooms, 8 baths. Why we love it: Waterfront location, full staff (chef and butler), on-site spa. Luxurious lakeside villa with seven suites, infinity pool, cinema, and hotel-style service in private surroundings.
5. Villa Felicita — Fiano Romano
Number of guests: 18. Bed and bath: 9 bedrooms, 7 baths. Why we love it: Indoor pool, tennis court, barbecue. Pink-stone façade with contemporary interiors, indoor pool with lake views, fitness space, private tennis court, and large garden for alfresco meals.
6. Villa Osee — Sala Comacina
Number of guests: 10. Bed and bath: 5 bedrooms, 5 baths. Why we love it: Angular infinity pool, glass balcony, sauna, lake views. Striking architecture with an indoor sauna and gym, four bedrooms overlooking the lake, and optional hosted services like cooking classes and boat tours.
7. Villa Torre (Villa Della Torre) — Rezzonico
Number of guests: 12. Bed and bath: 5 bedrooms, 5 baths. Why we love it: Pool overlooking the lake, large windows, garden. Modern, light-filled interiors maximize lake views; expansive dining area, garden, and easy access to the lakeshore.
8. Lovely Stone House — Sopravilla
Number of guests: 2. Bed and bath: 1 bedroom, 1 bath. Why we love it: Olive trees, garden views, alfresco dining. Quintessential Italian cottage with rustic stone walls and wooden beams, a cozy interior, and romantic village surroundings for restorative stays.
9. Villa Del Torre — Rezzonico
Number of guests: 12. Bed and bath: 5 bedrooms, 5 baths. Why we love it: Natural light, large kitchen, private pool. Spacious rooms and huge windows overlooking sparkling waters, a convivial kitchen and terrace with a deep pool and barbecue for leisurely meals.
10. Como Crystal — Como
Number of guests: 6. Bed and bath: 2 bedrooms, 3 baths. Why we love it: Spa-worthy bathrooms, near the harbor and city center. A handsome mix of frescoed ceilings and modern fittings, close to Como’s ferry connections for day trips across the lake.
11. Villa Torno — Torno
Number of guests: 6. Bed and bath: 4 bedrooms, 4.5 baths. Why we love it: Sunset views, sauna carved into rock, pool. Perched beyond an old quarry road, this renovated villa blends stone character with large windows, cozy beams, a rock-basement sauna, and a jetted terrace pool.
12. House of Roses — Carate Urio
Number of guests: 4. Bed and bath: 2 bedrooms, 1.5 baths. Why we love it: Balcony, foosball table, lake views. Romantic interior finishes—mahogany, terracotta, breezy linens—plus a shady garden and a balcony to enjoy the famous lakeside vistas.
13. La Foleia — Revislate
Number of guests: 4. Bed and bath: 2 bedrooms, 2 baths. Why we love it: Grand fireplace, private pumped lake, heated pool. An ambitious project: paired villas facing a manmade private lake, floor-to-ceiling windows, neoclassical frescoes and statues, and an octagonal plan with theatrical charm.
14. Suite Lorodellago Como — Como
Number of guests: 2. Bed and bath: 1 bedroom, 1 bath. Why we love it: Hot tub in the bedroom, terrace, sauna. Ultra-luxe suite with marble floors and a gold four-poster bed with an in-room hot tub, private terrace for alfresco breakfasts, and a sauna.
15. Lakeside Slate (Pool villa) — Sala Comacina
Number of guests: 12. Bed and bath: 6 bedrooms, 6 baths. Why we love it: Infinity pool overlooking Lake Como, terrace, floor-to-ceiling windows. Minimalist interiors, large dining area, many bedrooms with outdoor access, and proximity to top local dining like Lido di Lenno.
16. Villa Monti (Geranium Apartment) — Varenna
Number of guests: 3. Bed and bath: 1 bedroom, 1 bath. Why we love it: Garden, views, balcony. Cozy Liberty-style terrace apartment with shared pool and gardens—perfect for one to three people seeking classic lake views and a peaceful terrace.
17. Teal-Accented Palazzo — Bellagio
Number of guests: 4. Bed and bath: 1 bedroom, 1 bath. Why we love it: Central town location, natural light, antiques. A colorful apartment on a whimsical Bellagio street near shops and restaurants with easy access to boat stops—ideal if you don’t want to drive.
18. Stone Curves (Former ice house) — Como
Number of guests: 4. Bed and bath: 1 bedroom, 1 bath. Why we love it: Converted ice house, curved design, patio/terrace. Unique, split-level apartment retaining bare-brick charm and a mezzanine; minutes from the lakeside and ferry connections for exploring nearby towns.
19. Villa Bellagio — Givenna
Number of guests: 13. Bed and bath: 6 bedrooms, 5 baths. Why we love it: Lake views from the mountainside, sauna, hot tub. Private mountain villa with a pool, cedar-forest views, garden terrace, and sweeping vistas of the lake for cool evenings and stunning sunsets.
20. Villa Peduzzi (Luxury lake villa) — Pigra
Number of guests: 16. Bed and bath: 8 bedrooms, 6 baths. Why we love it: Privacy, ceiling frescoes, infinity pool. Early-20th-century villa updated with modern comforts while retaining frescoed ceilings; the infinity pool and terrace deliver a 180-degree panorama for memorable sunset dinners.
21. Villa Cira (Garden villa among the olive groves) — Lenno
Number of guests: 6. Bed and bath: 3 bedrooms, 2 baths. Why we love it: Olive groves, vaulted ceilings, riverbank access. Classic stone villa with private gate to the water, generous gardens, vaulted interiors with dark beams, and family-friendly living spaces.
This gallery was originally published in Condé Nast Traveller U.K. and has been updated with new information since its original date. Each property listed was chosen for distinctive style, location, amenities, and guest appeal to help you find your ideal Lake Como escape.