Admiring the foliage on Lake Como: the most beautiful gardens

Autumn on Lake Como is a magical season: the surrounding mountains and hills turn vibrant with hues from red to orange, yellow to brown. It’s the perfect time to admire the foliage, a natural spectacle that makes the landscape even more captivating. The historic gardens of the villas around the lake, rich with centuries-old trees, ornamental plants, and panoramic terraces, offer perfect observation points to experience this season at its best.

Here are some of the most beautiful gardens—open even during this season and accessible to visitors—where you can be enveloped by the autumn colors. For those seeking an exclusive experience, a private boat tour offers the chance to admire the beauty of the foliage from the lake as well, exploring hidden corners and taking in the historic villas along the coast.

For example, Villa Melzi d’Eril in Bellagio stretches right to the water’s edge with its lavish garden: the comfortable and exclusive boats of AlDuomoBoats provide a privileged vantage point to appreciate the colors of nature and the magnificence of this monumental estate.

Villa Carlotta in Tremezzo

One of the most iconic places to view the foliage on Lake Como is the garden of Villa Carlotta, a botanical treasure spanning over 8 hectares. In autumn, the tree-lined paths and groves of maples and oaks glow with warm colors, creating a spectacular contrast with the blue of the lake. The exotic plants and rhododendrons decorating the garden offer a perfect backdrop for relaxing walks.

Here, you can wander along well-kept paths and admire up close the centuries-old trees, cloaked in deep red and bright orange hues at this time of year. Villa Carlotta is the ideal spot for anyone looking to unwind and immerse themselves in the beauty of autumn foliage, with a panoramic view embracing the lake and the surrounding mountains.

Parco di Villa del Balbianello in Lenno

Famous for its panoramic location on a peninsula jutting into Lake Como, Villa del Balbianello is a unique spot to admire the foliage. Its gardens are renowned for their natural beauty and as filming locations for movies like Star Wars and Casino Royale. In autumn, the contrast between the green of the evergreen plants and the vibrant red of the garden’s trees creates a unique atmosphere.

A panoramic path leads to the villa and offers spectacular views of the lake, making this garden perfect for capturing photographs that showcase the beauty of autumn foliage. Villa del Balbianello is a must-visit for photography enthusiasts and anyone wishing to explore an exclusive, historically rich environment.

Garden of Villa Monastero in Varenna

Villa Monastero, with its splendid botanical garden extending along the lake shore, is one of the best stops to admire the foliage on Lake Como. In autumn, the tropical plants, cypress trees, and other rare species in the park transform, creating a romantic and enchanting atmosphere.

This garden is distinguished by an incredible variety of plants that, along with sculptures and fountains, make the autumn landscape even more special. It’s perfect for those who want to combine a cultural visit with the wonders of nature.

Foliage from the water

For an even more exclusive experience, a private boat tour with AlDuomo Boats offers the opportunity to explore Lake Como from a unique and captivating perspective. Cruising along the coast, you can admire the autumn colors reflected in the lake’s waters and discover historic villas surrounded by vibrant gardens. The boat tour allows close access to places difficult to reach by land, offering the chance to experience the foliage in complete privacy and relaxation.

A boat excursion can start from one of the lake’s main towns, such as Como, Bellagio, or Varenna, and allows for stops at points of interest or the aforementioned villas. With the stories and insights shared by the captains of AlDuomoBoats, you can uncover historical details and curiosities about the villas while enjoying the beauty of the foliage and its shades contrasting with the lake’s deep blue.

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