Varenna at a glance
Varenna sits on the eastern shore of Lake Como, across the water from Bellagio and Menaggio. It is one of the few lake towns that you can reach by direct train from Milan and then leave again by ferry. That makes it a practical base if you do not drive.
This is an independent guide. It is not run by the town, a villa, a ferry operator or a tour company. Prices are in euros as listed for 2026 and can change.
What to see in Varenna
Most visitors combine the villa, the castle and a walk along the water.
Villa Monastero
The villa and its garden stand directly on the lake. The regular ticket for garden and Casa Museo (the house museum) costs €15 in 2026. Visitors over 65 and some other groups pay €11, ages 15 to 25 pay €9 and children up to 14 enter free. Individuals and families do not need a reservation, while groups do. An online ticket is tied to a date, not to an hour. The last entry is 30 minutes before closing.
Castello di Vezio
The castle stands above the town and costs €7. Ages 6 to 17, visitors over 65 and groups of more than 12 pay €4, and children up to 5 enter free. No reservation is needed. The falconry has ended for good, so do not plan a bird display. Dogs must be on a lead and are not allowed on the lawns.
The lakeside walk
Varenna has a lakeside walkway, the Passeggiata degli Innamorati (Lovers' Walk). Check locally that it is open and passable on the day you visit, as access can change.
Walking routes
The town tourism portal lists the Greenway dei Patriarchi, the Sentiero del Viandante, the Fiumelatte and a loop to the Castello di Vezio as separate routes. Each has its own length and effort, so read the route description before you start.
Varenna tours and Lake Como trips
Boat trips, villa visits and day trips from Milan, with live prices and availability.
Opening hours through the year
Villa Monastero and Castello di Vezio, as listed for 2026.
| Period | Villa Monastero | Castello di Vezio |
|---|---|---|
| April, May, September | 9:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. (Casa Museo closed Tuesdays) | – |
| June to August | 9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. | 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays, to 8 p.m. at weekends |
| October | 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Casa Museo closed Tuesdays) | 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday, to 6 p.m. at weekends |
| November | 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., closed Tuesday and Wednesday; 1 November 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. | 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; closed in rain |
| December to February | December 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., closed Tuesday and Wednesday and on 25 December | Weekends and holidays in good weather, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. |
The castle lists last entry 20 minutes before closing. Its pages give different end dates for the season, either early November or 1 December, so check the current hours before you climb up.
Getting to Varenna and leaving by boat
The direct train from Milano Centrale to Varenna Esino takes about 64 minutes and runs roughly every hour. Trenord changed its regional fares on 1 September 2026, so use a current price rather than an older guidebook.
From the pier, public ferries connect Varenna with Bellagio and Menaggio. Direct crossings take about 15 minutes, and a few connections with a detour take about 30. Adult single fares start at €3 in the lowest fare band and reach €14.50 in band 8, valid from 1 April 2026. Bellagio to Varenna is listed at €5.50 one way.
Shared boat tours leave from Dock 2 at the Riva Grande. A one-hour group trip costs €60 per person at one operator in 2026. You see the villas from the water, but entry is not included. On the way you can end the tour in Bellagio and make your own way back.
Traffic rules and staying here
Varenna limits traffic in the busy season.
One-way streets
A one-way system for Polvani, IV Novembre, Piazza San Giorgio and Venini runs from south to north. It applies on all weekends from Saturday 10 a.m. to Sunday 7 p.m., and daily from 20 June to 6 September from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Coaches at the ferry pier
A municipal order bans tourist coaches from the access via Via Enrico Fermi and Piazza Martiri delle Libertà, and from boarding or leaving ferries, each year from 1 March to 31 October. The rule covers coaches, not pedestrians or all cars.
Staying overnight
Varenna works as a base without a car because of the train and the ferries. Do not assume that every hotel is within walking distance of the station or pier, and check the route to your door.
Where to stay →Plan the rest of your trip
Where Varenna fits at Lake Como.
Varenna: frequently asked questions
Is Varenna worth a visit?
It suits a short stop or a base for several days. It has a train station, a ferry pier, a villa with a garden and a castle with a view. A visit takes a few hours, and an overnight stay lets you use the ferries without a car.
How do I get from Milan to Varenna?
Take the direct train from Milano Centrale to Varenna Esino. It runs roughly every hour and takes about 64 minutes. Check the current price before you buy, as regional fares changed on 1 September 2026.
Do I need to reserve Villa Monastero?
Individuals and families can enter without a reservation. Groups must reserve. Online tickets are tied to a date, not a time of day.
How do I get from Varenna to Bellagio?
Take the public ferry. Direct crossings take about 15 minutes, and the adult single fare is listed at €5.50. A day pass in the same band costs €17.50.
Can I visit Castello di Vezio in winter?
From December to February the castle opens only on weekends and holidays, in good weather, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. It does not open on 25 December. In November it closes in rain.
Where do the tour boats leave from?
Shared boat tours leave from Dock 2 at the Riva Grande. The one-hour group trip costs €60 per person at one operator in 2026. Check the current departure times with the operator.