Villa del Balbianello in short
Villa del Balbianello stands on a headland at Lenno, in the Tremezzina area on the western shore of Lake Como. The FAI, the Italian foundation that manages the villa, sells the tickets. You must reserve a time slot, and the FAI online shop adds no extra fee.
There is no car access to the villa. You arrive on foot from Lenno or by a separate taxi boat. The park can be visited on its own. The rooms inside can only be seen on a guided tour. This is an independent guide, not run by the FAI, the municipality or any boat operator, and prices are in euros as listed for 2026.
Tickets and prices in 2026
Prices direct from the FAI, listed with the calendar for 2026 and 2027.
| Ticket | Park only | Villa and park |
|---|---|---|
| Adult | €15 | €25 |
| Ages 6 to 18, students up to 25 | €11 | €17 |
| Family (2 adults, at least 2 children aged 6 to 18) | €42 | €66 |
| Children up to 5 | Free | Free |
Do not mix these prices up with packages sold by third parties. A package may add a boat transfer or a ferry ticket, and then it costs more than the FAI ticket for the same visit. Check what is included before you compare.
Our picks: Villa del Balbianello
Gardens by boat from Varenna, or entry with a guided visit.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in euros (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Varenna boat tour with entry to the Balbianello gardens
A panoramic boat trip, entry to the gardens of Villa del Balbianello and an audio guide app. The villa interior, headphones, tips and hotel pick-up are not included.
Check availability →Villa del Balbianello entry with a guided visit
Entry and a guided visit. The boat transfer from Lenno only comes with the matching combination option, and you should arrive at least 30 minutes early.
Check availability →Villa del Balbianello tours and Lake Como boat trips
Entry tickets, boat trips with a garden visit and day trips on Lake Como, with live prices and availability.
How to get there
Three ways, and none of them is a drive to the gate.
On foot from Lenno
The short route is 1 km and takes about 25 minutes. It goes uphill and over gravel. The longer route is 2.5 km and takes about 45 minutes. The path is not suitable for pushchairs.
By taxi boat
A separate paid boat service runs from Lido di Lenno. It needs a reservation and is not operated by the FAI. Ask for the price and the return time when you book, because both are separate from your villa ticket.
Lake Como boat tours →By car
There is no car access to the villa. A paid car park is on Via Comoedia, and from there you walk. Plan the walking time into your slot.
Your slot and the guided tour
The booked time is not the start of the tour.
The time you choose is your entry time to the grounds. The guided tour of the interiors can start up to 60 minutes later, and it lasts 50 minutes. Allow time for the garden, the loggia and the views before or after.
The regular season starts on 14 March. In March the site is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., with the last park entry at 5 p.m. and the last interior tour at 4 p.m. In November it is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., with the last park entry at 4 p.m. and the last tour at 3 p.m. Opening days and hours for other months differ, so check the FAI calendar for your date before you travel.
Villa Carlotta nearby
The second big garden villa in Tremezzina, at Tremezzo.
Many visitors pair Balbianello with Villa Carlotta. It has its own tickets and hours, and prices are listed for 2026. Adults pay €17.50, visitors over 65 pay €15, students aged 6 to 18 pay €7 and students aged 19 to 25 pay €12. Children up to 5 are free. A family of 2 adults and 2 children aged 6 to 18 pays €35.
From 20 March to 18 October 2026 the villa is open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., with the ticket office open to 6 p.m. and the museum to 6:30 p.m. From 19 October to 8 November 2026 it is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., the ticket office to 5 p.m. and the museum to 5:30 p.m. Extra days at 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. are listed for 14 and 15, 21 and 22, and 28 and 29 November, and for 5 to 8 December.
To get there without a car, take bus C110 to the stop Tremezzo, Villa Carlotta. A car park at Autosilo Villa Mainona is the alternative.
Plan the rest of your trip
Ferries, towns and where to sleep.
Villa del Balbianello: frequently asked questions
Do I need to book Villa del Balbianello?
Yes. Reservation is required. The FAI online shop sells the tickets without extra costs, and your time slot is your entry time to the grounds.
How much is the ticket in 2026?
The adult ticket is €15 for the park and €25 for villa and park. Ages 6 to 18 and students up to 25 pay €11 or €17, and children up to 5 are free. A family ticket costs €42 or €66.
Can I drive to the villa?
No. There is no car access. A paid car park is on Via Comoedia, and you walk from Lenno, or you take a separate taxi boat from Lido di Lenno.
Can I enter the rooms without a guide?
No. The interiors can only be seen on a guided tour, which lasts 50 minutes. The tour can start up to 60 minutes after your booked entry time.
Is the walk suitable for a pushchair?
No. The path from Lenno is uphill and partly gravel, and it is not suitable for pushchairs. Consider the boat if you travel with small children.
Is visit-lombardy.com connected to the villa?
No. This is an independent travel guide. It has no link to the FAI, to the villa, or to any boat or tour operator.