How to Experience Bellagio Cheaper

Bellagio is a strikingly beautiful town on Lake Como, but it can be expensive to stay as it is very touristy. On our final trip as residents of Europe, we scored cheap Ryanair tickets from Dublin to Italy. You can fly cheaply to the medieval town of Bergamo  and be and hour from Milan and the Italian Alps. Here is how we planned our trip to experience Bellagio, Italy cheaper.

Bellagio is touristy, but you’ll still come across lovely alleys that are quiet and peaceful.

Week in Lombardy

We spent a week in the Lombardy province of Italy. During that time, we stayed 2 nights in Bergamo, 2 nights in Milan and 2 nights in Lecco. In Lecco, we had a lovely room at HLL Hotel Lungolago with a balcony overlooking Lake Como and the Italian Alps. Charming rooms in Lecco cost half the price of accommodation in Bellagio.

Lecco, where we stayed in a beautiful lakeside hotel for half the price of the equivalent quality in Bellagio.
Lecco, where we stayed in a beautiful lakeside hotel for half the price of the equivalent quality in Bellagio.

Lake Como

The beauty of Lake Como lies mostly in the awe inspiring natural beauty of the snow capped mountains that mingle with many picturesque Italian villages on the lake. So it doesn’t matter which lakeside town you stay in, especially since the towns are well connected by trains and ferries.

Bellagio

Bellagio is a gorgeous town, but jam packed with American tourists (though some might find this comforting). When walking the narrow streets of Bellagio expect that for every Italian conversation, you’ll hear an equal number of American ones. So if you want to avoid this, do not stay in Bellagio, especially since it’s expensive. But Bellagio is absolutely worth swinging by for at least a few hours, as we did.

Bellagio features beautiful terraces to lap up striking views of Lake Como.
Bellagio features beautiful terraces to lap up striking views of Lake Como.

Bellagio cocktail

Lake Como Ferries

The beautiful town of Varenna, from the ferry returning from Bellagio.
The inspiring town of Varenna, from the ferry returning from Bellagio.

During summer, ferries run daily from Lecco all along wishbone shaped Lake Como. But on weekdays during the offseason it’s just a short train ride from Lecco to the beautiful town of Varenna, which would make for an amazing stay for a honeymoon, anniversary or special occasion. From Varenna it’s just a short ferry ride across the lake to Bellagio and Menaggio (which we unfortunately didn’t have time for, but it looked beautiful from the ferry). The ferries run regularly and it’s a stunning ride. If you rent a car while in Lake Como, which would be wonderful, the ferries are also equipped to transport your vehicle.

The ferry ride from Varenna to Lake Como offers some of the best scenery on Earth.
The ferry from Varenna to Bellagio offers some of the best scenery on Earth.
It was pretty exciting to dock at Bellagio after a beautiful ferry ride across Lake Como.

Fly Into Bergamo Airport Cheap on Ryanair

Lake Como is one of the most stunning areas we’ve ever visited and we highly recommend it if you haven’t been. If you access Lake Como via Bergamo airport, we also highly vouch for that town. Bergamo’s old town is fantastic and we enjoyed the best overall food of our trip there as it’s not touristy enough to warrant many restaurants serving overpriced and mediocre food. In Bergamo you can eat wonderful meals in the beautiful piazzas and have vistas overlooking the town and surrounding mountains for good prices!

Bergamo, the lovely town to fly into to cheaply access the stunning beauty of Bellagio and Lake Como.
Bergamo, the lovely town where cheap flights can be found, offering nearby access to the stunning beauty of Bellagio and Lake Como.

Bellagio Hotels

Bellagio has some magnificent hotels. So if you’re looking to splurge on a romantic getaway, here are a couple great choices!

Hotel Belvedere is an excellent hotel in Bellagio. It has great amenities to unwind – including a pool, sauna, Turkish steam bath and jacuzzi. Comfortable rooms and onsite terrace dining feature stunning views of Bellagio, Lake Como and the Italian Alps.

Grand Hotel Villa Serbelloni is ideal for a romantic getaway in Bellagio. It has been a luxury 5-star hotel since 1873. The grand hall, Salone Reale, is adorned with splendid chandeliers made with Murano glass. The property impresses guests with lavish staircases and fresco ceilings. Relax in their gardens, indoor and outdoor swimming pools and a spa with beauty center. The property offers gorgeous views of Lake Como and the Alps.

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Author

  • Alex&Bell

    Alex and Bell originally met while solo traveling after finishing university in 2002, in Brugge, Belgium. Alex grew up in the USA and Bell hails from Australia. During our nearly 20 year marriage we've lived around the world, including spending six years living in the Netherlands and Ireland. We have traveled to nearly 70 countries and enjoy giving readers authentic and quality travel tips. Alex is an award winning travel journalist and travel planner, who also freelances for other outlets. Bell is an award winning PhD scientist who currently works for a non-profit lung cancer advocacy research organization called Lungevity. Happy travels and if you have any questions leave a comment or drop an email!

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