This Travel Writer’s Guide To Bellagio was created specifically with the needs of a writer in mind. A traveling writer needs to know the history, where to find inspiration, a great place to write, and a great place to lay their head. That way all your energy can funnel into creating!

History

Bellagio has been a holiday destination since the time of the ancient Romans. The first record was from Pliny the Younger in the first century A.D., who would study, write, and fish at either of his two villas.

Being at the center of the lake, Bellagio was fought over and ruled over by multiple countries over the ages. It was not until the early 1800’s that it became a luxury destination when Hotel Bellagio was opened. Following this example, other hotels were opened and are still open today. Several are still run by the founding families, such as the Hotel Florence (now the Hotel Du Lac), the Hotel de la Grande Bretagne, a new Hotel Florence, and the Grand Hotel Bellagio (now the Grand Hotel Villa Serbelloni).

Almost all of the most renowned people of the last two centuries have come to visit Bellagio: the composer Franz Liszt wrote his immortal works while honeymooning with Countess D’Agoult. Royalty such as Maximillian I, the Empress of Russia Maria Feodorovna, the Emperors of Austria Franz I, Ferdinand and Franz Joseph, Kaiser Wilhelm, the King of Albania, Leopold I of Belgium, Queen Mary of Romania, Umberto and Margherita of Savoy and King Farouk of Egypt.  

Many Italian and foreign artists and writers also came to stay, including Giuseppe Parini, Ippolito Pindemonte, Alessandro Manzoni, Tommaso Grossi, Ippolito Nievo, Stendhal, Gustave Flaubert and Filippo Tommaso Marinetti. Many famous film stars such as Mary Pickford, Douglas Fairbanks, Otto Fischer, Maria Schell, Clark Gable, Robert Mitchum, Romy Schneider and Philippe Noiret (who came to film “A Woman at the Window”), Al Pacino and Marthe Keller (for “Bobby Deerfield”), Alberto Sordi, George Lucas, Natalie Portman, Ewan McGregor, Hyden Christensen, Robert De Niro, and George Clooney.

Inspo

Though Bellagio is very small, just being there is an inspiration in itself. Every corner you turn is straight out of a postcard. However, just to be sure you don’t miss any, here’s a list of all the places for writers to draw inspiration from while visiting Bellagio.

Via Lungo Lario Manzoni

Just outside of town is a pedestrian street that stretches along the lake. The small street is lined with beautiful rose bushes and benches that overlook the lake, where you can sit and people watch, see the small wooden boats sail by, and read or write.

Bar Pasticceria Rossi

During the day, you will find this cafe as well as the others surrounding it packed with people enjoying coffees and pastries or apertivi. The best part about these cafes is that they have an incredible view of the lake and mountains. Here you can ponder your plot over a coffee or an Aperol while overlooking the view and eavesdropping on your neighbors.

San Giocomo Church

This church sits at the top of the town and is worth a visit. It was built between 1075 and 1125 by the Masters of Como. It is an amazing example of Roman-Lombard art (XII cent.). You can walk in at any time during the day, however, Sunday mass is between 8:00 am and 11:30 am.

Spiaggetta

You could spend your entire trip without realizing this hidden gem had ever existed. This lookout point can’t even be described in words, and we’d rather you see it for yourself! To get there, take the pedestrian road Salita Cappuccini otherwise the maps will take you down a road meant for vehicles.

Wooden Taxi Boat

Nothing feels more like Lake Como than riding on the back of an Italian-style wooden taxi boat. Be sure to bring some snacks and wine. The boats can take you from one point to another or can give you a tour around the lake. Alternatively, you can take on the ferries to the other towns like Varenna.

Cartoleria Moderna

This quaint little art store near the church has all the art supplies you need to get your creative juices flowing. From paint supplies to old-fashioned feather quills and bound notebooks.

Restaurant De l’hotel Florence

One of the nicest places to contemplate over a cool drink or cocktail is the pergola of the Restaurant of the 160-year-old Hotel Florence. It is even managed by the same family who started the hotel. Among the hotel’s clientele many illustrious names: Giacomo Puccini, Arturo Toscanini, Kurt Weill, Stefan Askenase, Jacques Mayencourt, Simone de Beauvoir, Jean-Paul Sartre, Laura Dern, Klaus Maria Brandauer, and many members of the famous German Theatre  “ Theater a der Ruhr”. Many of the cafes have obstructed views of the lake by the road in front of them, however, this location which only serves beverages is covered by a flowery terrace and is on the very edge overlooking the lake.

Writing Places

Bellagio is not like other cities where you would find coffee shops and people working in them. For this reason, it is better to choose a hotel or Airbnb where you can spend time writing after soaking up all the sites, inspiration, and red wine in the town. However, we can always find something! Here’s a list of places in Bellagio where you can sit down with your notebook or laptop. In the next section, we’ll provide a list of hotels and Airbnb with dedicated workspaces.

Spiaggia Pubblica di Bellagio

You may not think of Bellagio as a beach spot, and while it isn’t known for it- there is a “secret beach” that you can visit. More secluded and less packed with tourists, you might find this a nice place to bring some snacks and your writing equipment.

Parco Martiri Della Libertà

Located next to the town, this small but luscious park is a beautiful place to sprawl out or find a bench for writing or even reading in the shade and away from the crowds.

Via Lungo Lario Manzoni

Just outside of town is a pedestrian street that stretches along the lake. The small street is lined with beautiful rose bushes and benches that overlook the lake, where you can sit and people watch, see the small wooden boats sail by, and read or write.

Travel Tips

Where To Stay

While most hotels are an easy walk from the ferry, and accessible by car, be aware that most Airbnb will require some uphill walking. The entrances of most houses are in the middle of the steps that dissect the town. There will also be more flights of stairs once you get into the home unless you happen to find a first-floor Airbnb. If you have heavy bags or would prefer to avoid the hike then it would be advised to stay in one of the hotels. Here is a list of hotels and Airbnbs with designated writing spaces.

• Hotel du Lac
• Hotel Bellagio
• Villa Serbelloni
• Daniela’s Place
• Liszt Home
• Romano’s Place
• San Giocomo Central Apartment
• Teresa Apartment

Getting Around

Bellagio is very small, and it is not likely that you will need to go anywhere that isn’t accessible by foot. Most of what you will see is within the small town itself. However, there are some hidden gems if you take Salita Cappuccini down towards La Pergola. You can even walk further down past La Pergola where you will find even more restaurants overlooking the lake.

Getting to Bellagio, you will likely be coming in from Milan in which case you can either use public transportation or hire a private car.

According to lakecomostyle.com, here is how to arrive in Bellagio from either of the Milan airports by public transport:

From Malpensa Airport take the train to Varenna. There is a train station in the Malpensa terminal. Follow the signs for Malpensa Express. You can purchase a ticket to Varenna from the station. Take the train to Milano Centrale train station and change to the local train going to Varenna. In Varenna, you need to get a ferry to Bellagio. The ferry station is a 10-minute walk downhill, or you can find a local taxi. Ferries depart frequently from Varenna to Bellagio in spring/summer 

From Linate Airport take an airport shuttle to Milano Centrale train station. Then take a train to Varenna. You can purchase a ticket to Varenna at the Milano Centrale station. Take the train to Varenna. In Varenna, you need to get a ferry to Bellagio. The ferry station is a 10-minute walk downhill, or you can find a local taxi. Ferries depart frequently from Varenna to Bellagio in spring/summer 

lakecomostyle.com

When To Go

Similar to any other destination in Europe, it is best to visit in late spring through early fall. Temperatures in May are warm, and the area becomes hotter towards August. However, this is also the busy season where you will find the most crowds. Bellagio also tends to be rainy at times although even if rain is on the forecast, you can’t be sure that it will actually come or that it will storm all day. If your schedule allows for it, it’s best to visit during the weekdays when there are considerably fewer crowds.

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