Cernobbio Among Villa Gardens, Lakeside and Culture

Cernobbio on Lake Como combines impressive architecture, landscaped gardens, sacred art and a distinctive lakeside with a route leading into the higher elevations along the western shore of the lake. This creates a destination for you that brings together cultural impressions and nature-related experiences without being defined by a single attraction.

Villa Heritage and Landscaped Gardens

The new Villa Erba was built in 1903 in the centuries-old park. Its neoclassical façade and large windows overlooking the lake shape its architectural character. Today, the park is home to a modern exhibition centre hosting trade fairs, conferences and corporate events.

Villa Pizzo is surrounded by an Italian garden with terraces, flights of steps and 17th-century statues. Its park contains native and exotic plants, a small temple that served as a burial place for the Volpi-Bassani family, and a votive column commemorating the plague of 1630. Those interested in garden art, botany and historical traces will find several layers of interest here.

Architecture on the Lakeside

Among the prominent buildings is the Imbarcadero di Cernobbio, a late-19th-century building in the Liberty style. Cast-iron columns and pointed arches in the neo-Gothic eclectic style define its appearance. The religious buildings also make their own distinctive contribution: the Oratorio della Beata Vergine delle Grazie has a Baroque façade and a fresco of the Immaculate Conception dating from 1671. The Chiesa di San Vincenzo stands out for its richly coloured façade, frescoes, statues and numerous decorations made of wood and gold.

Riva and Madonna del Lago

La Riva refers to the lakeside area of Cernobbio. It is particularly popular with tourists and also serves as a meeting place for local residents. This part of town therefore represents not only views of Lake Como, but also the public character of life along the lakeside.

In the Baia del Pizzo, the Madonna del Lago lies underwater: the bronze statue was installed at a depth of six metres in June 2019, is two metres high, weighs around 500 kilograms and is marked at the surface by a red buoy. You can reach the statue by renting a boat or contacting Invincible Diving Asd at +39 333 210 9178. A diving training area is also being established in the Bay of Pizzo, intended for people with disabilities as well.

High-Altitude Route and Botanical Park

The Via dei Monti Lariani begins in Cernobbio and runs at higher elevations along the western shore of Lake Como as far as Sorico. As an additional nature destination, Il Giardino della Valle is a public botanical park created on the site of a former illegal landfill. For planning purposes, Cernobbio can therefore be viewed both through its lakeside and cultural landscape and through its transition into the higher elevations.

Which Accommodation Suits Your Stay

If Cernobbio is your place to stay on Lake Como, a clear priority can help you choose your hotel: would you mainly like to explore villa gardens and architecture, experience the lakeside area or include the Via dei Monti Lariani as an important part of your trip?

More Destinations to Compare

For further travel planning, you can also compare Pianello Del Lario, Erba, Breglia, Campione D'italia, Bellagio, Cassina Rizzardi, Lucino and Como with one another.

To the higher-level travel overview: Como.