World's 50 Best Hotels

Passalacqua


With seven terraced gardens overlooking glamours Lake Como, this elegant 18th-century villa was once home to composer Vincenzo Bellini before it was transformed into a luxury boutique hotel in 2022. Crowned the Best Hotel in the World in 2023, only registered guests can experience the hotel's brand of unfussy opulence: Passalacqua's restaurant and grounds are not open to the public.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby attractions

1. Chiesa di Sant'Agata

0.04 MILES

This 11th-century church has a soaring bell tower and fragments of a Renaissance fresco depicting the martyrdom of Saint Agatha.

2. Giardino Della Valle

1.46 MILES

On the east side of Cernobbio, this small but lush garden makes a fine setting for a stroll. What was once an illegal refuse site has been dramatically…

3. Monte Bisbino

1.8 MILES

Following signs out of central Cernobbio, take the scenic drive that winds 17km up through the residential villages behind Cernobbio to Monte Bisbino …

4. Villa Bernasconi

2.02 MILES

One of the most outstanding stile liberty (Italian art nouveau) villas in the lakes area, Villa Bernasconi was built by successful textile merchant Davide…

5. Villa Sucota

2.83 MILES

A grand villa overlooking the lake, northwest of the centre, Villa Sucota was built in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It has been home to various…

6. Brunate

2.88 MILES

Como is flanked to the east and west by steep and thickly wooded hills (scarred in part by the spread of residential housing). Northeast along the…

7. Villa del Grumello

3 MILES

This picturesque villa with extensive gardens is generally open only for special events (conferences, weddings and the like). The grounds, however, open…

8. Villa Olmo

3.29 MILES

Set facing the lake, the grand creamy facade of neoclassical Villa Olmo is one of Como's biggest landmarks. The extravagant structure was built in 1728 in…