Italy is known for its many exciting and unforgettably beautiful places. One of them is the beautiful Varenna on Lake Como. The colourful houses are idyllically situated along the hillside and offer a fantastic view of the lake. The whole area around Lake Como is breathtaking and is perfect for a weekend getaway.

Varenna is a small tourist village with almost 700 inhabitants and therefore relatively clear. You should plan a good day to explore every corner around the lake in peace and quiet. Inspired by the numerous pictures on Instagram we wanted to see the area with our own eyes.

A little bit of Italy never hurts!

Just take a walk inside the city, look out into the distance along the water and enjoy something delicious to drink and eat.

The Botanical Garden Villa Monastero at the beginning of the city is something very special. Too often these gardens are rather uninteresting – to say the least – despite their rare plants and their diversity.

The one at Varenna is certainly one of the most beautiful botanical gardens in the world. Beautiful furnishings in ancient style, countless plants in an almost infinite area. And the view of Lake Como with mountains and other towns in the distance. We almost didn’t go because we were very tired due to the high heat. But in the end it was a real highlight, which we are glad not to have missed.

The entrance fee to the botanical garden is $15. You can also buy an extended ticket for the museum on site, which we did not visit.

A whole day is more than enough to see all of Varenna at your leisure. However, if you have planned a longer trip to Varenna, a detour to Lecco is recommended.

Lecco has a population of about 48’000 and is much bigger than Varenna but less touristy. The center of the town is perfect to have a drink and dinner in the evening. It is also beautiful along the shores of Lake Como, which is why a leisurely stroll is also ideal here.

The best way to get to Lecco is by car. This is also the easiest way so stay mobile on the spot to get from one place to another. Of course it is also possible to go there by train. You can travel by train from Lecco to Varenna and vice versa. The train journey in one direction takes between 20 – 30 minutes and costs about $3.

Visiting Italy is actually always a good idea. Except for the winter, you are never in the wrong season. But in summer it get’s hot. Really hot. Therefore it is recommended to travel in spring or autumn. The temperatures are still very pleasant and you don’t start sweating with the slightest movement.

Finding an affordable place to stay in Varenna may not be easy. For one thing the village is very small so the supply of available rooms is somewhat limited. And if a room is available, the prices are unbelievably expensive despite a booking several months in advance. The affordable cheaper offers are sold out very quickly.

Therefore it is recommended to look for a stay in the also beautiful Lecco. Here you can find good offers for relatively fair prices. With the saved money you can then suggest your stomach. That is surely also better invested.

Depending on the type of travel, staying in Varenna can range from average to expensive. We always treated ourselves to something good without spending money uncontrollably.
Prices are per person, except for the transport and the accommodation, which we rent for 2 people.

Accommodation: $70 / night

Restaurant: $10 – $18 / meal

Snack: $3 – $7 / meal

Pleasure: $7 – $10 / event

Train: $3 / ride

Ticket: $7 / entrance