For some travelers to Lake Como, getting a peek at George Clooney’s personal villa is probably the coolest thing you could see in Northern Italy’s Lombardy region, breathtaking scenery aside. Clooney’s not the only one with a majestic villa on Lake Como, though. At least one allows visitors to tour the property to get a feeling for what it might be like to live the lavish yet simple Lake Como life. It’s called Villa Monastero, and it’s located in the town of Varenna.
Photo: Epic Stays/TikTok
Your Dream Lake Como Villa Is an Attraction and an Accommodation
@epic.stays POV: your boat is pulling up to📍Villa Monastero on #LakeComo in #Italy 🤩 🎥 @lakecomoboat #italytravel #hotelguide #italy🇮🇹 #traveltiktok ♬ O Sole Mio – Music of Italy
Villa Monastero was originally built as a convent in the 12th century but was later renovated and transformed into a private residence. The grounds feature a Botanical Garden and a House Museum, both of which have incredible views of Lake Como from their waterside perch. The villa has 12 rooms in total — four single and eight double — that are decorated with frescoed walls and antique furniture. Gusts of Villa Monastero also have access to luxurious amenities such as a private pool, terrace cafe, and nearby trails.
In the summer, Villa Monastero hosts cultural activities such as music concerts, as well as year-round art exhibitions and film screenings. The estate is open to visitors from between April and December. Note that certain areas may be closed on certain days due to events or maintenance. General admission to the House Museum and Botanical Garden costs about $13 while tickets to just the Botanical Garden cost about $10 per person. Discounts are available for people over the age of 65, between the ages of 15 and 25, large groups, and more.
Whether or not you’re not planning to stay at Villa Monastero, an overnight in Lake Como should still be on your bucket list, and there are plenty of Lake Como Airbnbs available to make that happen, no matter your price point. Italy’s also chock-full of gorgeous Italian lakes that aren’t Lake Como, if that’s more your speed. 