Things to Do in Tremezzo, Italy

Tremezzo: Things to Do

Many tourists come to Tremezzo to explore the Villa Carlotta. See what there is to do and what the appeal of this 17^th century property is.

History of Villa Carlotta

There are plenty of villas around Lake Como that can be visited but Villa Carlotta is the most popular. The villa was built in the late 17th century in neoclassical style for a powerful Milanese family named the Clericis. However, it was Battista Sommariva, a famous politician, who bought the villa in 1801 and turned it into a “must see” with his collection of art and the establishment of romantic gardens. In the latter half of the 19^th century Princess Marianne of Nassau bought the villa and gave it to her daughter Carlotta as a wedding present, hence the current name. Her husband was a keen botanist and, over the years, turned it into the lush gardens visitors see here today. Villa Carlotta is only a short stroll from Tremezzo but it has a boat landing stage of its own if you prefer.

Inside the Villa

Inside the villa is a typical wealthy home with nice furniture and rooms for each occasion, along with fantastic views from the windows and balconies. There are several floors, and there is both a lift and spiral stairs to bring you to the upper floors. Villa Carlotta is decorated very tastefully. Inside you will find a small gallery with several sculptures; some statues are also in the hallways and front garden near the entrance. It’s a classical feature in all wealthy villas.

Villa Carlotta Gardens

The gardens of Villa Carlotta are very famous. Anytime of the year is nice but spring is perhaps the best time to come as there’s a magnificent collection of azaleas and rhododendrons in bloom. The trademark of Villa Carlotta are azaleas; you’ll see them on every postcard and every place where Villa Carlotta and Tremezzo are mentioned. One of the other best features of the gardens at Villa Carlotta are its theme gardens. Worth mentioning is the Bamboo Garden. It has a decidedly Asian feel, including a great Japanese pagoda gateway. Inside is a huge bamboo forest, tiny stream and wooden bridges. A very tranquil place to stroll through and sit. As you walk through the gardens, it’s like a labyrinth with lots of passages, trails and all in flowers. It’s full of corners to hide and is very romantic. There are wonderful viewpoints along the way, with a sight of the lake and Bellagio on the other side.

Note – Villa Carlotta is only open seasonally. It is closed November through March, so check with their website to see exact dates.

Exploring Tremezzo

The short walk from Cadenabbia to Tremezzo and back is quite pleasant, and on the Bellagio lakeside, it is completely paved. Additionally, buses and a ferry link the villages and towns to the main areas. It’s worth getting out to explore.

Editor’s Note: The information contained on this page was compiled using real traveler reviews about things to do in Tremezzo.