11 Best Hotels in Varenna Italy

Choosing where to stay in Varenna can feel surprisingly overwhelming, especially for such a small village tucked along the eastern shore of Lake Como. Yes, we’re talking from experience! With hotels ranging from historic villas dating back to the 1500s to boutique hideaways overlooking the water, the options are beautiful but not always easy to compare. Add in the fact that Varenna gets more than a million visitors a year and many top properties book out months in advance, and the pressure to pick the right place becomes real. But today is your lucky day as we’ve done the legwork for you. In this guide to the 11 best hotels in Varenna Italy, you’ll find the top stays for every kind of traveler. Why deal with the stress if you can skip it and enjoy the lakefront escape you’ve been dreaming of?

Planning to go to Lake Como at the end of the year? Here’s our guide to visiting Lake Como in winter!

El Lavandee

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Staying at El Lavandee was such a great experience for us. It’s a little outside of town, which we actually loved because it was quiet and relaxing. Oh, we also made good use of the private beach! We loved swimming without dealing with crowds. That said, the property itself is really nice, with a clean, well-designed house that had everything we needed, especially in the kitchen.

Daniella and Marco were incredibly kind and welcoming from the start. They helped us arrange a taxi from the train station, greeted us with prosecco when we arrived, and even surprised us with a sweet poster when we left. On checkout day, they drove us back to the station themselves, which we didn’t expect at all. Their hospitality honestly made our stay flawless.

Overall, we just felt really comfortable there and appreciated how easy everything was. It allowed us to immediately settle in and not worry about a thing. We highly recommend considering El Lavandee, one of the most convenient Varenna Italy hotels!

Varennahouse

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Varennahouse is another great find. The apartment that we booked was spacious, the bed was big and comfortable, and the price felt very reasonable for Varenna. We also liked that we could see the lake right from the window, which made our mornings extra enjoyable.

The whole check-in process was simple and convenient, too. The owner was quick to respond to messages and genuinely helpful, which made everything smoother. We were also able to leave our bags at the property before check-in and after check-out, which gave us time to explore the town without hauling luggage. Plus, the restaurants, gelato spots, and ferry station were only a couple minutes away.

On the night we stayed, we happened to catch a free Queen performance in the nearby square, which was a fun activity we didn’t expect. The only thing to note is that there are a lot of stairs leading up to the property. But from what we saw, that’s pretty normal for Varenna. Still, the stay was absolutely worth it, and we would choose Varennahouse again.

Albergo Del Sole

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We arrived in Varenna by train and only had to walk about 15 minutes to Albergo Del Sole. Here’s a little tip from us: since there’s no clear hotel sign, look for the restaurant with the same name, as check-in is just inside. Once we found it, we appreciated how central the hotel is. It sits right on a lively square with plenty of restaurants and small shops, and the lakefront is just a short walk down a set of nearby stairs.

Our room was simple but comfortable and clean, with reliable Wi-Fi, a flat-screen TV, and a kettle for tea or instant coffee. The bathroom was spotless, and the shower had plenty of hot water, which we always consider a win. Housekeeping came every day, and overall, the room stayed pretty quiet at night.

Breakfast was amazing, consisting of a mix of cold items like meats, cheeses, and pastries, plus made-to-order coffee and eggs. The hotel’s restaurant was always busy and turned out to be better than we expected. It has a great pizza and a long menu of other dishes. For the price, the hotel is a good value.

Varenna by Foot – Green House

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Sometimes, simpler is better, which is why we enjoyed our stay at Varenna by Foot – Green House. The apartment is big, clean, and right in the center of Varenna, which made it easy to walk everywhere, including the harbor and all the main sights. Before we even arrived, our host Sergio sent us plenty of helpful info about restaurants, supermarkets, and general tips, so planning was super easy.

And while we’re on that topic, we have to give Sergio his flowers. He stayed in touch throughout our stay, checking in just enough to make sure everything was going well. His restaurant recommendations were excellent, and we ended up trying a couple of places we wouldn’t have found on our own.

Moving on, check-in was straightforward, and they even stored our luggage on the first day so we could start exploring without waiting around. After a long morning of travel, being able to just drop our bags and head out was a huge relief! Inside, the apartment felt well taken care of, and the beds were comfortable. We also have to call out the water dispenser. It was such a simple perk but surprisingly convenient.

Villa Monti

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Our stay at Villa Monti, one of the best hotels in Varenna Lake Como, was a 10 out of 10. First of all, this hotel is only a short walk from Villa Monastero, so getting around Varenna was easy, and we liked that the property had a relaxed vibe. The garden and outdoor pool were well-maintained and cozy, especially with the lake right there in the background.

Villa Monti has a wide array of apartments to choose from. Our two-bedroom apartment was simple, cute, and full of soft pastel colors. The layout was practical. We had two separate bedrooms, a roomy living area, and a bathroom that came with the basics we needed. The best part, though, was definitely the pool-with-a-view setup. It made the whole stay feel a bit more special.

We also appreciated how well-equipped the place was. The kitchen had everything we wanted for quick meals, and having a washing machine saved us from overpacking. Between the air-conditioning, the comfy seating, and the flat-screen TV, we settled in pretty easily.

For more similar options, here are the 6 top villas in Lake Como for rent!

Bed & Breakfast il Bolentino

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Best Budget. On a tight budget? No worries! Bed & Breakfast il Bolentino is the perfect choice for those looking for an affordable place. We booked this B&B mainly because it’s right next to both the train station and the ferry terminal, which made our early-morning departure super easy. It’s a simple spot, nothing fancy, but exactly what we needed for a one-night stay.

The hosts made our quick stay super memorable. They’re an older couple who were incredibly kind, even though we didn’t share a language. When we arrived late and needed dinner, they didn’t just give us directions; they actually walked us to a nearby restaurant to make sure we found it.

Breakfast the next morning was served in a small communal dining room. We loved the fresh fruits! Before we left, the hosts even handed us a small parting gift, which was such super thoughtful of them. We were holding back our tears! And yes, there’s a cute cat wandering around the property, which we considered a bonus.

Hotel Villa Cipressi

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Best for Instagram. We had heard how beautiful Hotel Villa Cipressi was, but seeing it in person really confirmed the hype. The hotel is gorgeous, and the attached botanical garden is one of the best things to do in Lake Como. You don’t even need to be a guest to visit! The garden paths lead right down to a lakeside gate that’s basically made for Instagram, especially when the wisteria is blooming in April.

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That’s not all! Service was a strong point from the second we arrived. Everyone was friendly, but the concierge stood out. She was upbeat, easy to talk to, and clearly knew the area well. After chatting with us for a few minutes about what we enjoy, she suggested a nearby town for a more local experience and recommended a little family-run restaurant there.

There were so many rooms to choose from, but we ended up staying in the Junior Suite. It was exactly what we hoped for: spacious, comfortable, and nicely cooled with reliable air conditioning. The view alone made it worth booking! Breakfast is also worth mentioning. It had lots of variety and was nicely presented.

Albergo Milano

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We spent three nights at Albergo Milano, tucked away in one of the lakefront rooms of Casa Rossa, the hotel’s little annex just a couple of minutes’ walk from the main building. The room wasn’t huge, but it had everything we needed, especially a comfy bed. What we loved the most, though, was the private balcony that showed us the serene lake views.

Breakfast was served on the hotel’s terrace, and it was a solid spread. There were pastries, cakes, bread, cheese, and other basics that kept us happy and full. Moreover, the staff were always friendly and ready to make cappuccinos or whatever coffee we wanted, which gave the mornings a nice personal touch.

Parking can be tricky in the village, so we were relieved that the hotel has three designated garage spots. We booked in advance and picked up a badge and key from the hotel before parking. Since the garage fills up quickly, having that reserved spot made things much easier for us and took one worry off the list.

Hotel Olivedo

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Hotel Olivedo ended up being one of the easiest hotels in Varenna Italy we’ve ever reached after getting off a ferry. Two minutes from the Varenna pier and we were already checking in. The hotel sits in a 19th-century lakeside building, and the terrace overlooking Lake Como is to die for. With boats coming in and out all day, it’s an incredibly convenient base for getting around the lake.

We chose a Triple Superior Room in the annex, which is just up a small alley beside the main property. The room was large, clean, and set up comfortably with a king-sized bed plus a single. They had even left three bottles of water and a bottle of Prosecco for us, which we truly appreciated and badly needed.

We also loved the breakfast at the hotel. It was a solid buffet with plenty of fresh, local items. Once we were full of energy, it was time to explore. Getting to nearby towns was simple thanks to the pier being right there, and we loved that great restaurants like Prato and La Vista were only a short walk away.

Hotel Royal Victoria

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Best Luxury. If you want luxury, we highly recommend Hotel Royal Victoria. For our stay, we booked the Prestige Lakeview Room, which came with a private balcony. Once we dropped our luggage, we knew we had made the right choice. The view from our room was gorgeous. The welcome note from the management was also so thoughtful.

Speaking of which, the team at the hotel was consistently helpful, especially the concierge, who was excited to share suggestions for things to do and places to eat around Varenna. One of our favorite parts of the stay ended up being the bar. Breakfast was another daily highlight, not just for the food but because the dining area overlooks the lake, which makes for a pretty relaxing start to the day. And if you want to burn some calories, swim in the pool!

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Location-wise, the hotel made getting around simple. We were close to the boat dock, the lakeside gardens, and some really nice walking trails. The concierge even managed to snag us a reservation at Al Prato, where we had one of the best meals of our trip.

“If you’re dreaming of a truly luxurious stay in Varenna, we can’t recommend the Royal Victoria enough.”

WOW Travel

Casa Du Lac

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Best Location. Casa Du Lac is the kind of place travelers look for when staying in Varenna: central, comfortable, and right on the lake. The hotel has an interesting backstory, as it was originally built as a villa in the early 1800s before becoming a hotel decades later. When we were there earlier this year, it was a well-kept, modern 4-star hotel with unbeatable lakefront views. We loved being mere steps from the water and the town.

The rooms are just as lovely as the hotel’s facade. We stayed in the Junior Suite, and it worked great for our trip. The green accents gave the room a fresh look, and every corner was spotless. It had all the basics we needed, too, from solid air-conditioning and a comfortable bed to a minibar. The balcony overlooking the lake was a bonus.

One of the highlights for us was the bar inside the hotel. The bartender mixed some really good cocktails, and the wine selection was surprisingly broad, with a few local bottles we hadn’t tried before. The staff pointed us toward a well-known Lombardy wine that paired perfectly with our snacks.

Our Verdict!

As we said earlier, it can be hard to compare the best hotels in Varenna Lake Como as they’re all beautiful! To help you out, we’ve categorized some of our picks based on the following categories.

• Best Location: Casa Du Lac
• Best Luxury: Hotel Royal Victoria
• Best for Instagram: Hotel Villa Cipressi
• Best Budget: Bed & Breakfast il Bolentino

Where to Stay in Varenna, Italy

Old Town is the most convenient part of Varenna for the majority of travelers. It’s where you’ll find the ferry terminal, most restaurants, small shops, and many of the village’s key points of interest. Because everything is concentrated in this compact area, it’s easy to navigate on foot, and you won’t need a car. This part of Varenna is especially useful for short stays, first-time visitors, and anyone who wants to maximize their time without worrying about transportation or long walks.

The Train Station/Esino Area sits just above the main village and is a practical choice for travelers who prioritize convenience when it comes to getting in and out of Varenna. If you’re arriving by train, catching early departures, or planning multiple-day trips to other Lake Como towns, staying near the station eliminates the need to navigate steep paths with luggage. The area still connects to the center in 10–15 minutes on foot, but it’s a quieter pocket with slightly more budget-friendly options.

Meanwhile, Hillside/Upper Varenna is a good fit for travelers who want a more spacious, low-key environment. While it’s not as central, this area often provides larger accommodations, apartment-style stays, and a more residential atmosphere. It’s a logical choice for longer visits, families who want extra room, or remote workers needing a calm setting. You’ll need to factor in walking time or occasional transport to reach the town center, but in exchange, you get a less crowded setting and more relaxed surroundings.

Read also: 11 Best Hotels in Ravello, Italy

What not to miss in Varenna?

Don’t miss exploring the lakeside promenade and Varenna’s historic Old Town, where you’ll find charming streets, shops, and cafes. You should also make time for Villa Monastero and Castello di Vezio, two of the area’s standout attractions.

Is Varenna walkable?

Yes, Varenna is very walkable, with most restaurants, sights, and the ferry terminal located close together in the compact center. Just note that some paths are steep, especially when walking between the lakefront and the train station or hillside areas.

Can you drink tap water in Varenna?

Yes, you can. It’s clean, well-regulated, and commonly used by locals and visitors.