The Pearl of Lake Como
Tank || Similar Skirt || Hat || Tote Bag || Sandals || Sunglasses
The second city we had the opportunity to explore during our Italian honeymoon was the town of Bellagio. Nicknamed the Pearl of Lake Como, this place has everything you would want in an Italian getaway: food, shopping, and lots of charm!
From our home base of Menaggio we took our preferred method of transportation with the ferry. If you are coming from any town on Lake Como, this is the best option. Bellagio is one of the major spots and the ferries are extremely frequent. A one-way trip from Menaggio took us 15 minutes at the most and cost around 10 Euros. We had a very rare late start to the day and by the time we got to Bellagio, it was lunch time with people everywhere. If I could do it all over again, I would love to see what kind of quiet morning this town had to offer.
With all of that said, we still had an amazing visit. Here’s just a quick little guide of our favorite spots that we found. Disclaimer: be sure to wear your comfiest shoes. Like all hillside towns, Bellagio is practically vertical.
Eat Away from the Crowds
Ristorante Europa: David and I stumbled upon this place while wandering through Bellagio. The fact that we were both starving was a serious motivator, but I just can’t say no to an al fresco restaurant with pink awnings. This gem was just a few yards past all the hubbub on the main square and was perfectly quiet and peaceful. PLUS it was in the shade and made for a nice, little oasis on a hot, Italian day with our table looking down on the water. As for our food? Delicious! We both opted for some risotto, David had mushroom and I had some simple parm. Hands down, best meal we had on Lake Como! It hit the spot in such a real way.
Sip at the Oldest Bar in Bellagio
Caffe Bar Sport: It doesn’t sound fancy, but this shop is actually the oldest gelataria in Bellagio, 100 years and going strong. Outside, all of the tables were packed, but step inside and it’s a completely different story. It’s like stepping back in time to when the bar first opened, with bartenders to match. When we were here, we had to try an Aperol Spritz. All of my friends have raved about it and you see it everywhere at restaurants in Italy. This bright orange drink with an orange slice, of course, comes out in a wine glass. Such a great cold cocktail for a hot day.
Bring Home Local Silk
Azalea: As I said in this previous blog post, silk is one of the main industries along Lake Como and Bellagio seemed to have been the epicenter. Strolling along the side streets, we saw a number of silk stores, but Azalea is the one you need to look out for. This little shop is the creme de la creme of silk. They have beautiful, opulent scarves for yourself along with many other gift ideas. Anything here would make for the perfect souvenir. Their silk ties have outfitted nearly every recent president in some way or other. Compared to what you would find in a department store in the States, their prices are fantastic, but if you are a little more on a budget, there are many shops that have similar styles, but are at a fraction of the price because they aren’t 100% silk.
Find the Best Views of Lake Como
La Punta: Like most of Lake Como, the best days are spent aimlessly walking and allowing yourself to get lost. After our very filling lunch, we did just that and found ourselves at La Punta. This directly translate to, simply, the point. Bellagio sits at the bottom tip of Lake Como and this spot may just give you the best views of the lake: over 180 degrees of unobstructed lake views. I’ve shared a small sample of pictures we took there that day. Here you’ll find boating, some people swimming, and glimpses of villas that will leave you daydreaming for the rest of your trip. If you want to take advantage of these views for longer, there is a restaurant right next to the small green space there. I can’t speak about the food, but sometimes the atmosphere is more important than the actual meal.
When you visit Lake Como, you absolutely cannot skip Bellagio. There’s so much to love about this town and so much to explore. I’m already wanting to plan my return trip and get better acquainted with the Pearl of Lake Como.
Love from Florida,
Katie
As always, thanks for stopping by! To keep up with all things about the Sunshine State, be sure to visit my exclusive Florida page, here.