Editors' choiceAmalfi Coast, Italy
Villa Cimbrone
A historic villa in Ravello above the Amalfi Coast, now a hotel. Home of the famous Terrace of Infinity.
Historic mansions
Photos: Nikolai Karaneschev, Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 3.0); GhePeU, Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0); RaminusFalcon, Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 3.0); KristaKrista, Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0); Electric Life, Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 3.0)
Lake Como, Italy
Villa d'Este
A 16th-century Renaissance residence on Lake Como, a hotel since 1873: a 10-hectare park and the famous floating pool.
Villa d'Este (originally Villa del Garovo) is a Renaissance residence in Cernobbio on the shore of Lake Como, not far from Como itself. It was built in the 16th century as the summer residence of Cardinal Tolomeo Gallio to a design by Pellegrino Tibaldi. The name “New Villa d'Este” was given later by Queen Caroline of Brunswick.
The estate has been a hotel since 1873. It includes the Cardinal Building, the Queen's Pavilion and several private villas — around 150 rooms and suites in all. The grounds have a park of about 10 hectares and a pool floating on the lake.
History
In 1442 a convent was founded on this site. A century later Cardinal Tolomeo Gallio demolished it and commissioned Tibaldi to build his own residence. In 1903 Edith Wharton wrote that it was the only old garden on Como to preserve more than a fragment of its original design.
Views from the rooms
Rooms look out onto the lake or the historic park.
Who it suits
For special occasions, anniversaries and those who care about a place's history. The hotel usually closes for part of the winter — check season dates on the official website.
What to see nearby
- Como — the historic centre and the funicular to Brunate.
- Villa Erba in Cernobbio.
Location
Via Regina, 40, 22012 Cernobbio CO, Italy
Open in Yandex MapsIn collections
Checked by our editors: 28 October 2026.
Sources:
Wikipedia (EN); Official website; photos — Wikimedia Commons (free licences, authors credited under the photos)
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