Varenna
Private Day Trip from Milan
One village on the eastern shore of Lake Como, seen properly: the castle above it, the gardens on the water, the little harbour. Door-to-door by private Mercedes, 8 hours, fixed price from €600 per car.
Book this day trip
Varenna, Lake Como · private and tailor-made
Book this day trip
See the price for your car now, then send the request: we confirm the driver and send a secure payment link. The itinerary is yours to change: tell us your stops in the notes.
- CarsMercedes E-Class up to 2 guests, V-Class up to 6
- Pick-upYour hotel in Milan, or Malpensa, Linate, Bergamo (+€60)
- PaymentNothing now: we confirm, then send a secure link
A slow day in Varenna
Most visitors see Varenna for an hour between two ferries. This day gives it the time it deserves. The village climbs from a tiny harbour up the slope of the eastern shore, with the medieval Castello di Vezio on the hill above, Villa Monastero and Villa Cipressi along the water, and the Fiumelatte, a short, foaming stream, just to the south. It is about 80 km from Milan via Lecco, one of the more relaxed day trips from Milan for couples and families who want the lake without a long programme.
With the car you save the steepest part of the day: your driver can take you up to the hamlet of Vezio for the castle so you walk only downhill to the village, and can move you between the village and the gardens if needed. Bellagio is a short ferry ride away if you want to add it. The price is per vehicle, not per person: from €600 with an E-Class for two, from €680 with a V-Class for up to six.
Varenna Day at a Glance
Varenna Day Trip Itinerary
An unhurried 8-hour day: castle in the morning, village and lunch at midday, gardens or a riverside walk in the afternoon.
Tailor-made, always. This itinerary is our suggestion only: every MilanobyCar day trip is tailor-made. Change the stops, the order and the timing as you like, or tell us your own plan in the booking notes.
Your driver, your local insider. Our chauffeurs are not licensed tour guides and do not guide you inside museums or sites, but they know these places well from years on the road: ask them for the best viewpoints, where to eat, where to stroll and how to avoid the busiest spots. If you would like a licensed guide, we can book one for you.
Pick-up at your hotel in Milan
Your driver meets you in the lobby and takes the SS36 north to Lecco, then the eastern shore road. From Linate or Bergamo airport the day can start at arrivals.
The castle above Varenna
A medieval watchtower over the lake, traditionally linked to the Lombard queen Theodolinda, with an olive garden, a small exhibition on the Lariosaurus fossil reptile and falconry displays on many days. It opens from early March to the beginning of November. Your driver takes you up to Vezio; the walk down to the village takes about 20 minutes.
Piazza San Giorgio, the harbour and the Lovers’ Walk
The 14th-century church of San Giorgio on the main square, the lanes that drop to the harbour, and the Passeggiata degli Innamorati, a promenade built out over the water towards the ferry landing.
Lunch by the water
Lake fish, polenta and local cheeses from the Valsassina. Your driver can suggest a place with a terrace on the lake and book a table.
Villa Monastero or the Fiumelatte
The botanical garden of Villa Monastero runs along the shore for nearly 2 km; the house museum can be visited too. Or walk about 20 minutes south to the Fiumelatte, about 250 m long and running only from spring to autumn. With more time, the ferry to Bellagio is a 15–20 minute crossing.
Back to your hotel in Milan
Your driver collects you in Varenna for the drive back via Lecco. Drop-off at another address, at Linate or at Bergamo airport is possible.
Varenna Day Trip Prices — 8-Hour Private Car
Prices are per vehicle for the whole 8-hour day with 150 km included, whatever the number of passengers. Saturdays and Sundays +20%, major holidays +50%, airport pick-up +€60. Extra hours €75 with the E-Class, €85 with the V-Class, bookable in the form below.
- •Door-to-door from your Milan hotel
- •English-speaking chauffeur
- •8 hours · 150 km included
- •Door-to-door from your Milan hotel
- •English-speaking chauffeur
- •8 hours · 150 km included
- •Executive luxury sedan
- •English-speaking chauffeur
Included in the price
- ✓Private Mercedes and English-speaking chauffeur for the whole day
- ✓Door-to-door pick-up and return in Milan
- ✓Fuel, motorway tolls and parking for the car
- ✓Bottled water on board
- ✓Child seats on request, free of charge
- ✓Driver waiting while you visit
Not included — paid separately
- ✕Castello di Vezio ticket
- ✕Villa Monastero and Villa Cipressi garden tickets
- ✕Ferry tickets, if you cross the lake
- ✕Meals and drinks
- ✕Licensed local guide (bookable on request)
Milan to Varenna: The Route
About 80 km on the SS36 via Monza and Lecco, then along the eastern shore of the Lecco branch: around 1 hour 15 minutes, a little more on summer weekends.
Varenna Day Trip from Milan — FAQ
Varenna by private car or by train?
Varenna has its own station, about an hour from Milan, and the train is a good option for a short visit. A private car adds the comfort of a door-to-door day, the ride up to Vezio, and the freedom to combine Varenna with Lecco, Bellano or a ferry to Bellagio without watching the timetable.
What to know before you go
Parking in Varenna is very limited and the village fills up on summer weekends, so a weekday or the spring and early autumn months are the most pleasant. Ferries to Bellagio and Menaggio leave from the landing at the end of the Lovers’ Walk.
How much is a Varenna day trip?
MilanobyCar charges a fixed price per car: from €600 for two passengers in a Mercedes E-Class and from €680 for up to six in a V-Class, for 8 hours with 150 km included, driver, fuel, tolls and parking. Weekends +20%, holidays +50%.
Book Your Varenna Day Trip — Private Mercedes from Milan
8 hours, English-speaking driver, door-to-door. One village, at your own pace.
or call +39 335 821 0912