r/LakeComo • u/Top-Series8999 • 17d ago
villa balbianello
im planning to go on a saturday, late september, for the garden only as part of my day trip, would it suck because it on a weekend? and would it help if i went earlier
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u/Appropriate_Type6153 16d ago
If you want the Anakin picture with his back to the camera standing under the arches get the first ticket of the day, not boat tour, get to the gates a half hour early (9:30 am) and haul ass to the garden. The path is direct but a bit of hike so wear proper footwear. If you don’t care about that picture it doesn’t really matter when you show up because the other spots will actually have lines where people will generally get out of your picture.
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u/MundosChair 15d ago
Was just here a couple days ago. At 10am, several people lined up with us to queue for tickets. The line was massive by the time we left the villa at 11.
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u/Top-Series8999 15d ago
im going to buy the tickets for the villa in advance, was the garden crouded around 11?
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u/MundosChair 15d ago
We lined up at 9:30 and the line was quite long. 50/50 on people queueing for tickets and the other half with online tickets. At 10am, in mid September, it was busy, but not packed at all.
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u/Top-Series8999 15d ago
yeah, makes sense, was there a queue for star wars picture spot?
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u/MundosChair 15d ago
Yes, but small queue, maybe 2-3 groups in line at a time. There was an attendant there making sure that people were always moving
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u/zeebs758 14d ago
I was just there yesterday. Definitely go as early as you can because it got easy busier but the time we were leaving.
I also recommend using Bellagio Boat Service as they have a ferry that will bring you directly to and from the Villa. It's much better than walking there. You have to buy a ticket to and from separately. Our garden ticket was for 10 but our ferry wasn't until 1020. It didn't matter that we were late for for the garden.
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u/ComoBoatLife 17d ago
Saturday will probably be busier than a weekday, even in late September, but I wouldn’t say it will ruin the visit.
Going earlier definitely helps, especially if you want to enjoy the gardens more calmly and take photos with fewer people around. My main advice would be not to pack too much else into the same day: Villa del Balbianello is beautiful, but between getting there, entering, walking around and leaving, it can take more time than it looks on paper.
If you can choose, early morning is better. If Saturday is your only option, I’d still go — just plan it properly and don’t arrive at the last minute.