This beautiful villa was the home of a cardinal and a wealthy explorer amongst others and it enjoys a fantastic position on the edge of Lake Como. In more recent times it’s been used as a significant filming location in the Star Wars movies and for Daniel Craig’s Casino Royale. For Star Wars fans, visiting Villa del Balbianello is as close as you can get to visiting Naboo!
Although there is a long driveway you can walk along to access the villa, we’d recommend arriving by boat. There’s a regular service from the small harbour in Lenno and it’s a great way to appreciate the villa from the water. It’s only from that view that you can see how big the villa is and how it makes the most of its position with the various terraces and stairways. There used to be a monastery on this site, which is why it has two church-style towers. However in 1785, Cardinal Angelo Maria Durini purchased it and turned it into a summer residence. He redeveloped the original buildings and added a loggia.
Later owners all added their own mark to this place, but always made the most of its position. When you visit today, there are stunning views in every direction. The terraces in particular are beautiful with their statues and built-in flower planters. In Star Wars, Anakin and Padme get married under the tree below, with the view of the lake in the background. There is also a scene in the Loggia with Anakin eventually looking out at the view. In Casino Royale, Daniel Craig’s James Bond recuperates here after his ordeal with Le Chiffre and falls in love with Vesper Lynd.
We loved this place and spent many hours just soaking up the views and the atmosphere. It’s an incredible place to visit and was the highlight of our trip to Lake Como. Adult admission to Villa del Balbianello is 22 Euros (2025 prices) but there is a small boat fee on top if you choose to arrive from the water.
LOCATION & CONTACT
Address: Villa del Balbianello, Via Guido Monzino, Tremezzina, Italy,
Phone: +39 0344 56110
MORE ON VILLA DEL BALBIANELLO
Villa del Balbianello – Official Website
Villa del Balbianello – Wikipedia
Stay near Lenno – Booking.com