Villa Geno
At the tip of the Geno promontory, where Lake Como splits into its first and second basins, Villa Geno sits at the water's edge with a fountain in front of it that throws a column of water somewhere between 30 and 45 metres into the air — the exact figure depends on who you ask, but standing on the promenade watching it arc and dissolve in the lake light, the number stops mattering.
The neoclassical villa itself, designed by architect Giacomo Tazzini and shaped into its current form by 1850, is now owned by the Municipality of Como and opens for weddings and private events. Its frescoed interiors are not always accessible, but the promenade that wraps around it is public, and the view back toward the city from this point is one of the better ones on this stretch of shore.
💛 What travellers fall for
People who return tend to time it for a weekday morning, before the summer crowds reach the lido to the west — now called Giulietta al Lago. The bus from Como San Giovanni (line C30 or C31) drops you at the Villa Geno stop, which saves the circling for street parking. The boat from the lake navigation service is slower and worth it.
The story behind Villa Geno
Before the villa existed, this ground held something older and harder to picture: a 13th-century house of the Humiliated, a lay religious order, with a chapel dedicated to San Clemente and a hospital alongside it. By the 16th century the complex had been converted into a lazaret for plague victims, a function it kept through the 17th century.
In 1790, Marquise Cristina Menafoglio Ghilini acquired the land, had the chapel demolished, and commissioned a suburban residence in its place. The marquises Cornaggia Medici continued renovating it into the 19th century. The Municipality of Como purchased the villa, park and promenade in 1911. The fountain — a reinforced concrete slab cantilevered over the lake, designed by engineer Renato Uslenghi — was added in 1951. The villa reopened in its current form in 2015.
Good to know
Buses C30 and C31 from Como San Giovanni station run directly to Villa Geno. There's no admission fee for the promenade or fountain. The beach complex opens from mid-July. Come June through August for the lido; any dry day works for the walk.
Summer days here run warm, often reaching 27°C in July, with afternoon thunderstorms that roll in fast off the lake — worth watching from the promenade if you're not caught in one. Spring and autumn bring more sustained rain. Winters are cold and damp, with average January temperatures around 2°C.
Where is Villa Geno?
More tickets & tours for Villa Geno
Book directly at the provider
What travellers say about Villa Geno
As a destination wedding photographer, I have had the pleasure of working at many beautiful venues, but Villa Geno at Lake Como truly stands out. The villa offers an incredible variety of spaces that make it both inspiring and versatile for a wedding day. From the stunning interior rooms with their beautiful ceiling paintings to the elegant outdoor areas right by the lake, every corner feels thoughtfully designed and full of character. For photography, it is an absolute dream. The combination of historic architecture, soft natural light and the breathtaking lakefront setting creates a timeless atmosphere that is simply perfect for a wedding celebration. The wedding was truly beautiful, and the entire experience at Villa Geno felt effortlessly elegant and special. I would return here anytime and can wholeheartedly recommend it to couples dreaming of a refined Lake Como wedding.
Its a small garden quite close to the center a good location to get you feet in the water near/in the fountain ⛲️. Try not to go to the deep waters as there are still boats nearby. Regardless a great place to take the shin 🌞 tray not to be close to the walls lizerts are there, for the rest enjoy 😉
A viila along lake Como. It was built in 1790. Now it is available to be rented for various venues including weddings. There is a large fountain just outside of it as well.
My husband and I got married here and it's a dream venue. The interior and exterior of the villa are both stunning. Anyone looking into Villa Geno should definitely choose it for any future events!!! They also just did a major renovation and the newly constructed outside area is unbelievable!!!
I had the opportunity to attend a summer Wedding event held at this charming 1790 (1850 renovated) Neoclassical Villa on the shores of the worldwide famous “Lake Como”. The villa is easy to be spotted as it is located alongside the iconic “Como Fountain”, a 30 mt high water jet. A gentle walk on the promenade can bring you to this beautiful event venue. Ceremonies are performed facing the Lake on a picturesque waterfront accessible also via boat on request. In addition interiors are very elegant, decorated with frescos and hosting a bar for refreshments at ground floor. Upper Floor is statistically reserved to the bride/bridesmaids but can in general allocate any sort of restroom for celebrants, guests and soon to be married couples. I won’t go through the details on the costs of renting such location for your wedding but keep in mind that pros are its proximity to the city of Como that is favoring guests arrival by car, train, etc. and its relatively medium fares compared to high end luxury villas along the many idyllic areas of lake Como (e.g. Villa del Balbianello).
More of Como
Discover where to stay, what to do and the best deals for your trip.
Explore Como →More attractions in Como
All of Como →
Background adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA) · map data © OpenStreetMap contributors · ratings & place photos via Google · other photos with per-image credit. Ticket links may earn us a commission at no extra cost to you.