Villa Olmo Palace

Address: Piazza Italia, 1, 22100 Como CO, Italy

Website: https://www.comune.como.it/

Hours: Opening hours for exhibitions vary; check the official Como cultural events calendar.

Admission: Public gardens are free to view from the lakeside; guided tours of Villa Olmo and cultural events may have ticketed admission-check the municipality site for current details.

Villa Olmo is a neoclassical lakeside villa on the western shore of Lake Como in the city of Como, Italy, dating from the late 18th century. It is notable for its long lakeside façade and formal gardens.

Visitors come to see the villa’s neoclassical architecture, walk the lakeside promenades and visit temporary exhibitions and cultural events held in the villa’s interior spaces. The gardens and terraces provide direct views across Lake Como and form part of the city’s waterfront promenade.

Built in the late 18th century in neoclassical style, the villa has passed through private ownership and is now used by the municipality of Como for exhibitions, conferences and public events. Its lakeside position has long made it a focal point of Como’s waterfront.

The villa sits on the lakeside promenade in the city of Como on the western shore of Lake Como, immediately adjacent to the city’s waterfront and within easy walking distance of the historic centre.

• Date and use: Constructed in the late 18th century and notable for its neoclassical architecture, the villa today is owned and used by the city of Como for cultural events and exhibitions.
• Setting: Situated directly on the lakeside promenade in Como, it provides formal gardens and lakeside terraces open to the public during events and visiting hours.

What to See#

• Main villa: The main villa building is a neoclassical lakeside palazzo with a long facade and terraces facing Lake Como, used for exhibitions and public events under municipal ownership.
• Gardens and promenade: Formal lakeside gardens and promenades extend from the villa to the lakeshore, providing public access along the waterfront and views across the lake.

Villa Olmo is a 10-15 minute walk from Como’s city centre and main rail station (Como San Giovanni). It sits directly on the lakeside promenade (Lungo Lario) and is easily reached on foot from the piazzas and ferry docks.

• Arrive in the late afternoon when the lakeside promenade is lively and the light on the building is best for photos.
• Combine a visit with a walk through Como's lakeside promenade and nearby cafes; Villa Olmo is a short walk from central Como.