This area was dwelling place of patrician roman families and successively of noble families from Lombardia that had built beautiful villas, which keep even now the glamour of yore in the sumptuous architecture and in the gardens full of colours. In the past, poets, writers, musicians and artists coming from all over the world, stayed here: Plinio il Giovane, Mark Twain, Stendhal, Gustave Flaubert, Giuseppe Parini, Arturo Toscanini, Franz Liszt, and many others.
The main street Via Garibaldi goes through the historical centre, which is connected to the lake by suggestive little roads, made by stones. Along the characteristic steps, you can find many shops, where it’s possible to buy several items and typical products: handicraft, jewellery and costume jewellery, clothes and accessories, souvenir, art objects and antique, porcelain and ceramics.
By the lake, there are the ancient arcades considered “The parlour of Bellagio”, where you can find besides shops, cafés and restaurants.
Along the lake, you can keep enjoying a wonderful landscape through the rood on flower that takes to Villa Melzi.