Villa Monastero | Grandi Giardini Italiani

Information

2026 Season
Opening Hours

Botanical Garden
- January: daily from the 1st to the 6th, weekends the rest of the month, from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
- February: daily, except Tuesday, from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
- March: daily from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
- April - May: daily from 9:30 am to 7:30 pm
- June - July - August: daily from 9:30 am to 8:00 pm
- September: daily from 9:30 am to 7:30 pm
- October: daily from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm
- November: daily, including holidays, from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
November 1st, from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm
Closed Tuesdays and Wednesday
- December: Every day, including holidays, from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm.
Closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
Closed on December 25, 2026.

House Museum
- January: Every day from the 1st to the 6th, the rest of the month on weekends, from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
- February: Every day except Tuesday, from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
- March: Every day except Tuesday, from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
- April - May: Every day except Tuesday, from 9:30 am to 7:30 pm
- June - July - August: Every day from 9:30 am to 8:00 pm
- September: Every day except Tuesday, from 9:30 am to 7:30 pm
- October: Every day except Tuesday, from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm
- November: Every day, including holidays, from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
November 1st, 10:00 am to 6:00 pm
Closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays
- December: Every day, including holidays, 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
Closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
Closed December 25, 2026.

Admission
Ticket for the Botanical Garden
Full price: €13.00
Reduced*: €10.00
Young people (15-25 years): €7.00
Children (0-14 years): free

Combined ticket for the Botanical Garden + House Museum
Full price: €15.00
Reduced*: €11.00
Young people (15-25 years): €9.00
Children (0-14 years): free

* Over 65 years of age, groups of at least 20 people, for members of the Italian Touring Club, FAI members, ICOM members, and the Open Villas in Brianza initiative

Contact us
Via Polvani, 4
23829 Varenna (LC)

T. +39 0341 295450

www.villamonastero.eu

History

Villa Monastero in Varenna, owned by the Province of Lecco, is one of the most interesting examples of a late 19th century eclectic-style residence. It welcomed 400,000 visitors in 2025.

The Villa was created from the transformation of an old Cistercian women's monastery dedicated to the Virgin Mary. In the mid-16th century, the convent was purchased by the Mornico family. It later passed to other owners, and in 1939 was donated by the De Marchi family to become a public asset and a museum.

The House Museum offers an itinerary through 14 rooms. The refinement of the decorations and furnishings, the richness of the materials and the variety of the spaces welcome the public in an evocative atmosphere. Villa Monastero today forms part of the National Museum System.

The Botanical Garden, which stretches for almost 2 km along the lake front, is rich in special and rare botanical species, which together with the usual Mediterranean flora give it a special and unique appearance.
Villa Monastero is also an internationally renowned conference centre that saw the presence of Enrico Fermi in 1954 (the main hall is named after him). Today it offers the possibility of holding conferences, seminars, training courses and workshops.

The exhibition space is used to host temporary exhibitions of painting, sculpture, photography and art objects.
The context of the Villa is also ideal for educational activities that include tours, workshops and playful activities.
Today, Villa Monastero is the perfect location for ceremonies or as a photographic set for personal shootings for prestigious Italian and foreign fashion magazines.

How to get there

By car
From Milan take Strada Statale S.S.36 towards Lecco. Upon reaching Lecco, take the S.P.72 and then the exit junction to Abbadia Lariana/Mandello/Varenna. Villa Monastero is in Varenna on the main road. A nearby car park is also available.

By boat
Use Como Lake navigation network, stop Varenna.
For information: www.navigazionelaghi.it

By bus
Use the D21 line (Bellano - Varenna - Esino - Ortanella) of Lecco Transport
For information: www.leccotrasporti.it

By train
From Milan main station take the train to Sondrio/Tirano and get off at Varenna/Esino.

By plane
Shuttles from Milan Linate and Milan Malpensa airports to Milan main station are available

Access by boat
free access to the permanence necessary to visit the House Museum and Gardens, with the approval of the Province of Lecco and the payment of the entrance fee.

Grandi Giardini Italiani Srl

Grandi Giardini Italiani Srl