A 1926 classic rated among the best courses in Europe, storied lakeside hotels, and Italian food and wine, an hour from Milan. Golf wrapped in the most glamorous lake in the world.
Photograph: Circolo Golf Villa d'Este via Google
A Lake Como golf trip is about the setting as much as the scorecard. This suits couples and discerning small groups who want golf paired with lakeside luxury rather than a high volume golf resort, the kind of travellers drawn by the Villa d'Este hotel at Cernobbio, the George Clooney era glamour of the lake, the dramatic mountain and water scenery, and some of the best food and wine in Lombardy.
The golf is genuine but gentle, mostly walkable classic parkland rather than punishing championship length, which is exactly right for a trip where the round is one pleasure among several. The centrepiece is Circolo Golf Villa d'Este at Montorfano, a 1926 Peter Gannon design routinely named Italy's finest and famous for its set of six par 3s. Around it, the historic Menaggio and Cadenabbia above the west shore, the 36 holes at Monticello and the wooded La Pinetina give you variety without long drives.
It combines beautifully with Milan for fashion, food and a round in Monza's royal park, and the lake keeps non golfing partners busy with Bellagio, Varenna, the villa gardens and the boats.
One of continental Europe's great classic courses, set high above the small Montorfano lake among centuries old chestnut, birch and pine. Famous for six excellent par 3s and small, heavily bunkered greens, and a many time host of the Italian Open. Routinely rated Italy's best.
One of Italy's oldest clubs, a historic hillside parkland above the lake's west shore with panoramic Alpine and water views. Just minutes from the Menaggio ferry, so a round pairs neatly with a boat day to Bellagio or Varenna.
One of the largest complexes near Como, with two full 18 hole courses on one site and a history of hosting the Italian Open. The natural choice for a group that wants a couple of rounds without changing venue.
An undulating wooded parkland set in the Appiano Gentile pinewood, quiet and natural and close to Como. A relaxed fourth round that keeps the trip easy and the drives short.
Designers, founding years and pars verified June 2026 from the clubs and leading course databases. Villa d'Este gives priority to members and hotel guests and does not openly publish a visitor rate, so access is usually arranged through the hotel or an operator. Green fees are indicative for the 2026 season. Always confirm directly before booking.
Fly into Malphensa, transfer to a Como or Cernobbio base, and ease in with a round at La Pinetina to find your legs. Dinner by the water as the light goes.
The centrepiece day on the classic course at Montorfano, twenty minutes from Como, savouring the par 3s and the woodland. A long Italian lunch afterward.
Up the lake to Menaggio and Cadenabbia for the views, then the ferry to Bellagio or Varenna for the afternoon with non golfing partners.
A round or two at Monticello, then an optional shift toward Milan for the city and a round in the royal park at Monza before flying home.
Malpensa to Como town is about 40 to 60 minutes. Como to the Villa d'Este course at Montorfano is around 20 minutes, and the area's other courses cluster within roughly 15 to 35 minutes of each other, with Milan and Monza about an hour away.
| Course or package | Indicative 2026 guide | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Villa d'Este green fee | on request, premium | Priority to members and hotel guests; access via hotel or operator |
| Menaggio and Cadenabbia | around 70 to 100 euros | Weekend and peak rates higher |
| Monticello green fee | around 70 euros weekday | Two courses on one site |
| La Pinetina green fee | around 64 euros | All day rate |
| Short stay and play break, per person | from around 350 euros | Three nights with green fees, modest lodging |
| Premium multi round week, per person | around 1,500 to 3,000 euros and up | Higher again for a stay at the Villa d'Este hotel |
Indicative third party figures for the 2026 season, shown to set expectations only. We are a guide and trip planner, never the operator, and never quote our own pricing. Package totals are quoted by group size and dates, and prices move with demand, so always confirm directly before booking.
The sweet spots are late April to June and September to October, mild and settled with fewer crowds and the courses at their best. July and August are playable but hot, humid and the busiest and dearest, while winter is too cold and wet for good golf. The Lake Como microclimate keeps the area milder than the surrounding plains, and the elevated, tree shaded Villa d'Este course stays relatively fresh even in summer. Book the Villa d'Este round and any peak season lake hotel well ahead, since both are in demand.
Tell us roughly when and who is travelling, and whether you want the Villa d'Este round and a lakeside hotel. One concierge arranges the access, costs the trip to the head and replies within one working day, with no obligation.
Late April to June and September to October are the sweet spots, mild and settled with fewer crowds. July and August are hot, humid and busiest. Winter is too cold and wet for good golf. The lake microclimate keeps the area milder than the surrounding plains.
Circolo Golf Villa d'Este at Montorfano, a 1926 Peter Gannon design, is rated among continental Europe's great classic courses and routinely named Italy's best. It is a par 69 famous for its six par 3s, set in chestnut and pine woodland above a small lake.
It suits couples and discerning small groups who want golf paired with lakeside luxury rather than a high volume golf resort. The draw is the setting, the food and wine and the storied hotels, with mostly walkable classic parkland courses. It combines easily with Milan.
Milan Malpensa is the closest airport, around 40 to 60 minutes by road to Como town, with Linate and Bergamo also within reach. The Villa d'Este course at Montorfano is about 20 minutes from Como, and the area's other courses cluster within roughly half an hour.
Course openings, shoulder season value and the trips worth taking. Every other week.
Researched and written by the GolfForKings editorial desk. Course designers, founding years and pars verified June 2026; green fees and package ranges are indicative for the 2026 season. Last reviewed June 2026.