Sophisticated Lakefront Living With Private DockN°001
Italian Lakes, Italy
Hot TubSaunagarden
From $11,076 per night
Lombardy is northern Italy's most dynamic region, pairing Milan's design energy with mirror-still lakes and Alpine peaks. Renting a luxury villa in Lombardy puts you within reach of Lake Como, Franciacorta vineyards and world-class skiing, all wrapped in concierge service and effortless privacy.
- Lakeside villas on Como, Garda and Iseo with private pools and water access
- Milan within easy reach for fashion, design and Michelin dining
- Franciacorta sparkling wine and rich Lombard cuisine
- Alpine slopes in Valtellina for winter skiing and summer hiking
- Historic Bergamo with its hilltop Città Alta and funicular
Known forLake Como, Milan design and fashion, Alpine skiing, Franciacorta sparkling wine
Best time to visitMay to September for the lakes; December to March for Alpine skiing
Nearest airportMilan Malpensa (MXP), with Linate (LIN) and Bergamo (BGY) nearby
Ideal forCouples, families and groups seeking lakes, culture and mountains in one region
Modern Villa With Pool and Lake ViewsN°002
Italian Lakes, Italy
Private poolSaunagarden
From $10,983 per night
Oasis of Calm Villa Overlooking Lake ComoN°003
Italian Lakes, Italy
Private PoolSea View
From $10,384 per night
Villa Tranquilla VistaN°004
Italian Lakes, Italy
Private Pool
From $8,523 per night
Villa Retreat with Jacuzzi and Lake Como ViewsN°005
Italian Lakes, Italy
Private Pool
From $8,401 per night
Elegant Villa With Scenic Lake RetreatN°006
Italy (other), Italy
From $7,384 per night
76homes available
1–10bedrooms
up to 20guests
45with a pool
Events not to miss in Lombardy
- April
Salone del Mobile
Milan Design Week turns the city into the world capital of design, with the furniture fair flanked by installations across every district. The region's most electric week; plan accommodation far ahead.
- Late February and late September
Milan Fashion Week
Twice a year the fashion world converges on Milan for shows, parties and street style. Even without an invitation, the city's energy is palpable.
- Early September
Formula 1 Italian Grand Prix, Monza
The Temple of Speed hosts F1's fastest race amid the passionate tifosi, a short drive from Milan and the lakes. An unforgettable day out for motorsport-minded guests.
- September
Festival Franciacorta
The sparkling-wine estates between Brescia and Lake Iseo open their cellars for a harvest-time weekend of tastings and vineyard events. Italy's answer to Champagne, an easy trip from a lakes villa.
- 7 December
La Scala Opening Night
Milan's opera season opens on the feast of Sant'Ambrogio with the year's most prestigious premiere, as the city's Christmas festivities begin around the Duomo.
Lombardy through the seasons
- Spring (March – May)
Design week and lake gardens
Milan peaks with Design Week while the gardens of Como, Garda and Maggiore burst into bloom. The season that shows Lombardy's city-and-lake double life at its best.
- Summer (June – August)
Lake living at full stretch
The lakes carry the season with boat days, open-air concerts and alpine hikes in the Valtellina above. A lakeside villa keeps Milan's culture within an hour of your pool.
- Autumn (September – October)
Harvest, fashion and the Grand Prix
Franciacorta harvests its grapes, Monza roars and Fashion Week returns, all in golden September light. A rich season for food, wine and city style.
- Winter (December – February)
La Scala, Christmas and nearby ski
Opera season, panettone and Christmas markets in Milan, with world-class skiing in Bormio and Livigno a few hours north. Lombardy's most elegant months.
The Area
Lombardy stretches from the Po plain to the high Alps, threaded with some of Europe's most photographed lakes. Much of its countryside is protected, with nature reserves running from Lake Como through Valtellina and the Camonica Valley. Milan anchors the region as Italy's capital of fashion, finance and design, while elegant Bergamo, with its walled hilltop Città Alta and historic funicular, offers a quieter counterpoint. Beyond the cities lie vineyard-cloaked hills, medieval villages and shorelines lined with cypress and villa gardens. A luxury villa in Lombardy lets you move easily between these worlds, swapping a morning by the water for an afternoon in a Renaissance piazza without ever feeling rushed.
Where to Stay
Lake Como is the classic choice, its shoreline dotted with grand villas, terraced gardens and discreet boat docks around Bellagio, Menaggio and Tremezzo. For a gentler pace, Lake Iseo and the Franciacorta wine country offer countryside estates close to the vineyards. Lake Garda's western shore brings sunshine, olive groves and lively lakeside towns. Those drawn to the mountains can base themselves in Valtellina for ski-season chalets and alpine air. Milan suits travellers who want a sophisticated city base with the lakes a short drive away. Smiling House curates a collection of luxury villas across these settings, many with private pools, lake views and dedicated concierge support.
Things to Do
Lombardy rewards every kind of traveller. Cruise Lake Como by private boat, explore the gardens of Villa Carlotta, or wander Bergamo's atmospheric upper town. Milan delivers the Duomo, the Galleria, Leonardo's Last Supper and serious shopping in the Quadrilatero della Moda. Wine lovers can tour Franciacorta cellars and taste sparkling wines that rival Champagne. In winter, the slopes of Valtellina and Bormio offer skiing and thermal spas, while spring and summer bring hiking, cycling and open-air swimming. Whether you crave culture, mountains or slow days by the water, the region's compact geography keeps it all within reach of your villa.
Dining & Nightlife
Northern Italian cooking here is rich and indulgent. Look for creamy risotto alla Milanese gilded with saffron, polenta served with game or cheese, and slow-braised meats. The lakes add fresh fish, while Bergamo and Brescia keep hearty mountain traditions alive. Pair plates with Valtellina reds from Nebbiolo grapes or Franciacorta's elegant sparkling wines. Milan sets the pace after dark, from aperitivo terraces in the Navigli canal district to refined cocktail bars and late dining. In lakeside towns, evenings are gentler: a passeggiata along the promenade, an artisanal gelato and a glass of wine as the water turns to glass.
When to Visit
Late spring and early autumn are ideal for the lakes, when gardens bloom, the water warms and crowds thin between May and September. High summer is glorious but busy, so book villas well ahead. Milan stays rewarding year-round, with fashion and design weeks drawing an international set. For the mountains, December to March brings reliable snow to Valtellina and Bormio, making it prime chalet season. Shoulder months of April, October and November offer mild weather, excellent value and a calmer, more local atmosphere across the region.
Getting There
Lombardy is among Italy's most accessible regions. Milan Malpensa handles long-haul and international arrivals, while Linate sits close to the city centre and Bergamo Orio al Serio serves many European routes. From the airports, Lake Como is roughly an hour by car, with Garda, Iseo and Franciacorta similarly close. Italy's high-speed rail links Milan to the rest of the country in a few hours, and regional trains reach Como, Bergamo and Brescia easily. A private transfer remains the simplest way to reach a lakeside or mountain villa, and Smiling House can arrange door-to-door arrival as part of your concierge service.