Cernobbio, Lake Como
Villa Pizzo
Claiming the longest stretch of private lakefront on Lake Como, this 15th-century villa unfolds across terraced gardens descending to the water—where neoclassical elegance, secret gardens hidden behind ancient walls, and a celebrity pedigree create Lake Como's most coveted private celebration setting.
Enquire NowAbout Villa Pizzo
Villa Pizzo doesn't announce itself from the lake road—a discreet gate, a narrow driveway, and then suddenly you're descending through gardens toward a villa that commands more private waterfront than any other property on Como. That's the first hint of what makes Pizzo extraordinary: scale combined with intimacy, grandeur wrapped in genuine privacy. Built in 1435 by the Muggiasca family and reimagined through centuries of aristocratic owners, the villa reached its current neoclassical perfection through 17th and 18th-century renovations that added those dramatic double staircases, connected reception halls with soaring ceilings, and gardens that flow seamlessly from formal Italian terraces to secret enclosed spaces to boat docks where guests arrive across water. Today, Villa Pizzo operates purely as an event venue—no hotel, no restaurant, just this extraordinary property available for exclusive celebrations that honor both its history and the particular magic that comes from being surrounded by water on three sides. Ceremonies happen in multiple garden settings accommodating up to 200, receptions unfold in the central courtyard or connected halls for up to 150, and when John Legend, Chrissy Teigen, Kanye West, and Stevie Wonder have all chosen this villa for their most important celebrations, you understand you're dealing with something special.
Max Guests
200
Exclusive Use
Yes
Key Features
| 15th-Century Villa (Built 1435) |
| Longest Private Lakefront on Lake Como |
| Exclusive Event-Only Venue |
| Terraced Italian Gardens |
| Secret Enclosed Gardens |
| Boat House & Private Dock |
| Dramatic Double Staircase Courtyard |
| Four Connected Neoclassical Reception Halls |
| Boat Arrivals from Como |
| Celebrity Wedding Pedigree |
| Maximum 200 Guest Capacity |
| Complete Privacy & Seclusion |
| Late Night Celebrations (2am Outdoor) |
| Bridal Suite for Preparations |
| Exclusive Use Required |
A Living Monument to Italian History
In 1435, the Muggiasca family chose this promontory jutting into Lake Como for their estate—protected position, commanding views, enough flat land for proper gardens, and that extraordinary stretch of lakefront that would become Pizzo's defining feature. For centuries it remained a noble family retreat, passed between aristocratic owners who each added refinements while preserving the essential character.
Gallery
Experience the grandeur of Villa Pizzo through our photographic journey
Exclusive Use Experience
Exclusive use of Villa Pizzo means this 600-year-old estate becomes entirely yours for the day—from morning setup through evening celebration to midnight departure. Your event unfolds across the spaces that best match your vision: ceremonies of 200 in the terraced Italian gardens (where that longest private lakefront creates the backdrop), intimate gatherings of 100 in the Secret Garden (where high walls create genuine seclusion), receptions in the courtyard for 150 under elegant marquee, or formal dinners in the connected halls for 120 moving between four distinct salon spaces. Guests arrive by private boat from Como—twenty minutes across water, approaching the villa exactly as aristocratic visitors have for centuries—and discover the property through natural exploration of multiple garden levels, hidden corners, and viewpoints that frame the lake and mountains. Because Pizzo is event-only (no hotel, no restaurant), your celebration has complete focus: everyone arrives for one purpose, experiences the villa together, then departs carrying memories of something genuinely exclusive. The celebrity pedigree (John Legend and Chrissy Teigen, Kanye West, Stevie Wonder) speaks to understanding what makes celebrations extraordinary: genuine privacy, authentic beauty, scale that allows intimacy despite numbers, and that particular magic of being surrounded by water in a villa designed across centuries to honor exactly this kind of gathering.
Event Spaces & Capacities
Distinct spaces, each offering unique ambiance for your celebration
| Event Space | Cocktail | Seated Dinner | Buffet | Ceremony |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Italian Garden & Terraces The villa's signature ceremony space—formal Italian terraces descending toward the lake in geometric perfection, ancient cypress framing views, Lake Como providing the backdrop. Accommodates up to 200 guests, with that particular sense of being surrounded by water on three sides that only Pizzo's unique position provides. As afternoon softens toward evening and mountains across the lake catch golden light, your ceremony unfolds exactly where centuries of aristocratic celebrations have taken place. | 200 | - | 150 | 200 |
| Secret Garden Hidden behind ancient walls, this enclosed garden creates intimate ceremony space for those wanting something smaller and more secluded. Climbing roses, carefully placed statuary, and that sense of discovering a space meant only for you—perfect for couples valuing privacy over scale, or for cocktail hours where guests explore multiple garden levels discovering new perspectives. | 100 | - | 80 | 100 |
| Boat House Terrace At water level where the villa's private dock welcomes boat arrivals, this terrace offers another ceremony dimension—more casual than the formal Italian gardens but equally romantic, with Lake Como lapping at stone edges and that immediate connection to water. Where many guests arrive and depart, creating natural gathering energy throughout your celebration. | 120 | - | 80 | 120 |
| Villa Courtyard The villa's architectural heart—a courtyard flanked by those dramatic double staircases ascending to the main floors, creating natural theater for grand entrances and that particular Italian drama of celebrating between historic walls under open sky. With marquee cover, this becomes your main reception space for up to 150 seated guests, where dinner unfolds surrounded by centuries of neoclassical elegance. | 180 | 150 | 150 | - |
| Connected Reception Halls Four interconnected salons flowing naturally from one to another—the largest seating 60, smaller rooms perfect for 10-30 guests each. These become your elegant indoor alternative or preferred choice for those wanting the formality of dining within historic walls. High ceilings, period details, chandeliers, and that sense of moving through a noble residence rather than a single banquet hall. Total capacity of 120 when using all four rooms allows flexibility in table arrangements and natural flow between spaces. | 150 | 120 | 120 | 80 |
| Bridal Suite A private suite for the couple's preparations—hair, makeup, those moments of calm before celebration begins. Elegantly furnished with lake views, creating a sanctuary within the larger event where you can retreat, breathe, and transition from getting ready to being ready. | - | - | - | - |
World-Class Facilities
Five-star amenities designed for relaxation and enrichment
The Longest Private Lakefront
Villa Pizzo's defining feature—more continuous waterfront than any other private property on Como. This isn't marketing hyperbole; the villa genuinely commands the longest uninterrupted stretch of lake access, creating that unique sense of being surrounded by water. Your celebration happens not adjacent to the lake but embraced by it on three sides, where every garden level offers different water perspectives.
Terraced Gardens
Multiple levels descending from the villa toward water, each terrace offering its own character and ceremony possibility. The formal Italian gardens near the villa maintain geometric precision—clipped hedges, gravel paths, classical proportions. As you descend, the planting softens, becomes more romantic, until you reach the water's edge where wild beauty meets cultivated elegance. Guests naturally explore these levels throughout your celebration, discovering hidden benches, fountain corners, viewpoints that frame the lake and distant mountains.
The Secret Garden
Behind protective walls, this enclosed space creates the villa's most intimate ceremony setting. Accessible through arched doorways, planted with roses and Mediterranean blooms, it feels like stepping into a private world. Particularly powerful for couples wanting their vows witnessed only by closest family, or for cocktail spaces where discovering this hidden garden becomes a small adventure.
Boat Dock & Water Access
The private dock at garden's edge isn't simply practical—it's theatrical. Guests arrive by boat from Como (20 minutes), stepping off directly into the villa's world. Similarly, newlywed departures by vintage wooden launch create those cinematic moments where everyone waves from the terrace and the couple glides away across water toward sunset. Many photographers cite these dock arrivals and departures as their favorite shots of the entire day.
Dramatic Double Staircases
Flanking the central courtyard, twin staircases ascend to the villa's main floor in perfect symmetry—pure architectural theater. Perfect for grand entrances, first looks at the top of the stairs, that moment when newlyweds descend to reception while guests gather below. These staircases have appeared in countless wedding photographs because they're simply, objectively beautiful.
Neoclassical Halls
Four interconnected reception rooms that flow naturally while maintaining distinct characters. The largest accommodates seated dinner for sixty with dancing space; smaller salons suit intimate dinner parties or provide retreat spaces where guests escape larger celebrations temporarily. Together they create the flexibility to shape your reception exactly as you envision—one large gathering or multiple intimate rooms, formal dining or casual flow.
Dining & Bar Areas
Distinguished spaces for dining, entertainment, and memorable celebrations
External Premium Catering Only
Full Bar Service Available
No Onsite Restaurant
Curated Experiences
Our professional team arranges exceptional activities to enhance your stay
Location
Easily accessible from major cities and international airports
Address
Via Regina 46/48, 22012 Cernobbio, Lake Como, Italy
Travel Times
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about hosting your event at Villa Pizzo
Can guests stay overnight at Villa Pizzo?
What is the maximum wedding capacity?
How do guests reach Villa Pizzo?
Is exclusive use required?
What makes the lakefront so special?
Can we celebrate late into the evening?
What about catering and dining?
Why choose Villa Pizzo over other Como venues?
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