Cernobbio has been a renowned holiday resort since the beginning of the 19th century, situated at the starting point of the scenic route that leads up to the top of Mount Bisbino (1325m).
At the northern edge of the town lies Villa d’Este, one of the first villas to appear on the shores of Lake Como, built in the 16th century by Cardinal Tolomeo Gallio, the son of a noble Como family, who went on to become one of the most powerful men in the Vatican.
In 1815 the villa was bought by Caroline of Brunswick, Princess of Wales and wife of King George IV of Britain.
vIn 1873 the villa was turned into a hotel and is today one of the ten finest hotels in the world.
The villa’s gardens include a curious stepped double waterfall, which flows across the bridge over the lakeside road from Cernobbio to Moltrasio, and a series of castellated lookouts carved into the rock surface.