Introducing Villa Sola Cabiati

If you are seeking a luxurious destination wedding venue in Europe, look no further than Villa Sola Cabiati. This incredible property is situated on the shores of Lake Como in northern Italy, with far-reaching views over the lake and mountains. Steeped in history, this magnificent estate offers the perfect setting for couples looking to exchange vows and celebrate their love in a breathtaking location.

Read on to discover more about Villa Sola Cabiati and why this former Royal residence is a dream destination for couples seeking a luxury destination wedding venue in Italy.

Why Villa Sola Cabiati is so special

Villa Sola Cabiati is one of Lake Como’s most historic villas dating back to the 16th century. Located on Como’s perimeter with direct views over the lake, the property was once the 18th century vacation home of the very wealthy Duke Gabrio Serbelloni. The estate remains with the Serbelloni family today and is operated by the prestigious Grand Tremezzo Hotel, which is just a few minutes’ boat ride or drive away, offering further 5-star amenities.

The exterior of Villa Sola Cabiati features a main, central four-story building with perfect neoclassical symmetry, of which two additional wings were added on either side in the 1700s. Beautiful blue shutters adorn the windows and feature ornate marble balconies overlooking the impeccable grounds and grand Italian garden. There is also a beautiful outdoor pool with relaxing sun loungers – perfect for soaking up the warm Italian sun!

Internally you are greeted with mosaico Venezia floors, elaborate halls, and a grand staircase. The opulent interiors are Baroque in style, decorated with ornate chandeliers, impressive frescoes, antique furnishings, Chinese vases, and priceless collections of tapestries, all adding to the estate’s charm and artistry.

There is a private museum on the top floors of the main house made up of a collection of beloved artifacts and furnishings from the 16th and 17th centuries, which are the property of the Serbelloni family. Interested guests who love antiques may request an exclusive tour of the museum by a member of the family.

Staying at Villa Sola Cabiati

The residence benefits from a range of 6 luxurious bedroom suites, all with en-suite bathrooms. Many rooms retain their original furniture, including a bed slept in by Napoléon!

Each spacious bedroom has been sympathetically enhanced to provide guests with all the comfort & amenities expected from modern day accommodation. A full dedicated staff is on hand to attend to your every need, ensuring your stay is nothing short of extraordinary.

Additional 5-star accommodation is offered at the nearby Grand Hotel Tremezzo. Guests of both properties benefit from full use of the facilities, including access to the spa, gym, tennis court, private beach, pools, and restaurants, at the luxury Lake Como hotel.

Villa Sola Cabiati – The perfect backdrop for your Wedding Day

If you’re planning a romantic Lake Como destination wedding and are looking for a luxurious setting with incredible views, Villa Sola Cabiati is the ideal venue! The villa is offered with exclusive hire allowing you to create a private and intimate wedding celebration to your exact specifications. It also provides the perfect event space for wedding rehearsal dinners, spectacular soirées, pool parties, and all the other events that typically surround a wedding day!

The villa has many spacious, bright, and airy locations for the bride and groom as you prepare for your big day. There’s an array of beautiful places for your bridal portraits, including the grand staircase – perfect for those impressive wedding dress shots. The large windows throughout allow light to flood in, which is ideal for natural & elegant beauty photos.

The glistening waters of Lake Como offer a timeless backdrop for groom’s portraits.

The flowering Italian garden is the ideal setting for a romantic wedding ceremony. Family and friends can watch on as you exchange your vows against a backdrop of incredible scenery with the beaming Italian sun shining down on you.

The steps leading up to the venue are perfect for capturing formal and informal family photos. Then as your guests enjoy cocktail hour around the outdoor swimming pool, you can explore the many beautiful locations offered at Villa Sola Cabiati for your bride and groom portraits.

The Hall of Stucos (Sala degli Stucchi) is my favorite room of the villa located at the house’s Piano Nobile. Decorated by Muzio Canzio and Francesco Conegliano, this room is as ornately decadent as it is light and airy and a great space for wedding photos.

Another must-have photo location is the beautiful marble balcony that leads off the hall of stuccos, which has far-reaching views over Lake Como.

The neutral color palette of the villa offers flexibility and versatility when it comes to wedding styling and decorating. It adds a sense of airiness and lightness, creating a timeless wedding look that won’t go out of style. These tones can also be paired easily with different colors, allowing you to create a truly unique look.

Lake Como and the Surrounding Area

Lake Como is based in the Lombardy region of Northern Italy. The resort is centered around the third largest Lake in Italy, at the foot of the Alps, making for the most dramatic & inspiring scenery. As such, it is very popular with tourists, and many A-list celebrities, including George Clooney and Richard Branson.

Lake Como is also a popular location for destination weddings, with couples coming from all over the world to tie the knot there, including celebrity couples John Legend & Chrissy Teigen, Rani Mukherjee & Aditya Chopra, and Emily Blunt & John Krasinski.

The stunning Lake and surrounding amenities only add to the appeal of Villa Sola Cabiati, offering plenty of things to do for you and your guests.

Arts and culture lovers can explore the Lake’s museums, churches, and historical sites. And those seeking adventure can take part in water sports like sailing, kayaking, and windsurfing.

For a truly unique experience, you can take a private cruise of the Lake and have wedding photographs taken onboard a luxury boat. There are also various sightseeing opportunities within a short distance of the Villa, including the nearby Bellagio (also referred to as the ‘pearl of Lake Como’), where you can admire the colorful architecture & pristine gardens. Or you can enjoy a picnic on the grounds of the nearby Parco Teresio Olivelli, within easy walking distance of the Villa.

If you are a foodie, you will enjoy a tour around the Lake’s many restaurants to sample the exquisite cuisine on offer. If you’re looking for an authentic taste of Lombardy, you can’t miss trying the local delicacies of Risotto Alla Milanese and Polenta con Spinaci. Or, treat your guests to a culinary challenge experience with a cooking class by learning how to cook some of these delicious dishes!

Getting to Villa Sola Cabiati

Milan Airport is closest to Lake Como, serving many international airlines, and the most convenient option for flying into Italy.

Lake Como is located around 52 miles / 85 km from Milan airport. However, there are many transportation options available to get you there. You can rent a car, arrange a private transfer, take a taxi, or use public transport such as buses and trains. Whichever option you go for, I recommend pre-booking before you arrive.

You’ll need an international driver’s license and insurance to drive a rental car in Italy. Although, it’s worth noting that the roads around Lake Como are winding and narrow in places, so consider going for a smaller vehicle if it will fit your luggage!

The from Milan airport to Lake Como is around 1.5 hours, so you won’t have to worry about too much travel time before getting to your destination. With stunning views along the way, you may even want to extend your trip and stop to grab some Instagrammable picture-perfect shots!

Traveling further afield

If you really want to immerse yourself in all that Italy offers, you may choose to extend your wedding trip into a honeymoon (or mini-moon!). Milan is just a 40-minute drive from the Villa and is great for fashionistas, offering an array of designer fashion boutiques to browse.

Or, if you want to learn more about Italy’s fascinating history, art, and culture, you can take in a selection of Italy’s main cities, including Rome, Venice, Florence, Turin, and Naples.

A drive through the rolling countryside of Tuscany, south of Lake Como, is sure to be an adventure – enjoying spectacular views of vineyards, olive groves, and quaint churches along the way.

For a unique experience, why not take a scenic train ride through Italy? You’ll get breathtakingly beautiful vistas without any stress from driving! Or head to the luxury resorts of Sorrento, Positano, or Ravello on the Amalfi Coast by the crystal-clear waters of the Mediterranean Sea for a relaxing break after your wedding.

For the outdoorsy couple looking for an action-packed adventure, head over to the other great Italian Lakes: Garda, Maggiore, and Iseo, and journey through the snow-capped peaks of the Dolomites for a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

In Summary

If you have your heart set on a destination wedding at Lake Como and you are looking for a luxury wedding venue with the wow factor – you will love Villa Sola Cabiati! The villa offers the perfect balance of luxury, privacy, beauty, and grandeur – with its incredible Italian hospitality, premium amenities, and gorgeous scenic views. So it’s no wonder this wedding venue has become a favorite among luxury brides-to-be who want to make their dream wedding day unforgettable.

Are you looking for a Lake Como Wedding photographer with experience working at Villa Sola Cabiati? If so, I would love to learn more about your plans. I am an English-speaking wedding photographer based in Europe and can offer a wedding photography collection to suit your needs.

Please do not hesitate to contact me HERE for a quote for your wedding.

I am also available for couple photo sessions, engagements, honeymoons, and wedding proposal captures around Europe – to learn more, click HERE.

Click on a photo below to see more from Villa Sola Cabiati, Lake Como.

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