Just Say Yes: Five Best Proposal Ideas on Lake Como

From the quiet, hidden alcoves framed by wonderful wisteria blossoms to the grandeur of the lake’s most magnificent villas, whatever your idea and budget, the luxury of Lake Como ensures the perfect backdrop for your proposal.

  • June 30, 2024

In addition to being crowned the most beautiful of the Italian lakes, Lake Como is also one of the most sought-after wedding and engagement destinations in the world. With plenty of options for romantic getaways, it is not surprising that Lake Como is an internationally recognised wedding destination.

Before the Coronavirus pandemic, Lake Como was also famous for engagements – couples from all over the world used to come (and now dream of coming!) to Lake Como for engagements and wedding ceremonies. Although it is possible to have a wedding ceremony in any hotel, villa or restaurant on Lake Como, with the easing of restrictions and in anticipation of international arrivals, many establishments have started to offer engagement packages for couples. Once restrictions are eased globally, it is estimated that thousands of couples will arrive at Lake Como to get engaged and to get married.

From picturesque towns to restaurants with stunning lake views, proposal planning can quickly become overwhelming as it can be difficult to know where to start. When deciding to propose, it is not just the ring that has to be taken into consideration, but the location and the venue too! Perhaps you’ve saved up for a once-in-a-lifetime holiday, so why not use the opportunity to create memories you will cherish forever?

Here is a curated list of proposal-perfect venues that will be sure to knock your partner off their feet!

Le Luci del Lago, Laglio

Luci del lago
Le Luci del lago, Laglio

Described as the “romantic restaurant with a view”, Le Luci del Lago is a restaurant situated in Laglio, 20 minutes north of Como.

The restaurant offers couples a romantic candlelit meal in a secluded and cosy corner overlooking the lake: from the jasmine gazebo to the wisteria balcony. In the unlikely event of rain, there’s even a ‘Plan B’, such as the use of the winery veranda or the greenhouse – so you will be able to propose whatever the weather!

Need somewhere to stay? The restaurant is located within the 12-room boutique hotel Relais Villa Vittoria.

Villa del Balbianello, Lake Como

Villa Balbianello Garden
Villa del Balbianello

When choosing visit the world’s most romantic lake, you can’t go wrong with proposing at the lake’s most romantic villa.

Located in the small, picturesque town of Lenno (about a 40-minute drive from Como, but it can be easily reached by boat too), Villa del Balbianello has been the backdrop to numerous films and weddings, such as Casino Royale and Star Wars, as well as Bollywood celebrities Ranveer Singh and Deepika Padukone’s wedding in 2018.

Villa del Balbianello was given to the FAI (Fondo Ambiente Italiano) in 1988, who still looks after it to this day. The villa is set within an acre of manicured gardens on a peninsula, which offers unspoiled views of Lake Como, making your proposal all the more breathtaking.

Romantic Boat Proposal in Lake Como

Como Classic Boats
Photo: Como Classic Boats

Fancy popping the question during a boat escape, à la James Bond? Why not rent a boat and take a tour of the lake?

Complete with a chauffeur, Como Classic Boats offers classic wooden Riva boats amongst its fleet. For the environmentally conscious, you can also choose to take a tour on Lake Como’s first fully electric boat: the E-Vaporina.

Como Classic Boats offers a variety of itineraries for couples. You and your loved one will be whisked away to a town of your choosing which you will be able to explore (hint: Varenna is really breathtaking), before proposing either ashore or back onboard the boat. For an extra special proposal, why not include a romantic picnic and a bottle of Prosecco?

Rooftop Suite of the Grand Hotel Tremezzo

Grand Hotel Tremezzo
Grand Hotel Tremezzo

The glitz and glamour of Lake Como is reflected in the Grand Hotel Tremezzo’s vibrant and opulent decor, which ensures the perfect backdrop for a proposal.

The rooftop suites are a must for proposals (hint: choose the Rooftop Front Suite, or the Rooftop Corner Suite if you would prefer more privacy). All rooftop suites come with their own private mini pool and offer spectacular lake views.

At a hotel where no request is too large for the attentive and experienced staff, the Grand Hotel Tremezzo also offers couples “Dimmidisì” (“Tell me yes”) – a choice of five different surroundings for a romantic candlelit dinner. One of the options is to have a meal in the privacy of your rooftop suite overlooking the lake, which is perfect for a proposal.

Surprise Proposal in Bellagio

Bellagio city center
Bellagio, Lake Como

Sometimes, the smaller and more understated ideas pack more of a punch.

As one of the most recognisable towns on Lake Como, Bellagio’s elegance and charm is reminiscent of a fairytale. The cobbled steps, the small winding alleyways and the views from the top all come together to create picture-perfect memories. Why not take a leisurely stroll around the town to explore the enchanting silk boutiques and have a picnic lunch before popping the question?

Fancy eating something more substantial? Ristorante Bilacus offers couples a setting on their charming rooftop terrace, which looks out onto the magical cobbled steps of Bellagio below. There is also an intimate wine bar nearby, Enoteca Cava Turacciolo, where you can discover the local wines of the region.


Olivia Farley
Olivia Farley
Olivia splits her time between Lake Como and Liverpool (United Kingdom), where she studies French and Italian at university.
 
Olivia is passionate about language-learning, travelling, and ‘il dolce far niente’. She also enjoys exploring cultural and historical sites, and hiking up the many trails around the lake. 

Related articles:

Five Reasons to Visit Tremezzo

Love at first sight: 10 Best Photos from Lake Como

Seven Books about Lake Como to buy on Amazon

Seven Interesting and Quirky Facts About Lake Como

The Most Instagramable Hotels on Lake Como

Sign up for COMO LAKE Today newsletter.

News
Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este gathered classic car owners in Lake Como

On the last weekend of May, a glittering parade of the all classic cars competition Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este 2022…

June 2022
News
FuoriConcorso returns to Lake Como to Celebrate Porsche’s Anniversary

This year’s FuoriConcorso Open Museum on Lake Como will be devoted to the 75th anniversary of Porsche sports cars. On…

May 2023
Gallery Photo
Orticolario: Best Photos

On the first weekend of October at Villa Erba in Cernobbio for the tenth time, Orticolario was held. It’s an…

October 2018
You may also like
Experiences
Presents from Lake Como: The Best Acqua del Lario Products to Give This Christmas

Aroma is a great way to bring home the scent of Lake Como with a candle or fragrance diffuser. Gifting…

December 2022
Experiences
Halloween in Lake Como: Top Events for Families and Friends

As the autumn leaves fall and the air takes on a crisp chill, Lake Como embraces the Halloween season with…

October 2024
Experiences
5 Reasons to Visit Lake Como in Winter

Although the majority of tourists visit Lake Como during the summer season, this doesn’t mean there isn’t anything to do…

January 2025
Experiences
The Alchemy of the Water and the Mountains: Three Wellbeing Ideas to Apply on Lake Como

Have you ever felt energized in a specific place? Or you might feel uncomfortable in a particular city or country?…

April 2021
Experiences
The Velarca: A Floating Masterpiece Returned to Lake Como

The Velarca, a unique houseboat designed by the Milanese architecture firm BBPR in 1959, has been restored to its original…

December 2024