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Lake Como
Villa Gala
One of the Seven Sisters of Como — a 1772 lakefront mansion on the promenade into the medieval centre, with original Andrea Appiani frescoes and a panoramic pool above the lake.
About This Villa
Villa Gala is one of the legendary Seven Sisters of Como — a 1772 lakefront mansion on the scenic promenade leading into the medieval centre of Como itself. Nineteen thousand square feet of historic villa, restored in 2009, with full air conditioning, an elevator, a private gym, a yoga studio, a private garden, and a panoramic swimming pool reserved for guests. Original frescoes throughout — including works attributed to Andrea Appiani, the great Italian neoclassicist — and the subject of an 1856 novel by Nathalie Comtesse.
Photos
Main villa (Gallietta) — sleeps 19 across 8 bedrooms / 7 bathrooms
(Detailed layout available on request; rooms spread across the historic 1772 mansion with elevator access to all floors)
Independent apartment (Rustic Flat Como) — sleeps 7 across 3 bedrooms / 2 bathrooms
(Exposed wooden beams, natural stone details, antique flooring; private entrance, fully equipped kitchen, washer and dryer)
The two units can be rented together as the entire estate or separately as smaller stays
All rooms have air conditioning and high-speed Wi-Fi
Villa Gala is a 1772 lakefront mansion on the lake-edge pedestrian promenade leading directly into the medieval centre of Como — one of the legendary Seven Sisters of Como, a row of historic palazzi along this prime stretch of waterfront. The villa is on the National Register of historic Italian villas and is the subject of an 1856 novel by the French author Nathalie Comtesse.
Nineteen thousand square feet across four floors, restored in 2009. The interiors keep their original frescoes throughout — including works attributed to Andrea Appiani, the great Italian neoclassicist — alongside the modern conveniences that a contemporary stay requires: full air conditioning, an elevator to all floors, a fully equipped private gym, a yoga studio, and high-speed Wi-Fi.
The property is structured as two completely independent units. The main villa (Gallietta) sleeps 19 across eight bedrooms and seven bathrooms, with its own private garden and panoramic swimming pool reserved for its guests. An independent apartment (Rustic Flat Como) sleeps a further seven across three bedrooms and two bathrooms — exposed wooden beams, natural stone details, antique flooring, its own private entrance, a fully equipped kitchen and a washer/dryer. The two units can be booked together as one estate or separately for smaller stays. (Apartment guests do not have access to the main villa's garden or pool unless both units are booked together by the same group.)
Como's historic centre is a short walk along the promenade — luxury boutiques, the cathedral, cafés and the restaurants you came for. The Brunate funicular up the mountain is ten minutes by foot. Cernobbio's Villa d'Este is fifteen minutes by car.
Concierge service, resident staff, and on-site administrative offices ensure a seamless stay. A cook, private drivers and tour guides can be added on request.
All utilities (electricity, water, A/C, heating, gas) and final cleaning
Daily housekeeping
Resident staff and on-site administrative offices for concierge requests
Mid-week change of bed linen and bath towels
Welcome basket on arrival
Unlimited high-speed Wi-Fi indoor and outdoor
Full air conditioning throughout the historic main villa (restored 2009)
Elevator to all floors of the main villa
Equipped private gym and yoga studio
Panoramic swimming pool (reserved exclusively for guests of the main villa)
Private garden
Washer and dryer in the apartment unit
Cook service, private drivers and tour guides available on request
Saturday-to-Saturday rentals (7-night minimum)
Check-in 4:00 pm; check-out by 10:00 am
The estate is two independent units — the main villa (sleeps 19) and the rustic apartment (sleeps 7)
Guests of the apartment do not have access to the main villa's private garden or swimming pool unless both units are rented together by the same group
Children welcome (baby cot available on request)
No pets
Non-smoking villa
Italian Visitor's Tax (approximately €1.50–€6.00 per person, per day for the first ten days) is payable locally in cash
Quick answers about Villa Gala
- How many people does Villa Gala sleep?
- Villa Gala sleeps 26 guests in 11 bedrooms, with 9 bathrooms.
- Where is Villa Gala?
- On the lake-edge promenade leading into the medieval centre of Como, one of the legendary Seven Sisters of Como, a 1772 mansion of nineteen thousand square feet, with a panoramic swimming pool and the city's historic centre a short walk away.
- How much does it cost to rent Villa Gala?
- Rates for Villa Gala are quoted on request. Send Doorways your dates and group size for an exact price.
- What is included at Villa Gala?
- All utilities (electricity, water, A/C, heating, gas) and final cleaning; Daily housekeeping; Resident staff and on-site administrative offices for concierge requests; Mid-week change of bed linen and bath towels.
- How do I book Villa Gala?
- Book Villa Gala through Doorways Villa Vacations, a US-based, IATA-accredited agency arranging Italian villa stays since 1994. Send an inquiry with your dates, and a dedicated travel advisor replies with availability and the rate.
Inspiration to get you dreaming
Your concierge can help arrange unforgettable experiences tailored to your stay.
Lake Como
Captained classic-wood boat day
A morning on a 1960s mahogany Riva or a modern Cantiere replica. Coffee on the Tremezzo lakefront, a stop at Villa del Balbianello, lunch at La Punta in Bellagio, swim stops between.
Lake Como
Villa del Balbianello private tour
The most cinematic of the lake's villas, reachable only by water. The gardens, the loggia, the rooms exactly as they were when the last owner left them.
Lake Como
Dinner at Mistral or Il Gatto Nero
Mistral at Villa d'Este on the water for the Michelin night out. Il Gatto Nero in Cernobbio above the lake (long the favourite of George Clooney and most of his neighbours) for the more local one.
Lake Como
A morning at Villa Carlotta or Villa Melzi
Botanical gardens that have been the standard for two hundred years. Azaleas in May, lemons in June, oleanders in July.
Lake Como
A Como Como silk workshop in Como town
Como has been Europe's silk capital since the 1500s. A morning workshop at a family silk house — printing, weaving, or scarves — at one of the producers our concierge knows.
Lake Como
A day in the Bernina Express direction
Take the boat to Varenna, the train up to Tirano, and the Bernina railway up into the Swiss Alps. Lunch at altitude, back to the villa by dinner.
Como
On the lake-edge promenade leading into the medieval centre of Como — one of the legendary Seven Sisters of Como, a 1772 mansion of nineteen thousand square feet, with a panoramic swimming pool and the city's historic centre a short walk away.
Map location is approximate. Contact us with any questions.
