James Bond and Lake Como: the villas of Casino Royale

The first stop takes you to Lenno, in the municipality of Tremezzina and less than an hour’s drive from Como: enjoy the village first and leave the highlight of the visit (the Villa del Balbianello) for later. Lenno is a hidden gem nestled in the natural inlet created by the Dosso di Lavedo, nestled on the slopes of Monte Tremezzo, and offers unexpected surprises such as Villa Carlotta.

The walk should be taken at a leisurely pace. Get into the real spirit of a movie star relaxing and enjoying their holiday on Lake Como. This way, you’ll discover a hidden gem in a place where time seems to stand still. With its cobbled streets and its colourful, picturesque houses and craft boutiques, the atmosphere is captivating.

The focal point is the church of Santo Stefano, a building dating back to the 11th century and an example of Romanesque architecture. Its simple yellow façade doesn’t seem to promise much, but once inside, you will be amazed by the elegance of the chapel. Then wander around the old town as the mood takes you, perhaps stopping off at a restaurant or bar for a drink or a quick bite to eat.

We’d then recommend enjoying lunch or a snack on the lakefront, which is the perfect place for a carefree stroll while taking in the wonderful sights. A swim is a must, if the season allows!

Next, you can go and see a real treat for spy enthusiasts – the  Villa del Balbianello, on the headland of the Lavedo peninsula. 

Its inspiring aura has attracted directors such as George Lucas, Martin Campbell, and even Ridley Scott for a few scenes in the miniseries House of Gucci starring Lady Gaga and Al Pacino. Before them, the villa had captivated other directors, from Mario Soldati with The Patriot to John Irvin with A Month by the Lake. They all fell for the villa’s charm, as did the Lumière brothers, the inventors of cinema, back in 1897.

The Villa Arconati Visconti, known as the Villa del Balbianello, in Lenno, on Lake Como, is an elegant 18th-century residence, now owned by the FAI, the Italian Environment Fund. Its spectacular garden has hosted writers and travellers from all over the world. It was Cardinal Durini, a scholar and patron, who chose this corner of paradise as a personal refuge for literary pursuits at the end of the 18th century. But, of course, with its scenic presence, how could it not be a favourite destination for film sets?

For example, scenes from Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones, such as the one in which Anakin and Padmé exchange their first kiss, were filmed at Villa del Balbianello. And it’s here that in Casino Royale, James Bond finds refuge, relaxation and... love.

The villa overlooks a sweeping panorama, making it one of the most scenic residences on the lake. Bold pruning, romantic views, avenues lined with statues, panoramic terraces and beautiful flower displays are just some of the delights found within the villa’s grounds.

Of all the many breathtaking settings in the film, and indeed of the countless locations in the previous Bond films, the British newspaper Daily Telegraph chose Villa del Balbianello as the undisputed queen of all the locations in the most famous franchise in cinema history. Casino Royale is the first film to feature Daniel Craig as 007.

In the film, after the Montenegro casino interlude, James Bond gains the trust of the beautiful Vesper Lynd (Eva Green). There, 007 is lucky at the gaming table but not so lucky afterwards, when he is tortured by his enemy Le Chiffre. But, as we know, Bond always wins.

We see him again somewhat battered but victorious and recovering at the Villa del Balbianello. He is convalescing in the company of Vesper, his Bond Girl. It’s also here that the two exchange the famous kiss under the loggia.

This is the 18th-century loggia that crowns the entire complex, offering a wonderful view of the surrounding landscape.

The romantic atmosphere of this location has inspired many brides-to-be, so much so that many wedding agencies now offer couples the opportunity to get married at the villa. If you’re not sure you want to leave now, you’ve only got two more stops to go!

Now that you’ve seen so many amazing sights, the best thing you can do is talk about them some more as you stroll through the streets of San Siro. You can get there from the previous villa, Villa del Balbianello, via the SS340 in just under 20 minutes by car.

You can alternate between visiting a church and reminiscing about a detail from Villa del Balbianello, or visiting a castle and recalling another scene from James Bond...

San Siro consists of the two villages of Rezzonico and Santa Maria. The rocky promontory of Rezzonico is dominated by the imposing 14th-century castle, built by the noble Della Torre family, with its ramparts and three crenellated towers. Further downhill, in Santa Maria, is the  church of Santa Maria Assunta, from which the village takes its name. The chapel was built for the Dominican friars in the 15th century, above the remains of a church dedicated to the Virgin Mary.

You can also visit the church of Sant’Abbondio di Acquaseria, a hamlet of San Siro, on the outskirts of the old village centre on the ancient Strada Regina road. The church probably served as a place of lodging for pilgrims arriving from the treacherous Sasso Rancio trail.

Once you’ve arrived in Acquaseria, you won’t want to leave! This is your final stop. Villa La Gaeta, with its medieval aura, awaits you on the promontory of the same name.

After your last stop, even more amazing sights await you. Don’t wait any longer and head straight to Villa La Gaeta. The residence is located in the municipality of San Siro and owes its name to the promontory on which it sits, the promontory of La Gaeta.

Campbell pays homage to Italy once again: the final scene of the film Casino Royale is set in Gino Coppedè’s villa. The residence is in the hamlet of Acquaseria, which is part of the municipality of San Siro, on Lake Como. During the final scene, James Bond faces off against the ruthless, double-dealing agent Mr White in a final, decisive showdown. Our agent, of course, gets the better of him and we watch him triumphantly walk up the steps to the villa’s front door, before uttering the iconic phrase, “The name’s Bond, James Bond”.

The villa is truly beautiful: it stands out even from a distance due to its resemblance to a medieval castle.

You could say that every detail of the villa is nothing short of dramatic; nothing is left to chance. Everything revolves around riddles and an allegorical interpretation of style that reveals unpredictable meanings. The brothers Gino and Adolfo Coppedè chose the eclectic style, a mixture of Art Nouveau and medieval and Renaissance details. It’s a perfect mix, which also draws on graffiti, frescoes and colour contrasts.

And then there are the turrets and exposed brickwork... The atmosphere they evoke is magical, truly irresistible. Every filmmaker would love to have Villa La Gaeta in their film, to enchant viewers.

Your itinerary exploring the villas on Lake Como visited by Bond ends here, with the film Casino Royale. If, after this tour, you are still keen to discover more of Comacchio’s fantastic residences, you could pop over to Villa Serbelloni or Villa Melzi in Bellagio.