How to Plan an Art Nouveau Garden Tour in Brunate

Dreaming of strolling through a historic Art Nouveau garden high above Lake Como? Follow these five steps and you’ll have a smooth, memorable tour of Villino Rubini’s four-acre grounds and the surrounding Brunate highlights.

Table of Contents

• Step 1: Confirm Access Before Planning Your Tour
• Step 2: Plan Your Journey to Brunate
• Step 3: Follow a Tour Route Through the House and Gardens
• Step 4: Choose the Stay or Event Format That Fits Your Visit
• Step 5: Set a Realistic Schedule and Prepare for the Visit

Step 1: Confirm Access Before Planning Your Tour

First, check whether you can enter the estate on your chosen dates. Villino Rubini runs a private shuttle that drops guests at the base of the historic Como-Brunate funicular; the shuttle runs every half hour in high season. Reach out to the host at least two weeks ahead to lock in a shuttle slot and to receive the welcome packet that includes a garden map and funicular timetable.

The estate also offers private guided tours of the house and grounds on request. A short visit lets you walk the terraces, see the original ceiling mouldings, and ask the caretaker about any accessibility concerns. Knowing the opening hours and any seasonal restrictions early saves you from last-minute surprises.

By now you should have a confirmed date, a shuttle reservation, and a copy of the estate’s visitor guide.

Step 2: Plan Your Journey to Brunate

Getting to Brunate is part of the adventure. Most travelers arrive by train to Como San Giovanni, then catch a local bus or taxi to the funicular’s lower station. The funicular, built in 1894, climbs the 700-metre ascent in about seven minutes and runs from 6:00 am to 10:30 pm daily.

Check the current schedule before you leave. Tickets cost a few euros each way; a round-trip ticket is the simplest option for a day-long itinerary.

Once you reach the hilltop, the village square sits just a short walk from Villino Rubini’s shuttle drop-off. From there, the estate’s private path leads straight to the main villa and its gardens.

For information about other nearby sights, consult a guide to Brunate attractions.

By now you should know how to reach Brunate, have tickets in hand, and have a rough outline of any extra stops.

Step 3: Follow a Tour Route Through the House and Gardens

Start inside the villa. Look for the flowing ironwork railings and stylised floral motifs that define the Art Nouveau style. The original ceiling mouldings and terrazzo floors have been carefully preserved, giving each room a sense of continuity with the garden outside.

Next, step onto the terraced garden paths. The estate’s four acres of beech forest contain wrought-iron benches, water fountains, and plantings of lavender, roses, and native Italian shrubs. These elements illustrate the Liberty movement’s belief that architecture and nature should blend.

When the sun is high, pause at the central pergola for a photo. The light filtering through the vines creates soft colour patches on the stone floor, a classic Art Nouveau visual cue.

The garden’s natural forms echo a familiar feature of Art Nouveau.

Pro Tip: Bring a small sketchbook. Many guests find that drawing a garden detail helps them notice the subtle metalwork and plant arrangements that often go unnoticed.

By now you should have explored the main house, admired the garden’s design highlights, and taken a moment to capture the atmosphere.

Step 4: Choose the Stay or Event Format That Fits Your Visit

Villino Rubini offers three ways to stay. The B&B option provides a private room and continental breakfast, ideal for couples or solo travelers who want a quiet base while exploring Brunate.

If you are with a small group, consider hiring the whole estate for your party. This grants you full use of the heated pool, spa, sauna, gym, and the garden's outdoor dinner tent that seats about 100 guests.

For interest-based trips, the experience-stay format blends wellness activities in the studio with guided walks through the estate’s historic grounds. It works well for yoga retreats, design workshops, or cycling groups heading out on the Brunate hill-climb.

Read more about Villino Rubini.

By now you should know which accommodation style matches your group size and interests.

Key Takeaway:

Step 5: Set a Realistic Schedule and Prepare for the Visit

Map out a timeline that leaves breathing room between activities. A typical day might look like this:

• 08:00, Breakfast at the villa
• 09:00, Funicular ride up to Brunate
• 09:30, Guided walk of Villino Rubini’s house and gardens
• 11:30, Short hike on a nearby trail (e.g., the Via dei Monti Lariani)
• 13:00, Lunch in the garden or at a local trattoria
• 15:00, Free time for spa, pool, or a private photography session
• 18:00, Outdoor dinner under the tent (if hosting a group)
• 20:00, Return to the funicular for descent

Adjust the slots based on season. In spring the garden blooms early, while summer brings longer daylight for late-evening meals.

Pack comfortable shoes for garden paths, a light jacket for the evening hill breeze, and any wellness gear you might need for the sauna or yoga studio.

Finally, double-check the funicular timetable on the day of travel. The service runs later in summer, but it may close earlier in shoulder months.

By the end of this step you will have a clear agenda, a packed bag, and confidence that nothing important will be missed.

FAQ: Art Nouveau Garden Tours in Brunate

Can I visit Villino Rubini without staying overnight?

Yes, the estate offers private tours on request. You can walk the house and gardens, ask the caretaker about the Art Nouveau details, and leave with a printed map for further exploration.

What is the best time of year for a garden tour?

The ideal months are May through September when the garden’s flower beds are in full bloom and the weather is warm enough for outdoor dining under the tent.

Is the funicular wheelchair accessible?

It is. The cars are designed to accommodate wheelchairs, and the boarding platform includes a ramp, making the ascent comfortable for guests with mobility needs.

How many guests can the outdoor dinner tent hold?

The garden tent can seat about one hundred guests for a seated dinner, providing a spacious setting for weddings, celebrations, or corporate events.

Do I need to arrange a guide for the garden walk?

A guide is optional but recommended if you want in-depth stories about the villa’s original 1892 Art Nouveau details and the surrounding beech forest’s history.

Where can I learn more about the history of Art Nouveau?

Art Nouveau is an artistic movement associated with natural forms.

Planning an Art Nouveau garden tour in Brunate becomes simple once you lock in access, map your travel, follow the house-and-garden route, pick the right stay, and set a relaxed schedule. Start by confirming your dates with Villino Rubini, then book your funicular tickets, and you’ll be on your way to a day of elegant design and quiet hillside beauty.