Lake Como has a long and distinguished tennis history. Wealthy British and German travelers built courts here in the late 19th century, and the tradition continues today. Tennis on Lake Como means clay courts, alpine views, and the kind of setting that makes it genuinely difficult to focus on the ball.
Whether you want a public court you can book without a hotel stay, or a private court inside one of the lake’s legendary luxury properties, this guide covers every option. Furthermore, we tell you exactly what to expect at each — surface, availability, views, and practical details. New to Lake Como? Start with our complete Lake Como guide 2026 first.
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Plan Your Trip
- Private transfer from Milan Malpensa, fixed price, booked in advance
- Lake Como and Bellagio boat cruise from Milan
- Tours and experiences around Lake Como
- eSIM for Italy, set up before you fly
Quick Summary: Best Tennis Courts on Lake Como
1. Tennis Como at Villa Olmo — Best Public Courts on the Lake
Tennis Como is located on the grounds of Villa Olmo — a neoclassical mansion built in the early 19th century, situated directly on the lake just north of Como city. It is the most accessible public tennis facility on Lake Como and one of the most beautiful.
What to Expect
The club plays on red clay right beside the lake and hosts the ATP Challenger “Città di Como” every late summer, so the courts are kept to tournament standard. Visitors do not need to be members: register on the club’s website to book a court, and check winter availability directly with the club.
The location inside the Villa Olmo grounds adds a layer of elegance that most public tennis clubs cannot offer. The neoclassical villa provides a stunning backdrop, and the lake is visible from the courts. As a result, this is the most complete public tennis experience on the lake.
Practical details
2. Passalacqua Tennis Court — Clay Court Above the Lake
Passalacqua is one of the most celebrated luxury hotels on Lake Como — and it has what many consider the most spectacular tennis court on the entire lake. The clay court sits just below the pool terrace, with one of the most photographed backdrops on the lake.
What to Expect
The clay court sits on the lowest level of the hotel’s terraced gardens, flanked by towering trees and verdant shrubs. It hangs out over the water with the lake almost lapping at your feet. The court is beautifully maintained and plays exactly as a classic clay surface should — slow, forgiving, and rewarding for patient players.
However, access is reserved for hotel guests. If you are staying at Passalacqua, the court is yours to use freely. If not, you will need to book a stay — which, given the hotel’s reputation as one of Italy’s finest properties, is far from a hardship.
Practical details
3. Villa d’Este — Eight Courts and a Professional Program
Villa d’Este in Cernobbio is the most prestigious luxury hotel on Lake Como — and its tennis program matches that reputation. The hotel has eight courts, six of them clay, open from 8 am to 8 pm, with coaching from Lux Tennis professionals. It is the most serious tennis offering of any hotel on the lake.
What to Expect
Each session with LUX Tennis becomes an opportunity to refine your technique or simply enjoy the game in an exceptional setting. Lessons are available for all levels. The courts are set within the hotel’s famous 25-acre gardens. Consequently, playing tennis at Villa d’Este means moving between court and garden — with the lake visible through the historic trees.
Practical details
4. Grand Hotel Tremezzo — Clay Court Above the Flowers Pool
Grand Hotel Tremezzo has had a tennis court since 1910 — making it one of the earliest hotels in the region to offer the sport. Today the court is clay rather than the original grass, but the setting is just as spectacular.
What to Expect
The open-air court sits on a terrace just above the Flowers Pool, surrounded by fragrant jasmine vines pruned in a wave-like pattern to reveal glimpses of Lake Como’s shimmering waters and the mountains beyond. After a match, guests can cool off in the pool or refuel at T Pizza.
Practical details
5. Sporting Club Bellagio — Tennis in the Most Famous Village
For travelers staying in or near Bellagio, the Sporting Club is the most convenient tennis option. It is a proper sports facility rather than a hotel amenity — which means it is accessible to visitors who are not staying at a specific property. In addition to tennis courts, the club features swimming pools, a restaurant, and a bar.
Practical details
6. Northern Lake Courts — Budget-Friendly and Crowd-Free
The northern branch of Lake Como has several public tennis facilities that are far less known than the central lake options. They are significantly cheaper and almost entirely tourist-free. If you are considering buying property in the northern lake area, our Lake Como real estate guide covers prices and locations in detail.
Tennis Colico
Tennis Colico is the main club at the northern tip of the lake, with lessons available and a relaxed, local atmosphere. Check court availability and current rates directly with the club before you go.
Tennis Gravedona
Tennis Gravedona, on the north-western shore, is a small local club with very reasonable rates and summer courses for children. Contact the club for current court times.
All Lake Como Tennis Courts: At a Glance
Practical Tips for Playing Tennis on Lake Como
Best Time to Play
The best playing conditions are in the early morning and evening. Specifically, the 6 PM to 8 PM slot offers the most pleasant experience — the temperature drops, the wind calms, and the golden light over the lake transforms an ordinary match into something memorable. In July and August, midday heat makes afternoon play uncomfortable on uncovered courts.
What to Bring
Bring your own balls if possible — selection at the clubs is often limited to basic training balls. Furthermore, bring proper clay-court shoes. Black-soled trainers that mark the surface are not permitted at most clubs on the lake.
Booking in Advance
In high season — June through August — court availability at popular facilities fills quickly. Book at least one week ahead for public clubs. Contact your hotel concierge as soon as you arrive for hotel courts. As a result, you avoid disappointment and can plan your day around the best time slots.
Which Tennis Court on Lake Como Is Right for You?
Whatever your level and wherever you are staying, tennis on Lake Como is one of the most rewarding sporting experiences in Italy. The combination of clay courts, alpine air, and lake views makes even a casual hit feel like something worth traveling for. Planning where to stay? Read our complete guide to luxury hotels on Lake Como.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a public tennis club on Lake Como?
Yes. Tennis Como at Villa Olmo is the main public club on the lake, with five courts, no membership requirement and play all year round. Sporting Club Bellagio is also open to visitors, and the northern lake has smaller clubs in Colico and Gravedona.
Can non-guests play on the Passalacqua tennis court?
No. The clay court at Passalacqua in Moltrasio is reserved for hotel guests. To play there, you need to book a stay.
Can I play tennis at Villa d’Este without staying there?
Villa d’Este’s eight courts and its LUX Tennis coaching are for hotel guests. If you are not staying, Tennis Como at Villa Olmo is the closest public alternative, about ten minutes away in Como.
When is the tennis season on Lake Como?
Public clubs such as Tennis Como play year-round, while hotel courts follow the hotel season, which on Lake Como usually runs from about March or April to November.
Plan the Rest of Your Lake Como Stay
Tennis takes care of the morning. For the rest of your time on the lake:
- Dinner: the best restaurants on Lake Como, from Michelin stars to lakeside trattorias
- Aperitivo: the best rooftop bars on Lake Como
- On the water: private boat tours and yacht charter on Lake Como
- Wine: our Lake Como wine guide, with Terre Lariane, Valtellina and where to taste
- Golf: the best golf courses on Lake Como
- Where to stay in Bellagio: our Grand Hotel Villa Serbelloni review
- Short on time: a Lake Como day trip from Milan
For the full overview of the lake, start with our complete Lake Como travel guide.
For the history of tennis on the lake and why a morning match fits so well into a Lake Como trip, read why tennis belongs on your Lake Como itinerary.
Planning a tennis trip beyond Lake Como? See our guide to the best luxury hotels with tennis courts in Italy, or go straight to tennis hotels on Lake Garda.
Playing elsewhere in Italy? See our guides to public courts and clubs in Rome, Milan, Florence, Lake Garda, Sicily and the Amalfi Coast, Sorrento and Naples.
