What is Orticolario 2025? A quick overview
Orticolario 2025 is the must-see autumn event on Lake Como dedicated to nature, gardens, art and design: from 2–5 October at Villa Erba (Cernobbio), the Eden theme transforms the historic lakeside park into an immersive experience of botany, landscape and creativity. Founded in 2009, Orticolario has grown year after year to become a reference point for enthusiasts, professionals and families.
Here you’ll find dates, tickets, programme, how to get there and parking: the complete guide to planning your visit to Orticolario 2025 at Villa Erba (Cernobbio, Lake Como).
At a glance: 250+ selected exhibitors, gardens in competition, site-specific installations, talks and workshops, activities for children and teens, food & wine areas, and — at the weekend — a boat service included with your ticket.
History, organisation and integration with the local area
Orticolario was born in 2009 at Villa Erba: since then, every autumn, the villa’s park is transformed for a few days into an open-air laboratory, where a guiding theme — different each year — shapes the displays, competition gardens, cultural programme and communications.
It is organised by a non-profit cultural organisation, active all year round and supported by a network of nurserymen, artisans, designers and local institutions: this ecosystem is what makes the event so deeply rooted on Lake Como.
Orticolario is a non-profit: its raison d’être is to promote landscape culture and encourage a more mindful relationship with nature, putting art, design and botany into dialogue. Through a dedicated fund active year-round, over €300,000 has been allocated over the years to cultural and social projects in support of local associations.
The format is now well defined: three and a half days (Thursday afternoon + Friday–Sunday) across the park and pavilions, an Agorà for talks, the international competition’s Creative Spaces, site-specific installations, a high-quality botanical market and artisanal crafts. Over time, evocative themes — from water to the moon, from empathy to journey — have offered a different narrative lens each year. If you’d like to revisit all editions, the official website hosts an archive with themes and projects.
2025 theme: Eden
Eden is the “untouched beginning”: an untamed garden that invites us to look at the world as if for the first time. At the heart of the botanical narrative are wild edible plants (piante alimurgiche) — spontaneous species that are edible (leaves, shoots, roots, berries) — and their connection with contemporary foraging.
- Featured plants: wild edible herbs
- Guest of honour: Antonia Klugmann (chef of L’Argine a Vencò, Gorizia)
Must-see installations and spaces
- DZONOT (Central Pavilion) – by Jonathan Arnaboldi and Matteo Pellicanò: a threshold between light and shadow, chaos and natural order.
- Jasmine Tunnel – “A Walk in the Woods” – by Marco Gramaglia, Laura Storero and Davide Bacci: a sensory journey among edible herbs.
- Villa Erba Atrium – “And then we came forth to see the stars again” – by Mantero Seta: a suspended textile sky with a dreamlike atmosphere.
- AREA* – new for 2025: curated spaces for selected exhibitors, designed for connections and exchange.
- Creative Spaces (International Competition) – 7 finalists: accessible, walkable gardens that inspire wonder.
- Non-competitive installations – to prompt reflection and “give shape to enchantment.”
Pro tip: arrive in the morning and start in the park: see the most popular installations (e.g. DZONOT and the Jasmine Tunnel) when it’s quieter, then head back into the pavilions during the busiest hours. Save must-see spots on your map and plan a loop route.
Orticolario 2025 programme: talks, workshops and family-friendly activities
- Talks & conversations: not just lectures, but lively conversations with landscape designers, product designers, nurserymen, artists and green “visionaries” that bring the Eden theme down to earth with concrete ideas. Panels last 30–45′ and run morning and afternoon (Fri–Sun), almost always with a final Q&A. They take place in the Agorà and in the indoor rooms of Villa Erba. The goal is to leave with practical takeaways — plants, materials, project ethics — and an up-to-date view of contemporary landscape trends. Access is included with your ticket until seats run out; in some cases a brief on-site registration may be required. The schedule and speakers will be published in the official calendar.
- Practical workshops: genuinely hands-on sessions designed to get your hands in the soil and leave with ideas you can apply straight away. You’ll work on cultivation (choosing substrates, drainage, autumn sowing, light pruning), on the safe identification of edible herbs (criteria, common local species, best practices for responsible foraging), and on micro-garden design (planting palettes, aspect, low-maintenance care). Sessions last 45–60′ and alternate between the park and indoor rooms from Friday to Sunday. Access is included with your ticket until seats run out; some sessions may require brief on-site registration. Ideal for those starting from a beginner level (with takeaways for intermediate too), they let you head home with a mini cultivation sheet and a small layout for your green space. The detailed schedule will be published in the official programme.
- Performances: you’ll come across site-specific actions, music, spoken word and micro-theatre that bring the Eden theme to life. These are short interventions (15–30′) running from Friday to Sunday, with more slots in the afternoon. The “stage” moves between the Agorà, the Villa Erba Atrium and selected clearings in the park marked on the map: moments designed to immerse the audience and put art and landscape in dialogue. No extra tickets are required: access is free until seats run out; in some cases on-site registration may be requested. The full schedule will be published in the official programme.
- Kids & Teens: play-and-learn workshops (curated by Hortensia and landscape designer Vittorio Peretto) for the “gardeners of the future”: explorations in the park, safe identification of edible plants, small botanical experiments and mini-gardens to take home. Outdoor/indoor activities, average duration 30–45′, limited places with on-site registration (until full). Recommended ages, schedule and times will be published in the event’s official programme.
The full programme will be linked/updated on the official page. https://www.orticolario.it/it/orticolario-2025/programma-culturale/
Practical info: dates, opening times and tickets
Dates & opening times
- Thu 2 October 2025: 15:00–19:00
- Fri 3 – Sun 5 October 2025: 09:00–19:00
Tickets (online purchase recommended)
You can buy tickets online, choosing between Full or Afternoon, or opting for 2–4 day passes; reduced rates are also available (e.g. students). Children ≤14 and people with 100% disabilities (with companion) enter free. Buying online lets you skip the queue and lock in the rate.
Official ticket office → Orticolario or Ticket.it → Tickets
Boat service included with your ticket on Saturday 4 and Sunday 5 October. Ticket office also open at the Villa Erba pier.
Entrances & on-site ticket offices
- Visconti – Largo Luchino Visconti 4, Cernobbio
- Galoppatoio – Via Regina 2/A, Cernobbio
- Lake – Arrival at the Villa Erba pier (ticket office open Sat 4 and Sun 5)
How to get there
By train to Como and then to Villa Erba (recommended at the weekend) – Arrive at Como S. Giovanni (RE80, S40, EC, S11) or Como Lago (Milan–Saronno–Como line). From the city centre, head to the Navigazione Laghi piers and take the shuttle boat (round trip) to the Villa Erba pier: the service is included with your ticket on Saturday 4 and Sunday 5 October only. On all event days, if you prefer the bus, from Como S. Giovanni take C10/C20 (stop “Cernobbio – Mazzini”) or route 6 from Como – San Rocchetto (stop “Villa Erba”); from Como Lago take C10/C20 towards Argegno/Menaggio.
If you’re already in Como or on the lake – You can board directly from the Navigazione Laghi piers (city centre) and get off at the Villa Erba pier. The shuttle boat is round trip and is included with your ticket only at the weekend. For confirmations and updates: see Notes for the public and How to get there on orticolario.it.
By car – From Milan: A9, take the Lago di Como exit (the last one in Italy), then follow signs for “Villa Erba”. From Lugano: after the border, take the Cernobbio Lago exit. Park in the recommended areas (remote car parks with a free shuttle at the weekend, or on site for a fee) and follow the signage to the Visconti, Galoppatoio and Lago entrances.
Orticolario 2025 parking (Cernobbio):
pending the official map (for now, refer to the 2024 edition)
Parking – Both free and paid spaces in the area. For visitors coming from further afield, there are remote car parks connected to Villa Erba by a free shuttle (on busier days) or within walking distance.
Remote car parks with free shuttle (weekend):
- P3 – Fasana 1904 · Viale G. Matteotti 36, Cernobbio · shuttle service active at the weekend
- P4 – Viale G. Matteotti 39 · Cernobbio · shuttle service active at the weekend
Remote car parks within walking distance (no shuttle):
- P1 – Via Conciliazione · Tavernola (Como)
- P2 – AkzoNobel – Via Silvio Pellico 8 · Tavernola (Como)
- P5 – Gallerie Bennet Lario – Via Asiago 2 · Tavernola (Como)
On site (paid, near Villa Erba):
- P7 – Galoppatoio – Via Regina 2/A · Cernobbio
- P8 – Autosilo Villa Erba – Via Regina 1 · Cernobbio
Official references:
Dog policy – Dogs are allowed with a lead and muzzle; waste bags required.
Practical tips (zero stress)
If you can, choose Friday morning: the atmosphere is calmer. Saturday afternoon is the busiest slot, so consider the Afternoon ticket. Wear comfortable shoes suitable for lawn, gravel and indoor floors. Many exhibitors take cards, but bring some cash for small purchases. For food, you can stop on site or try the themed street food; bring a reusable water bottle. If you love photography, the best light is early morning on the lake: shoot discreetly and respect the displays.
Where to stay near Villa Erba
If you’re looking for a cosy, quiet, well-cared-for base to enjoy Orticolario with zero stress, La Maison de Geraldine in Cadorago is the right choice. You’re perfectly placed between Como and Milan: in 15–20 minutes by train you reach Como Lago station and, at the weekend, continue by round-trip boat to Villa Erba (shuttle included with your entry ticket). If you’re driving, the A9 Fino Mornasco exit is just around the corner: with private parking on site, getting around is effortless.
Inside, you’ll find the feel of a well-kept home with 24/7 smart check-in, air conditioning, fast Wi-Fi, a fully equipped kitchen and super-comfortable beds. On request: cot/kids’ set and little thoughtful touches for those coming back in the evening after the event — herbal teas, tips on restaurants and lake itineraries, and a practical guide to getting around by boat, bus and train.
When Orticolario ends, you return to a quiet, welcoming retreat — ideal for recharging and planning the next day among gardens, design and the lake.
Official web site https://lamaisondegeraldine.it/
FAQ
Do I need to book? Buying online is recommended (you skip the queue and lock in the rate).
Can I bring my dog? Yes, with a muzzle, lead and waste bags.
Is it suitable for children? Yes: there are workshops and activities dedicated to children and teens.
Is the boat free? It’s included with your ticket on Saturday and Sunday (Como → Villa Erba and back).
Are there family discounts? Yes, the family rate at the ticket office is €40 (2 adults + ≥1 child aged ≤14).
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