Every spring, the shores of Lake Como become the setting for one of the world’s most glamorous automotive events: the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este. Held at the legendary Villa d’Este in the lakeside town of Cernobbio, the event is often described as the “Oscars of the classic car world.” It combines Italian elegance, historic automobiles, fashion, luxury travel, and engineering excellence in one extraordinary weekend.
Villa d’Este itself is one of the most famous hotels in Europe. Originally built in 1570 as a Renaissance villa for Cardinal Tolomeo Gallio, it later became an aristocratic residence before being transformed into a luxury hotel in 1873. Surrounded by terraced gardens, cypress trees, fountains, and panoramic lake views, the property has hosted royalty, movie stars, artists, and wealthy travelers for more than a century. Today it is considered one of the defining symbols of Lake Como elegance.
The Concorso d’Eleganza began in 1929 during the golden age of European motoring. At the time, wealthy collectors and coachbuilders used the event to present the most beautiful hand-built cars in the world. In an era before mass automobile production dominated the industry, many luxury cars were custom-designed by famous Italian carrozzerie such as Touring, Zagato, Bertone, and Pininfarina. The event quickly became a showcase not only for engineering but also for art, craftsmanship, and style.
Today the concours remains one of the most prestigious classic car competitions anywhere in the world. Roughly fifty of the rarest and most valuable historic automobiles are invited each year, often worth millions of euros. Cars arrive from private collections across Europe, the United States, the Middle East, and Japan. Judges evaluate them on beauty, originality, rarity, historical importance, and restoration quality. Awards include the famous “Best of Show” and the public-voted “Coppa d’Oro Villa d’Este.”
What makes the event unique is its atmosphere. Unlike enormous modern auto shows, Villa d’Este feels intimate and theatrical. Historic Ferraris, Alfa Romeos, Bugattis, Maseratis, Lamborghinis, and Aston Martins are displayed directly on the hotel’s lakeside terraces and gardens, with Lake Como and the Alps as the backdrop. Owners often dress elegantly to match the period of their cars, while guests arrive by classic speedboat, seaplane, or vintage grand tourers.
The concours is also important for modern car design. Manufacturers frequently unveil concept cars and limited-production supercars during the weekend. BMW Group, which has co-organized the event since 1999 alongside Villa d’Este, regularly uses it to present future design studies and heritage models. Aston Martin, Maserati, Alfa Romeo, and other luxury brands have also launched important concept vehicles there.
Beyond the cars themselves, the event has become a celebration of Italian lifestyle: fine dining, tailored fashion, lakefront aperitivo, and appreciation for timeless craftsmanship. For many enthusiasts, attending the Concorso d’Eleganza is less about speed and more about romance, beauty, and the emotional connection people have with extraordinary machines.
Official event website:
Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este
If you’re in Cernobbio during the Concorso d’Eleganza weekend at Villa d’Este, the most exciting thing is that the entire Lake Como area turns into an unofficial festival of classic and exotic cars. Many of the best events actually happen outside Villa d’Este itself — which is why enthusiasts often call the whole week “Como Car Week.”
FuoriConcorso — The Big One Outside Villa d’Este
The most famous parallel event is FuoriConcorso, held in the gardens of:
Villa del Grumello
Villa Sucota
Villa Olmo
just outside Como along the lakeside promenade.
Unlike the formal concours at Villa d’Este, FuoriConcorso is more modern, creative, fashion-oriented, and immersive. It began in 2019 and has rapidly become one of Europe’s coolest automotive lifestyle events.
Villa Erba Public Day
Another major part of the weekend happens at Villa Erba in Cernobbio.
This is where the concours becomes more public and relaxed compared to the highly exclusive Villa d’Este hotel grounds.
At Villa Erba you’ll often find:
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public concours displays
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concept car premieres
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manufacturer showcases
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BMW Group exhibits
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club gatherings
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motorcycles and design installations
It’s one of the best places for ordinary visitors to experience the atmosphere without needing exclusive hotel invitations.
Some companies even offer vintage car rentals around the lake during the event, such as Dolcevita Classic Car Rental Lake Como.
For car enthusiasts, the Villa d’Este weekend is less like a single car show and more like an entire automotive carnival spread across Lake Como.
