Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este: The Complete Guide
A Saturday on the terrace of a sixteenth-century villa, a Sunday open to the public in the neighbouring park, a lake in high demand in May: how to approach a weekend that is prepared from the autumn.
Last updated 6 October 2026 · 4 min read
The Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este is an automotive concours d'elegance held every spring in Cernobbio, on the shore of Lake Como, in Italy. The 2027 edition takes place from Friday 21 to Sunday 23 May. More than fifty cars, selected by the organisers, are divided into classes, from the pre-war era to the sports cars of the 1990s, with a selection of concept cars and prototypes. On Saturday 22 May, they are examined by the jury and then parade on the terrace of Villa d'Este; on Sunday 23 May, the public day is held at Villa Erba, a few hundred metres away. The organisers sell their own tickets, online, and have announced those for 2027 for late 2026. The Saturday remains largely reserved for participants and their guests.
What is the Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este?
The Concorso was born on 1 September 1929, in the gardens of Villa Olmo and Villa d'Este, at the initiative of the Automobile Club of Como, the hotel and local tourism bodies: more than eighty hand-built cars were presented. From 1930, the public voted in secret for its favourite car — a tradition that endures. Suspended in 1940, back in 1947, it faded after 1949, saw revivals in 1986 and from 1995 to 1997, and has been held every year since 1999.
A concours d'elegance is not a race: the cars do not compete on speed, they are presented, examined and judged. At Villa d'Este, the jury assesses their originality, their design and their historical importance, class by class, up to Best of Show. The Coppa d'Oro Villa d'Este, for its part, is awarded by public vote. Since 2002, an award has also recognised concept cars and prototypes. Today, the Concorso is organised by the Villa d'Este hotel with a long-standing partner.
Two villas, two days
The weekend is shared between two neighbouring venues in Cernobbio. On Saturday, at Villa d'Este — a sixteenth-century residence that became a hotel in 1873 —, the cars are displayed in the park, examined by the jury in the morning, then parade on the terrace in the afternoon. On Sunday, at Villa Erba, a few hundred metres away, the public day repeats the display and the parade in a vast park, with exhibitions, craftsmanship shown live and a space for children.
The timings below are those published by the organisers for 2027; we reconfirm them before your stay.
| When | Moment | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Saturday 22 May, from 9am | Display and judging of the cars; public vote | Villa d'Este |
| Saturday 22 May, 2pm–5pm | Parade on the terrace, presentation of the Coppa d'Oro | Villa d'Este |
| Saturday 22 May, 10am–3pm | Gathering of clubs open to all marques | Villa Erba |
| Sunday 23 May, 9.30am–6pm | Public day: cars on display, exhibitions, children's space | Villa Erba |
| Sunday 23 May, 1.30pm to around 5.30pm | Parade in front of the jury and the public, awards presentation | Villa Erba |
Tickets and packages
The organisers sell their own tickets, online: the public day on Sunday at Villa Erba, the Saturday gathering, and a limited number of packages for the Saturday at Villa d'Este, some linked to a stay at the hotel. The opening of 2027 sales is announced for late 2026.
We resell no tickets: we source them on request, origin and conditions confirmed. The Saturday at Villa d'Este remains largely reserved for participants, their guests and the press; entering a car goes through an application submitted to the organisers. Our guide How to Attend the Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este? compares each route.
Preparing your stay: accommodation, arrival, attire, budget
Accommodation first: in Cernobbio, to walk to the Concorso; in Moltrasio, just to the north; further along the west shore; in Como; or in a villa on the lake. Then arrival: Milan Malpensa is some forty minutes away by road, Milan Linate about an hour and a half, Lugano some forty kilometres away on the Swiss side. Our guides Where to Stay for the Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este? and How to Get to the Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este? compare each option.
Finally, attire: no code is published for the day, but a polished appearance is expected, and you walk on paths and lawns. The budget is composed item by item and prepared on quotation: we explain what makes it vary rather than publishing a rate card.
Key points
The Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este takes place from 21 to 23 May 2027 in Cernobbio: the Saturday at Villa d'Este, largely reserved for participants and their guests; the Sunday at Villa Erba, open to the public. Tickets sold online by the organisers, sales announced for late 2026; cars selected by application. TGZ Conciergerie, an independent house with no affiliation to the Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este or to the Villa d'Este hotel, and no official status whatsoever, composes the complete stay — tickets or packages sourced on request, accommodation, arrival, chauffeur, boat —, on quotation, availability and conditions confirmed before any commitment.
Frequently asked questions
Friday 21 to Sunday 23 May 2027, in Cernobbio, on the shore of Lake Como: Saturday 22 May at Villa d'Este, Sunday 23 May at Villa Erba, according to the programme published by the organisers.
More than fifty, selected each year by the organisers, from the pre-war era to the sports cars of the 1990s, with a selection of concept cars and prototypes.
They are two neighbouring villas in Cernobbio. The Saturday is held at Villa d'Este, largely by invitation or by package; on Sunday, at Villa Erba, the day is open to the public, with the same cars and a second parade.
The award decided by public vote, on Saturday. It continues a tradition born in 1930, when spectators were already voting, in secret, for their favourite car.
Yes, on Sunday at Villa Erba: the public day includes a space for children, and a vote by young visitors, the Trofeo dei Ragazzi. We confirm the 2027 entry conditions for you.
Early: 2027 sales are announced for late 2026, and rooms by the lake go months ahead for late May. A quotation can be prepared at any time, subject to availability on the day.
No. TGZ Conciergerie is an independent house, with no affiliation to the Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este or to the Villa d'Este hotel, and no official status whatsoever. We compose stays and source tickets and packages on request, without ever reselling a ticket.
Take it further
Your weekend on Lake Como is prepared now
Tell us how you would like to experience the Concorso — the Sunday at Villa Erba, the Saturday at Villa d'Este if a package exists, the lake around it — and we compose the complete stay: accommodation, arrival, chauffeur, boat, tickets sourced on request. A single point of contact, a quotation item by item.