Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este

What is the Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este?

The Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este is one of the world's oldest and most exclusive classic car shows, held each spring on the shore of Lake Como at Cernobbio. It has run since 1929, and it is organised today by BMW Group Classic with the Grand Hotel Villa d'Este. Around 50 historic cars, carefully chosen from collections around the world, are judged in the hotel's gardens for their beauty, history and condition.

The 2026 edition, held from 15 to 17 May under the theme "Future needs Heritage", brought 54 cars from 13 countries in eight classes. The jury's top prize, the Trofeo BMW Group Best of Show, went to Stefano Martinoli's 1937 BMW 328 "Bügelfalte", a one-off special roadster, and the public's Coppa d'Oro went to Eric Blumencranz's 1963 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster.

What is new for 2027?

The organisers had not announced the 2027 dates when this guide was checked. The Concorso is usually held over a weekend in late spring, but treat that as a pattern, not a date, and wait for the official announcement before booking.

The 2026 edition gives a sense of what to expect: two BMW world premieres on the Friday evening, the Vision BMW ALPINA grand tourer and the BMW Motorrad Vision K18 motorcycle concept, alongside anniversary displays for 90 years of the BMW 328, 40 years of the BMW M3 and 50 years of the BMW Art Car Collection.

How is it organised?

The Concorso takes place across two neighbouring villas in Cernobbio, and the difference matters:

• Villa d'Este: the grand hotel, where the competing cars are presented and judged in the gardens over the Friday and Saturday, for entrants, judges and invited guests. A parade outside the villa is a highlight of the Saturday.
• Villa Erba: the neighbouring estate, which hosts the public programme. In 2026 it held the Concorso public days and Amici & Automobili, with the cars on display, a parade through the park on the Sunday and the Best of Show presented on Sunday evening.

The cars compete in classes by era and type. In 2026 the class winners ranged from a 1933 Delage D8 to a 2000 Volkswagen W12 Nardò concept, and special prizes included a design award for concept cars and prototypes, voted by the public, and a trophy for the best engine sound. Broad Arrow Auctions held a sale of 70 cars at Villa Erba over the weekend.

When is it, and what are the dates?

In 2026, Friday brought the world premieres, Saturday the parade at Villa d'Este, and Sunday the public parade at Villa Erba and the awards.

Where is it held?

In Cernobbio, a small town on the western shore of Lake Como, just north of the city of Como in Lombardy, northern Italy. Villa d'Este and Villa Erba sit next to each other on the lakeside. Milan's airports, Malpensa and Linate, are the nearest major airports.

How do tickets work?

The judged concours in the gardens of Villa d'Este is for entrants and invited guests. The public programme at Villa Erba is ticketed separately through the official site. 2027 ticket details and prices had not been published when this guide was checked; when they are, check which venue and which days your ticket covers.

How do I get there and get around?

Most visitors reach Cernobbio from Como, a short drive or bus ride along the lake. Como has rail links to Milan, and the lake's ferries stop at Cernobbio, which makes arriving by boat one of the pleasures of the weekend. Roads along the lakeshore are narrow and get busy during the Concorso, so allow extra time.

Where can I park, and where should I stay?

Parking in Cernobbio is limited, and the organisers' travel information for the next edition is the place to check arrangements. Staying at Villa d'Este itself puts you at the centre of the event but is very expensive and books up quickly; Cernobbio's smaller hotels, Como and the other lakeside towns are alternatives, connected by bus and ferry.

What can I bring, and what should I wear?

No public dress code has been published for Villa Erba. The Concorso is known for its elegance, and many guests dress the part, especially at Villa d'Este. Practical advice, not an official rule: May on Lake Como can be warm or showery, so bring a layer and comfortable shoes for the gardens.

Children, service animals and accessibility

The organisers had not published 2027 rules on children, animals or accessibility when this guide was checked. The villas' historic gardens include steps and slopes, so visitors with access needs should contact the organisers before buying tickets.

Who goes, and what do first-timers get wrong?

The entrants are collectors and owners of some of the most important cars in the world, judged by designers, historians and experts; Villa d'Este's guests also include industry figures and BMW's own invited guests. At Villa Erba, the public comes to see the cars up close and watch the parade.

First-timers often assume a ticket gets them into the gardens of Villa d'Este, when the public programme is at Villa Erba; book around last year's dates; and try to drive along the lakeshore at the busiest time. Wait for the 2027 dates, check your ticket's venue, and arrive by ferry if you can.