Concorso d’Eleganza at Villa d’Este on Lake Como… Each year, the Grand Hotel Villa d’Este in Cernobbio, nestled on the shores of Lake Como, provides a breathtaking setting for the Concorso d’Eleganza. This event is one of the oldest and most prestigious open-air concours d’élégance dedicated to rare and unique classic automobiles. In the lush gardens surrounding the hotel—where wisteria blooms in all its glory—magnificent vintage cars shimmer against the stunning backdrop of Lake Como. Villa d’Este stands for luxury, elegance, and refinement. The Concorso d’Eleganza is all about beauty, craftsmanship, and a deep passion for the automobile… Un’unione fatta in paradiso.
The history of the car concours dates back to 1929. It was first organized to draw the attention of car enthusiasts and collectors to the outstanding craftsmanship and design excellence of Italian and international coachbuilders. Bertone, Pininfarina, Zagato, Ghia, Touring Superleggera… These legendary Italian names make every car lover’s heart beat faster.
The Concorso d’Eleganza gained increasing prestige throughout the 1930s. It became one of the most important gatherings for classic car enthusiasts. The focus was not only on the beauty of the automobiles, but also on their technical perfection and historical significance. However, the Concorso d’Eleganza was soon overshadowed by the economic crisis and the turbulent political developments in Europe leading up to the war—causing it to fade into the background, like a fine classic left to gather dust.
t wasn’t until after the Second World War, in 1947, that the Concorso d’Eleganza was revived and its doors reopened to the public. In 1949, the final edition of what is now considered the event’s classical era took place. The standout winner that year was the stunning Alfa Romeo 6C 2500 SS Coupé. This magnificent car would later earn the nickname “Villa d’Este”—a tribute to its prestigious triumph at the concours.
For decades, only sporadic editions of the Concorso d’Eleganza were held.
But in 1999, the event experienced a true renaissance. With the support of the BMW Group as a key co-organizer, the Concorso d’Eleganza evolved into a major annual highlight on the international automotive calendar. BMW’s involvement gave the multi-day event new energy, introducing modern concept cars and cutting-edge prototypes to the shores of Lake Como. Today, timeless classic masterpieces shine alongside some of the most exclusive and advanced contemporary vehicles.
The Concorso d’Eleganza is no longer merely a car show. It is a celebration—a tribute to automotive history, design, and innovation, where the rarest vehicles are showcased. Around fifty participants are selected with the utmost care. Each car tells a story about its era, its engineering, and the craftsmanship of its creators. A jury of international experts in automotive design, restoration, heritage, and collector culture evaluates the entries based on originality, authenticity, condition, and aesthetics.
In addition to the jury awards, there is also the Coppa d’Oro Villa d’Este, a prestigious public prize that holds significant esteem among collectors.
The diversity of cars on display is truly impressive. From elegant sports cars of the interwar period and exclusive Grand Tourers from the 1960s to cutting-edge supercars and concept vehicles that embody the future of the automobile. Each year, iconic marques return to the stage—such as Lancia, the most successful brand at the Concorso with twelve Coppa d’Oro wins, and Alfa Romeo, which has claimed numerous awards, particularly in the concept car category.
Other prestigious brands such as Ferrari, Bugatti, Mercedes-Benz, and Rolls-Royce also regularly shine at the concours.
It’s not just the cars themselves, but also their history and the stories behind them that make the event so special. Many of the vehicles on display have rich backgrounds: they were once owned by famous personalities or took part in legendary races. Think, for example, of the Ferrari 275 GTB/4 that once belonged to film star Steve McQueen, the Ferrari 330 GTC owned by actor Marcello Mastroianni, or the BMW roadster that Elvis Presley drove. These stories add an extra dimension to the concours, creating a deeper connection between visitors and the automobiles.
Many visitors also enjoy making a statement themselves. The atmosphere is unique and elegant. Guests and participants arrive dressed to the nines. Timeless charm and class abound. Men in tuxedos and women in beautiful dresses and hats stroll past gleaming car bodies, while a serene, almost reverent silence fills the air—an atmosphere thick with admiration for craftsmanship. It is truly an event for the beau monde to see and be seen.
The event boasts a strong international allure. In addition to collectors from across Europe and the United States, guests also arrive from Asia and the Middle East. The concours is followed worldwide by the media and serves as a meeting place where manufacturers, collectors, designers, and journalists come together.
Manufacturers also use the event to showcase their latest designs and concept cars. For example, Aston Martin unveiled the exclusive One-77 there in 2009, and the Alfa Romeo 4C won a prestigious design award in 2011. BMW has also presented groundbreaking concepts at the event multiple times.
In addition to classic cars, since 2011 there has been a special section for classic motorcycles—the Concorso di Motociclette—where rare and remarkable bikes are exhibited. Running alongside the Concorso d’Eleganza at Villa Grumello nearby is FuoriConcorso. This smaller event offers a unique experience for car enthusiasts by focusing on younger and rare vehicles, often with a thematic approach. If you’re a car lover, you’d be wise to mark the Concorso d’Eleganza in your calendar every May.
Yes, public tickets are available for purchase! Tickets that grant access to the gardens of Villa d’Este, where you can walk among the cars, cost around 600 euros. Of course, there are also package deals that include overnight stays, which can easily reach 10,000 euros. Tickets sell out incredibly fast. Alternatively, there is an option at Villa Erba: on the final day, the cars parade through the park’s gardens, allowing the general public to admire them—though it tends to get very crowded there.
Because the concours attracts such a large crowd, the area around Lake Como can become very busy during the event period. This is not only true for the villa gardens where the cars are exhibited, but also for the surrounding streets and villages. Here, countless car enthusiasts, tourists, and car spotters gather, hoping to catch a glimpse of the exclusive vehicles driving through or parked along the narrow streets. These passionate onlookers create a lively atmosphere outside the official grounds, capturing photos and videos of the most beautiful, rare, and exceptional cars with their cameras and phones.
The vibrant interplay of exclusivity inside and the buzzing attention outside makes the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este an event where cars and audience meet in a uniquely captivating way.
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