2-Hour Private Boat Tour Lake Como: Bellagio, Varenna & Villas

Two hours on the water: Bellagio's gardens, Varenna's waterfront, two 18th-century villas and an aperitif at dusk

A 2-hour private motorboat tour of Lake Como departs from Bellagio and visits the lake's most storied landmarks (Varenna's fishing village, Villa Carlotta's Baroque gardens and art collection, Villa del Balbianello's wooded promontory, and the neoclassical Gardens of Villa Melzi) with a professional captain guiding the route and a sunset aperitif included. The boat is yours alone for the afternoon.

Step-by-step itinerary

Private boat tour of Lake Como

• Board motorboat in Bellagio
• Visit Bellagio historic center and gardens
• Pass by Varenna village and villas
• Pass by Villa Carlotta and gardens
• Pass by Villa del Balbianello
• Pass by Isola Comacina island
• Pass by San Giovanni village
• Pass by Villa Melzi Gardens
• Enjoy aperitif at sunset on boat

The experience

Two hours aboard a handcrafted motorboat built by a manufacturer known across the lake for limited production runs. Your captain holds a professional title and navigates the route, timing stops so you see each villa's setting from the water before moving on. Bellagio sits on the promontory dividing Lake Como's two southern branches and anchors the tour. From there the boat crosses to Varenna on the eastern shore, where fishing traditions still shape the village's character, then continues to Villa Carlotta near Tremezzo: a 17th-century Baroque mansion surrounded by an Italian garden and now an art museum holding Canova sculptures and Hayez paintings.

Villa del Balbianello occupies a wooded point with views across the lake. The 18th-century mansion once hosted writers and scholars, and its gardens remain the focal point of the approach from the water. The Gardens of Villa Melzi d'Eril, declared a national monument, rise along the shore near Bellagio in neoclassical style and count among Europe's finest. The boat passes Isola Comacina, the lake's only island, covered in Mediterranean vegetation and ringed by archaeological sites from the early Middle Ages.

At sunset, the captain serves an aperitif chosen from local producers: a pause on the water as the light shifts across the mountains. Bottled water is provided throughout. The tour runs in English, Spanish or Italian depending on your choice at booking.

What’s included

• Bottled water throughout the tour.
• a professional captain guiding the entire route.
• sunset aperitif with locally chosen products.
• live narration in English, Spanish or Italian.

Before you book

Days and timesThursday to Saturday20 departure times: the first at 08:00, the last at 18:00Last departure this season: 31 Oct

Book up to3h before

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Spanish and Italian

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problems

Operated by Bellagio Boat Tour

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you're traveling as a couple, a small family or a group of friends who want the lake's highlights without sharing the boat with strangers. The private motorboat means your party sets the pace and the captain adjusts stops to match your interests.

Traveler reviews

5.00★★★★★★★★★★

13 verified traveler reviews

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish and Italian.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What is Villa Carlotta and what can I see inside?

Villa Carlotta is a 17th-century Baroque mansion built by the Marquis Giorgio Clerici on the shores near Tremezzo, now an art museum. The villa holds masterpieces collected over centuries, including sculptures by Antonio Canova and paintings by Francisco Hayez, displayed inside rooms surrounded by an Italian-style garden.

Is Varenna just a stop to look at from the boat, or do we go ashore?

The tour visits Varenna as part of the lake route. The itinerary focuses on the villas and gardens viewed from the water and their settings along the shore. Varenna is a traditional fishing village on the eastern shore where you can see elegant villas with botanical gardens and the Castle of Vezio from the boat.

What makes Villa del Balbianello special?

Villa del Balbianello sits on a wooded promontory with an enchanted view of Lake Como. The 18th-century mansion and its gardens have hosted writers, scholars and travelers over the centuries, and the approach from the water shows the villa's romantic setting against the lake and mountains.

Will I see the Gardens of Villa Melzi on this tour?

Yes. The Gardens of Villa Melzi d'Eril rise along the shore near Bellagio and are among Europe's finest gardens, designed in neoclassical style and declared a national monument. They stand between the two branches of the lake and are part of the route.

What happens at the end of the two hours?

At sunset, the captain serves an aperitif made from local products while the boat is on the water. This marks the conclusion of the tour as light fades across the lake and mountains.