2-Hour Private Boat Tour of Lake Como: Villas & Waterfall

Cruise past celebrity villas and stop to swim in front of a lakeside palace

A two-hour private boat tour of Lake Como with a fully captained boat and English or Italian-speaking guide. You cruise past Villa d'Este, the village of Laglio (home to George Clooney), and the waterfall at Nesso, then stop for a swim in front of Villa Pliniana before returning to Como's Duomo. Aperol Spritz and prosecco come with the tour.

Step-by-step itinerary

Private boat tour of Lake Como

• Cruise by Villa d'Este
• Pass Giovanni Versace's former villa
• Cruise by village of Laglio
• Visit waterfall and bridge at Nesso
• Swim near Villa Pliniana
• Cruise by port of Torno and luxury hotels
• Return with view of Duomo di Como

The experience

Two hours on the water means you hit the major stops without the day-long commitment. The boat passes Villa d'Este, built in 1776 and a magnet for celebrities ever since, then glides into Laglio, where George Clooney's home sits among the waterfront villas. You'll see the waterfall and famous bridge at Nesso. The bridge is high enough that swimmers sometimes jump from it if they're feeling brave. The route is built around what's actually worth seeing from the water, not a checklist of every inlet.

The swim stop happens in front of Villa Pliniana, an 18th-century palace now used for private events, where the water is clear and the setting is quiet enough to matter. After that, the boat cruises past Torno's tiny port and the five-star lakefront hotels Il Sereno and Mandarin Oriental before heading back to Como. The return route gives you a view of the Duomo rising above the city as you come into the harbor. Your captain speaks English or Italian, and the tour includes Aperol Spritz, prosecco, soda and bottled water.

What’s included

• Welcome Aperol Spritz and prosecco.
• soda and bottled water.
• fully captained private boat.
• English or Italian-speaking guide.

Before you book

Days and timesThursday to SaturdayLast departure this season: 31 Oct

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish 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 3 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearby

Operated by Franky's On The Lake

Is this one for you?Choose the English-language departure if that's your working language, or the Italian captain if you speak Italian and want the local perspective. Both guide the same route and include the same stops and drinks.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English 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's Villa d'Este like from the water?

Villa d'Este was built in 1776 and has hosted celebrities for centuries. You cruise past it early in the tour and see it from the boat rather than landing at the property.

Can you actually swim during the tour?

Yes, there's a dedicated swim stop in front of Villa Pliniana where you can jump in the lake. The waterfall at Nesso is also a spot where swimmers sometimes dive from the bridge if conditions allow.

Does the tour go to George Clooney's house?

The boat cruises by Laglio, the village where Clooney lives, so you see the waterfront homes from the water but don't land or approach the properties directly.

What's included to drink?

Aperol Spritz and prosecco come with every tour, plus soda, pop and bottled water throughout the two hours.