3-hour private Lake Como cruise: Villa del Balbianello & villas

Swim at Comacina Island, then glide past lakeside villas and centuries-old villages

A 3-hour private cruise on Lake Como from Como's Sant'Agostino pier in a wooden gozzo (traditional Italian speedboat) that holds up to seven passengers. The route passes George Clooney's home in Laglio, the Versace villa in Moltrasio, and Villa del Balbianello: a protected estate and Star Wars filming set. Swimming stops at Comacina Island, the lake's only island, are included. Prosecco and soft drinks come on board.

Step-by-step itinerary

Lake Como private wooden boat cruise

• Depart from Como Sant'Agostino pier
• Visit Life Electric sculpture
• Pass seaplane hangar and admire Villa Olmo
• Reach Cernobbio and see Villa d'Este and Villa Erba
• Visit Moltrasio, Versace's villa location
• Pass Carate Urio and reach Laglio, George Clooney's home
• Swim at Comacina island
• Visit Ossuccio village and ancient bell tower
• See Villa del Balbianello and its gardens
• View Villa del Balbiano, House of Gucci filming site
• Admire gulf of Venus at Lenno
• Cross lake to Nesso and Roman bridge
• Descend to Torno and Blevio with exclusive hotels
• Return and drop off at Como pier

The experience

The boat leaves from Como's public pier at Sant'Agostino, steps from the Como Lago train station. From there, the route moves north along the western shore, passing Daniel Libeskind's "Life Electric" sculpture (2015), then Villa Olmo visible from the water. The pace is built around tranquility: you're not rushing between ten stops in an afternoon, but rather moving slowly enough to take in the villas, gardens and mountain backdrop without strain.

The named stops anchor the route. Cernobbio brings Villa d'Este (the sumptuous hotel) and Villa Erba (where director Luchino Visconti lived) into view. Moltrasio holds the Versace villa. Laglio is where George Clooney's home sits on the shore. Comacina Island, the only island on Lake Como, offers a swimming break. Ossuccio beyond it has a bell tower over a thousand years old. Villa del Balbianello, the protected FAO estate, appears next. It was a filming location for Star Wars and House of Gucci. The route continues to Lenno's gulf of Venus, crosses the lake to Nesso's famous Roman bridge, then returns via Torno and Blevio on the eastern shore.

The boat itself is a Sorrentine gozzo, a wooden speedboat with a large front sundeck and an awning for shade during the hottest hours. It carries up to seven people comfortably. Prosecco, bottled water and soft drinks are served throughout. Anyone under 18 will receive soft drinks instead of alcohol. The guide speaks English, Spanish, Italian or French depending on your booking.

What’s included

• Prosecco and soft drinks.
• bottled water.
• swimming stop at Comacina Island.
• live guide in English, Spanish, Italian or French.
• passage past Villa del Balbianello, the Versace villa in Moltrasio, George Clooney's home in Laglio, and Villa d'Este in Cernobbio.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day7 departure times: the first at 10:00, the last at 16:00

Book up to1h before

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French 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 11 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Como Charter Boat

Is this one for you?Three hours is long enough to reach the lake's quieter northern reaches and swim at Comacina Island, but short enough to fit around train schedules or other plans in Como itself. The small group, up to seven, means no crowded boat and easier conversation with the guide.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, French 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.

Can I swim during the Lake Como cruise?

Yes. Comacina Island, the only island on Lake Como, has a designated swimming stop where you can take a refreshing bath in the water.

What is Villa del Balbianello and why is it on this route?

Villa del Balbianello is a protected estate on the lake's western shore, famous as a filming location for Star Wars and House of Gucci. Its gardens are protected by the FAI (Italian National Trust for Natural Heritage), and the boat passes it during the second half of the cruise.

Will I see George Clooney's house?

The boat passes Laglio, where George Clooney's villa is located on the shore. You'll see it from the water as part of the route.

What's included in the price?

Prosecco (or soft drinks for guests under 18), bottled water, and all stops along the route are included. The boat holds up to seven passengers, so the group stays small.

Where does the cruise depart from?

The boat leaves from Como's public pier at Sant'Agostino, right in front of the Como Lago train station, making it easy to reach by train or local transport.