4-Hour Private Lake Como Boat Tour with Wine & Villa Views

A captain narrates the villas from the water: the only way to see them all.

A 4-hour private boat tour of Lake Como for up to six people, departing from Como's Sant'Agostino pier aboard the ALFASTREET 25. You cruise past Villa Balbianello, Villa d'Este, Villa Erba and other lakeside estates, stop to swim at Nesso waterfalls, and visit Bellagio and Laglio village with a captain who shares the history and architecture of each property. Wine, water, sunscreen and insurance are included.

Step-by-step itinerary

Private Lake Como boat tour highlights

• Meet at Sant'Agostino pier
• Depart from Como, view Electric Life and Tempio Voltiano
• Admire Villa Olmo and Villa La Rotonda
• Pass by Villa Erba
• Pass by Villa Pizzo
• Pass by Villa d’Este
• Pass by Villa Le Fontanelle
• Visit Village of Laglio
• Stop at Nesso waterfalls for photos and swim
• Visit Villa Balbianello and Tremezzo area
• Visit Bellagio with Villa Melzi and Villa Trivulzio
• Visit Isola Comacina island
• Visit Villa Pliniana
• Pass by Villa Cademartori and Villa Pasta
• Pass by Mandarin Oriental resort
• Pass by Villa Cagni Troubetzkoy
• Pass by Villa Geno

The experience

The boat holds a maximum of six, which means no crowds and no schedule pressure: the captain sets the pace and chooses stops based on light, weather and what your group wants to linger on. You meet at the Sant'Agostino pier in Como and head out onto the water with a bottle of wine or prosecco to share, water for everyone, and a captain who knows the villas' histories, the families who built them, and which ones appeared in films. The ALFASTREET 25 is a 25-foot outboard yacht built for the lake, fast enough to cover distance but stable enough to let you stand and photograph without gripping the rail.

The itinerary moves through the lake's most famous properties: Villa Balbianello, which doubled as a Star Wars and James Bond set; Villa d'Este in Cernobbio, a 16th-century cardinal's residence now a luxury hotel; Villa Erba, a neoclassical mansion with gardens designed by Luchino Visconti's family; and Villa Pliniana, a Renaissance estate near Bellagio. You'll pass Laglio, the village George Clooney made famous, and stop at Nesso waterfalls, where you can swim, take photographs or simply float and watch the water pour down the rocks. Bellagio, known as the Pearl of the lake, gets time for pictures and a walk through its history.

The captain provides information about each villa as you approach (their architecture, who lived there, what makes them significant), and handles all the boat operations, navigation and safety. Music plays during the cruise. Sunscreen is on board. The remaining time in the 4-hour window covers travel between stops, so the actual time at each site depends on what you choose to do there. You'll need to arrange your own way to the Sant'Agostino pier. Public transportation runs nearby.

What’s included

• One bottle of wine or prosecco shared among the group.
• water for each person.
• a captain for the full 4 hours who provides information about the villas and their history.
• insurance coverage.
• music during the cruise.
• sunscreen.
• and the option to swim at designated stops.

Before you book

Days and timesNext departure: 3 Apr 2027

Book up to1h before

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.

Paid on site€ 100

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortInfant seats availablePublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with back problems

Operated by SuBacco Lake Como

Is this one for you?The boat stays small, six people maximum, so you move at a pace that lets you linger at villas, photograph without rushing, and actually hear the captain's stories over the engine. If you want flexibility to spend time at one stop or skip another, this format gives you that. A larger group tour on a fixed schedule does not.

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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 is Villa Balbianello and why does it matter?

Villa Balbianello is a 16th-century estate on Lake Como's western shore that served as a filming location for Star Wars and James Bond movies. It's one of the most photographed villas on the lake and a primary stop on this tour, approached from the water so you see it the way it was designed to be seen.

Can I swim during the tour?

Yes. The tour includes a stop at Nesso waterfalls, where you can swim, wade or simply relax by the water. Bring a towel if you plan to get in. The captain will advise on conditions and safety.

What's included in the wine and refreshments?

One bottle of wine or prosecco is shared among the group, and each person gets a bottle of water. The captain also carries sunscreen on board. Any other food or drinks are your responsibility.

How does the captain guide the tour if there's no fixed itinerary?

The captain knows the villas, their histories and the best vantage points from the water. He shares information about each property as you pass and chooses stops (Bellagio, Laglio, Nesso) based on your interests, the light and the time available. It's a guided experience, not a self-directed one.

Is this tour suitable for people who don't swim or aren't comfortable in boats?

The boat is stable and designed for Lake Como's waters. Swimming stops are optional. You can stay on board and photograph or simply watch. If you have concerns about motion, spinal injuries or pregnancy, check with the operator before booking, as the tour involves time on the water.