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Lake Como Cruise: Bellagio & Varenna by Tender Yacht

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Free cancellationTravelers' pick

1/24

Duration4h

GroupUp to 9

LanguagesEN · FR

Mobile ticketAccepted

Bellagio gardens, Varenna colors and lakeside villas from the water

You’ll cruise Lake Como by tender yacht with a local captain sharing stories as you pass iconic villas and villages like Bellagio and Varenna. Sip Prosecco on deck, feel the wind in your hair, and get dropped off back in Como after exploring gardens, old bridges, and secret corners only locals seem to know about.

Step-by-step itinerary

Meet at Como pier Lario bar
Depart harbor, view electric monument and breakwater
Pass seaplane hangar and Villa Olmo
Pass Tavernola, Cernobbio, Villa Erba, and Punta Pizzo
Pass Moltrasio, Carate Urio, and Villa Oleandra
Pass island, Gulf of Sala Comacina, and Villa Barbiano
Visit Villa del Balbianello and coast Gulf of Venus
Stop 50 minutes to visit Bellagio and Villa Melzi
Pass Bellagio tip and enter Lecco branch
Sail to Varenna, admire village from boat
Depart for Como via Lezzeno and Nesso
Visit Orrido di Nesso and Roman bridge
Pass Villa Pliniana and Grand Hotel Il Sereno
Pass Mandarin Oriental and Villa Troubetzkoy
Return to Como for drop off

The Experience

“You see that one?” Luca shouted over the engine, pointing at a villa with these absurdly perfect cypress trees lining the shore. I was still trying to balance my glass of Prosecco when he started telling us about George Clooney’s place — apparently it’s just up ahead in Laglio. I’d never imagined Lake Como would smell so green, like wet wood and distant jasmine, or that the light would bounce off the water in this almost metallic way. The stereo was playing some old Italian pop song, not too loud, just enough to mix with the slap of waves against the hull.

We’d left Como pier earlier than I’m used to being awake on holiday (Luca joked that Italians only get up early for coffee or boats), but honestly, watching the city shrink behind us was worth it. Passing Villa Olmo and then that wild Dolce & Gabbana story — I think half our group missed it because we were distracted by the seaplanes taking off. There’s something about seeing those grand villas from the lake that makes them feel less like museums and more like someone’s actual home. Maybe it’s just how Luca talks about them; he knows every bit of gossip and history, switching between English and French depending on who asked.

I didn’t expect to love Bellagio as much as I did. We had about 50 minutes there — enough time for a quick espresso in the square and to wander through those narrow alleys that somehow always lead uphill. The air felt cooler here, maybe because of all the gardens around Villa Melzi (Napoleon lived there? Still can’t quite picture it). After Bellagio we crossed over towards Varenna; honestly, I could have stayed on deck forever just watching those pastel houses appear around each bend. There was a moment near Villa del Balbianello where everyone went quiet at once — even Luca — just soaking up that view.

The ride back was slower, maybe on purpose. We passed Nesso with its Roman bridge (looked older than time itself) and Luca told us ghost stories about Villa Pliniana. Someone laughed when he tried translating “Orrido di Nesso” into English — it loses something in translation, you know? By then my hair smelled like lake water and sunblock, which is probably how summer should smell anyway. I still think about that stretch past Lezzeno where everything felt suspended for a minute.

What’s included

Your day includes sailing from Como aboard a stylish tender yacht with bottled water and Italian Prosecco served along the way; you’ll enjoy stops at Bellagio for wandering or coffee breaks before heading toward Varenna and returning along scenic shores—plus stories from your local captain throughout.

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by The Black Pearl