Lake Como Private Boat Tour: Three Villas and Lakeside Villages

Cruise Lake Como's shoreline, stop where you want, and step into three centuries of villa gardens

A full-day private boat tour on Lake Como with a live guide in English or Italian, starting with a scenic cruise past grand villas and ending with your choice of three historic estates to visit. You pick which villages to explore (Bellagio, Varenna or others), and which villa suits your afternoon: Villa del Balbianello's romantic 18th-century gardens, Villa Melzi's Neoclassical landscape, or Villa Monastero's botanical grounds stretching a kilometer along the shore. Lunch happens at a lakeside restaurant you select. The boat waits for your return.

Step-by-step itinerary

Lake Como private boat tour

• Scenic cruise on Lake Como
• Stop at charming village (Bellagio or Varenna)
• Stroll and explore village
• Enjoy lakeside lunch at selected restaurant
• Visit historic villa (Villa del Balbianello, Villa Monastero, or Villa Melzi)
• Relax on return cruise deck

The experience

The day starts on the water. Your private boat leaves with a guide who speaks English or Italian, and the first hours are a slow cruise past the villas that line the lake: their terraces and gardens visible from the deck, the mountains rising behind them. You choose where to stop first: Bellagio, known for its cobblestone streets and pastel buildings, or Varenna, where narrow alleys open onto the waterfront. You have time to walk, sit in a café, or simply stand on the shore and watch the light change across the water.

After the village, you head to lunch at a restaurant on the lake. You pick which one, and the meal itself is not included, so you eat what you want. Then comes the villa visit. Villa del Balbianello sits on a wooded promontory with an 18th-century mansion and gardens that have hosted writers and travelers for centuries. Villa Melzi Gardens spreads across the hillside in Neoclassical style, declared a national monument, with a museum inside the Orange Greenhouse. Villa Monastero started as a medieval monastery and now opens its decorated rooms and botanical garden (over a kilometer of rare plants and terraces) to visitors. You choose which one, and the boat brings you back to it after lunch.

The return cruise happens in the afternoon, when the light turns golden across the water. The boat carries bottled water, sodas, and alcoholic beverages. Towels are on board. Eight hours total, and the guide is there the whole time to answer questions or simply let you watch the lake.

What’s included

• Private boat navigation on Lake Como.
• live guide in English or Italian.
• bottled water and soft drinks.
• alcoholic beverages.
• towels.
• all fees and taxes.

Before you book

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Private Boat Tour on Como Lake

Is this one for you?Book this if you're a couple or small group with a free afternoon and want to set your own pace. You choose which village to explore first, which villa to visit, and where to eat lunch, so the day follows your interests instead of a fixed schedule.

Traveler reviews

5.00★★★★★★★★★★

2 verified traveler reviews

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What's the difference between Bellagio and Varenna for the village stop?

Bellagio is the "Pearl of the Lake," with elegant cobblestone streets, colorful buildings, and a lively atmosphere. Varenna is quieter and more romantic, known for its narrow alleys, stone houses, and panoramic views of the water. Both are on the boat's route. You decide which one fits your mood.

Can I visit more than one villa, or do I pick just one?

You pick one villa for the afternoon visit. Villa del Balbianello, Villa Melzi Gardens, and Villa Monastero are all options, and each one takes a few hours to explore properly. The boat is yours for the day, so your guide can help you choose based on what interests you most: gardens, architecture, or history.

Is lunch included in the price?

Lunch is not included, but the boat stops at a lakeside restaurant of your choice, and you have time to eat there while the boat waits. You pay for your meal separately and choose what you want from the menu.

Do I need tickets to enter the villas?

Villa entrance tickets are not included in the tour price. You buy them when you arrive at whichever villa you've chosen. Your guide can tell you the cost and what to expect inside.

What if I'm traveling with young children?

Infants sit on an adult's lap during the boat ride. The tour suits all fitness levels, and the pace is relaxed. You're on a boat most of the day, with walking only in the villages and villa gardens. Public transportation options are nearby if you need them to reach the boat.