Lake Como Private Boat Tour: Wooden Venetian Taxi

One to four hours crossing Lake Como's two branches, from Varenna's lover's walk to the gardens of Villa del Balbianello

A private boat tour on Lake Como piloted by Marco and Stefano in a wooden Venetian taxi, departing from Varenna and passing Villa Cipressi, Bellagio, and Villa del Balbianello on the western shore. You choose the duration (from one hour to a full four-hour route), and group size, with life jackets, bottled water, soft drinks and Prosecco included. The captain shares stories of the lake's famous residents. Timed entry tickets to Villa del Balbianello gardens are charged separately on the 4-hour option.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Villa Melzi Gardenspassing by
2. Villa del Balbianello15m

Lake Como private boat tour highlights

• Depart from Varenna promenade
• Admire walk of the lovers
• Pass Villa Cipressi and gate
• View Villa and botanical garden
• Head to Punta Spartivento viewpoint
• Stop at Bellagio village
• Admire Villa Serbelloni park
• Pass Grand Hotel Villa Serbelloni
• See English gardens of Villa Melzi
• Reach Tremezzo village
• Admire Villa Carlotta and gardens
• View eclectic style building
• Pass Gulf of Venus and Villa dal Balbianello
• Visit Villa del Balbianello gardens
• See Villa la Cassinella gardens
• Pass historic Villa in Ossuccio
• View Ossuccio village and bell tower
• Swim at Comacina island
• Cross lake to Nesso village
• Admire Nesso ravine waterfall
• See Civera bridge
• Admire Villa Oleandra in Laglio

The experience

The boat leaves from Varenna's promenade and immediately passes the lover's walk, a cantilevered path over the water that frames the lake and mountains. From there, Marco or Stefano guides you past Villa Cipressi (a prestigious complex with botanical gardens descending to the shore), and then Villa Melzi, an 18th-century estate whose English gardens hold rare plants, ancient trees and sculptures across almost two kilometers of lakeside terrain.

The route heads north toward Punta Spartivento, the watershed dividing Lake Como's two branches, then curves toward Bellagio, where the cobbled streets and Villa Serbelloni Park sit on a terrace overlooking the water. On the longer tours you can step off to walk the village. Continuing south along the western shore, you pass Villa Carlotta (known for its art collection and botanical garden), and the Gulf of Venus inlet, where Villa del Balbianello rises on a peninsula with views across the lake. On the 4-hour tour, you can disembark to visit the gardens and villa (entry tickets purchased separately). The route also passes Comacina Island, Lake Como's only island, where swimmers can cool off starting from the two-hour option.

You choose between a small group (up to six passengers) or a larger one (up to ten), and between one, two, three or four hours on the water. The captain carries life jackets, bottled water, soft drinks and Prosecco. The boat is suitable for all fitness levels, and small pets are welcome. Infants sit on an adult's lap. The guide speaks English throughout.

What’s included

• Life jackets.
• bottled water and soft drinks.
• Prosecco and beer.
• a live English-speaking guide sharing stories of the lake and its famous residents.
• the choice of one, two, three or four hours on the water.
• group sizes of up to six or up to ten passengers.

Options for this experience

9 options

Venetian taxi for 1 hour, up to 6 passengersUp to 6 per booking · Guide in English · 7 departure times: the first at 09:00, the last at 16:30Lasts 1 hour, for up to 6 passengers

Venetian taxi for 1 hour, 10 passengersUp to 10 per booking · Guide in English · 7 departure times: the first at 09:00, the last at 16:30Lasts 1 hour, for 7 to 10 passengers

Venetian taxi for 2 hours, up to 6 passengersUp to 6 per booking · Guide in English · 09:00, 11:30 and 14:00Lasts 2 hours, for up to 6 passengers

See 6 more options

Venetian taxi for 2 hours, 10 passengersUp to 10 per booking · Guide in English · 09:00, 11:30 and 14:00Lasts 2 hours, for 7 to 11 passengers

Venetian taxi for 3 hours, up to 6 passengersUp to 6 per booking · Guide in English · 09:00 and 12:45Lasts 3 hours, for up to 6 passengers

Venetian taxi for 3 hours, 10 passengersUp to 10 per booking · Guide in English · 09:00 and 12:45Lasts 3 hours, for 7 to 10 passengers

Sunset tour and a delightful dinnerUp to 6 per booking · Guide in English · 19:00Lasts 4 hours. Dinner is not included, but we will suggest excellent local restaurants. Luxury wooden Venetian taxi

Venetian taxi for 4 hours, up to 6 passengersUp to 6 per booking · Guide in English · 09:00 and 14:00Lasts 4 hours, for up to 6 passengers

Venetian taxi for 4 hours, 10 passengersUp to 10 per booking · Guide in English · 09:00 and 14:00Lasts 4 hours, for 7 to 11 passengers

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day8 departure times: the first at 09:00, the last at 19:00

Book up to2h before

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

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 today

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by HERCULES

Is this one for you?Choose the smaller group (up to six) if you want a more intimate pace and easier conversation with the captain. The larger option (up to ten) works for families or friends traveling together. The one-hour tour covers Varenna and Villa Cipressi, while the four-hour option reaches both branches of the lake and lets you visit Villa del Balbianello's gardens, so pick the length that fits how much shoreline you want to see.

Traveler reviews

5.00★★★★★★★★★★

86 verified traveler reviews

5 ★86

4 ★0

3 ★0

2 ★0

1 ★0

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

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 in Lake Como during the tour?

Yes, on tours of two hours or longer you can swim safely in the lake. Comacina Island, the only island on Lake Como, hosts swimmers in summer who want to cool off in the water.

What is Villa del Balbianello and can I visit it?

Villa del Balbianello is an 18th-century mansion on a peninsula in the Gulf of Venus, with gardens and romantic views across the lake. On the 4-hour tour you can disembark and visit both the gardens and the villa. Entry tickets are purchased separately and charged to you.

What's included in the boat tour?

Life jackets, bottled water, soft drinks and Prosecco are included. The captain shares stories about famous residents and the lake's history throughout the journey.

How many people can fit in the boat?

You choose between a small group of up to six passengers or a larger group of up to ten, depending on which option you book. Infants can sit on an adult's lap, and small pets are allowed.

What happens at Bellagio on the longer tours?

On the 4-hour tour, you can get off at Bellagio to explore its cobbled streets, visit Villa Serbelloni Park (an 18th-century garden terrace), see the Tower of the Arts and the Romanesque Basilica of St. James, or browse the Museum of Navigational Instruments near the rocky beach.