Lake Como Private Catamaran Tour with Aperitif: Only catamaran on the lake

The only catamaran on Lake Como sails at sunset too.

A private 4-hour catamaran cruise on Lake Como with skipper Davide, who speaks Italian, English and French. You'll pass Villa del Balbianello and the lake's historic island while sipping an aperitif of traditional Italian specialties and wine. The boat has a restroom on board and is the sole catamaran operating on the lake, including during sunset departures.

Step-by-step itinerary

Private catamaran tour on Lake Como

• Board the private catamaran
• Admire famous villas from water
• View Villa del Balbianello and gardens
• See Lake Como's iconic island
• Enjoy views of nature and towns
• Have aperitif with Italian specialties and wine

The experience

How do you see the villas without fighting the crowds on the shore? You don't go to shore at all. The catamaran keeps you on the water the entire time, moving past the lake's most famous residences, Villa del Balbianello chief among them, and its gardens from an angle no land-based tour reaches. Davide, your skipper, answers questions about what you're seeing and shares the history of the lake's iconic island as you pass. The boat itself is singular: it's the only catamaran operating on Lake Como, which means you get a different kind of stability and sightline than a traditional boat offers.

The aperitif arrives once you're settled: traditional Italian specialties and a bottle of wine, included in the booking. Non-alcoholic options are available if you prefer them. The 4 hours on the water give you time to move at the lake's pace without rushing between stops. You're not anchored to a schedule of timed arrivals. There's a restroom on board, and the boat runs even during sunset, when the light changes the whole character of what you're looking at.

Customization is possible: contact the operator directly if you want to add extra services beyond what's listed. Public transportation reaches the departure point, so you don't need a car to get there.

What’s included

• A 4-hour private catamaran tour with professional skipper Davide.
• aperitif with traditional Italian specialties and wine.
• restroom on board.
• stand-up paddleboard usage if you want it.
• fuel surcharge included in the price.

Before you book

Days and timesTuesday to SundayDepartures at 10:30 and 15:30

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, 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 or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Moderate physical effortPublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Catamaran Como Charter

Is this one for you?Book this if you're traveling as a couple or a small group and want to see the lake's famous villas from the water without the pace of a group tour. The private catamaran means you set the mood (whether that's a quiet afternoon or a sunset departure), and the aperitif is built into the time on the water, not rushed between stops.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, 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.

What is Villa del Balbianello and why does the tour focus on it?

Villa del Balbianello is Lake Como's most famous residence, and the tour passes it by water so you see the villa and its gardens from a perspective the shore doesn't offer. Davide will point it out and answer questions about it as you cruise past.

Can I book this tour for a sunset departure?

Yes. The catamaran operates during sunset, which is unusual on Lake Como: most boats don't run at that hour. This is one of the defining features of the tour.

What's included in the aperitif?

Traditional Italian specialties and a bottle of wine are included. Non-alcoholic beverages are available as well, and alcoholic drinks are served only to travelers 18 and older.

Do I need to arrange my own transportation to the boat?

Public transportation options are available near the departure point, so you can reach the boat without a car. Parking fees are not included if you drive.