Lake Como Private Cruise: Customizable 4–8 Hour Itinerary

You pick the stops, the captain picks the speed.

A private boat rental on Lake Como with a customizable itinerary lasting 4 to 8 hours, departing from either Bellagio, Varenna, Como or Cernobbio. You plan which villas, villages and swimming spots to visit. The captain adjusts pace and route to match your mood. The boat includes a cabin, shower, toilet, bottled water and towels.

Step-by-step itinerary

Private customizable Lake Como cruise

• Board private Bertram 25 speedboat
• Sail past famous villas and residences
• Photo stop at historic 16th century villa hotel
• View Gianni Versace's former villa
• See George Clooney's former residence
• Pass by Villa Pliniana and other exclusive villas
• Visit Villa Balbianello area with photo opportunities
• Stop at pearl of Lake Como for lunch and leisure
• Observe small village with waterfall
• Visit Comacina Island for sightseeing and swimming
• Pass by 16th and 17th century villas with gardens
• View Mandarin Hotel Oriental villa
• Explore Como city old town and lake walks
• See Villa Olmo and other historic villas
• Pass Moltrasio, Carate Urio, Laglio villages
• Pass Blevio and Torno villages
• Visit Cernobbio with famous villas and promenade
• Return to starting point

The experience

Four to eight hours on the water means you're not locked into a tour schedule. You decide whether to spend the afternoon chasing Star Wars filming locations at Villa Balbianello, lingering over lunch in Bellagio, or drifting past the celebrity residences that line the western shore. The Bertram 25 is a high-stability speedboat built for the lake's variable conditions, and the captain knows the water well enough to read what you actually want to do instead of sticking to a script.

The boat reaches places public ferries can't access: hidden coves, private swimming spots, the smaller villages like Torno and Blevio where the crowds thin out. You get a cabin to retreat to, a shower, a toilet, bottled water and towels. A refrigerator keeps drinks cold and a 12-volt socket charges devices. The aft deck is spacious enough to swim from or simply sit and watch the water. Villa del Balbianello, Villa Pliniana (Richard Branson's residence), the Mandarin Oriental at Villa Rocca Bruna, and the villas around Cernobbio and Moltrasio all pass within sight, and you stop for photos or a closer look wherever the mood takes you.

Departures run from Como and Cernobbio on the lower lake, or from Bellagio and Varenna higher up, so you can book from whichever town fits your stay. The captain speaks English, Spanish or Italian and adjusts both speed and stops to match your pace, whether you want a high-speed run or a slow drift through the Dolce Vita.

What’s included

• Private boat rental with a captain.
• bottled water.
• cabin, shower and toilet on board.
• bath towels.
• refrigerator.
• 12-volt socket for charging.
• customizable route and stops based on your preferences.

Options for this experience

4 options

4 hours from Como, CernobbioGuide in English, Spanish or Italian · 12 departure times: the first at 09:00, the last at 20:00Four-hour "Deep Dive": head toward the centre of the lake, visit the Nesso waterfall or stop for an aperitif by the water. Departure points to choose from: Como, Cernobbio, Moltrasio, Carate Urio, Laglio. Starting points: Lungo Lario Trieste, 28, 22100 Como CO, Italy; Piazza Risorgimento, 22012 Cernobbio CO, Italy; Via Regina, 24, 22010 Moltrasio CO, Italy; Via Regina, Carate Urio CO, Italy; Via Vecchia Regina, 22010 Laglio CO, Italy

4 hours from Bellagio, VarennaGuide in English, Spanish or Italian · 12 departure times: the first at 09:00, the last at 20:00Four-hour "Deep Dive": head toward the centre of the lake, visit the Nesso waterfall or stop for an aperitif by the water. Departure points to choose from: Bellagio, Lenno, Menaggio, Varenna. Starting points: Via Guido Delmati, 22016 Lenno CO, Italy; Via Imbarcadero, 23829 Varenna LC, Italy; Via Lungo Lario Manzoni, 8, 22021 Bellagio CO, Italy; Viale Benedetto Castelli, 22017 Menaggio CO, Italy

8 hours from Como, CernobbioGuide in English, Spanish or Italian · 5 departure times: the first at 09:00, the last at 13:00Eight-hour "Full Immersion": a day of pure luxury at your own pace. Departure points to choose from: Como, Cernobbio, Moltrasio, Carate Urio, Laglio. Starting points: Lungo Lario Trieste, 28, 22100 Como CO, Italy; Piazza Risorgimento, 22012 Cernobbio CO, Italy; Via Regina, 24, 22010 Moltrasio CO, Italy; Via Regina, Carate Urio CO, Italy; Via Vecchia Regina, 22010 Laglio CO, Italy

8 hours from Bellagio, VarennaGuide in English, Spanish or Italian · 5 departure times: the first at 09:00, the last at 13:00Eight-hour "Full Immersion": a day of pure luxury at your own pace. Departure points to choose from: Bellagio, Lenno, Menaggio, Varenna. Starting points: Via Guido Delmati, 22016 Lenno CO, Italy; Via Imbarcadero, 23829 Varenna LC, Italy; Via Lungo Lario Manzoni, 8, 22021 Bellagio CO, Italy; Viale Benedetto Castelli, 22017 Menaggio CO, Italy

You pick the guide language when booking.

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

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day12 departure times: the first at 09:00, the last at 20:00Last departure this season: 31 Dec

Book up to4h before

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Spanish 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.

Prices and times updated 8 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Bertram sul lago

Is this one for you?Choose the 4-hour option if you're staying near Como or Bellagio and want to see the main villas and villages in a single afternoon. Pick the 8-hour cruise to explore both branches of the lake, reach quieter spots like Comacina Island and Torno, and have time to swim and linger without rushing.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish 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.

Can I swim in Lake Como during the cruise?

Yes. The private boat includes a spacious aft deck where you can swim from the boat, and the captain can stop at swimming spots along the route. Towels are provided on board.

What's the difference between the 4-hour and 8-hour options?

The 4-hour cruise covers the main villas and villages near your departure point. The 8-hour option lets you explore both branches of the lake and venture further into quieter areas like Comacina Island or the smaller villages on the western shore.

Which departure point should I choose?

Como and Cernobbio are on the lower lake and suit travelers staying in that area. Bellagio and Varenna are higher up and give access to the upper branches. Pick whichever town is closest to your hotel or where you're already spending the day.

Does the boat stop at Villa Balbianello?

Villa Balbianello is included in the itinerary and you can stop for photos from the water. The villa itself (famous for Star Wars and Casino Royale scenes) is open to visitors on foot from Lenno, but that's a separate visit. The boat passes it and can linger while you photograph the architecture and gardens from the lake.

What happens if the weather turns bad?

The Bertram 25 is built for Lake Como's conditions and handles variable weather well. The captain will adjust speed and route based on conditions. If conditions become unsafe, the operator will work with you on rescheduling.

Is lunch included?

Lunch is not included in the boat rental, but the captain can stop in Bellagio or another village where you can eat ashore, or you can bring food and eat on the boat's deck.