Lake Como Private Wooden Boat Tour: Como to Bellagio & Varenna

Sail past George Clooney's villa and a century of lakeside palaces from a wood-and-leather boat built for this lake alone

A private 4-hour wooden boat tour of Lake Como departing from Como, with stops in Bellagio and Varenna. The Navicella del Lario is a traditional Venetian taxi renovated in 2021, carrying up to 11 passengers past Villa Erba, Villa Oleandra, Villa del Balbianello and the neoclassical Villa Olmo. Your captain adjusts the route to your requests, with fresh water and prosecco aboard.

Step-by-step itinerary

Private 4-hour Lake Como boat tour

• Depart from Como tourist jetty
• Pass breakwater and seaplane hangar
• Pass Villa Olmo
• Head towards Cernobbio
• Sail past Villa Erba
• Continue to Moltrasio and Laglio
• See Villa Oleandra in Laglio
• Pass Comacina island
• Visit Villa del Balbianello in Lenno
• Stop for short visit in Bellagio
• Continue to Varenna
• Return to Como via east shore villas

The experience

The Navicella del Lario is a wooden boat designed for Lake Como's waters: a restored Venetian taxi with leather and wood interiors, sun awnings and weather covers. You depart from Como's tourist jetty and follow a route that passes the breakwater where Daniel Libeskind's Life Elettric installation sits, then Villa Olmo, the neoclassical structure built by the Odescalchi family. The boat continues toward Cernobbio, known for its luxury villas and hotels, and then to Villa Erba, constructed between 1894 and 1898 for pharmaceutical industrialist Luigi Erba.

The tour heads west toward Laglio, where you'll see Villa Oleandra, George Clooney's lakeside home, and pass the Comacina island strip in front of Ossuccio. A site that becomes especially striking when fireworks recall a historical fire. You stop in Bellagio for a short visit to the Borgo, then continue to Varenna, described as a splendid and evocative location on the lake. On the return to Como, the boat traces the east shore, passing more villas that line the water. Your captain is at your disposal to adjust stops and timing to your preferences.

Fresh water, soft drinks and prosecco are always available aboard. The boat accommodates groups of up to 11 passengers, and pickup can be arranged from anywhere on Lake Como if you prefer a different starting point than Como's tourist jetty.

What’s included

• Fresh water and soft drinks throughout the tour.
• prosecco.
• sun awnings and weather cover.
• captain's full attention to your group's requests and preferences.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day8 departure times: the first at 09:15, the last at 16:15

Book up to1h before

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish 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 today

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Taxi Como Lake

Is this one for you?Your guide speaks English or Italian, so choose based on the language your group is most comfortable with. The boat holds up to 11, making it suitable for families, small groups or couples who want the lake to themselves without sharing the boat or the captain's attention.

Traveler reviews

5.00★★★★★★★★★★

1 verified traveler review

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English 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 can we visit it on this tour?

Villa del Balbianello is located in Lenno and sits among the stops the boat passes. The villa and its gardens are open daily from 10 to 18, except Mondays and Wednesdays when they are closed, so a visit is possible if your tour timing aligns with those hours.

Is this tour private, or will we be sharing the boat with other groups?

The Navicella del Lario is booked as a private charter for your group alone. The boat holds up to 11 passengers, and your captain works exclusively for your party during the tour.

Can the captain change the route or add stops we request?

Yes. The captain is at your complete disposal to satisfy requests and adjust the tour. Pickup can be arranged from anywhere on Lake Como, and stops can be modified based on your preferences.

What happens if the weather turns bad during the tour?

The boat has a cover and sun awnings for weather protection. You'll remain on the water with shelter rather than returning early.

Which villas will we see from the boat?

The tour passes Villa Olmo, a neoclassical villa in Como; Villa Erba, built between 1894 and 1898; Villa Oleandra in Laglio, home of George Clooney; and Villa del Balbianello in Lenno. You'll also see the Comacina island and pass Cernobbio, known for its luxury hotels and villas.