Lake Como speedboat tour: Villa del Balbianello and Bellagio

Reach the villas and villages only a boat can reach

An eight-hour private speedboat tour of Lake Como aboard a sleek wooden-style Jeanneau Runabout, with a captain who navigates to Villa del Balbianello, Bellagio, and the western shore villages inaccessible by car. You swim in the lake, taste Italian prosecco, and hear stories about the historic villas and their famous residents. The route is customizable with the captain before departure.

Step-by-step itinerary

Luxury speedboat tour of Lake Como

• Board elegant Jeanneau Runabout 755
• Visit 18th-century villa in Como
• See villa of director Luchino Visconti
• Explore luxury village with Villa d’Este Hotel
• Pass by Villa Fontanelle and Villa Passalacqua
• Tour George Clooney's Villa Oleandra and nearby villages
• Swim near Isola Comacina and enjoy prosecco
• View Villa del Balbianello and Villa Balbiano
• Visit village with Grand Hotel Tremezzo and Villa Carlotta
• Explore Bellagio’s alleys and landmarks
• Pass by historic fishing village Pescallo
• Admire Milky River and Orrido di Bellano gorge
• See Villa La Gaeta in San Siro
• Visit Menaggio village
• View Villa Pliniana and Il Sereno hotel
• End tour at Villa Troubetzkoy boutique hotel
• Pass by villas of Blevio including Mandarin Oriental
• Admire waterfall and Civera bridge natural canyon

The experience

The boat itself is the first thing you notice: an eight-meter Jeanneau Runabout with the retro charm of a wooden speedboat from the last century, sleek lines and enough comfort to spend a full day on the water without feeling rushed. The captain handles all the navigation and boat management while entertaining you with stories about the places you pass: the 18th-century Villa del Balbianello, now a municipal venue and filming location for Ocean's Twelve; the clifftop Villa d'Este in Cernobbio, one of the world's finest five-star hotels; and the villages that line the shore, each one built around its own collection of historic properties and gardens.

The route touches the spots that make Lake Como famous but are impossible to reach by car or ferry. You pass George Clooney's Villa Oleandra in Brienno, the Cantiere Ernesto Riva shipyard that has been building wooden boats since 1771, and the narrow alleys and arcades of Bellagio, known as the Pearl of the Lake. Isola Comacina, the only island on the lake, sits in crystalline water: the perfect place to stop, swim, and sip prosecco in total quiet. The tour also passes Villa Balbiano, a historic palazzo and wedding venue that served as a set for The House of Gucci, and Villa del Balbianello again from the water side, where you see the dramatic views of the island and western shore that made it a location for Star Wars II and James Bond Casino Royale.

Every stop and how long you spend there can be arranged ahead with the captain, so the day fits your pace. Bottled water, soft drinks, and Italian prosecco are included. The captain will not serve alcohol to anyone under 18. The boat departs from a standard meeting point, though pickup and drop-off at other locations are available on request.

What’s included

• Bottled water and soft drinks throughout the day.
• Italian prosecco for tasting at designated stops.
• a captain who entertains with stories about the villas, villages, and history of the lake.
• swimming access at Isola Comacina and other stops you choose.

Before you book

Lasts 8h, runs every day at 09:00, from € 1,500 per group, with a live guide in English, Spanish, French and Italian, as a private tour and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 09:00

Book up to10h before

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, 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. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 6 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyPublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Boat Lake Como 1975

Is this one for you?Eight hours is long enough to reach the villas and villages only accessible by water (Villa del Balbianello, Bellagio, and the western shore), and still have time to swim and linger, but short enough to leave your afternoon or evening free. If you need to fit Lake Como into a single day with other plans, discuss timing with the captain when you book.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, 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 is it on the tour?

Villa del Balbianello is an 18th-century villa now owned by the municipality of Como, used for conferences, exhibitions, and cultural events. It was a filming location for Ocean's Twelve and offers dramatic views of Isola Comacina and the western shore, making it one of the most photographed properties on the lake.

Can I swim during the eight-hour tour?

Yes, swimming is included. Isola Comacina, the only island on the lake, is a primary swimming stop where the water is crystalline and you can sip prosecco between swims. Other stops may offer swimming depending on the route you arrange with the captain.

What is Bellagio like, and how much time do we spend there?

Bellagio, called the Pearl of the Lake, sits in the center and is known for narrow stepped alleys, passages, arcades, and local craft shops. Villa Melzi and Villa Serbelloni, a five-star hotel that hosted Winston Churchill and J.F. Kennedy, are landmarks there. The time you spend is customizable with the captain before the tour begins.

Does the tour pass George Clooney's villa?

Yes, Villa Oleandra in Brienno is on the route. The village is also home to the Cantiere Ernesto Riva, a shipyard that has been hand-crafting wooden boats since 1771.

What drinks and refreshments are included?

Bottled water, soft drinks, and Italian prosecco are included throughout the eight hours. Alcoholic beverages are not served to anyone under 18.

Is the route fixed, or can I choose where to stop?

The tour is entirely customizable. You can arrange the stops and how long you spend at each place ahead of time with the captain, so the day fits what you want to see and do.