Lake Como tour from Milan: Bellagio, Lugano & private cruise

Walk Como's cathedral square, cruise past George Clooney's villa, cross into Switzerland

A full-day Lake Como tour from Milan combines a guided walk through Como's historic center with a ferry ride to Bellagio, a private boat cruise past iconic villas including Villa Carlotta and Balbianello, and free time in the Swiss city of Lugano. You travel by air-conditioned vehicle and private boat, with an audio guide and 11 hours total to see three destinations across the Italian-Swiss border.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Lake Como, Bellagio, and Lugano

• Guided walk in Como historic center
• View along Strada Regina
• Ferry to Bellagio
• Free time in Bellagio for lunch
• Private cruise on Lake Como
• Visit Lugano city center
• Explore Lugano lakefront and shops
• Return to Milan

The experience

You start in Como's city center with a guided walk through its charming squares and ancient streets, ending at the cathedral before heading to the lakefront. From there, a ferry carries you across to Bellagio, the "Pearl of Lake Como," where you have free time to explore the town, grab lunch and wander the waterfront at your own pace. The route along Strada Regina gives you views of the lake before you board.

The private boat cruise is the heart of the day. You spend an hour on the water in the center of Lake Como, passing Villa Carlotta, Villa Balbianello, Villa Melzi and other historic estates dotting the shoreline, including homes of famous residents like George Clooney and Versace. After the cruise, you cross into Switzerland to visit Lugano, where you can walk Via Nassa, explore the lakefront and visit the chocolate shops the city is known for. The whole tour runs 11 hours from Milan, with air-conditioned transport throughout and an audio guide to follow along.

What’s included

• Private transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle.
• private boat cruise on Lake Como.
• audio guide.
• children welcome from age 2 (strollers can be transported).

Information

Lasts 11h, runs every day at 08:30, from € 83 per person, with a live guide in English and Spanish and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:30

AgesAdult (14 to 80 years) · Child (2 to 13 years)

GroupUp to 51

Live guideEnglish and SpanishOther languages ›

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.2 with pickup ›

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearby

Operated by Travelmade

Is this one for you?The guide speaks English or Spanish, so you follow the commentary in your language throughout the day. Wear comfortable shoes for the walking sections in Como and Lugano, and note that steep or uneven surfaces mean this tour is not suitable if you have difficulty walking.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (2 to 13 years).

What is there to do in Bellagio during the free time?

Bellagio sits on a peninsula where two arms of Lake Como meet, and the free time lets you explore the town center, have lunch at a local restaurant, and walk the waterfront promenade at your own pace without the group moving on.

Does the private cruise go close to the villas on Lake Como?

The private boat passes the major villas including Villa Carlotta, Balbianello, Melzi and Cassinella as it travels through the center of the lake, so you see them from the water but do not dock at them.

Will I need my passport to visit Lugano?

Yes, Lugano is in Switzerland, so you need a valid original passport or EU identity card. Photos, photocopies and virtual documents are not accepted at the border.

How does the tour handle the border crossing into Switzerland?

The group travels together by air-conditioned vehicle from Bellagio into Lugano, and the driver handles the crossing. You just need valid travel documents with you.

What happens if the weather is bad on the day of the tour?

For safety reasons or due to adverse weather, the private boat cruise switches to public ferry navigation, though the rest of the itinerary continues as planned.