Lake Como from Milan: Varenna, Bellagio & Villa Carlotta

A morning train ride opens onto lakeside stops and a sprawling villa garden.

This guided day trip departs Milan by train and reaches Lake Como in an hour, visiting the fishing village of Varenna, the elegant resort town of Bellagio, and Villa Carlotta with its neoclassical interiors and manicured gardens. Your professional guide leads the route, arranges the boat crossing between towns, and escorts you through each stop before the return train to Milan. The itinerary runs nine hours total and includes round-trip rail travel, the boat cruise, walking tours, and villa entry. Lunch and gratuities are separate.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Lake Como and its towns

• Depart Milan by train to Varenna
• Explore Varenna village
• Boat cruise from Varenna to Bellagio
• Free time for lunch and shopping in Bellagio
• Transfer to Villa Carlotta in Tremezzo
• Visit Villa Carlotta gardens and museum
• Return to Varenna by transfer
• Train back to Milan

The experience

The day starts at Milan's train station and covers ground fast. A one-hour train ride with your guide brings you to Varenna, a village on Lake Como's eastern shore where narrow lanes and old fishermen's houses sit above the water. The town is small enough to walk in an hour, and the guide points out the view across the lake toward Bellagio before you board a boat for the crossing.

Bellagio sits on the cape that divides the lake in two, and the boat approach gives you the full panorama before you land. The town has time built in for lunch and shopping on your own. The guide does not lead a meal, so you choose where to eat. After lunch the group moves on to Tremezzo and Villa Carlotta by car, a transfer that lets you rest and watch the mountains and villas rise from the shoreline. Villa Carlotta is the anchor of the afternoon: a neoclassical mansion with a sculpture gallery holding works by Antonio Canova, surrounded by gardens that run in both directions across the property. The gardens are the draw (over 70,000 square meters of manicured grounds with marble statues and exotic plants), and the guide walks you through both the interior and the grounds before the return journey.

The route back retraces the morning: car to Varenna, then the train to Milan with your guide. Nine hours sounds long, but the boat ride, the walking, and the garden tour break it into pieces. You will have been on the water, in two towns, and inside a villa garden that once belonged to aristocrats. The train does the heavy lifting between stops, so the day does not feel rushed despite the distance covered.

What’s included

• Professional guide in English or Italian.
• round-trip train travel between Milan and Varenna.
• boat cruise from Varenna to Bellagio.
• walking tours in both towns.
• entry to Villa Carlotta with its sculpture gallery and gardens.

Before you book

Days and timesThursday to SaturdayDeparts at 08:00Last departure this season: 31 Oct

Book up to1d before

AgesAdult (3 to 90 years) · Child (under 3)

GroupUp to 10

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.

Prices and times updated 7 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller-friendlyPublic transport nearby

Operated by YOUR TRAVEL DIARY

Is this one for you?If you are staying in Milan without a car, this tour solves the logistics: the guide meets you at the train station, handles every transfer between towns, and brings you back to Milan by evening. The nine-hour day is long, but the boat ride and the garden tour are the kind of stops you would struggle to arrange on your own.

Traveler reviews

4.73★★★★★★★★★★

75 verified traveler reviews

5 ★64

4 ★6

3 ★2

2 ★2

1 ★1

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Italian.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (under 3).

How do I get from Milan to Lake Como on this tour?

You depart Milan by train with your guide and reach Varenna in one hour. After visiting Varenna and Bellagio by boat, you travel by car to Villa Carlotta, then return to Varenna and take the train back to Milan.

What is there to do in Bellagio during the tour?

Bellagio has free time built in for lunch and shopping. The town sits on a cape between two branches of the lake and is known for its world-class hotels and restaurants. You choose where to eat and how to spend the afternoon hours before the group moves on to Villa Carlotta.

What exactly is Villa Carlotta?

Villa Carlotta is a neoclassical mansion with a sculpture gallery featuring works by Antonio Canova and an extensive manicured garden spanning over 70,000 square meters. The guide leads you through both the interior and the grounds, which include marble statues and exotic plants.

Is lunch included in the price?

Lunch is not included. You have free time in Bellagio to choose your own restaurant and meal, and the cost is separate from the tour price.

What is the physical demand of this tour?

The tour requires a moderate level of physical fitness. You will walk through Varenna and Bellagio, tour the villa grounds, and spend time on a boat. The train and car transfers handle most of the distance between stops.

Can I do this tour if I do not have a car in Milan?

Yes. The tour departs from Milan's train station and uses train and boat transport throughout the day, so you do not need a car. A minimum of two people per booking is required.