Lake Como: Villa Balbianello & Bellagio Full-Day Boat Tour

Two Movie Villas & a Lakeside Lunch in One Day on Lake Como

You get a guided introduction to Como's history, a 40-minute boat ride to Villa Balbianello with entry and explanation of its Star Wars and James Bond filming locations, a walking tour of Bellagio village with a stop at its main basilica, and a lunch break before returning by hydrofoil. All boat tickets and villa entry are included, and the group stays under 8 people, so the pace stays manageable and the guide stays attentive.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Lake Como highlights and villages

• Introduction at Piazza Cavour, Como
• Boat ride admiring Lake Como villas
• Visit Villa Balbianello
• Walk through Lenno village
• Boat trip to Bellagio village
• Walking tour in Bellagio
• Visit Basilica di San Giacomo
• Enjoy panoramic viewpoint of Lake Como
• Return to Como by fast boat

The experience

So yeah, the guide was already laughing at us before we even got on the boat: we'd shown up asking if we could actually see George Clooney's place from the water. Turns out you can, sort of, and that's just the warm-up. Lake Como is almost 30 miles long, and this tour covers the real highlights in a single day: you start in Como's main square with a quick history lesson (two thousand years of the place, which honestly puts things in perspective), and then you're on a fast hydrofoil heading toward Villa Balbianello. That's the 40-minute boat ride where the guide points out all the famous villas as you pass: Villa Erba from Ocean's 12, the Versace villa, Clooney's place tucked into the shoreline. It's the kind of thing that sounds like name-dropping until you're actually floating past these massive neoclassical estates and realizing they're real.

Villa Balbianello is the main event, and it's worth the hype. Built in 1790, it's perched on a peninsula with gardens that drop straight into the lake, and it's where they filmed Attack of the Clones and Casino Royale: the guide walks you through the actual spots where those scenes happened, which is either cheesy or brilliant depending on how you feel about Star Wars. The villa itself has over 700 years of history, and the entry is included, so you're not fumbling with tickets or wondering if you should skip it. From there it's a short boat trip to Bellagio, which is the kind of village that looks like someone painted it: narrow streets, stone staircases, the Promenade Europa with views across to Menaggio and Varenna. You get a walking tour through the old town and a stop at the Basilica di San Giacomo, but mostly you have time to eat. Lunch is on you, but the village has restaurants right on the waterfront, and you're not rushed.

The whole thing takes about 8 hours, and the group stays small: maximum 8 people, which means the guide actually talks to you instead of shouting at a crowd. All the boat tickets are included, which saves the back-and-forth of figuring out the ferry schedule yourself. The return to Como is another 45 minutes on the hydrofoil, and by then you've seen enough villas and water to feel like you actually know the lake instead of just passing through it.

What’s included

Your day includes a guided introduction to Como's history at Piazza Cavour, all fast boat and hydrofoil tickets, entry to Villa Balbianello with guided explanation of its history and filming locations, a walking tour through Bellagio's old town including the Basilica di San Giacomo, and views of the lake's famous villas (Versace, Clooney, Villa Erba, and others) during the boat rides. A live English-speaking guide leads the entire tour, and the group stays under 8 people.

Before you book

Lasts 8h, runs every day except Monday and Wednesday at 11:30 and 10:30, from € 250 per person, with a live guide in English, in groups of up to 12 and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesTuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday: 11:30Sunday: 10:30

Book up to3h before

AgesAdult (7 to 60 years) · Under 7: can't be booked

GroupUp to 12

Live guideEnglish

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 or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 10 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortPublic transport nearbyNot recommended with heart problems

Operated by Como Tours

Is this one for you?Book this if you want Lake Como's main sights (the famous villas, the prettiest villages, the movie locations) without arranging boats, tickets, and timing yourself. The small group size and included transport mean you move at a pace that lets you actually look around instead of rushing between stops.

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Top questions

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.

How long is the boat ride to Villa Balbianello?

About 40 minutes on a fast hydrofoil from Como's main square.

Is lunch included in the price?

No, lunch is on your own in Bellagio, but there are restaurants throughout the village.

What is the maximum group size?

Maximum 8 participants, which keeps the tour intimate and allows the guide to give individual attention.

Are the villa tickets included?

Yes, entry to Villa Balbianello and all fast boat and ferry tickets are included in the tour price.

How much walking is involved?

There's a walking tour through Bellagio's old town with narrow streets and staircases, plus a walk through Villa Balbianello's grounds. Moderate fitness is recommended.

Will we actually see George Clooney's villa?

Yes, it's pointed out from the boat during the journey, along with other famous villas on the shoreline.

What language is the tour guide?

The tour guide speaks English and provides live commentary throughout the day.

How long is the return trip to Como?

About 45 minutes by fast boat from Bellagio back to Como.