Lake Como: Villa Balbianello & Bellagio Small Group Day Tour

Summary

Lake Como villas by fast boat plus Bellagio walk and lunch

You’ll feel Lake Como under your skin: quick boat rides past famous villas, exploring Villa Balbianello’s quiet corners, wandering Bellagio’s tangled streets with a local guide who actually cares. Lunch is included — real food, not tourist stuff — and you’ll end up with more stories than photos.

What’s the experience like?

We were already weaving through the crowd in Piazza Cavour when Paolo, our guide, called out to us — not in that forced way guides sometimes do, but like he’d just spotted old friends. He pointed at the cathedral’s spires and slipped in a few stories about Como’s past (Romans, silk, a bit of gossip about local families). I was still half-distracted by the smell of espresso drifting from a nearby bar. Then we hustled to the dock for our fast boat — I nearly dropped my camera trying to snap the lake before we’d even left.

The ride up Lake Como was louder than I expected; the wind whipped my hair everywhere and I could barely hear Paolo over the engine sometimes. But he kept pointing out villas — Villa d’Este peeking out behind cypress trees, Clooney’s place (someone muttered “I wonder if he’s home”), and then Villa Balbianello itself. There’s something about seeing it from the water that makes it feel unreal. We wandered inside, tracing movie scenes (Star Wars? James Bond? I still can’t believe both happened here), but honestly it was the old library smell and creaky floors that stuck with me more than any film trivia.

After Balbianello, we walked through Lenno — narrow lanes with laundry flapping overhead, a guy selling focaccia from a window (Paolo joked it was “the best in Italy” but who knows). The sun felt heavier by then. In Bellagio, lunch was slow and messy; pasta that tasted like someone’s grandmother made it, eaten outside while watching ferries come and go. My legs were tired but Paolo insisted on one last climb for a view across Menaggio and Varenna. Worth it. The light over the water looked almost fake — or maybe that’s just how memory works.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore Lake Como and Bellagio highlights

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

Top questions

How long is this Lake Como day tour?

The tour lasts about 8 hours from start to finish.

Is Villa Balbianello entrance included?

Yes, entry fees for Villa Balbianello are included in your booking.

Does the tour include lunch in Bellagio?

Lunch is included during your stop in Bellagio village.

How many people are in each group?

The tour is limited to a maximum of 8 participants.

Are boat tickets part of the price?

Yes, all fast boat and ferry tickets are covered.

Where does the tour start?

The meeting point is Piazza Cavour in central Como.

Is this day trip suitable for everyone?

A moderate level of fitness is needed; not recommended for those with poor cardiovascular health.

Will we see other famous villas on Lake Como?

You’ll pass several historic villas including Villa d’Este and George Clooney's villa during the boat ride.

What’s included

Your day includes all fast boat and ferry tickets between Como, Lenno, and Bellagio; entrance to Villa Balbianello; a guided walk through Lenno and Bellagio; plus lunch in Bellagio before returning by boat — all led by a knowledgeable local guide who handles every detail so you can just enjoy the lake air.