Private Boat Cruise Lake Como: 4 Hours with Captain

Four hours on the water: villas, villages and a swim in the lake's clearest cove

A private four-hour boat cruise on Lake Como with a captain who knows the lake's landmarks, history and hidden stops. You'll pass Villa del Balbianello, Villa Melzi in Bellagio, Villa d'Este and the home of George Clooney in Laglio, with swimming stops at your request and an aperitif served aboard. The boat holds up to ten passengers and the route is entirely customizable.

Step-by-step itinerary

Private 4-hour Lake Como boat cruise

• Start tour at Sant'Agostino dock
• Admire Life Electric sculpture
• View Villa Olmo and gardens
• See Villa Erba in Cernobbio
• Pass Villa d'Este shore
• Arrive at Moltrasio, see Villa le Cassinelle
• Admire Villa Oleandra in Laglio
• Visit Comacina island and swim
• Coast along Villa del Balbianello and gulf of Venus
• View Villa Balbiano and Lenno gulf
• Explore Tremezzo, grand hotel and Villa Carlotta
• Cross lake to Villa Melzi and Bellagio square
• Reach tip spartivento, swim and aperitif
• Sail past Varenna village
• Pass Lezzeno towards Nesso
• Visit Orrido di Nesso and Roman bridge
• See Villa Pliniana and Grand Hotel Il Sereno
• Pass Mandarin Oriental and Villa Troubetzkoy
• Return to Como for dropoff

The experience

You board at Sant'Agostino's floating dock and head north along the western shore, where the captain points out Daniel Libeskind's Life Electric sculpture as soon as you leave port. The route unfolds as a sequence of villas and villages: Villa Olmo's neoclassical gardens, Villa Erba (once Luchino Visconti's home), Villa d'Este with its five-star hotel and Concorso d'Eleganza, Gianni Versace's villa le Cassinelle in Moltrasio, and then Laglio, where Villa Oleandra sits on the shore. George Clooney's Lake Como residence. The captain shares the stories and history of each stop as you cruise past.

You'll reach Comacina Island, Lake Como's only island, where swimming is possible if you choose it. The boat then heads toward Villa del Balbianello and the Gulf of Venus, coasts past Villa Carlotta in Tremezzo, and crosses to Bellagio on the eastern shore to see Villa Melzi, where Napoleon Bonaparte once stayed. At the Spartivento (the point where the lake splits into two branches) you'll consume your aperitif and have another chance to swim in one of the lake's cleanest and most scenic spots. The return journey follows the eastern coast past Varenna, Nesso, the Orrido di Nesso with its famous Roman bridge, Villa Pliniana, and the recently renovated Grand Hotel Il Sereno before dropping you back in Como.

The boat carries up to ten people, so you travel with a small group or as a private party. Every stop and swim break is yours to request. The captain adjusts the route to match what you want to see and do. A bottle of Italian sparkling wine, bottled water and onboard restroom facilities are included.

What’s included

• One bottle of Italian sparkling wine.
• private boat transportation with a dedicated captain.
• bottled water.
• onboard restroom facilities.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

GroupPrivate

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 14 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot recommended with heart problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Boston Lake Como

Is this one for you?The boat moves at a leisurely pace with no walking required. You stay aboard for most of the cruise and enter the water only if you choose to swim. This suits anyone who wants to see the lake's landmarks and villas without the effort of hiking or navigating villages on foot.

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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.

What is Villa del Balbianello and why does it matter on this cruise?

Villa del Balbianello is a historic villa on Lake Como's western shore that the boat coasts along during the cruise, passing the adjacent Gulf of Venus. It's one of the lake's most recognizable landmarks and appears in films. The captain will explain its significance as you approach it from the water.

Can we stop and swim during the four hours?

Yes, swimming stops are included and available at your request. The boat can stop at Comacina Island or at the Spartivento point on the Lecco branch, where the water is among the cleanest on the lake. You choose whether and where to swim based on what appeals to you.

Will we see George Clooney's house?

Villa Oleandra in Laglio, where George Clooney owns a residence, is part of the route. The boat passes along the shore so you can see it from the water as the captain shares details about the villa and the village.

How many people can fit on the boat?

The private boat accommodates up to ten passengers, so families, couples and small groups of friends all travel together on the same vessel with the captain.

What happens if we want to change the route or skip a stop?

All tours and itineraries are entirely customizable. Tell the captain what interests you most (whether that's more time at certain villas, a longer swim, or a different village to explore), and the route adjusts to your preferences.