Private Boat Tour Lake Como: 1 Hour with Expert Captain

One hour on the water between mountains and lakeside villas

A one-hour private boat tour on Lake Como aboard a classic wooden boat with an English-speaking captain. You sail past the Grand Hotel Villa d'Este, George Clooney's home in Laglio, and Villa Erba on the outbound leg, then return along the opposite shore passing the Mandarin Oriental and Villa Trubetskoy. The boat holds up to six passengers and is equipped with a refrigerator, bottled water, and a Bimini top for shade.

Step-by-step itinerary

Private boat tour on Lake Como

• Board classic wooden boat
• Sail past Villa dating back to 1780
• Pass 19th century Villa Erba
• View Villa from 1570 monastery
• See Villa le Fontanelle ex Versace
• Stop for photos at Villa Oleandra
• Observe Nesso ravine waterfall
• Pass Villa Trubetskoy
• Return to Como across opposite shore

The experience

What does a private boat tour on Lake Como actually show you? The route covers the lake's main landmarks in a single hour: you leave Como aboard a mahogany wooden boat and head toward the villas that line the northern shore. The Grand Hotel Villa d'Este appears first, a historic property now open for events. Villa Erba, a 19th-century pharmaceutical family estate used for conferences and filming (Ocean's Twelve and Murder Mystery both shot there), comes next. The boat then passes Laglio, where you stop briefly to photograph Villa Oleandra, George Clooney's summer residence, before continuing to Nesso to see its ravine waterfall and the surrounding views.

The return journey takes the opposite shore, where you pass the Mandarin Oriental hotel and Villa Trubetskoy, a 19th-century villa built by Russian prince Alexander Troubetzkoy. An English-speaking captain navigates the route and points out what you're seeing. The boat itself is built for comfort: mahogany finishes, a Bimini top for sun protection, a refrigerator stocked with bottled water, and a USB charger for devices. At sunset, the same route takes on different light (the lake turns golden and the mountains darken), and you can request that timing when you book.

The boat carries a maximum of six passengers, so the group stays small. Safety systems are regularly inspected and compliant with regulations. Children must be at least four years old to board. The boat is not suitable for infants.

What’s included

• English-speaking captain.
• classic wooden boat with mahogany finishes.
• Bimini top for shade.
• refrigerator with bottled water.
• HI-FI system with USB charger.
• safety equipment and regular inspections.

Before you book

Lasts 1h, from € 385 per group, with a live guide in English, as a private tour and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesNext departure: 11 Mar 2027

Book up to1h before

GroupPrivate

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. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

ConfirmationConfirmation within 48 h

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Como Boat Rental

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you're traveling as a couple, a small family, or a group of friends who want the boat and captain to yourselves. The one-hour duration fits between other activities in Como, and the private arrangement means you set the pace and can linger on photo stops without waiting for a larger group.

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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 Erba and why does it matter for a Lake Como tour?

Villa Erba is a 19th-century estate built by the Erba family, pharmaceutical entrepreneurs, and now serves as a conference centre and events venue. It gained wider recognition as a filming location for Hollywood productions including Ocean's Twelve and Murder Mystery, making it one of the lake's most recognizable properties from the water.

Can I book this tour at sunset instead of during the day?

Yes, you can request a sunset departure when you book. The same route takes on a different character in golden light, with the mountains darkening and the water reflecting the sky's colors.

How many people can fit on the boat, and what happens if I'm traveling alone?

The boat holds up to six passengers maximum. If you're traveling alone or with one other person, you still book the entire boat as a private tour. The price covers the boat and captain for your group, however many of you there are.

What is included on the boat to stay comfortable during the hour?

The boat is equipped with a Bimini top for shade, a refrigerator stocked with bottled water, and a USB charger for phones and cameras. You'll have protection from the sun and cold water available throughout the tour.

Does the boat stop at any of the villas, or is this a viewing tour from the water?

This is a viewing tour from the water. The boat passes the villas and stops briefly in Laglio for photographs of George Clooney's Villa Oleandra and at Nesso to see the ravine waterfall, but does not dock at the private estates themselves.