Private Boat Tour Lake Como: Bellagio, Varenna & Isola Comacina

See the lake's hidden corners and private villas from the water

A private 4-hour boat tour of Lake Como with captain Gianni and his wife Mia, departing from Como and stopping at Bellagio, Varenna, Lenno and Isola Comacina. You'll cruise past historic villas that line the shore, walk through Bellagio's cobbled alleys, and swim in the calm waters around the island. Prosecco, snacks, soft drinks and towels are provided on board.

Step-by-step itinerary

Lake Como private boat tour

• Admire villas at Blevio
• Pass Torno and see villas
• Admire private lakeside villas
• Visit village with waterfall
• Arrive at Bellagio, stroll alleys
• Visit Gardens of Villa Melzi
• Stop at Varenna, visit villas
• Visit Isola Comacina, aperitif or swim
• Sail along western shore to Como
• Enjoy prosecco, snacks, and drinks

The experience

You have a free afternoon on Lake Como and want to see it the way locals do, from the water, where the villas and hidden coves reveal themselves. Gianni and Mia run this tour themselves, steering the boat past Villa Balbianello in Lenno, Villa Monastero in Varenna, and the gardens of Villa Melzi across from Bellagio. The route follows the lake's two branches, so you pass Blevio, Torno and Como's western shore, each with its own string of lakeside palaces. You're not watching from a crowded tour boat. This is their boat, their knowledge of which corners matter.

The stops are yours to shape. Bellagio, known as La Perla del Lago (the Pearl of the Lake), sits where the two arms of Como split apart. You can stay on board to photograph it or step ashore and walk the characteristic alleys lined with shops. Varenna, across the water, is equally romantic. Lenno and Isola Comacina, the lake's only island, have calm water perfect for swimming. The island itself holds a single Baroque church and hosts a candlelit remembrance each June of its medieval destruction. You'll have time to sip prosecco and snacks on deck, or slip into the water if you choose.

Four hours means you cover the lake without rushing, but you're back before evening. Towels are on the boat, so you don't pack them. Gianni and Mia speak English and Italian, so the commentary flows in whichever language suits you. Pickup is included, so you arrange the meeting point when you book.

What’s included

• Mineral water and soft drinks.
• snacks.
• bath towels.
• one or two bottles of prosecco.
• fuel and captain-led commentary in English or Italian.

Before you book

Lasts 4h, from € 1,150 per group, with a live guide in English and Italian, as a private tour and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesNext departure: 18 Mar 2027

Book up to4h before

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and Italian

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.You can choose from 3 pickup points.

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 yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Our Lake

Is this one for you?The guide speaks English and Italian, so you follow the commentary in whichever language you're comfortable with. If you speak one of those languages, you'll hear Gianni and Mia's own knowledge of the lake. If you need a different language, this tour isn't the fit.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Italian.

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 Isola Comacina and why is it worth visiting?

Isola Comacina is Lake Como's only island, home to a single intact Baroque church called San Giovanni. In 1169, the people of Como destroyed the nine churches that once stood there. Today the island is remembered each June with a candlelit procession and fireworks. The waters around it are calm and ideal for swimming, and it's a peaceful spot to sip an aperitif between the boat stops.

Can I swim during the tour, and what should I bring?

Yes, you can swim in the calm water around Isola Comacina and Lenno. Bath towels are provided on the boat, so you don't need to pack them. Bring a swimsuit if you plan to go in the water.

What are the main stops, and how much time do I spend at each one?

The tour visits Bellagio, Varenna, Lenno and Isola Comacina over four hours. You can stay on the boat to photograph Bellagio or step ashore to walk its cobbled streets and shops. Varenna, Lenno and the island offer time to swim, relax or take in the views. The exact time at each depends on what you choose to do.

What villas will I see from the boat?

You'll pass Villa Balbianello in Lenno (now owned by FAI and open to visitors), Villa Monastero and the Castle of Vezio in Varenna, Villa Melzi's gardens in Bellagio, and on Como's western shore, George Clooney's Villa Oleandra. The route also passes Villa Pliniana off Torno, Villa D'Este (now a luxury hotel), and Villa Olmo, one of the lake's largest and most majestic estates.

Is this tour suitable for families with young children?

Yes. Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller on the boat, and infants must sit on an adult's lap. The tour is suitable for all fitness levels, and the boat's calm route makes it comfortable for families.