Private Lake Como boat tour from Argegno: Villas, swim & wine

Swim in the lake, photograph five iconic villas from the water, and hear their stories from your captain.

A private 2-hour boat tour of Lake Como departing from Argegno, with a live captain who shares the history of the lake's most famous villas as you sail past them. You'll stop to swim at Isola Comacina, the lake's only island, photograph Villa del Balbianello and Villa Melzi in Bellagio, and see Villa Balbiano and Villa Cassinella from the water. Water and wine are served on board.

Step-by-step itinerary

Private 2-hour Lake Como boat tour

• Start sailing from Argegno
• Enjoy boating with swim and prosecco
• Stop at Isola Comacina for swim and prosecco
• Hear island history and take photos
• Visit Bellagio and see Villa Melzi
• Admire Bellagio’s streets and gardens
• Pause at Villa del Balbianello for photos
• View villa’s architecture and gardens
• See villa with infinity pool in Lenno
• Enjoy views of Villa Balbiano
• Learn villa’s history and take photos

The experience

You board in Argegno and sail out into the open lake with your captain, who narrates as you approach each villa. The boat has a covered cabin to retreat to if the weather shifts, a sun deck for unobstructed photos, and a restroom on board. The 2-hour route is built around the villas: Villa del Balbianello, which appeared in Star Wars: Episode II and Casino Royale, sits on a peninsula near Lenno with gardens that slope to an infinity pool visible from the water; Villa Melzi in Bellagio has formal gardens running down to the shore; Villa Balbiano, a 17th-century cardinal's residence, now hosts weddings and film shoots, including House of Gucci. Your captain will point out each one and share what makes it notable.

The tour includes two stops where you actually get in the water. Isola Comacina, the only island on Lake Como, is where you'll swim in the clear water and drink a glass of chilled Prosecco while your captain tells you about the island's Roman and medieval past. It's ringed by ancient ruins and sits quiet in the middle of the lake. The second swim happens at a spot your captain chooses based on conditions and your preference. Between swims, you're photographing from the boat: the villas pass at angles you can't get from the shore, and the captain times the route so the light works for the shots you want.

Bottled water is always available, and wine is included on board: Prosecco at Isola Comacina and wine to toast the day. The boat is yours alone. No other groups are on board. If you want to customize the route (more time at one stop, a romantic setup, a professional photo service), the operator says to ask when you book.

What’s included

• Bottled water throughout the tour.
• Prosecco at Isola Comacina and wine on board.
• a covered cabin and sun deck.
• a restroom on board.
• your captain's narration of the villas' history and the lake's landmarks in English or Italian.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 11:00, 13:00, 15:00 and 17:00

Book up to4h before

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and Italian

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 4 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancy

Operated by Andrea

Is this one for you?This is a private boat tour, so you're not joining other travelers and the captain can adjust the route and timing to match what you want to photograph or how long you want to linger at each villa. Choose this if you want to see the famous villas from the water (the only angle where you can photograph them all in one morning), and you want to swim in the lake itself rather than just sail past it.

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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 Villa del Balbianello and why does the tour stop there?

Villa del Balbianello is one of Lake Como's most famous villas, a landmark that appeared in Star Wars: Episode II and James Bond: Casino Royale. It sits on a secluded peninsula near Lenno with elegant architecture, gardens, and an infinity pool that overlooks the lake. The tour pauses in front of it so you can photograph it from the water and hear its cinematic history from your captain.

Can I actually swim in Lake Como during this tour?

Yes, you stop twice to swim. The first stop is at Isola Comacina, the only island on the lake, where you'll swim and drink Prosecco while your captain shares the island's history. A second swim happens at a spot your captain picks based on conditions and what you prefer.

What is Isola Comacina and what will I see there?

Isola Comacina is the only island on Lake Como, surrounded by ancient Roman and medieval ruins. When you stop there to swim, you'll be in the clear water with the ruins visible on the shore, and your captain will tell you about the island's history dating back centuries. It's quiet and set apart from the mainland, making it a unique spot on the lake.

Is this tour private, or will I be sharing the boat with other groups?

This is a private tour, so the boat is yours alone. No other groups travel with you, which means the captain can adjust the pace and stops to suit what you want to photograph or how long you want to spend at each villa.

What's included to eat and drink on the boat?

Bottled water is available throughout the tour. Wine is included: you'll have Prosecco at Isola Comacina and wine to toast the day on board. Alcoholic drinks are served to travelers 18 and older. Younger passengers receive non-alcoholic drinks instead.