Private Lake Como boat tour: Villas and Nesso waterfall

Drift past lakeside villas and dive at a mountain waterfall

A private 2.5-hour boat tour of Lake Como with a captain who knows the lake, starting from Como and moving east to the Nesso gorge waterfall, then crossing to the western villages and their famous villas. You pass Villa Pliniana, Villa Oleandra (Clooney's residence), Villa D'Este and others, with the option to swim in the lake at several stops. Prosecco, soft drinks and snacks are served on board.

Step-by-step itinerary

Lake Como private boat tour

• Depart from Como and Blevio
• Admire Villa Troubetzkoy and villas
• Pass Hotel Mandarin Lake Como
• View private lakeside villas
• Reach Torno and see historic villas
• Swim near Villa Pliniana
• Visit Orrido di Nesso waterfall
• Stop at the only island on Lake Como
• Cross lake to Laglio and see villas
• Pass Villa D'Este, Villa Pizzo, Villa Erba
• See Villa Olmo and Life Electric monument

The experience

You board a private boat in Como with one or two captains who run the route daily and can adjust the itinerary on the spot if you want to linger somewhere or skip ahead. The boat has a bow and stern sundeck plus an awning, so you can sit in the sun or shade depending on the hour and the weather. From Como, the route heads east along the shoreline, passing the villas of Blevio, including Villa Troubetzkoy, and then Torno, where Villa Pliniana sits just offshore and the water is calm enough to jump in if you want to cool off.

The route's anchor is the Nesso gorge, a waterfall that drops into the lake between the mountains and is only visible from the water. You approach it slowly, and the bravest swimmers dive from the Civera bridge into the fresh water below. On the return, the boat crosses the open lake to the western shore, where the villas multiply: Laglio holds Villa Oleandra, the property of George Clooney, and further south sit Villa D'Este (now a hotel), Villa Pizzo and Villa Erba, which once belonged to the film director Luchino Visconti. The boat passes close enough to see the gardens and the architecture, but these are private residences, not museums. You are seeing them from the water as locals do. Throughout the tour, a bottle of prosecco, soft drinks, snacks and beach towels are on board, and the captain can arrange hotel pickup if your accommodation has a pier.

What’s included

• Private boat transportation with one or two captains.
• prosecco, soft drinks and snacks.
• beach towels.
• hotel pickup if your accommodation has a pier.

Before you book

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 11 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Our Lake

Is this one for you?This is a private tour, so the captain can adjust the route and timing to match your interests: linger at a villa, spend more time swimming, or skip a stop if you prefer. Choose it if you want the flexibility to shape the afternoon rather than follow a fixed schedule with other passengers.

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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.

Can I swim in Lake Como during the tour?

Yes. The water is coldest in winter and warmest in summer, and several stops offer safe places to jump in: Torno near Villa Pliniana, the Nesso gorge at the Civera bridge, and the waters around Comacina Island. Towels are provided on board.

What are the famous villas I'll see, and who owns them?

Villa Oleandra in Laglio is the residence of George Clooney. Villa D'Este in Cernobbio is now a luxury hotel. Villa Erba, also in Cernobbio, was owned by film director Luchino Visconti and now hosts events. Villa Pliniana in Torno is a historic private villa just offshore. You see them from the water. They are not open to the public.

What is the Nesso waterfall, and how close does the boat get?

The Orrido di Nesso is a waterfall that flows into Lake Como between the mountains, visible only from the water and framed by the Civera bridge above. The boat approaches it closely enough for you to see the water falling and to swim if you choose.

How many people can fit on the boat, and is it private?

The tour is private, meaning your group books the entire boat. The captain adjusts the route and pace to suit your interests, and can pick you up from your hotel if it has a pier.

What's included in the tour price?

The tour includes private use of the boat, a captain, prosecco, soft drinks, snacks and beach towels. Hotel pickup is available on request if your accommodation has a pier.