Private Wooden Boat Tour Lake Como: Villas from the Water

See the villas from the lake itself, not from the shore road

A private wooden boat tour on Lake Como departs from Como's tourist jetty and cruises the entire lake with a live English or Italian-speaking guide. You pass the breakwater art installation, Villa Olmo, the luxury hotels of Cernobbio, Villa Erba, and George Clooney's Villa Oleandra in Laglio, returning along the east shore. The boat holds up to 11 passengers and carries fresh water, soft drinks and prosecco.

Step-by-step itinerary

Private wooden boat tour on Lake Como

• Depart from Como tourist jetty
• Pass breakwater and see Life Elettric
• Pass seaplane hangar
• Pass Villa Olmo neoclassical villa
• Head towards Cernobbio luxury villas
• Admire Villa Erba on Lake Como
• Continue to Moltrasio and Laglio
• See Villa Oleandra, George Clooney's home
• Return to Como via east shore villas

The experience

The Navicella del Lario is a traditional Venetian taxi, entirely renovated in 2021, with wood and leather interior. You depart from Como's tourist jetty on Lungo Lario Trieste and head out onto the open water: the angle changes everything. From the boat, you see the Life Elettric installation by Daniel Libeskind at the breakwater, then Villa Olmo, the neoclassical structure built by the Odescalchi family. The boat carries awnings and a cover if the weather turns, and fresh water and drinks are always on board.

The route continues toward Cernobbio, known for its luxury villas and hotels, then sails to Villa Erba, built between 1894 and 1898 by architects Angelo Savoldi and Giovan Battista Borsani for Luigi Erba, a major pharmaceutical industrialist of the time. From there you head to Laglio to see Villa Oleandra, George Clooney's lakeside home, and other elegant villas before returning to Como along the east shore. Your captain is at your complete disposal to adjust the route or timing to suit your preferences.

What’s included

• Fresh water.
• soft drinks.
• prosecco.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day11 departure times: the first at 09:15, the last at 19:15

Book up to1h 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 today

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Taxi Como Lake

Is this one for you?The boat departs from Como's tourist jetty, so you don't need a car or a hotel outside the city center to join: walk to the waterfront and board. The captain adjusts the route to your interests, so whether you want to linger at one villa or move quickly through several, the tour shapes itself around what you want to see.

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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 villas do you actually see on the boat tour of Lake Como?

Villa Olmo, a neoclassical villa built by the Odescalchi family; Villa Erba, constructed between 1894 and 1898 for pharmaceutical industrialist Luigi Erba; and Villa Oleandra in Laglio, home of George Clooney. You also pass the luxury hotels and estates of Cernobbio and see the Life Elettric art installation by Daniel Libeskind at the breakwater.

Can you customize the route or does the boat follow a set path?

The captain is at your complete disposal to satisfy requests and adjust the tour to your preferences, so you can ask to linger at a particular villa or change the route based on what interests you most.

What happens if the weather is bad during the tour?

The boat has awnings and a full cover, so you stay protected from rain or strong sun while still seeing the lake and the villas.

How many people can fit on the boat?

The Navicella del Lario holds up to 11 passengers, making it suitable for small groups, families or friends who want a private experience without sharing the boat with strangers.

Is there anything to drink or eat on board?

Fresh water, soft drinks and prosecco are always available on the boat, included in your tour.