I had been told that this is a must do and it certainly was. We arranged the service via our concierge at the hotel. They arranged transportation to the boat dock near Lenno where we purchased our tickets to approach via water. Definitely the way to go! The grounds were beautiful. We then walked back to the Lenno area and visited the town a bit. A couple tips. - We took the boat in and then walked back - I would suggest the same - There is a gellato cart at the end of the trail - stop there for a refreshing treat on the way out! - There is a nice little church nearby - worth a few minutes of a visit - Arrange for transportation before and after back to your hotel. Taxis/Uber were VERY difficult to arrange. We ended up taking the bus which was great - but you need to be aware of the schedule
Lake Como: Villa Balbianello & Bellagio by private Boat & Ferry
At a glance
- Duration
- 7–8 hours
- Price from
- $408 / person
- Rating
- 4.8 / 5 · 145 reviews
- Languages
- EN
- Group
- Small group, up to 10
- Cancellation
- Free cancellation
- Meeting point
- Please go to the center of Piazza Cavour and face the lake. On your right-hand side, you will see a bright yellow building next to a pink one. There is number 26, someone from the staff will be waiting for you Use the second photo in the gallery for guidance. Please arrive at least 15 minutes early.
- Confirmation
- Instant
Prices checked on Sep 12, 2026Things to do in Lake Como
Description
Depart from Como aboard a private boat reserved exclusively for your group and cruise to Villa del Balbianello. Explore its celebrated gardens with your guide, walking along elegant terraces and stone pathways with panoramic lake views. Discover the villa’s history and see filming locations featured in Star Wars and James Bond. Continue by ferry to Bellagio, one of Lake Como’s most famous villages. Explore picturesque streets, local shops, hidden corners, and scenic viewpoints with your guide, with time to enjoy the village atmosphere. Throughout the day, your professional guide shares the history and stories of Lake Como, while a whisper audio system ensures clear commentary for every guest. Return from Bellagio to Como by fast ferry, completing a memorable day on the lake.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Your tour begins at Piazza Cavour, Como's iconic lakefront square, where your guide and our boat will be waiting. Please arrive at least 15 minutes before your scheduled departure time.
Depart from Como and enjoy a panoramic cruise aboard a private boat reserved exclusively for your group. Glide along the western shore of Lake Como, admiring picturesque villages, elegant villas, and mountain scenery while your guide shares stories about the lake’s history and culture.
Visit the world-famous Villa del Balbianello gardens with your guide, exploring elegant terraces, sculptures, and panoramic viewpoints overlooking Lake Como. Hear stories of the villa’s explorers, unique history, and cinematic appearances. After, we will reach Lonno's ferry station and cross to Bellagio (20 min ride). Please note: the interior rooms are not included in this visit due to time limitations.
Enjoy free time for lunch (at own expense). Your guide will recommend authentic lakeside restaurants to taste regional dishes such as risotto al pesce persico or fresh lake fish. Stroll along the charming promenade or relax by the water before continuing the day.
Continue with a pleasant walking tour through the town’s charming alleys, boutique shops, and scenic lakeside corners. Your guide will share stories about Bellagio’s noble past, architecture, and local traditions. You’ll also have some free time to explore, shop, or relax.
Relax on the return journey to Como. Enjoy the calm atmosphere of the late afternoon on the lake as your guide offers final insights and recommendations for the rest of your stay. We always book the fast ferry (1h ride).
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have a high level of physical fitness
- This is a **guided tour**, not just a boat ride. During the ride from Como to Villa del Balbianello, you will see the main highlights of the lake from the boat. If you are looking for a tour where you simply sit on the boat the whole time, this is not the right tour for you. You should look for a different boat-only experience. Our tour is for guests who want to visit and discover Lake Como, not just pass by it.
- Please note: Due to the high operational costs, a minimum number of 5 participants is required for the guided tour to operate. If the minimum is not reached, we will contact you the day before the tour, an alternative tour or date will be offered, or a full refund provided.
- Not suitable for anyone with mobility, balance, cardiovascular, or back issues. We walk.
- Comfortable, closed-toe shoes with good grip are recommended. Flip-flops, open sandals, and smooth-soled shoes are not advised.
- Absolutely not suitable for anyone with knee or back issues. The villages around Lake Como are built on steep terrain with uneven, sloped streets—good physical condition is essential.
Frequently asked questions
How long does this tour take?
Lake Como: Villa Balbianello & Bellagio by private Boat & Ferry lasts about 7–8 hours. The itinerary has 6 stops.
How much does this tour cost?
Prices start at $408 per person for this Lake Como experience, booked through Viator with the price shown before checkout. There is 1 booking option, so the final price depends on the option you choose.
Can I cancel this tour for free?
Yes. Cancel at least 1 day before the start for a full refund. Later cancellations are non-refundable.
Where does the tour start?
The meeting point is Please go to the center of Piazza Cavour and face the lake. On your right-hand side, you will see a bright yellow building next to a pink one. There is number 26, someone from the staff will be waiting for you Use the second photo in the gallery for guidance. Please arrive at least 15 minutes early.. Hotel pickup is not part of this experience.
What languages is this tour offered in?
The experience is available in EN.
Is this a private or a group tour?
It is a small-group experience with a maximum of 10 participants.
Is the tour wheelchair accessible?
Not suitable for anyone with mobility, balance, cardiovascular, or back issues. We walk.
Will my booking be confirmed immediately?
Yes, bookings are confirmed instantly.
Reviews(145)
It was a great day on the boat cruising Lake Como and then stopped at villa Balbianello and the botanical garden in Bellagio. Comfortable boat ride
It’s the only way to see the lake. We had some weather issues in the beginning, but they fixed everything for us rearranged things. The day was perfect. The boat was beautiful highly recommend.!!
Thank you for your wonderful review. We are delighted to hear that you had a perfect day on Lake Como. Weather conditions can sometimes be unpredictable, but we always do our best to adapt and ensure our guests have the best possible experience. We are glad that our team was able to rearrange everything smoothly and make the day enjoyable for you. Exploring Lake Como from the water truly offers a unique perspective, and we are happy you enjoyed it. We greatly appreciate your recommendation and hope to welcome you back for another unforgettable day with .
It was absolutely amazing! Everything was perfect and our tour guide Ricardo was a gentleman with a lot of knowledge and experience, highly recommend! We came from USA South Carolina
Thank you for your wonderful review! We are delighted to hear that you had such an amazing experience. Ricardo will be especially pleased to know that his knowledge, professionalism, and passion for Lake Como helped make your day memorable. Thank you as well for visiting us all the way from South Carolina. It was a pleasure having you on tour, and we truly appreciate your recommendation. We hope to welcome you back to Lake Como someday for another unforgettable experience with .
We arrived 10 min early and tour operator was there to welcome us. Provided earphones and jackets for boat ride. Tour guide Ricardo was so knowledgeable and well prepared. He was upbeat kind and efficient to get us thru the crowds. We loved his sense of humor and vast experience.
Thank you very much for your wonderful review. We are very happy to hear that you enjoyed the tour and that everything was well organized from the start. Ricardo will be delighted to know that his knowledge, preparation, and sense of humor made the experience even better. It was a pleasure having you with us on Lake Como, and we hope to welcome you again in the future.
This tour was wonderful! The boat driver was smooth and the tour guide was so full of information and facts. He was gracious to take photos for us. His recommendation for the risotto for lunch was perfect.
Dear LeAnne, Thank you very much for your kind review. We are delighted to hear that you enjoyed the boat ride, the tour, and the recommendations throughout the day. It is always our goal to create a smooth and memorable experience on Lake Como, and we are happy that the risotto recommendation was a success as well. We truly appreciate your words and hope to welcome you back again in the future.
Elena, Eugene and Stefano provided an amazing day on Lake Como. You will not be disappointed, they have a ton of time in the area and will give you the local experience
Thank you very much for your kind review. It was a pleasure for US to spend the day with you on Lake Como. We are especially happy to hear that you appreciated the local experience and our knowledge of the area — that is exactly the kind of experience we aim to provide to our guests. We truly appreciate your recommendation and hope to see you again on the lake in the future.
Great! The private boat was very nice and much better than using the ferries. It was such a relief to have the boat organized and each place we visited was beautiful.
Thank you very much for your lovely review. We are very happy to hear that you enjoyed the experience and appreciated the comfort and convenience of traveling by private boat. Exploring Lake Como from the water is truly special, and we are glad you found each destination beautiful and relaxing.
LOVED this tour so much. Had a great time being led to different places I would’ve never seen without a guide. Very easy to find the meet up location and our guide was fantastic!!!! Give Ricardo a raise please he was so knowledgeable and kind. Gave great recommendations and my family and I had a great day.
Thank you so much for your wonderful review. We are very happy to hear that you and your family had such a great experience on the tour. Ricardo will be especially happy to read your kind words — we will definitely pass them on to him. It means a lot to us that you enjoyed the locations, the organization, and the recommendations throughout the day. We truly appreciate you choosing and hope to welcome you back on Lake Como again in the future.
The tour would have been very good but the wind and other boat traffic caused waves that caused all of the passengers to get completely soaked . The tour was modified once we reached Balbianello that caused a walk into the town of Lenno to use the public ferry to Bellagio and then back to Lake Como. This is a good tour but not if it is windy. The guide did a nice job of explaining the history of Balbianello. The scenery is spectacular.
Dear Mr. Paul, Thank you for the honest feedback, and for the kind words about our guide and the scenery — they mean a lot. You're right that Lake Como can shift quickly. We left Como on calm water that morning and were hit by a sudden very strong wind mid-lake, even though the forecast had called for a settled day. Our captain adjusted the route for safety, which we will always do when the lake demands it. We're sorry you got wet, and we'd be glad to welcome you back on a calm day to experience the tour as it's meant to run. Sincerely, Eugen
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