Small-Group Lake Como & Lugano: 2 Countries in 1 Day, Boat Cruise
Description
Visit two countries and two lakes in one day — Lake Como and Lake Lugano — on a small-group tour from Milan, small enough to reach the places big tours can't, with every train, boat, and border crossing handled for you. Skip the selfie crowds and the overrun hotspots. Instead, cruise past the lakeside villas of Gianni Versace, Ocean's Twelve, and John Legend's wedding, then slip into a quieter side of Como most travelers never see — the real village of Torno or Cernobbio, where life moves at its own pace and the tourist trail disappears behind you. After lunch in Como, cross the border into Lugano, Switzerland — a second country, a second lake, all in an afternoon. No driving, no planning, no chasing trains. Just one effortless day, two countries, two lakes — handled for you. In summer, weather permitting, you can enjoy a swim in the crystal-clear alpine waters. The beach is small and rocky, and the lake becomes deep close to the shore. Don't forget to bring a towel.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Discover the charming town of Como, one of the oldest towns on Lake Como. Walk through the historic center with your guide, learn about the town’s rich past, and hear stories about famous local families, artists, and celebrities connected to Como. Enjoy the elegant lakefront, historic squares, and relaxed atmosphere before continuing your journey.
Pass by Villa Erba during the boat cruise, a historic lakeside villa in Cernobbio featured in Ocean’s Twelve starring George Clooney, and in Lavazza commercials.
View Villa d’Este from the lake, the world-famous luxury hotel in Cernobbio that has hosted Hollywood stars like Greta Garbo, Clark Gable, Frank Sinatra, Elizabeth Taylor, and George Clooney.
Discover the beautiful Swiss city of Lugano, located in the Italian-speaking region of Ticino. Surrounded by mountains and a sparkling lake, Lugano combines Swiss precision with a relaxed Mediterranean atmosphere. Enjoy plenty of free time to stroll along the lakefront, shop in the city center, taste famous Swiss chocolate, or — during summer — take a refreshing swim in the clear waters of Lake Lugano. Learn how Switzerland became one of the most prosperous countries in the world, with insights into its history, economy, and unique way of life.
From Como, embark on a scenic boat cruise and enjoy breathtaking views of Lake Como while passing by some of the most stunning villas along the shoreline. From the water, admire famous villas featured in Ocean’s Twelve and the elegant lakeside villa once owned by Gianni Versace — icons of luxury and international style.
Torno is a small pedestrian village where you can enjoy a peaceful, relaxed stroll. It is never too crowded, giving you time to slow down and experience a typical Lake Como village away from mass tourism. With its cobblestone streets and charming old houses, Torno feels like a step back in time — when daily life was closely connected to the lake, fishing, and local artisanal traditions.
During the boat cruise, admire Villa Le Fontanelle from the lake, the former lakeside residence of Gianni Versace. This elegant villa is one of the most iconic symbols of Lake Como’s luxury lifestyle and international glamour.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- MEETING TIME: 08:15 at the square in front of the train station
- This tour involves walking on stairs, uneven surfaces, and cobblestone streets. Children should be comfortable walking independently.
- Please remember to bring your original passport (or National ID card for EU citizens). This is required for our international border crossing into Switzerland.
Reviews(1,453)
Wonderful experience!!! Chiara was a fantastic guide. We couldn’t have been happier with her thoroughness and knowledge. She intuitively recognized each persons needs and adjusted accordingly. Answering any and all questions. Especially the unrelated touristy ones. We ran a bit long (a little over two hours) but no one seemed to mind except a few that booked another excursion too close to this one. We highly recommend any tour Chiara leads. Great job!!!
Breathtaking Day Trip to Lake Como and Lugano What an incredible day trip from Milan to Lake Como and Lugano! From start to finish, the experience was exciting, beautifully organised, and absolutely breathtaking. The day began with a first-class train journey from Milan to Lake Como, which was a wonderful and comfortable way to start the adventure. We then enjoyed an amazing boat trip along the southern side of Lake Como, taking in the spectacular scenery, beautiful villages, and stunning views of the lake. After the boat ride, we had some free time to enjoy lunch and explore at our own pace. Later, we continued our journey by train to Lugano, Switzerland. It was fantastic to experience two beautiful destinations in one day, and every part of the trip offered something memorable. A special mention must go to our wonderful guide, Chiara, aka “Wolf.” She was friendly, professional, enthusiastic, and incredibly knowledgeable. She has a wealth of knowledge like an encyclopaedia, and she made the whole experience even more enjoyable with her stories, explanations, and warm personality. Chiara truly made the day special. Her professionalism and passion for what she does were evident throughout the entire trip. I would highly recommend this day trip to anyone visiting Milan. Lake Como, Lugano, the beautiful scenery, the fantastic travel experience, and especially Chiara made this a truly unforgettable day.
Our tour guide The Wolf (Chiara Wolf) was absolutely wonderful, went out of her way to make things easier and added joy to the tour. I also thank the polite and understanding group.
First time in Milan. Wow what a beautiful day out this Tour was a great way to see how beautiful these places. Our Tour guide Chiara was amazing she made this tour so much more fun. I would highly recommend to anyone and especially with this tour group guide. Thankyou Tina from Australia
Our guide Chiara/the wolf/Wolf was exceptional, professional, welcoming and helpful. She never abandoned us and was always ready to give us useful advice. We had a great time with her. We appreciated her cheerfulness and her enthusiasm for her work. Thank you Chiara.
Amazing day trip to Lake Como & Lake Lugano! We had an absolutely wonderful day with Abroad Tours visiting Lake Como and Lake Lugano. The itinerary was beautiful, and being able to swim in Lake Lugano was definitely one of the highlights of our trip! 🏞️💦 A special mention to our tour guide, Oleg, who was absolutely fabulous! He was friendly, professional, knowledgeable, and made the whole experience even more enjoyable. He took great care of everyone and created such a positive atmosphere throughout the day. Everything was well organized, and it was the perfect way to experience two stunning lakes in one day. 🇮🇹🇨🇭 Highly recommended Abroad Tours — and especially Oleg! 10/10!
Amazing day trip to Lake Como & Lake Lugano! We had an absolutely wonderful day with Abroad Tours visiting Lake Como and Lake Lugano. The itinerary was beautiful, and being able to swim in Lake Lugano was definitely one of the highlights of our trip! 🏞️💦 A special mention to our tour guide, Oleg, who was absolutely fabulous! He was friendly, professional, knowledgeable, and made the whole experience even more enjoyable. He took great care of everyone and created such a positive atmosphere throughout the day. Everything was well organized, and it was the perfect way to experience two stunning lakes in one day. 🇮🇹🇨🇭 Highly recommended Abroad Tours — and especially Oleg! 10/10!
Just returned back from a fantastic trip to Como and Lugano, every last detail was taken care of and impeccably planned. Our tour guide Oleg was so knowledgeable friendly and did his best to make sure everyone had the best time . We would highly recommend this tour to anyone,
Oleg was amazing as a tour guide. The information about the places, the recommendations for food. Everything about this tour was super well organised
A wonderful day, Najma was a superb guide. She was kind, thoughtful and professional, she looked after all of us and kept everyone included. It was a good mixture of free time to explore and also informative walks within the group. I would happily attend this again and thoroughly recommend.
