7
Beautiful
Even if its sold out online, we were still were able to get tickets to gardens at water taxi and then upgraded to see the Villa when we arrived
Villa Balbianello and Flavors of Lake Como Walking and Boating Full-Day Tour
+12 photos
At a glance
- Duration
- 7 hours
- Price from
- $1,365 / person
- Rating
- 4.8 / 5 · 82 reviews
- Languages
- EN, IT
- Group
- Private
- Cancellation
- Free cancellation
- Meeting point
- Our Tour starts in front of the Ferry Terminal Ticket Office in Varenna at 1030 am . Just look for the team with a LAKE COMO FOR YOU sign ! If you are arriving from Como, Cernobbio or Moltrasio please do get in touch with us for directions.
- Confirmation
- Within 24h
Prices checked on Sep 12, 2026Things to do in Lake Como
Description
Explore Lake Como by land and water on this full-day walking and boating tour, with a visit to the gardens of Villa Melzi and Villa del Balbianello. Sample local olive oil at a panoramic castle overlooking the lake, take a walking tour of Varenna and gain insight into the region’s Celtic heritage. Savor a tasty lunch of fish appetizers and pasta in a local restaurant, then admire sweeping views over Lake Como’s villas and gardens during a sightseeing cruise in a Venetian taxi. Disembark at Villa del Balbianello to take pics and enjoy the view, then cruise onwards to Bellagio, where you shall be guided through the wonderful Villa Melzi gardens, followed by a stroll along the lakeside.
Tour Options
Itinerary
.
.
The group will enter the church and be given a detailed description.
Panoramic castle overlooking mid lake
Highlights
Guided walking Tour of Varenna
Tickets to Villa Melzi
Tasting of locally produced olive oil at a panoramic castle overlooking the lake
Tickets to the Castle of Vezio
Tickets to Villa del Balbianello
Transportation up to the Castle of Vezio
2.5h Boat Tour (open top Venetian taxi) including stop at Villa del Balbianello
Professional, English-speaking guide
What's included
Included
Guided walking Tour of Varenna
Tickets to Villa Melzi
Tasting of locally produced olive oil at a panoramic castle overlooking the lake
Tickets to the Castle of Vezio
Tickets to Villa del Balbianello
Transportation up to the Castle of Vezio
2.5h Boat Tour (open top Venetian taxi) including stop at Villa del Balbianello
Professional, English-speaking guide
Not included
Gratuities
Hotel pickup and drop-off
Traveller Ratings
4.8
82 reviews
Important Information
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- A minimum of 2 adults per booking is required
- A maximum of 10 people per booking
- Dress code is casual, comfortable shoes
- A fair amount of walking is involved. The trail to the castle for the morning tasting entails a descent with some steep steps which must also be ascended on the return trip. Please make sure you are physically apt and wear comfortable walking shoes.
- Please advise any specific dietary requirements at time of booking
- The tour runs rain or shine. In case of bad weather conditions it is possible that the tour undergoes some slight changes and that the transfer to Villa Balbianello is done using public transport and not with the private boat taxi due to safety reasons
- Please Note: hotel pickup is not included for this activity, please get in touch in case you wish for us to organise it as an extra.
Frequently asked questions
How long does this tour take?
Villa Balbianello and Flavors of Lake Como Walking and Boating Full-Day Tour lasts about 7 hours. The itinerary has 4 stops.
How much does this tour cost?
Prices start at $1,365 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 6 days before the start for a full refund. Later cancellations are non-refundable.
Where does the tour start?
The meeting point is Our Tour starts in front of the Ferry Terminal Ticket Office in Varenna at 1030 am . Just look for the team with a LAKE COMO FOR YOU sign ! If you are arriving from Como, Cernobbio or Moltrasio please do get in touch with us for directions.. Hotel pickup is not part of this experience.
What languages is this tour offered in?
The experience is available in EN, IT.
Is this a private or a group tour?
It is a private experience: only your party takes part. Up to 11 travellers can book together.
Is the tour suitable for children?
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Will my booking be confirmed immediately?
Confirmation is sent by the operator within 24 hours of booking.
Reviews(82)
A
It was a great experience and I'm grateful we did it.
Julia was very knowledgeable. We learned a lot about the history of the area. It was beautiful. We were able to see the views from both the land and the water.
P
Subject: Inquiry About Equipment Placement Opportunities Text: Good day! I am a representative of Pinch Pita, a compan
Subject: Inquiry About Equipment Placement Opportunities Text: Good day! I am a representative of Pinch Pita, a company specializing in the development and placement of autonomous equipment for preparing fast food, as well as coffee vending machines. Could you kindly let me know who I can speak with regarding the terms and conditions for placing our equipment in your facility? Looking forward to your response. Best regards, Pinch Pita
K
Stunning Villa and Gardens.
The Villa and gardens were stunning. Truly magical. The only negative was all of the wedding and fashion photoshoots, we needed to move out of the way. Being on a tour we had limited time and weren't able to completely immerse ourselves in the moment.
K
A great day on Lake Como
The tour was very enjoyable and a good introduction to Lake Como. The guide was very knowledgeable and friendly/ helpful. The food / wine served was very tasty. Everything went smoothly. I would definitely recommend.
W
Must do!!
The best thing we did on our trip here. You get to see so much and learn so much! Martina was wonderful and it ended up that my wife and I were the only people that signed up and so we got to have a completely private tour. Incredible.
H
A fantastic day
What a fantastic day- from friendly and extremely knowledgeable guide , to great locations, to fantastic food. Bravo !
1 people found this helpful
M
Must do
Beautiful views, tasty food, excellent tour. Guide was friendly, informative & the tour is packed with fun.
L
Great boat and villa tour in Lake Como!
The boat ride and tour of Varenna was wonderful! Our tour guide Nartino provided great explanation of the area and the different villas. Villa Balbianello and Metzi were beautiful to visit. We had only 4 people total on our tour so it was very nice and intimate. The lunch at Varenna was at a posh restaurant with great views of the square. Highly recommend this tour to anyone!!
X
Excellent establishment
The hotel's atmosphere is conducive to concentration and productivity. The coworking spaces are modern, well-equipped and offer super-fast Wi-Fi, ideal for professionals on the move. Ergonomic seating and well-lit spaces helped create a comfortable working environment. The hotel staff is exceptionally welcoming and attentive to guests' needs. They were able to create a warm atmosphere which promotes exchanges and collaboration between nomadic workers, managers: Corentin, Amar and Stéphane are very professional as are all the employees: Jean-Baptiste, Maureen, Tatiana, Alessio, Samia, Thomas and doudou .
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