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Lake Como is one of the most magical places in Italy, with its blue waters, beautiful islands, picturesque towns, fortresses and castles, spectacular villas, and mountains as a backdrop.
The best way to explore Lake Como is definitely from the water, so you can have another perspective of it and discover its secret treasures… that’s why I collected here all the best boat tours in Lake Como.
In this travel guide, you will find boat tours for any taste: private tours, group tours, customized sailing adventures, boat rentals, and much more, including departure town, price, and length for each Lake Como boat tour.
There is also a bonus at the end of the blog with some practical information about which kinds of boats you can find, ferry tours, and the best areas of Lake Como to be explored.
Are you ready to explore all the top Lake Como tours and discover my best travel tips?
Let’s go!
If you are in a hurry
If you don’t have time to read the whole article and you just want to check out the best Lake Como Boat tours, here are 3 amazing boat tours to book in advance:
1. Lake Como private boat tour & sightseeing
Starting from Como, one of the best towns to stay in Lake Como, this private boat tour is perfect if you want to see the most beautiful attractions in the area but you don’t have much time!
In fact, in just 1 hour, your private guide will take you through some small villages and the main Villas in the area, like Villa Erba, Villa d’Este, Villa Pizzo, Villa Le Rose, Villa Fontanelle (the historic Versace residence), and Villa Oleandra (the summer residence of Clooney!).
During your tranquil boat ride, you will hear interesting historical facts about Lake Como (available in English or Italian) and its Villas and enjoy a traditional glass of prosecco, included in the price.
On the way back, you will go through Lake Como’s coast and admire other incredible residences until reaching Como City… the perfect trip to share as a couple or with friends and family!
P.S.: if you don’t find availability for this tour, you can check out this other standard boat tour on GetYourGuide!
- Price: €339 per group of up to 5 people
- Departing from: Como
- Length: 1h
Book a Private Boat Tour in Lake Como
2. Classic wooden speedboat private tour
Experience Lake Como on this amazing boat tour on board a private Cadenazzi wooden speedboat, reserved for a small group of a maximum of 6 people!
After meeting your captain (make sure you arrive 10 minutes before the activity), you will hop on the speedboat and enjoy a trip to the most fascinating part of the lake for 2 hours!
Get ready to see Villa Balbianello, where they filmed some of the James Bond and Star Wars’ most remarkable scenes, and pass by Comacina Island and stop for a nice swim among Lake Como’s pure waters (only if you want!).
DID YOU KNOW that Lake Como is the most profound lake in Italy? It’s about 410 meters (1,345 feet) deep!
You will then proceed to Bellagio, one of the most iconic towns in Lake Como, and to Tremezzo, where your captain will show you the famous Villa Carlotta, which attracts thousands of travelers every week!
NOTE: the tour is available in Italian or English
- Price: €599 for up to 6 people
- Departing from: Azzano
- Length: 2h
Book Your Small Group Tour on a Speedboat
3. Sailing tour in Lake Como
Embark on this guided sailing tour (available in Italian, English, or French) to discover the clear blue waters, lush vegetation, and beautiful little towns of the stunning eastern side of Lake Como.
During this small group tour (for up to 6 people), you will admire the views of Baia di Parè, Malgrate, Lecco, Abbadia, and the high mountains in the backdrop, jump into the crystal clear waters for a swim, or even take the wheel and try to be the captain… are you ready for it?
This Lake Como tour gives you the following options to choose from: they all include a glass of prosecco, but of course, prices change depending on your final choice, starting from €139.
- 4-Hour Sailing Experience with Aperitivo: €169
- 3-Hour Sunset Sailing Experience with Dinner cruise: €139
- 3-Hour Winter Sailing Experience with Lunch: €139
NOTE: This Lake Como tour departs from different meeting points depending on the option booked.
For the ultimate Italian experience, I definitely suggest you book the dinner or lunch cruise, so you can try some delicious local specialties while admiring some of the top sights in Lake Como!
- Price: €139 per person
- Departing from: Malgrate
- Length: 3-4 hours
Book Your Lake Como Sailing Tour
4. Sailing adventure with private skipper
Discover the quieter side of Lake Como on this 3 hour private sailing adventure, perfect for larger groups, hosting up to 9 people for €710 and available in English or Italian.
You will set sail alongside Comacina Island from the lovely town of Bellagio on an elegant 8.5m-long boat and go discover some amazing attractions along the shoreline, like the famous Villa del Balbianello, Villa Melzi, and Villa Carlotta.
When arriving at Comacina Island, you will drop anchor to dive into the crystal clear waters of its surroundings, or alternatively, you can relax on board with music, drinks, and snacks (included in the price!).
- Price: €710 per group up to 9 people
- Departing from: Bellagio
- Length: 3 hours
Book a Boat Tour with a Private Skipper
5. Customized Lake Como boat tour on a private yacht
If you want to have an elegant experience in Lake Como, check out this 1-hour boat tour on a private yacht for up to 7 people!
Your guide will bring you to see all the top Lake Como villas and towns in style, among which you’ll see Villa Balbianello, Villa Olmo, Villa la Cassinella, Cernobbio, Laglio, and more… In the meantime, just relax and enjoy the view!
The captain will stop here and there to allow you to enjoy cool-down dips and to give you some interesting information in one of the following languages: Chinese (Traditional or Simplified), English, Italian, French or Spanish.
This short tour is the perfect treat for a group of family and friends and can be customized as you want!
- Price: €285 per group of up to 7 people
- Departing from: Como
- Length: 1h
Book an Elegant Boat Tour in Lake Como
6. Full-day boat tour of Varenna and Bellagio
If you want to make the most out of your time in Lake Como, I suggest you join this full-day tour from Bellagio, during which you will visit and see all the best attractions in the area.
After meeting your private guide in Como, you will set off via speedboat to the charming town of Bellagio for a guided walking tour available in German, Russian, English, Italian, and French, and stop at some interesting landmarks like the Basilica of San Giacomo and Punta Spartivento.
After the walking tour, you will hop over to Varenna by boat and have some free time to stroll around the picturesque streets at a relaxed pace.
The tour ends with a scenic ride on the ferry (this is at your own expense) to see the top villas along the lakeshore from the water.What else can you ask for?
- Price: €200
- Departing from: Como
- Length: 9h
Book Your Full Day Tour in Lake Como
7. Sunset Lake Como boat tour
What better time of day to have an unforgettable cruise around Lake Como than during sunset, when the lake waters and sky take on incredible colors?
During this 2 hour private tour, limited to up to 9 people, you will gaze at the most spectacular villas and picturesque towns on the shores of Lake Como in the golden light of dusk!
The tour starts from Bellagio on board a 38-foot boat and goes through highlights like Villa del Balbianello, Villa Carlotta, and Villa Melzi… just relax and enjoy the spectacular views!
And the best thing is that you’ll also have a glass of prosecco and local finger food included in the tour price… so you’ll have the chance to do a traditional ‘aperitivo’: a MUST-DO during your holiday in Italy!
- Price: €456 per group (up to 9 people)
- Departing from: Bellagio
- Length: 2h
Book Your Sunset Tour in Lake Como
8. Private tour in a Venetian boat
If you want to take your Lake Como experience to the next level, check out this amazing private tour on a Venetian-style boat, limited per group to a maximum of 11 people.
During this 1 hour tour, you will hop on to the La Navicella del Lario, a traditional and completely renovated Venetian taxi with an elegant line and interior in wood and leather, perfect if you never want to give up luxury and elegance during your holidays.
Your private captain will bring you on a tour through the top villas on the east shore of Lake Como, each of them with its own charm, and will be at your complete disposal to satisfy every request (in English or Italian).
And if you get cravings on the boat, they have fresh water, drinks, and food on request,so you’ll have literally everything you need!
- Price: €450 per group (up to 11 people)
- Departing from: Como
- Length: 1h
Book Your Exclusive Tour in Lake Como
9. Public tour of Lake Como by SuBacco
This is the perfect tour if you want to have an authentic experience with a local, led by the guide Roberto (whose nickname is “SuBacco”), who will bring you to discover the wonders of Lake Como!
Each tour lasts 1.5 hours and is for a limited number of a maximum of 5 people, and is available either in English or Italian.
You will meet Roberto at the dock of “Sant ‘Agostino su Lungo Lario Trieste”, in Como, and go exploring the beautiful villas, wonderful scenery, and main attractions of Lake Como with live commentary… make sure you take some pictures!
NOTE: The tour costs €70 per person and includes water bottles, but it DOESN’T include petrol: fuel will be paid on-site, for an amount of €10 per person.
- Price: €70
- Departing from: Como
- Length: 1.5h
Book Your Public Tour in Lake Como
10. Lake Como, Bellagio, and Varenna day tour from Milan
One of the most popular places to start a day trip to Lake Como is Milan, the capital of the Lombardy region and one of the world capitals of fashion.
If you are staying in Milan and you just want to visit Lake Como in 1 day, check out this amazing full-day trip by luxury bus to Lake Como, with a tour guide in Spanish or English who will bring you through the 3 main branches of the lake.
Once in Como, you’ll have a guided walking tour of the city center, the neoclassical Villa Olmo with its lovely Italian garden, and take a relaxing cruise by private boat right after to enjoy the spectacular views of the lake and surrounding mountains.
The tour also includes a visit to the colorful villages of Bellagio and Varenna, where you’ll have some spare time to stroll around the narrow cobblestoned streets and enjoy the charming surroundings… such a complete experience!
- Price: €85
- Departing from: Milan
- Length: 11h
11. Personal Lake Como Motor Boat Rental
Do you want to be captain for one day? Then which better place to do that than the charming Lake Como?
This option gives you the chance to rent your own boat and discover Lake Como completely at your own pace for 2h, so you can decide which charming shoreside towns to explore!
You will meet your instructor at Sant’Agostino su Lungo Lario Trieste, who will escort you to the boat and give a brief explanation of the rules and functions of the vessel (no worries, the boat is very easy to drive and use!) and you will also be given suggestions on what to see – all this either in English or Italian.
Just remember that the boat hosts a maximum of 5 people, and food is not allowed on board the boat, so don’t bring a picnic!
NOTE: The price includes the boat rental, GPS, and safety equipment, but not the fuel, which you will pay in cash on the booked day for an extra cost of €50
- Price: €130 per group of 5 people
- Departing from: Como
- Length: 2h
BONUS: Things to know about Lake Como Boat tours
Now, let’s check out some useful information you should know about Lake Como boat tours in general, like which kind of boats are available, ferry tours and the best parts of Lake Como to be explored on boat tours.
Lake Como boat types
If you want to explore Lake Como on a boat tour, there are a few different types of boats that you can choose between. We have seen a bunch of different tours with varying boats, but I wanted to explain each one a bit better so you can choose your favorite!
- Speedy motorboats – these are the most classic and common boats for tours in Lake Como, offered for either private tours or boat rentals to visit Lake Como at your own pace.
- Elegant yachts – this option is for those who want to have an exclusive experience, usually offering private tours like this one.
- Old-fashioned wooden sailboats – this is, in my opinion, the most charming and picturesque way to have a tour on Lake Como. Check out this private tour on a Venetian style boat!
- Catamarans – sailing boats are perfect if you want to have a real boat experience, and they usually host 2 skippers and small groups of around 6 people, check out this one!
If you want to go on a boat tour with a large group or you simply want to stay on a budget, the best options are big-bodied ferries that also give you the option to bring your rented car abroad. Let’s check out here below more information about boat tours on a body ferry:
Ferry boat tours
As I just said, ferry boat tours are the perfect option if you want to stay on a budget, bring your rented car with you, or explore Lake Como with a big group, but they also give you other advantages. You will be able to choose:
- Which village of Lake Como to leave from
- The departure time, check out the timetables and lines on the Lake Como Navigation Service
- Specific towns/areas of Lake Como you would like to focus on (see the next section to know more about it)!
You can buy the tickets for the ferry at the ticket office near the dock, usually around €2.50 for a one-way ticket, or online.
NOTE: Remember that online you can ONLY buy one-way tickets, NOT for Circular Tickets (which are valid for 1 day)!
Take this into consideration, because if you want to make several stops within an area of Lake Como, you can buy only the 1st ticket online, and then you’ll have to buy the other tickets physically at one of the on-site offices.
Main areas of Lake Como (and departure towns)
Whether you decide to join a private boat tour, hop on a ferry and make your own itinerary, or rent your own boat, there are 3 main areas to explore in Lake Como (and this will also make the difference on which city to depart from).
Let’s check them out:
- Lake Como Basin: This is the lower part of Lake Como, and the best villages from which you can explore it are Como, Tavernola, Cernobbio, Moltrasio and Torno if you take the ferry. However most of the private tours and boat rentals usually leave from Como.
- Central part of Lake Como: This is the most visited part of the lake, where you’ll find most of the charming villas and towns, like Bellagio and Varenna. You can take the ferry from Menaggio, Varenna, Bellagio, San Giovanni, Villa Carlotta, Tremezzo or Lenno, but most of the private tours depart from Bellagio.
- Upper part of Lake Como: The main attraction in this part of the lake is the Abbey of Piona, an enchanting place at the top of Lake Como, perfect if you want to enjoy beautiful scenery far from the crowds. The only way to visit it is by taking the ferry from Menaggio.
FAQs about Lake Como tours
⛵Which are the best Lake Como boat tours?
💸 How much do Lake Como boat tours cost?
Boat tours in Lake Como are usually for small groups, so they typically cost around €50 per person, but prices depend on the group size, boat, and tour type. Otherwise, you can take the ferry to explore the lake, costing just €2.50 for a one-way ticket.
👀 What are the best things to do in Lake Como?
The best things to do if you visit Lake Como are checking out all the historical villas like the Villa del Balbianello (where they filmed the James Bond movies), sail alongside Comacina Island, and meander down the Adda River (south of Lecco town).
🏡 Which are the most beautiful villas in Lake Como?
The best villas in Lake Como are Villa Carlotta, for its botanical garden and art gallery, Villa Oleandra, which is the summer residence of George Clooney, and Villa Melzi, with its beautiful gardens.
Conclusion
Here we are at the end of this travel guide about all the best Lake Como boat tours, including options for any taste and budget.
Whether you want to go on a romantic dinner cruise, discover Lake Como’s hidden gems on one of the amazing private boat tours available, or rent one of the classical sleek, and speedy motorboats, there is the perfect boat trip for you out there!
I also included some useful travel tips you should know before visiting Lake Como on a boat, like which kinds of boats you can find, how to have boat tours on a ferry and which are the best areas of Lake Como to be explored… so you have literally everything you need here!
I hope you found this blog useful, but if you have any questions or suggestions about other incredible Lake Como boat tour options, please share them in the comments below – I’m looking forward to reading them!
Have an unforgettable boat tour!
Elena
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