Top Lake Como Water Tours

There are dozens of great Lake Como boat tours to choose from. Some of the tours with the highest ratings from previous travelers are:

• Lake Como Kayak Tour from Bellagio
• Classic Boat Tour on Lake Como
• Bellagio and Varenna Full-Day Tour on Lake Como
• 2 Hour Private and Guided Cruise to Lake Como Mostes Motorboat
• 1 Hour Private Wooden Boat Tour on Lake Como 6 pax

Yes, boat tours on Lake Como are worth it. The lake itself is gorgeous, and Como and Bellagio are lovely, but there’s only so much you can see of the pretty lakefront towns from the land. Getting out on the water gives you an excellent vantage point on some of the private (and palatial) villas surrounding the lake.

Express tours such as the Lake Como Premium Shared Boat Tour • 1 Hour Shared Tour start at just over US$40 per person,. Private tours are pricier, but budget options such as this Private Boat Tour: Discover Lake Como option begin at around US$120 for an hour on the water. For a splurge, book a half- or full-day boat tour on a sleek yacht, but be prepared to pay around US$2,000.

It depends on where you depart from on Lake Como to reach Bellagio. The boat trip from the city of Como to Bellagio can take as little as 40 minutes by public ferry. Sightseeing boat tours on Lake Como that include Bellagio range from 1–8 hours and often include stops at other towns and sights ringing the lake.

Lake Como is a fairly large lake, so it’s almost impossible to cover it all in one tour. Some boat tours focus on the most popular mid-lake towns, such as Bellagio, Menaggio, and Varenna. Others include the less-visited shores to the north and south, or stop at highlights such as Villa del Balbianello and Villa Melzi to tour the gardens.

Both options have pros and cons. The public ferry is budget-friendly and stops at the most popular towns ringing the lake, but you have to keep an eye on departure times and deal with long lines and crowds to board. Boat tours—both shared and private—cost more but let you avoid the throngs and hassle of coordinating ferry schedules, plus they cover the top sights in a single itinerary and often include extra perks such as swimming breaks or refreshments on board.

Como, Bellagio, and Varenna are the most popular departure points for boat tours on Lake Como, though excursions leave from other waterfront towns as well. Some Lake Como day trips that include a boat tour set off directly from Milan by train or private transfer. Shared experiences typically return to the departure point at the end of the tour, while private tours can be customized with different departure and arrival locations.

Lake Como water tours depart from several lakeside towns, so check the meeting point carefully to ensure it works with your itinerary. Shorter tours focus on the scenery and do not include stops, while longer options may dock at headliners from Bellagio to Villa del Balbianello to explore on land. Choose a private tour if you want to customize your route; group tours do not offer flexible itineraries.

Not all boat rentals on Lake Como require a boating license. Many smaller rental boats can be piloted without a license and are ideal for independent exploration—especially for travelers with some experience on the water. Larger, more powerful boats can only be taken out by licensed skippers and are generally used for guided shared or private lake tours. Confirm the license requirements before booking a rental boat to avoid disappointment.

It’s best to book Lake Como water tours from May to October—the area’s tourist season—when the weather is warmest and sailing conditions are best. Many Lake Como businesses close in the colder months, and water tours may be limited from November to April.

You can snap great photos from all Lake Como boat tours, and longer excursions often include swimming breaks along the way—though you should always confirm the itinerary details and inclusions before booking. For the most flexibility, choose a private lake cruise to set the pace and decide where to stop for a dip.