A private boat tour is the single best hour you can spend on Lake Como. From the water, the lake shows you what the road never can: Villa del Balbianello rising from its promontory, the waterfall of the Orrido di Nesso crashing under a Roman bridge, George Clooney's Villa Oleandra in Laglio, and Bellagio sitting at the exact meeting point of the lake's three branches.
What a private tour actually is
You — and only you — board a comfortable motorboat with a licensed local skipper. There is no fixed script: within your booked time the route is yours. Want to slow down for photos at Villa Carlotta? Stop for a swim in a quiet bay? Cruise past the Grand Hotel Tremezzo while your skipper tells you who stayed there and what they did? That is the point of going private. Boats range from classic open launches (7 guests) to larger covered boats (up to 12), all with sun shade, cushioned seating and a fridge for the prosecco.
Real prices for 2026 — no “on request”
| Tour length | Boat & guests | Price 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| 1 hour — panoramic highlights, no stops ashore | Classic boat, up to 7–12 guests | €390 per boat |
| 2 hours — villas + Bellagio loop, no stops ashore | Classic boat, up to 7–12 guests | €760 per boat |
| 3 hours — central lake + one town stop at most | Classic boat, up to 7–12 guests | €1,120 per boat |
| 2 hours — premium wooden boat | Riva-style, up to 6 guests | from €720 per boat |
| 4 hours — up to two towns + swim stops | Various, skipper included | from €1,250 per boat |
| Custom tour — your route, your schedule | By arrangement | price on request (WhatsApp) |
Tours of 1–2 hours are panoramic: there is no time to step ashore. Three hours includes one town stop at most; four hours up to two towns. Custom itineraries are priced on request.
Prices are per boat, not per person, and include skipper and fuel. Split between six people, the one-hour tour costs around €65 each.
What is included, and where you board
- Licensed local skipper who speaks English and knows every villa's story
- Fuel, insurance and all landing fees
- Chilled water on board; most boats add a bottle of prosecco on tours of 2+ hours
- Flexible route and photo stops on request; swimming stop on 3-hour tours
Meeting points: your skipper meets you at the pier closest to you — Como (Sant'Agostino pier), Cernobbio, Moltrasio, Laglio, Tremezzo, Lenno, Bellagio, Varenna or Menaggio. Tell us where you are staying and we will plan the route so you see the most per hour.
When to go
Tours run daily from April to October, roughly 9:00 to sunset. July and August sell out 2–4 weeks ahead, especially for the 17:00–19:00 golden-hour slots — if that is your window, message us early. September is the connoisseur's month: the water is still warm, the light turns cinematic and the lake exhales after the summer crowds. Morning departures offer the flattest water for photography; late afternoon is the most atmospheric.
A route that never gets old
Our most-booked two-hour itinerary from the central lake: glide along the Tremezzina past Villa Carlotta's gardens, cross to Villa del Balbianello (the Star Wars and 007 villa) for the classic bow shot, round the point to Isola Comacina, the lake's only island, then up the eastern shore to the Orrido di Nesso waterfall and back via Bellagio and the gardens of Villa Melzi. Three hours adds a swim stop and the villages of the Como branch, including Clooney's Villa Oleandra at Laglio.
Tell us your date, your pier and your group size — we will match you with the right skipper and confirm an exact price before you commit to anything.
Frequently asked questions
How many people fit on a private boat?
Classic open launches take up to 7 guests; larger covered boats take 10–12. The price is per boat, so bigger groups pay less per person. Tell us your group size and we assign the right boat.
Is the price really per boat, not per person?
Yes. €390 for the one-hour tour covers the whole boat with skipper and fuel included. A couple pays the same as a group of seven — which is why groups get exceptional value.
Can we swim during the tour?
On tours of 3 hours or more, yes — your skipper knows the clean, quiet bays away from the ferry lanes. Bring towels; the boats have ladders for easy re-boarding.
What happens in bad weather?
Light rain: covered boats still run and the lake in the mist is genuinely beautiful. Unsafe conditions (storms, strong wind): the operator reschedules free of charge or refunds any deposit paid to them.
How far ahead should we book?
In April, May, September and October, 3–7 days is usually enough. For July and August — especially weekends and sunset slots — book 2–4 weeks ahead.
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Ready to plan your day on the lake?
One message is enough: tell us your dates, where you are staying and what you dream of doing. We reply in minutes with real options and real prices.
Plan my trip on WhatsAppor call: +39 342 553 8782