Lake Como: Villa Balbianello & Bellagio by private Boat & Ferry
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September 2026
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Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
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Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
4.8/5
Based on 145 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Lake Como: Villa Balbianello & Bellagio by private Boat & Ferry worth booking?
Lake Como: Villa Balbianello & Bellagio by private Boat & Ferry is a 7-hour experience in Lake Como, Italy, from $408 per person. It scores 82 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Exceptional”, based on a 4.8/5 rating across 145 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 82 / 100
- Rating
- 4.8/5 (145)
- Duration
- 7 hours
- From
- $408 per person
Depart from Como aboard a private boat reserved exclusively for your group and cruise to Villa del Balbianello. Explore its celebrated gardens with your guide, walking along elegant terraces and stone pathways with panor
What you get
About this experience
Depart from Como aboard a private boat reserved exclusively for your group and cruise to Villa del Balbianello. Explore its celebrated gardens with your guide, walking along elegant terraces and stone pathways with panoramic lake views. Discover the villa’s history and see filming locations featured in Star Wars and James Bond. Continue by ferry to Bellagio, one of Lake Como’s most famous villages. Explore picturesque streets, local shops, hidden corners, and scenic viewpoints with your guide, with time to enjoy the village atmosphere. Throughout the day, your professional guide shares the history and stories of Lake Como, while a whisper audio system ensures clear commentary for every guest. Return from Bellagio to Como by fast ferry, completing a memorable day on the lake.
What's included
Included
- Transportation from Villa del Balbianello to Bellagio by venetian boat
- Admissions to Villa del Balbianello gardens & Villa Melzi gardens.
- Small group of max. 10 guests with a professional guide
- Transportation from Bellagio to Como by venetian boat
- Transportation from Como to Villa del Balbianello by venetian boat.
Not included
- Lunch and drinks (own expense; approx. 1h)
- Private tour. This is a shared small-group tour (max 10 guests).
What you'll see and do
Piazza Cavour
Your tour begins at Piazza Cavour, Como's iconic lakefront square, where your guide and our boat will be waiting. Please arrive at least 10 minutes before your scheduled departure time. Guests who have booked the Milan pick-up add-on will be collected at 9:15 AM from the designated meeting point in central Milan, arriving in Como in time for the 11:15 AM departure.
15 minutes here
Lake Como
Depart from Como and enjoy a panoramic cruise aboard a private boat reserved exclusively for your group. Glide along the western shore of Lake Como, admiring picturesque villages, elegant villas, and mountain scenery while your guide shares stories about the lake’s history and culture.
60 minutes here
Villa Del Balbianello
Visit the world-famous Villa del Balbianello gardens with your guide, exploring elegant terraces, sculptures, and panoramic viewpoints overlooking Lake Como. Hear stories of the villa’s explorers, unique history, and cinematic appearances. Please note: the interior rooms are not included in this visit due to time limitations.
75 minutes here · Admission included
Bellagio
Continue your journey across the central lake area toward Bellagio. Transfer to Bellagio. Admire the lake’s mid-section, where the two branches meet around Bellagio.
25 minutes here
Bellagio
Enjoy free time for lunch (at own expense). Your guide will recommend authentic lakeside restaurants to taste regional dishes such as risotto al pesce persico or fresh lake fish. Stroll along the charming promenade or relax by the water before continuing the day.
60 minutes here
Bellagio
Continue with a pleasant walking tour through the town’s charming alleys, boutique shops, and scenic lakeside corners. Your guide will share stories about Bellagio’s noble past, architecture, and local traditions. You’ll also have some free time to explore, shop, or relax.
45 minutes here
I Giardini Di Villa Melzi
Visit the Villa Melzi botanical gardens. Please note: interior access to the villa is not included (private residence opened only for events).
45 minutes here · Admission included
Lake Como
Relax on the return journey to Como. Enjoy the calm atmosphere of the late afternoon on the lake as your guide offers final insights and recommendations for the rest of your stay.
60 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Lake Como
COMO MEETING POINT Please go to the center of Piazza Cavour and face the lake. On your right-hand side, you will see a bright yellow building next to a pink one. There is number 26. You can refer to the second photo in the gallery for guidance. Please arrive at least 15 minutes early.
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
COMO MEETING POINT Please go to the center of Piazza Cavour and face the lake. On your right-hand side, you will see a bright yellow building next to a pink one. There is number 26. You can refer to the second photo in the gallery for guidance. Please arrive at least 15 minutes early.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Tue, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun
- Group size
- Up to 10 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Lake Como Explorer
Know before you go
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have a high level of physical fitness
- This is a **guided tour**, not just a boat ride. During the ride from Como to Villa del Balbianello, you will see the main highlights of the lake from the boat. After that, we visit the main attractions on the lake, walk through beautiful places, and experience the destinations properly. If you are looking for a tour where you simply sit on the boat the whole time, this is not the right tour for you. You should look for a different boat-only experience. Our tour is for guests who want to visit and discover Lake Como, not just pass by it.
- Please note: Due to the high operational costs, a minimum number of 5 participants is required for the guided tour to operate. If the minimum is not reached, we will contact you the day before the tour, an alternative tour or date will be offered, or a full refund provided.
- Not suitable for anyone with mobility, balance, cardiovascular, or back issues. We walk.
- Comfortable, closed-toe shoes with good grip are recommended. Flip-flops, open sandals, and smooth-soled shoes are not advised.
- Absolutely not suitable for anyone with knee or back issues. The villages around Lake Como are built on steep terrain with uneven, sloped streets—good physical condition is essential.
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 145 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
6 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
5 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Photo opportunities
2 mentionsThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
Organization
2 mentionsPickup, timing, and logistics are described as running smoothly.
Food and drink
2 mentionsThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
Small groups
2 mentionsThe group size is repeatedly described as intimate rather than packed.
Traveler reviews
145 verified traveler reviews for Lake Como: Villa Balbianello & Bellagio by private Boat & Ferry. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Great experience in Lake Como
It was a great day on the boat cruising Lake Como and then stopped at villa Balbianello and the botanical garden in Bellagio. Comfortable boat ride
via Viator
Perfect day on the lake.
It’s the only way to see the lake. We had some weather issues in the beginning, but they fixed everything for us rearranged things. The day was perfect. The boat was beautiful highly recommend.!!
Response from the operator: Thank you for your wonderful review. We are delighted to hear that you had a perfect day on Lake Como. Weather conditions can sometimes be unpredictable, but we always do our best to adapt and ensure our guests have the best possible experience. We are glad that our team was able to rearrange everything smoothly and make the day enjoyable for you. Exploring Lake Como from the water truly offers a unique perspective, and we are happy you enjoyed it. We greatly appreciate your recommendation and hope to welcome you back for another unforgettable day with .
via Viator
Espectacular!!
It was absolutely amazing! Everything was perfect and our tour guide Ricardo was a gentleman with a lot of knowledge and experience, highly recommend! We came from USA South Carolina
Response from the operator: Thank you for your wonderful review! We are delighted to hear that you had such an amazing experience. Ricardo will be especially pleased to know that his knowledge, professionalism, and passion for Lake Como helped make your day memorable. Thank you as well for visiting us all the way from South Carolina. It was a pleasure having you on tour, and we truly appreciate your recommendation. We hope to welcome you back to Lake Como someday for another unforgettable experience with .
via Viator
Fabulous guide
We arrived 10 min early and tour operator was there to welcome us. Provided earphones and jackets for boat ride. Tour guide Ricardo was so knowledgeable and well prepared. He was upbeat kind and efficient to get us thru the crowds. We loved his sense of humor and vast experience.
Response from the operator: Thank you very much for your wonderful review. We are very happy to hear that you enjoyed the tour and that everything was well organized from the start. Ricardo will be delighted to know that his knowledge, preparation, and sense of humor made the experience even better. It was a pleasure having you with us on Lake Como, and we hope to welcome you again in the future.
via Viator
Beautiful boat ride and wonderful guide
This tour was wonderful! The boat driver was smooth and the tour guide was so full of information and facts. He was gracious to take photos for us. His recommendation for the risotto for lunch was perfect.
Response from the operator: Dear LeAnne, Thank you very much for your kind review. We are delighted to hear that you enjoyed the boat ride, the tour, and the recommendations throughout the day. It is always our goal to create a smooth and memorable experience on Lake Como, and we are happy that the risotto recommendation was a success as well. We truly appreciate your words and hope to welcome you back again in the future.
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 7 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Tue, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun
- Price range
- $408 to $500
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 51
- Verdict
- Exceptional
Why this scores 82
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Lake Como: Villa Balbianello & Bellagio by private Boat & Ferry: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Lake Como.
How much does Lake Como: Villa Balbianello & Bellagio by private Boat & Ferry cost?
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Prices start at $408 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Lake Como usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Lake Como: Villa Balbianello & Bellagio by private Boat & Ferry take?
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Plan for about 7 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Lake Como is not rushed.
Is Lake Como: Villa Balbianello & Bellagio by private Boat & Ferry worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 82 out of 100, which we label "Exceptional". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.8/5 across 145 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable most highly reviewed in Lake Como, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Lake Como: Villa Balbianello & Bellagio by private Boat & Ferry?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Lake Como: Villa Balbianello & Bellagio by private Boat & Ferry suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 7-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Lake Como: Villa Balbianello & Bellagio by private Boat & Ferry?
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Around 51 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Lake Como can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Lake Como and add a light layer if any part of the 7-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Lake Como: Villa Balbianello & Bellagio by private Boat & Ferry start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Lake Como within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Lake Como?
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On Outty we rank every Lake Como experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Small-Group Lake Como & Lugano: 2 Countries in 1 Day, Boat Cruise, Como, Bellagio & Varenna: Small Group from Milan with Boat Cruise, Small-Group Lake Como: Bellagio, Varenna, Hidden Gorge & Boat. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Lake Como?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Lake Como?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
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