Shared boat tour from Varenna in Lake Como
Lake Como, Italy

Shared boat tour from Varenna

Outty Ranking 52 2.8 · 6 traveler reviews1.5 hoursFrom $47

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September 2026

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Adults

Age 13 and over

2

Children

Age 12 and under

0

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From, per person$47
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Outty Ranking

52/100

Worth a Look. Our proprietary evaluation. How we score

Traveler rating

2.8/5

Based on 6 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

Quick answer

Is Shared boat tour from Varenna worth booking?

Shared boat tour from Varenna is a 1.5-hour experience in Lake Como, Italy, from $47 per person. It scores 52 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look, based on a 2.8/5 rating across 6 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.

Outty Ranking
52 / 100
Rating
2.8/5 (6)
Duration
1.5 hours
From
$47 per person

Once you leave the town of Varenna behind, the tour sails to the opposite shore to let you admire the most fascinating historic houses of Lake Como, such as Villa Carlotta, characterized by a unique historical and artist

What you get

    About this experience

    Once you leave the town of Varenna behind, the tour sails to the opposite shore to let you admire the most fascinating historic houses of Lake Como, such as Villa Carlotta, characterized by a unique historical and artistic heritage, Villa del Balbianello, known for its appearances in Star Wars and Casino Royale, and Villa Balbiano, famous for being the location of the movie House of Gucci. The tour continues to Bellagio, where you can discover Villa Melzi, with its picturesque gardens, Villa Gerli and Villa Placida. IMPORTANT INFORMATION - On the boat there will be a billboard with instructions to download the audio guide app. *NB: We inform you that on weekends, due to the large turnout and the restrictive embarkation and disembarkation times on the piers, the tour may take less than the 90 minutes communicated.

    What's included

    Included

    • Audio guide in English, Italian, French and Spanish
    • On-board restrooms

    Not included

    • Gratuities
    • Headphones for audio guide

    What you'll see and do

    1. Villa Del Balbianello

      Admire Villa del Balbianello, famous for being the protagonist in many films such as Star Wars and Casino Royale.

      Pass by without stopping

    2. Villa del Balbiano - Complesso Architettonico di Ossuccio (ante 1778)

      Admire one of the most precious jewels of Lake Como, with its large and sumptuous garden, known above all for being the location of the House of Gucci.

      Pass by without stopping

    3. Villa Carlotta

      Enjoy one of the most majestic villas on Lake Como, with its spectacular gardens and the perfect dialogue between art and nature.

      Pass by without stopping

    4. Isola Comacina

      Enjoy the breathtaking view of the only island on Lake Como.

      Pass by without stopping

    5. Villa Monastero

      Villa Monastero was born on the ruins of an ancient Cistercian female monastery, crowned by a splendid garden, rich in rare and exotic botanical species.

      Pass by without stopping

    Where it starts and ends

    Meeting point

    Lake Como

    Proceed along the lovers' promenade to Porto Riva Grande, where you will find DOCK 1. You can arrive directly on Pier 1: remember to arrive 10 minutes before departure with the QR code on your Reservation Voucher.

    Hotel pickup

    No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.

    Ends at

    Returns to the starting point

    Before you book

    Cancellation
    For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
    Languages
    de, en, it, fr, es
    Ticket
    Mobile Only
    Runs on
    Every day
    Group size
    Up to 15 travelers per booking
    Operated by
    Bellagio Boat Service

    Know before you go

    • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
    • Public transportation options are available nearby
    • Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
    • Suitable for all physical fitness levels

    Photos

    Shared boat tour from Varenna in Lake Como, photo 2Shared boat tour from Varenna in Lake Como, photo 3Shared boat tour from Varenna in Lake Como, photo 4Shared boat tour from Varenna in Lake Como, photo 5Shared boat tour from Varenna in Lake Como, photo 6Shared boat tour from Varenna in Lake Como, photo 7

    What travelers are saying

    Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 5 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.

    Organization

    2 mentions

    Pickup, timing, and logistics are described as running smoothly.

    The guide

    1 mention

    Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.

    Photo opportunities

    1 mention

    The views and photo stops come up again and again.

    Traveler reviews

    5 verified traveler reviews for Shared boat tour from Varenna. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

    5 star
    1
    4 star
    1
    3 star
    1
    2 star
    0
    1 star
    2
    Sort
    Maira_D · June 2026

    Beautiful experience but the provider does not respond

    I gave 3 stars because the customer service is catastrophic! I was late because of the train but it was impossible to contact the provider and Viator could do nothing!! I find that the provider is poorly located and difficult to find. Eventually, after some twists and turns, we found them and were able to go on the excursion. This one is very good on a beautiful, comfortable boat.

    via Viator (translated)

    doucila_f · June 2026

    Complicated organization

    The meeting point was poorly indicated, and it was impossible to contact the company. Organization was not great; however, the boat is clean and spacious, and the trip was nice once we managed to find the agency.

    via Viator (translated)

    Charly_H · June 2025

    Highly recommend

    Such a good way to see the villas and towns from the lake and to skip the long queues of the public ferries, had audio guide and comfy seats and a bar and toilets on board, we had an amazing afternoon

    via Viator

    Curiosity06149261164 · May 2025

    Catastrophic

    How can I put it? Catastrophic service!!! The staff is very unpleasant and walks us from dock to dock, absolutely no organization! If you want to lose half a day, nothing better! To flee without a doubt!!! Too bad we can't mention 0 stars

    via Tripadvisor (translated)

    Lanee_J · September 2024

    Very nice boat ride and...

    Very nice boat ride and great view of the villas, homes, and buildings from the lake. The audio on the boat was not working, so that was unfortunate.

    via Viator

    Good to know

    Duration
    1.5 hours
    Free cancellation
    Up to 24h before
    Minimum age to book
    All ages
    Availability
    Bookable today
    Runs on
    Every day
    Hotel pickup
    No pickup, meet at start point
    Booked in 30 days
    2
    Verdict
    Worth a Look

    Why this scores 52

    The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.

    Traveler sentiment (30% weight)52
    Review evidence (18% weight)30
    Booking momentum (14% weight)21
    Value for money (12% weight)100
    Listing quality (10% weight)85
    Local standing (8% weight)0
    Booking flexibility (8% weight)100

    Shared boat tour from Varenna: questions travelers ask

    Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Lake Como.

    How much does Shared boat tour from Varenna cost?

    +

    Prices start at $47 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 Shared boat tour from Varenna take?

    +

    Plan for about 1.5 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 Shared boat tour from Varenna worth it?

    +

    It holds an Outty Ranking of 52 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (2.8/5 across 6 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Lake Como, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.

    Can I cancel or reschedule Shared boat tour from Varenna?

    +

    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 Shared boat tour from Varenna suitable for kids and families?

    +

    Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 1.5-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.

    How far in advance should I book Shared boat tour from Varenna?

    +

    Around 2 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?

    +

    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 1.5-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.

    Where does Shared boat tour from Varenna start and how do I get there?

    +

    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?

    +

    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?

    +

    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?

    +

    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?

    +

    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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