Tour of the Historic Villas of Lake Como: Melzi and Carlotta
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September 2026
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Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
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Non-refundable booking. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
4.4/5
Based on 14 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Tour of the Historic Villas of Lake Como: Melzi and Carlotta worth booking?
Tour of the Historic Villas of Lake Como: Melzi and Carlotta is a 7-hour experience in Lake Como, Italy, from $856 per person. It scores 50 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”, based on a 4.4/5 rating across 14 reviews. This booking is non-refundable, so pick your date carefully. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 50 / 100
- Rating
- 4.4/5 (14)
- Duration
- 7 hours
- From
- $856 per person
Immerse yourself in the splendor of Lake Como with a day tour entirely dedicated to the elegance of its most famous residences. You will visit the gardens of Villa Melzi in Bellagio and the imposing Villa Carlotta in Tre
What you get
About this experience
Immerse yourself in the splendor of Lake Como with a day tour entirely dedicated to the elegance of its most famous residences. You will visit the gardens of Villa Melzi in Bellagio and the imposing Villa Carlotta in Tremezzo, all accompanied by an expert guide and with the maximum comfort of private round-trip transportation.
What's included
Included
- Ferry Ticket
- Qualified private guide
- Entry tickets of the gardens of Villa Carlotta
- Entry tickets of the gardens of Villa Melzi
- Private transportation
- Tasting lunch in a local restaurant in Bellagio
Not included
- Anything not specifically mentioned under "included"
- Any gratuities and extras of a personal nature
What you'll see and do
Villa Carlotta
The Villa is known for its beautiful gardens that go from English style to bamboo plants and Asian details, has a total area of about 70,000 square meters of gardens and museum facilities.
60 minutes here · Admission included
I Giardini Di Villa Melzi
Villa Melzi is one of the most famous villas of Lake Como and is certainly a symbol of Bellagio, the characteristic village that is located on the promontory that divides the lake in its two branches.
60 minutes here · Admission included
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Lake Como
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
Returns to the starting point
Before you book
- Cancellation
- All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.
- Languages
- en, it
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri
- Group size
- Up to 8 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Lake Como Tourism
Know before you go
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Please notify in case of food allergies and intolerances
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 14 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
7 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Photo opportunities
4 mentionsThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
Small groups
4 mentionsThe group size is repeatedly described as intimate rather than packed.
Food and drink
3 mentionsThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
Knowledge and storytelling
2 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Traveler reviews
14 verified traveler reviews for Tour of the Historic Villas of Lake Como: Melzi and Carlotta. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Private tour of the Villas of Lake Como and their Gardens
Samantha from Lake Como Tourism is a star! They were so helpful in organising our tour. Coming from Australia and never having been to Italy, it was extremely challenging trying to get details and work out how to fit our accommodation in with tour dates and pick up points. Working with Samantha via email, they gave us options that fit into our schedule and location. The tour was wonderful! Our guide was both incredibly informative and passionate about the villas and gardens. Thank you Lake Como Tourism, and thank you Samantha!
Response from the operator: Dear Gavin, thank you so much for your kind words! It was a pleasure organizing this experience for you. We hope to have you back here on the lake. I wish you all the best, Samantha - Lake Como Tourism Staff
via Tripadvisor
Stunning Villas, disappointing “tour”
Both Villa Carlotta and the gardens were stunning! Just be aware that this is a self-guided tour with no guide to share the history and you will have to navigate the ferries and all transportation yourself. Skip the hefty fee and tour and you will get the same experience minus the lunch (which we skipped).
Response from the operator: Thank you for your review. We will take a cue to add a guidebook, in addition to the printed one we already send, to help those taking the tour with transportation management.
via Viator
Lovely villas and boat!
Really love the villas of Lake Como. Our guide Pietro was really fun and helpful, he presented all villas in his own way, not even a minute we were bored. The boat was also beautiful, we had the chance to have the Venetian style and the captain was also nice. A must to do tour when you visit Lake Como
Response from the operator: Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We are glad that you enjoyed your tour and the company of our guide Pietro. We hope to see you again in the furure.
via Tripadvisor
One of the best destination in Italy
We booked this tour during our 2 weeks stay in Italy. We visited the main cities such as Rome, Florence and Milan. When we stayed in Milan we decided to visit also the other destination nearby, we chose the famous Lake Como. Our concierge recommended us this tour because we wanted to visit the beautiful villas of the place. We were really satisfied with the experience. The company's travel agent Rea, has assisted us patiently with the booking process and hotel transfers. The tour went well, and it even exeeds our expectation. We were also lucky because it was sunny, the lake was very calm.
Response from the operator: Thank you so much for your wonderful review. We are glad that you enjoyed our tour and appreciated our service. We hope to see you again in the future!
via Tripadvisor
Beautiful Lake Como
Lake Como deserves the hype! The views are very magical, truly embraced by nature. We really enjoyed this tour. Gigliola was very kind and knowlegdable. We met her at Bellagio and board the private boat to visit the villas. We were amazed by the beauty of Villa Balbianello's park and Villa Carlotta, they were both well maintained. Then by 1 pm the boat drop us at the gardens of Villa Melzi, our last destination. The garden was very beautiful. After the tour we were picked up by the shuttle for our lunch. The restaurant was located on top of Bellagio, there was a great view of Lake Como. Best activity we did during our stay!
Response from the operator: Thank you so much Ms. Amara for your wonderful review! We are glad that you enjoyed every part of your tour. We hope to see you again in the future.
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 7 hours
- Free cancellation
- Non-refundable
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 5
- Verdict
- Worth a Look
Why this scores 50
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Tour of the Historic Villas of Lake Como: Melzi and Carlotta: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Lake Como.
How much does Tour of the Historic Villas of Lake Como: Melzi and Carlotta cost?
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Prices start at $856 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 Tour of the Historic Villas of Lake Como: Melzi and Carlotta 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 Tour of the Historic Villas of Lake Como: Melzi and Carlotta worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 50 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.4/5 across 14 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable most popular in Lake Como, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Tour of the Historic Villas of Lake Como: Melzi and Carlotta?
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No. This experience is sold on a non-refundable basis, so only book a date you are confident about. Similar experiences in the city do offer free cancellation if flexibility matters more than price.
Is Tour of the Historic Villas of Lake Como: Melzi and Carlotta 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 Tour of the Historic Villas of Lake Como: Melzi and Carlotta?
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Around 5 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 Tour of the Historic Villas of Lake Como: Melzi and Carlotta 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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