Villa Balbianello and Flavors of Lake Como Walking and Boating Full-Day Tour in Lake Como
Lake Como, Italy

Villa Balbianello and Flavors of Lake Como Walking and Boating Full-Day Tour

Outty Ranking 72 4.8 · 82 traveler reviews7 hoursFrom $150

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September 2026

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Adults

Age 13 and over

2

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Age 12 and under

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From, per person$150
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Outty Ranking

72/100

Strongly Recommended. Our proprietary evaluation. How we score

Traveler rating

4.8/5

Based on 82 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

Quick answer

Is Villa Balbianello and Flavors of Lake Como Walking and Boating Full-Day Tour worth booking?

Villa Balbianello and Flavors of Lake Como Walking and Boating Full-Day Tour is a 7-hour experience in Lake Como, Italy, from $150 per person. It scores 72 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Strongly Recommended, based on a 4.8/5 rating across 82 reviews. This booking is non-refundable, so pick your date carefully. Same-day spots are currently showing.

Outty Ranking
72 / 100
Rating
4.8/5 (82)
Duration
7 hours
From
$150 per person

Explore Lake Como by land and water on this full-day walking and boating tour, with a visit to the gardens of Villa Melzi and Villa del Balbianello. Sample local olive oil at a panoramic castle overlooking the lake, take

What you get

    About this experience

    Explore Lake Como by land and water on this full-day walking and boating tour, with a visit to the gardens of Villa Melzi and Villa del Balbianello. Sample local olive oil at a panoramic castle overlooking the lake, take a walking tour of Varenna and gain insight into the region’s Celtic heritage. Savor a tasty lunch of fish appetizers and pasta in a local restaurant, then admire sweeping views over Lake Como’s villas and gardens during a sightseeing cruise in a Venetian taxi. Disembark at Villa del Balbianello to take pics and enjoy the view, then cruise onwards to Bellagio, where you shall be guided through the wonderful Villa Melzi gardens, followed by a stroll along the lakeside.

    What's included

    Included

    • Guided walking Tour of Varenna
    • Tickets to Villa Melzi
    • Tasting of locally produced olive oil at a panoramic castle overlooking the lake
    • Tickets to the Castle of Vezio
    • Tickets to Villa del Balbianello
    • Transportation up to the Castle of Vezio
    • 2.5h Boat Tour (open top Venetian taxi) including stop at Villa del Balbianello
    • Professional, English-speaking guide

    Not included

    • Gratuities
    • Hotel pickup and drop-off

    What you'll see and do

    1. Villa Del Balbianello

      .

      60 minutes here · Admission included

    2. I Giardini Di Villa Melzi

      .

      30 minutes here · Admission included

    3. Chiesa di San Giorgio

      The group will enter the church and be given a detailed description.

      15 minutes here

    4. Castello di Vezio

      Panoramic castle overlooking mid lake

      40 minutes here · Admission included

    Where it starts and ends

    Meeting point

    Lake Como

    Our Tour starts in front of the Ferry Terminal Ticket Office in Varenna at 1030 am . Just look for the team with a LAKE COMO FOR YOU sign ! If you are arriving from Como, Cernobbio or Moltrasio please do get in touch with us for directions.

    Hotel pickup

    No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.

    Ends at

    The tour ends in Bellagio. There are plenty of mid-lake shuttles or car ferries linking Bellagio to Varenna and other locations. The last speedboat to Como will depart at the end of our tour. Our tour guide will be happy to show you departure point.

    Before you book

    Cancellation
    If you cancel at least 6 full day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a full refund.<br>If you cancel between 2 and 6 day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a 50% refund.<br>If you cancel within 2 day(s) of the scheduled departure, you will receive a 0% refund.
    Languages
    en, it
    Ticket
    Mobile Only
    Runs on
    Tue, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun
    Group size
    Up to 11 travelers per booking
    Operated by
    Lake Como For You

    Know before you go

    • Public transportation options are available nearby
    • Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
    • Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
    • Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
    • Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
    • A minimum of 2 adults per booking is required
    • A maximum of 10 people per booking
    • Dress code is casual, comfortable shoes
    • A fair amount of walking is involved. The trail to the castle for the morning tasting entails a descent with some steep steps which must also be ascended on the return trip. Please make sure you are physically apt and wear comfortable walking shoes.
    • Please advise any specific dietary requirements at time of booking
    • The tour runs rain or shine. In case of bad weather conditions it is possible that the tour undergoes some slight changes and that the transfer to Villa Balbianello is done using public transport and not with the private boat taxi due to safety reasons
    • Please Note: hotel pickup is not included for this activity, please get in touch in case you wish for us to organise it as an extra.

    Photos

    Our superb lake and elegant villasVarennaVilla MelziVezio CastleVilla BalbianelloCruise

    What travelers are saying

    Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 82 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.

    Food and drink

    6 mentions

    The tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.

    The guide

    5 mentions

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

    Knowledge and storytelling

    5 mentions

    Reviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.

    Photo opportunities

    5 mentions

    The views and photo stops come up again and again.

    Small groups

    3 mentions

    The group size is repeatedly described as intimate rather than packed.

    Traveler reviews

    82 verified traveler reviews for Villa Balbianello and Flavors of Lake Como Walking and Boating Full-Day Tour. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

    5 star
    75
    4 star
    5
    3 star
    0
    2 star
    0
    1 star
    2
    Sort
    756renatab · July 2026

    Beautiful

    Even if its sold out online, we were still were able to get tickets to gardens at water taxi and then upgraded to see the Villa when we arrived

    via Tripadvisor

    Amber_S · August 2025

    It was a great experience and I'm grateful we did it.

    Julia was very knowledgeable. We learned a lot about the history of the area. It was beautiful. We were able to see the views from both the land and the water.

    via Viator

    pinchp2025 · January 2025

    Subject: Inquiry About Equipment Placement Opportunities Text: Good day! I am a representative of Pinch Pita, a compan

    Subject: Inquiry About Equipment Placement Opportunities Text: Good day! I am a representative of Pinch Pita, a company specializing in the development and placement of autonomous equipment for preparing fast food, as well as coffee vending machines. Could you kindly let me know who I can speak with regarding the terms and conditions for placing our equipment in your facility? Looking forward to your response. Best regards, Pinch Pita

    via Tripadvisor

    karenfoley2020 · September 2024

    Stunning Villa and Gardens.

    The Villa and gardens were stunning. Truly magical. The only negative was all of the wedding and fashion photoshoots, we needed to move out of the way. Being on a tour we had limited time and weren't able to completely immerse ourselves in the moment.

    via Tripadvisor

    kayg339 · September 2024

    A great day on Lake Como

    The tour was very enjoyable and a good introduction to Lake Como. The guide was very knowledgeable and friendly/ helpful. The food / wine served was very tasty. Everything went smoothly. I would definitely recommend.

    via Tripadvisor

    Good to know

    Duration
    7 hours
    Free cancellation
    Non-refundable
    Minimum age to book
    All ages
    Availability
    Bookable today
    Runs on
    Tue, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun
    Price range
    $150 to $1155
    Hotel pickup
    No pickup, meet at start point
    Booked in 30 days
    29
    Verdict
    Strongly Recommended

    Why this scores 72

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

    Traveler sentiment (30% weight)86
    Review evidence (18% weight)69
    Booking momentum (14% weight)63
    Value for money (12% weight)100
    Listing quality (10% weight)84
    Local standing (8% weight)51
    Booking flexibility (8% weight)0

    Villa Balbianello and Flavors of Lake Como Walking and Boating Full-Day Tour: questions travelers ask

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

    How much does Villa Balbianello and Flavors of Lake Como Walking and Boating Full-Day Tour cost?

    +

    Prices start at $150 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 Villa Balbianello and Flavors of Lake Como Walking and Boating Full-Day Tour take?

    +

    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 Villa Balbianello and Flavors of Lake Como Walking and Boating Full-Day Tour worth it?

    +

    It holds an Outty Ranking of 72 out of 100, which we label "Strongly Recommended". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.8/5 across 82 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable culture & history in Lake Como, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.

    Can I cancel or reschedule Villa Balbianello and Flavors of Lake Como Walking and Boating Full-Day Tour?

    +

    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 Villa Balbianello and Flavors of Lake Como Walking and Boating Full-Day Tour suitable for kids and families?

    +

    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 Villa Balbianello and Flavors of Lake Como Walking and Boating Full-Day Tour?

    +

    Around 29 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 7-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.

    Where does Villa Balbianello and Flavors of Lake Como Walking and Boating Full-Day Tour 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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