Lake Como Villas by Boat: The Side They Were Built to Show

From your pickup point on the central lake the route runs past Villa del Balbianello on its peninsula, Villa Balbiano, Villa Carlotta from the water along the Tremezzina shore, and Isola Comacina — with the villages and shoreline houses in between. The order depends on where you board and where you decide to stop ashore.

Yes. Within the three hours you can stop for about an hour in the village you prefer — Bellagio, Tremezzo, Isola Comacina or another dock along the way — and your skipper waits for you there. You agree a return time before stepping off, so the rest of the tour is not cut short. If you would rather stay on the water the whole time, that hour becomes more coastline and a longer swim instead.

Yes. Balbianello sits on a point that is best seen from the water, and the tour cruises right along its shoreline for photos. Landing at the villa and touring the gardens on foot is a separate ticketed visit run by the villa itself, with its own days, hours and entrance, so check those directly with the villa if you want to go ashore there.

It is fully private. You book the entire Cranchi Turchese 24 for up to 6 guests with your own skipper, so it is just your group aboard for the full three hours, whether you are two or six.

Three private hours with your skipper, prosecco, bottled water and ice, a sun awning for the hot hours, fuel, and the swim stop. There is no food service aboard beyond that, so if you want to eat, the hour ashore is the moment for it.

Yes, conditions permitting. The skipper stops in a calm, clear spot away from the traffic and you swim straight off the boat, so bring swimsuits and a towel. The swim usually pairs with the prosecco aboard.

Morning is usually the calmest water and the most even light on the facades. Late afternoon sits lower and warmer, with the sun scattering off the surface. Both are good — tell us which you prefer when you book and we will hold what we have open.

We are based on the central lake, three to four minutes from Balbianello and Isola Comacina, and pickup can be arranged anywhere on the lake — Como, Cernobbio, Torno, Laglio, Argegno, Lenno, Tremezzo, Bellagio, Varenna or your hotel's own pier. If you are staying far from the central lake, tell us when you book: the run to the villas counts inside the three hours, and we will suggest the best way to spend them.

You can cancel free of charge for bad weather up to the day before. Lake Como weather moves quickly, so we watch it and tell you honestly rather than taking you out into a grey afternoon. Booking is online with instant confirmation and a 30% deposit, and the balance is settled with your skipper on the day.