Milan · ITALIAN LAKES BOAT TOURS

The 15 Best Boat Tours on the Italian Lakes

243 tours  ·  from $9 a head

Shared cruise, private launch or a varnished wooden boat with a skipper: the lake looks different from each. These 15 are priced and timed, with a note on how many stops each one actually makes.

From Milan: Como & Bellagio with Private Lake Como Cruise - The scenic road to the water
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From Milan: Como & Bellagio with Private Lake Como Cruise

1.Como & Bellagio with Private Lake Como Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 9,788 reviews · from $112Our pick

Ride from Milan by luxury bus, tour Como’s historic center with a bilingual guide, walk through Villa Olmo’s garden and cruise Lake Como on a private boat. You’ll have two hours of free time in Bellagio before returning to Milan. The day runs 10 to 11 hours, so bring comfortable shoes and a valid passport or European ID.

“Viviana was an amazing guide, very charismatic and well prepared. We had the most amazing time.”

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Milan: Navigli Canal Boat Cruise - Ringhiera homes and the old canal quarter
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Milan: Navigli Canal Boat Cruise

2.Navigli Canal Boat Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★3.3 · 4,502 reviews · 50 min · from $25

Board a small electric boat at Alzaia Naviglio Grande, 4, for a 50-minute cruise past working-class courtyard homes, San Cristoforo, Vicolo dei Lavandai and Darsena. An Italian- and English-speaking host helps you board, while a QR code connects you to audio commentary in five languages. The boat travels along the canal and returns by the same route.

“Everything was good. I booked it afternoon so I can see the sunset.”

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Stresa: 3 Borromean Islands Hop-On Hop-Off Boat Tour - Isola Madre: gardens, peacocks, and a villa
Borromean Islands Tours, Italian Lakes Boat Tours, Lake Maggiore Tours, Milan Hop-On Hop-Off Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Stresa: 3 Borromean Islands Hop-On Hop-Off Boat Tour

3.3 Borromean Islands Hop-On Hop-Off Boat Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 4,122 reviews · 1 day · from $14Best value

From Stresa, this one-day boat pass connects you with Isola Madre, Isola dei Pescatori, and Isola Bella. Spend your time among Isola Madre’s botanical gardens, the fishing island’s lanes and restaurants, and Isola Bella’s palace and terraces. Boat transport is included, but island landing fees and palace or garden admission are extra.

“The hop on hop off boat ride to The Borromean Islands was great. We had ample time to view the islands and the boat service was punctual.”

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Milan: Navigli District Canal Boat Tour with Aperitivo - A slow cruise past Milan’s canal houses
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Milan: Navigli District Canal Boat Tour with Aperitivo

4.Navigli District Canal Boat Tour with Aperitivo

★★★★★★★★★★3.6 · 3,253 reviews · 50 min · from $41

Settle aboard a canal boat at Alzaia Naviglio Grande, 4, and cruise for 50 minutes past old Milanese railing houses, San Cristoforo, and the Darsena. Your ticket includes one Aperol spritz or glass of red or white wine, plus finger food. An onboard QR code offers an audio guide in six languages, though you can also simply enjoy the ride.

“A nice time on the canal. Very little interaction with the crew.”

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From Milan: Lake Como & Bellagio DayTour with Private Cruise - Como’s cathedral and historic center
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From Milan: Lake Como & Bellagio DayTour with Private Cruise

5.Lake Como & Bellagio DayTour with Private Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 2,830 reviews · from $111

Travel from Milan by air-conditioned coach for a guided walk in Como, a private Lake Como cruise and free time in Varenna and Bellagio. Guides on this route have included Monica, Anna, Sara and Alessio, though the guide varies. Expect a long day, handsome lake views and a public ferry that can be crowded in peak season.

“I liked it. I think it's a good value for money and everybody should go on this tour.”

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Lake Como & Bellagio Day Trip with Private Boat Cruise - Como: a short introduction to the town
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Lake Como & Bellagio Day Trip with Private Boat Cruise

6.Lake Como & Bellagio Day Trip with Private Boat Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 2,587 reviews · 10 hours (approx.) · from $120

Travel from Milan by air-conditioned coach with an English-speaking guide, then see Lake Como from a private boat reserved for your group. The route includes time in Como and Bellagio, with views of Villa Carlotta, Villa del Balbianello and Isola Comacina from the water. Cruise length varies by season, and hotel pickup is available at selected hotels.

“Well organized, informative, scenic. Enjoyed the experience of the road trip combined with boat ride”

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From Milan: Lake Como Cruise with Visits to Como & Bellagio - Bellagio: two hours among lakefront lanes
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From Milan: Lake Como Cruise with Visits to Como & Bellagio

7.Lake Como Cruise with Visits to Como & Bellagio

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 1,943 reviews · 10 hours · from $78

From Milan, ride a private, air-conditioned bus to Lake Como, spend free time in Bellagio and Como, and cruise past mountain views and lakeside villas. Choose the public boat or a shorter private cruise. Guides vary by departure; names include Anna, Katia, Matteo, and Carolina.

“Amazing Como, Lake Como & Bellagio Tour! We had a fantastic time on our Lake Como and Bellagio tour! The scenery was breathtaking—from the sparkling lake and elegant villas to the charming streets of Bellagio. Our guide Carolina was knowledgeable, friendly, and kept everything running smoothly, while our driver Clause made the ride comfortable and safe. The boat ride on the lake was a true highlight. Highly recommend this tour for anyone visiting the area!”

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Lake Como: Shared Boat Tour with Prosecco Aperitif - Villas from the water, not from the front door
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Lake Como: Shared Boat Tour with Prosecco Aperitif

8.Shared Boat Tour with Prosecco Aperitif

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 1,452 reviews · 1 - 2 hours · from $53

From Como, take a shared boat cruise past lakeside villas and villages, including Villa d’Este and Villa Erba. A skipper such as Alessandro, Mario, or Sebastian shares stories and points out photo spots. Sip Prosecco or a soft drink, and use the optional phone audio guide for more detail.

“Our guide was absolutely lovely, very funny and engaging - highly recommend!”

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From Milan: Lake Como, Bellagio & Varenna with Private Boat - The cruise turns the lake into the main event
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From Milan: Lake Como, Bellagio & Varenna with Private Boat

9.Lake Como, Bellagio & Varenna with Private Boat

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 1,187 reviews · from $111

Ride from Milan to Como by air-conditioned coach, then see the lake and its villas by boat before exploring Como, Bellagio, and, from April to October, Varenna. English- and Spanish-speaking guides lead the day; past guides have included Anna, Monica, and Lina. Expect a long, well-organized outing with free time, public ferry segments, and changing stop order.

“Me and my husband are from Jordan, it was the best tour ever, big thanks to our tour guide Ms. Klara. Myself. The tour was as per schedule and comfortable bus . I highly recommend to use this compan. All the best.”

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Small-Group Lake Como & Lugano by Swiss Train + Boat Cruise - A Lake Como cruise past famous villas
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Small-Group Lake Como & Lugano by Swiss Train + Boat Cruise

10.Small-Group Lake Como & Lugano by Swiss Train + Boat Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,084 reviews · 9 to 11 hours (approx.) · from $168Top rated

Travel from Milan by Swiss train with a local English-speaking guide, stopping in Como and Lugano and cruising past Lake Como villas, including Villa Erba and Villa d’Este. The group is capped at 12, and train, ferry, cruise, and funicular tickets are included. Guides vary, with Oleg, Patrizia, Chiara, and Naji among the names you may encounter.

“The tour was well-organized with very clear communication, before and during the tour. Andy, our your guide, was very friendly, personable and professional. He shared great recommendations for foods, places for pictures and gave us ample time to explore on our own. There were 8 people in our tour group, making the experience more intimate,”

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Bellagio & Varenna: Small Group Tour from Milan with Boat Cruise - Como: a walk before the water
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Bellagio & Varenna: Small Group Tour from Milan with Boat Cruise

11.Bellagio & Varenna: Small Group Tour from Milan with Boat Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,019 reviews · 10 hours (approx.) · from $101

Travel from Milan with an English-speaking guide and a group of no more than 13. The day combines Como’s cathedral, a boat ride past lakeside villas, free time in Bellagio and a guided visit to Varenna. First-class train tickets and local transport are included. Guides such as Antonella, Alessandro, Elma and Angela have led this route, though assignments vary.

“Wonderful way to see Lake Como without hassle. Alessandro was very knowledgeable and kept the group on time. The restaurant the guide offered to book for us in Bellagio was overpriced (not surprising for Bellagio!) and food was just ok not great but it was convenient to have a table ready for us.”

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From Milan: Small Group Como, Bellagio, Varenna, Boat Cruise - Como: A First Look at the Lake
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From Milan: Small Group Como, Bellagio, Varenna, Boat Cruise

12.Small Group Como, Bellagio, Varenna, Boat Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 967 reviews

Ride the train from Milan to Como with a guide, then see the lake by boat and explore Como, Bellagio, and Varenna in a group of up to 13. Expect Alpine views, villa stories, lunch time in Bellagio, and help with the busy train and ferry connections. Guides on past departures have included Angela, Antonella, Alessandro, Elma, Chiara, and Anna.

“Antonella was great. Listen to her for all food recs! She was very knowledgeable and kept us all on time. She took us to all the best picture places. Everything ran smoothly. Like most excursions there’s never enough time. I’m always for a longer trip to extent the time in the city. I think the split was 30 min in como, 2 hour in Bellagio, and 30 min in Varenna? The 2 hour boat ride would prob be amazing in summer time but it was cold when I went. To be fair the sights were still pretty and I took a Power Nap. There’s no bus to leave your stuff…”

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Lake Como and Bellagio with Private Boat Cruise Included - Bellagio gives you time to explore at your own pace
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Lake Como and Bellagio with Private Boat Cruise Included

13.Lake Como and Bellagio with Private Boat Cruise Included

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 944 reviews · 11 hours (approx.) · from $119

Spend about 11 hours traveling from Milan by air-conditioned coach, with a guide, a Como historic-center walk, Villa Olmo gardens, a one-hour lake cruise, and free time in Bellagio. The main option includes Bellagio; the Bernina Red Train upgrade does not. Bring a passport or European ID, and plan for a long day.

“This was a good tour. The guide was great and the locations were fun and beautiful. The only issue was the A/C on the bus broke. It was 90 degrees and super uncomfortable. This was not the tour guides fault however.”

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Como: Lake Como Shared Boat Tour - Private homes, famous names, and Villa Oleandra
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Como: Lake Como Shared Boat Tour

14.Lake Como Shared Boat Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 804 reviews · from $56

Cruise from Como with an English- or Italian-speaking guide, passing Villa Olmo, Villa d’Este, Villa Erba, and other lakeside homes. The boat pauses in front of George Clooney’s Villa Oleandra before crossing toward the opposite shore. Guides such as Daniele have been praised for clear villa stories and friendly photo help.

“Trip was relaxed and the guide was very informative and interacted very well with everyone. Would highly recommend this trip as a good length and you get a different perspective of Como and surrounding areas. Our guide apologised for the wet weather, no need as without rain there would be no Lake Como”

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Como, Lugano & Bellagio: Exclusive Cruise–Two Countries in a Day - Como: a first look at the lake town
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Como, Lugano & Bellagio: Exclusive Cruise–Two Countries in a Day

15.Como, Lugano & Bellagio: Exclusive Cruise–Two Countries in a Day

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 690 reviews · 11 hours (approx.) · from $97

Start in Milan at 8:30 am for an 11-hour day trip to Como, Bellagio and Lugano. An English or Spanish-speaking tour leader guides the route, with headsets for groups over 10 and Wi-Fi on the bus and boat. The included Lake Como cruise is a highlight; bring your original passport if you are not an EU citizen.

“Was great being able to visit other cities within Italy and Switzerland! Bellagio was our favorite! I would take this tour again.”

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New in Italian Lakes Boat Tours

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★ 5.0Verona & Lake Garda with Boat Cruise: Full-Day Tour from MilanFrom $16624 reviews
★ 5.0Micaela’s exclusive private sunset cruise on lake Maggiore9 reviews
★ 5.0The best of Lake Maggiore on a private guided boat tour8 reviews
★ 5.0Slow boat tour for small groups with appetizer on Lake MaggioreFrom $1087 reviews
★ 4.5Lake Maggiore: Sightseeing Cruise from StresaFrom $1735 reviews
★ 4.5Borromean Islands Private Hop-On Hop-Off Boat Tour from Stresa17 reviews
★ 4.0Isola Pescatori and Isola Bella Hop-on Hop-off boat tourFrom $1420 reviews
★ 3.5Stresa to Isola Bella Hop-On Hop-Off Boat TicketFrom $924 reviews
★ 5.0The magic of a private boat tour around the Borromean islands4 reviews
★ 5.0Private Guided Boat Tour of Lake Maggiore’s Borromeo Islands40 reviews

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Explore Milan and the lakes

Pick a ticket, a shoreline or a kitchen.

In the city

The Last SupperDuomo RooftopsLa ScalaSforza CastleMuseums

On the lakes

Boat TripsBellagioVarennaVillas & GardensBorromean Islands

Food and wine

Food ToursCooking ClassesWine TastingsThe Navigli

Further out

SwitzerlandVeronaVeniceBergamoMountain Trains