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- English
- Italian
Lake Como by Private Boat: Villa del Balbianello experience. Discover Lake Como from the water, in style and away from the crowds.
Private boat tours on Lake Como with a dedicated skipper and scenic cruise along the shoreline, with a stop to visit the gardens of Villa del Balbianello on Lake Como.
Arriving directly by boat, you dock at the villa and skip the queue for garden entry, for a smoother, exclusive visit.
During the navigation, you’ll enjoy panoramic views of the lake, historic villas, and hidden corners along the shoreline, with skipper commentary.
The duration of the tour, sailing time, and visit to the villa depend on the selected option, allowing the experience to be tailored to different preferences.
Included: private boat with skipper, direct lake access to Villa del Balbianello, intimate and exclusive experience.
Garden ticket: €15 per person, payable on site at entry.
What's Included
Meeting and pickup
Guests can select their preferred pick-up location directly when booking.
Although the docks are spread across different towns around Lake Como, travel times by boat are short and comfortable.
Our Lake45 captain will be waiting at the chosen dock in uniform, ready to welcome and assist guests on board.
For added flexibility, guests may request a different drop-off location from their original pick-up point. If desired, this can be arranged after booking when our team contacts guests via WhatsApp, subject to operational availability.
Near the location, there is a dock where guests will be picked up. Feel free to contact us by phone for more information.
Itinerary
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1Villa Del Balbianello
Step ashore at Lake Como’s most iconic landmark. Perched on a wooded peninsula in Lenno, the 18th-century Villa del Balbianello is famed for its terraced gardens, panoramic lake views, and starring role in Star Wars: Episode II and Casino Royale. Owned and preserved by FAI (the Italian National Trust), the villa offers cinematic views, sculpted hedges, climbing wisteria, and the elegant Loggia Durini all best approached from the water. Your stop includes: Duration of garden visit varies depending on the selected tour option Garden entrance ticket not included, tickets can be purchased on site upon arrival Direct arrival by boat at the villa’s private dock, allowing you to skip the queue and access the gardens immediately after disembarking Please note: Garden access only (interiors require a separate FAI guided tour). Villa open seasonally. Comfortable walking shoes recommended due to sloping paths.
1 hour • Admission ticket not included -
Villa Sola Busca - complesso (Pass by)
Villa Sola Busca, also known as Villa La Quieta, is an elegant 18th-century villa located in Tremezzo on the western shore of Lake Como, Italy. Surrounded by beautifully landscaped gardens and overlooking the lake, the villa is celebrated for its neoclassical architecture and richly decorated interiors. Historically a residence of noble families, Villa Sola Busca has hosted famous guests, including poets and philosophers. Today, it stands as a symbol of Lake Como's aristocratic charm and cultural heritage.
Admission ticket free -
Chiesa di San Lorenzo a Tremezzo (Pass by)
The Church of San Lorenzo in Tremezzo is a beautiful 18th–19th century church overlooking Lake Como. Blending neo-Romanesque and neo-Gothic styles, it features a striking façade, frescoes by Luigi Tagliaferri, and historic altars. The church stands in a scenic square, offering peaceful lake views.
Admission ticket free -
Parco Teresio Olivelli (Pass by)
Parco Teresio Olivelli is a charming lakeside park located in Tremezzo, on the western shore of Lake Como, Italy. Known for its peaceful atmosphere, the park features lush gardens, tall trees, a historic fountain, and beautiful views of the lake and surrounding mountains. It’s a popular spot for relaxing walks, picnics, and outdoor activities, offering both locals and visitors a tranquil escape in a picturesque setting.
Admission ticket free -
Villa Carlotta (Pass by)
Villa Carlotta is a historic villa located in Tremezzina on the western shore of Lake Como, Italy. Constructed in 1690 by Milanese banker Giorgio Clerici, the villa was later owned by Giovanni Battista Sommariva, who enriched it with masterpieces by artists such as Antonio Canova, Bertel Thorvaldsen, and Francesco Hayez. In 1843, Princess Marianne of Nassau gifted the villa to her daughter, Charlotte of Prussia, on the occasion of her marriage to Prince George II of Saxe-Meiningen. The Duke, a botany enthusiast, transformed the surrounding park into a romantic landscape garden.
Admission ticket free -
Parco di Villa Serbelloni (Pass by)
Villa Serbelloni is a historic villa located in Bellagio, Italy, on the shores of Lake Como. Originally built in the 15th century on the site of a 14th-century castle, the villa has undergone several reconstructions and renovations over the centuries. In 1788, it was acquired by Count Alessandro Serbelloni, who enriched the property with 17th- and 18th-century artworks and decorative elements.
Admission ticket free -
I Giardini Di Villa Melzi (Pass by)
Villa Melzi is a neoclassical villa located in Bellagio, on the shores of Lake Como, Italy. Commissioned by Francesco Melzi d’Eril, Vice President of the Italian Republic under Napoleon, the villa was designed by architect Giocondo Albertolli and constructed between 1808 and 1810.
Admission ticket free -
Villa del Balbiano - Complesso Architettonico di Ossuccio (ante 1778) (Pass by)
Villa Balbiano is a historic 16th-century palazzo located in Ossuccio on Lake Como, Italy. Originally owned by the noble Giovio family, it was sold in 1596 to Cardinal Tolomeo Gallio, who initiated significant renovations based on designs by architect Pellegrino Tibaldi. The villa reached its peak during the 18th century under Cardinal Angelo Maria Durini, who transformed it into a cultural hub for intellectuals and artists.
Admission ticket free -
Isola Comacina (Pass by)
Isola Comacina is the only island on Lake Como, located near the village of Ossuccio in Tremezzina. Spanning approximately 6 hectares, it is renowned for its lush Mediterranean vegetation, including olive groves, linden trees, and laurel bushes, thriving in the mild climate of the Zoca de l’Oli bay. Historically, the island played a significant role from Roman times through the Middle Ages. In 1169, it was destroyed by forces from Como and Emperor Frederick Barbarossa, leading to its abandonment for centuries . Archaeological excavations have uncovered several early medieval structures, including the Church of San Giovanni Battista, which stands on the island today.
Admission ticket free -
Villa Maresi di Griante (Pass by)
Villa Maresi is a distinctive Neo-Gothic villa located in Griante, on the western shore of Lake Como, Italy. Constructed between 1895 and 1905, it was commissioned by industrialist Pompeo Maresi and designed by architect Giacomo Mantegazza, who studied English Gothic Revival architecture in Britain to inform the design. The villa was built on the ruins of a 16th-century medieval castle that was part of the Franco-Hispanic fortifications dating back to the war that ended in 1529. Mantegazza preserved the castle's fortified appearance, incorporating crenellated walls, a central keep, watchtowers, and a lakeside bastion with a turret.
Admission ticket free
Additional info
- 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
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Tags
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Cancellation Policy
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
- This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
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