From Milan: VIP Semi Private Lake Como Day Trip with Cruise
Escape the city for a day of epic scenery, great cuisine, and boat rides on Italy's most famous lake
Looking for the best way to explore the wonders of Lake Como? This intimate small group tour from Milan makes a day in the lakes of Northern Italy a breeze, with luxury transportation, an engaging driver-guide, and boat tickets to visit some of the most charming towns along the shore. You’ll cruise by the luxury villas of Como’s rich and famous, stroll through the cobbled streets of Bellagio and Varenna, and enjoy a delicious regional lunch with wine tasting on this full day of lakeside bliss!
- An idyllic day out at Lake Como
- Luxury round-trip transportation from Milan
- Explore the lake by boat
- Discover the historic town of Como
- Stroll the cobbled streets of Bellagio
- Visit the quaint village of Varenna
- Sample local wines and fresh produce
- Enjoy an authentic northern Italian lunch
Your idyllic day in northern Italy begins at the Piazza Duomo in central Milan, where you'll meet your friendly local driver-guide and the rest of your small group. In a comfortable private minivan, you'll set off on the scenic drive north and soon you'll see the lakes and mountains of Como Province come into view. After exploring the town of Como, you'll cruise across the lake by boat to Bellagio and then Varenna, where you'll take in the authentic Italian atmosphere and try delicious regional produce.
For a real treat, you'll also enjoy a hearty lunch with regional dishes such as risotto or polenta with fish caught fresh from the lake, and you'll also taste a selection of local wines grown in the foothills of Como's mountains. Italian days out don't come much better!
VIP Lake Como Day Tour Description
Your 8-hour semi-private day trip from Milan includes:
Round-trip transportation from Milan by luxury Mercedes minivan
Boat tickets between towns and across Lake Como
Walking tour of Como, Bellagio, and Varenna
Sampling of local products at artisan shops
Gourmet lunch with regional wine tasting
Water and refreshments on board the minivan
Local English-Speaking driver-guide
Maximum group size of 8
Begin Your Journey in Central Milan
From the fashion capital of Europe, hop on board a luxury minivan and enjoy the ride to Lake Como in style. You'll meet your friendly driver-guide in the centrally located Piazza Duomo along with your small group of fellow travelers, and after a little introduction it'll be time to get on the road.
The journey will take around an hour and you'll travel past snow-crowned Alps and beautiful Italian countryside before reaching the shores of stunning Lake Como. Pretty soon you'll realize just why celebrities such as George Clooney chose to set up home here!
Explore Como, Bellagio, and Varenna
Lake Como may be best known for its incredible scenery, but there's something magical about the towns that line its shores too. Diring the day you'll enjoy walking tours of the three main towns of the lake. First you'll explore Lake Como's biggest town, which is also called Como. See the historic Duomo and Basilica di San Fedele downtown, and learn about the culture of this unique area only a few miles from the Swiss border.
In Bellagio and Varenna, stroll through picture-perfect cobbled streets and discover regional delicacies as your guide takes you to visit some of their favorite artisan shops. Enjoy samples of typical products from the area including cheeses, wines, and more. In all three towns you'll enjoy amazing views of the lake with the towering Alps forming a dramatic backdrop.
Boat Cruises between Towns
While it's possible to reach many parts of Lake Como by road, the best possible way to get around is by boat! To get between towns we've pre-arranged tickets for the local ferries that crisscross around the lake and connect the various areas with ease. Feel the gentle breezes of the lake as you pass by the palatial villas scattered across the lakeside, and bask in the culture and grandeur of this incredible part of Italy.
How long is the boat ride from Como to Bellagio? The boat cruise takes about 45 minutes along Lake Como, the best way to see the amazing landscape.
Authentic Regional Lunch and Local Wine Tasting
The beauty of Italian food is its diversity by region, which is usually dictated by the fantastic fresh ingredients found nearby. In Como, specialties include delicious fresh fish caught right in the lake, often served with polenta or rice. Unlike further south where pasta is a staple, in the north rice is much preferred.
For lunch today you'll enjoy an amazing risotto in a beautiful lakeside setting near Varenna, and sample a range local wines grown in the foothills of the nearby mountains.
Return to Milan
After lunch and exploring Varenna, you'll take one last ferry ride to Como where your minivan will be waiting to take you back to the city. Sit back and relax for the 1-hour drive back to Milan, capping off this luxurious day on the lake.
What you get with this tour

See what people are saying
2 total reviews
Leave a reviewLake Como tour was awesome.
David White
Well we’ll done.
Absolutely Beautiful Place!
Unverified Review
Why can't I live in Lake Como????? We had a wonderful time on this experience. Our driver was lovely leading us out of Milan. I really enjoyed Bellagio. It was a bit cold that day so I recommend bringing a jacket with you. Thanks!!!
Frequently Asked Questions
Where to meet?
You'll meet your friendly driver-guide in the centrally located Piazza Duomo. Exact details will be included on your voucher.
What to bring?
Wear some comfortable shoes, and bring water and a camera. We recommend wearing plenty of sunscreen too, as the sun can be strong here in summer months..
Is this tour run by The Tour Guy?
No, but it's run by one of our trusted and vetted partners in Milan.
Where to meet?
You'll meet your friendly driver-guide in the centrally located Piazza Duomo. Exact details will be included on your voucher.
How long is the drive from Milan to Lake Como?
The drive will take around an hour, depending on traffic.
What to bring?
Wear some comfortable shoes, and bring water and a camera. We recommend wearing plenty of sunscreen too, as the sun can be strong here in summer months..
Are boat tickets included?
Yes. Tickets for the local ferry between the towns is included.
Is this tour suitable for kids?
Yes, kids are welcome on this tour! They'll have to skip the wine though, of course.
What if I'm vegetarian, vegan, or have special dietary requirements?
Please contact us after booking to let us know your requirements. We’ll work with our partners to accommodate your needs.
Is lunch included?
A delicious regional lunch is included, along with a selection of local wines.