Best tours of Lake Como

This region of Lombardy offers endless things to do, but without a doubt, one of the best things to see and do in Lago di Como is to go sightseeing in the villages around the lake, to see not only its picturesque streets, but also its history and culture.

In each of these tours I will show you, the tour guides try to show you only the best of the lake. Some of these experiences are by boat, some are on foot and some are by motorbike, but they all share a common characteristic, and that is that you will not be short of fun at any time.

On this complete city tour of Como, you will start by visiting Piazza Cavour, and then go straight to the Cathedral, also known as the Duomo, where you will have the opportunity to see the structure inside during a guided tour.

Leaving the Duomo, you will go straight to the Broletto, which is the old town hall of the city. Right after that, you will go, accompanied by your tour guide, to Verdi square and some historical monuments that stand around the city, among them the Walls of the Middle Ages, the Art Nouveau building of Terragni, and the Neoclassical Theatre.

Later in the middle of the tour you will go together with your guide and the tour group, to Brunate, and to get there you will have to take the funicular, a high altitude experience that will leave you wanting to take lots of pictures. Without a doubt, one of the best things to do in Como is to take the funicular.

You will travel along the via V. Emanuele, Como's famous main street, which will take you to the Basilica of San Fedele and its accompanying square. One of the most iconic features of this place is that you can still see some houses dating back to the 15th and 16th centuries, and your guide will tell you all about their history.

Interesting details

• Price: This experience can cost around 50 euros per person.
• Duration: It will take you around 2 hours to complete the whole tour.
• Means of transport: The whole tour is on foot, but to get to the meeting point you can travel by private car or public transport, at your own expense.
• Advantages of this option: The experienced tour guide is included. Entrance to some of the monuments you will visit in the city is also included.
• Disadvantages of this option: No drinks, meals or snacks are included. The weather must be fine for this tour to take place.

During this private experience, a tour guide will take you and your group around the city of Como and also through the villages around the lake to see some of the most beautiful sights of the lake.

You'll enjoy panoramic views of Lake Como as the local guide tells you all you want to know about the region and its features. When visiting the lakeside villages, your guide will tell you amusing and curious anecdotes about the history, traditions and gastronomy of the region.

As you will have the opportunity to taste some of the typical Italian dishes, you may want to attend one of the best cooking classes in Lake Como afterwards to learn how to cook them.

The best thing about this route is that it is methodically planned to visit only the highlights of the area, without leaving out popular sites such as Bellagio and Cernobbio. And if you want to customise the experience according to your interests, you can do that too.

Interesting details

• Price: This experience can cost around 550 euros per group of up to four people.
• Duration: It can take between 7 and 8 hours to do the whole tour of the area.
• Means of transport: The tour is done in two parts, one part by car and one part by ferry.
• Advantages of this option: You will have access to an air-conditioned vehicle, as well as the ferry ride. The company of the tour guide with his accurate commentary is included.
• Disadvantages of this option: Not wheelchair friendly. Drinks and tastings are not included.

This is not only one of the best walking tours, but also one of the best boat trips on Lake Como because it captures the spirit of the region in the eight hours it takes to tour.

The experience begins in Varenna, one of Lake Como's villages, which your local guide will take you on a walking tour, before continuing on to Bellagio. In the middle of the experience, you will make a touristic stop at an olive oil factory, where you will taste special dishes of the region, as well as cured meats and wine.

Later on you will disembark at the luxurious Villa del Balbianello, where you will learn many interesting facts about the golden age of the region. At the end you will be invited to share a traditional lunch of Italian flavours, in a restaurant located right in front of the lake.

Interesting details

• Price: To participate in this experience, you will have to pay approximately about 440 euros per group of up to 4 people.
• Duration: The entire tour lasts approximately 7 hours.
• Means of transport: The whole experience is partly on foot and partly on board a boat.
• Advantages of this option: Entrance fees are included, as well as wine tasting, lunch tasting and activities to do. The company of the tour guide is also included.
• Disadvantages of this option: It is not a wheelchair friendly experience. Meals are not included outside the tour package.

Hop on the back of a motorbike and let yourself be amazed by the experience in the company of your tour guide, in the middle of a completely personalised tour according to your needs and interests.

It's a trip you can do in a single day or choose to do over several days to ride along the lakefront roads into the Italian and Swiss Alps, taking in each of the villages along the way. This is not only a great tour of the lake, but also one of the best excursions from Lake Como to go beyond the lake.

In addition, the local guide will recommend the best places to eat, drink and swim around Lake Como. If you love to mix tranquillity with adrenaline, you will love to have a coffee and lunch in unconventional places.

Interesting details

• Price: This experience costs approximately 500 euros per person.
• Duration: It can take between 5 and 6 hours to complete the experience, if you do it on your own in one day.
• Means of transport: The whole experience is completed on a motorbike.
• Advantages of this option: The tour includes helmets, jackets and gloves. Fuel is also covered.
• Disadvantages of this option: It is not a wheelchair friendly experience.

This tour on the lake will take you aboard the Navicella del Lario, which is a kind of traditional Venetian taxi that is kept moored on Lake Como. It is available to tourists for private tours of the lake for up to seven people. Its interior is made of wood and leather, so the wooden boat alone is an attraction to see.

The boat's captain will take you on this beautiful boat, taking you to the places you want to see during the tour, which is completely flexible according to your and your group's interests. You will be picked up at Lake Como to be taken on an incredible sensory experience, because from the boat you will be able to appreciate the lake landscape in all its splendour.

Your tour guide, who is the captain of the boat, will tell you interesting anecdotes about the different villages that stand on the shores of Lake Como, he will also tell you everything you need to know about the culture, history and traditions of the Lombardy region, all this while you have the opportunity to take pictures of everything you see.

Interesting details

• Price: You can pay up to €1,200 for groups of up to 7 people.
• Duration: The entire tour lasts approximately 4 hours.
• Means of transport: The whole tour is done by boat.
• Advantages of this option: Umbrellas and blankets are included in case of bad weather, so the experience takes place regardless of the weather. On board you can enjoy fresh drinking water, other beverages and food, provided you make a prior request. Assistance animals are welcome.
• Disadvantages of this option: This is not a wheelchair friendly experience. No food or beverages are included beyond those highlighted in the experience.

On this experience you will walk through the entire historic centre of Como accompanied by a certified professional guide, who will tell you all about the history and cultural features that are evident in the town of Como. This is one of those experiences that I would include on my list of things to do in Lake Como in one day.

You'll also stroll through the pretty streets of the town, while you'll be able to take countless photos at each of the most Instagrammable spots in the area. Plus, you' ll get to enjoy the beautiful scenery around Lake Como up close, getting to know this region like a local.

The best thing about this experience is that it is private and you will be able to coordinate with the tour guide which places you want to visit during the walk. Among the sites not to be missed on this tour are the medieval walls, the Romanesque and Baroque churches, as well as Piazza Volta and Piazza Duomo with the Town Hall.

Interesting details

• Price: You can enjoy this experience at an approximate cost of 170 euros per person.
• Duration: It can take around 2 hours to complete the tour.
• Means of Transport: The entire tour is on foot, but you will need to make your own way to the meeting point.
• Advantages of this option: Headphones are included for up to 10 participants. The tour guide is included and any language can be selected.
• Disadvantages of this option: Transfer to and from the hotel or accommodation is not included, but can be arranged for an additional charge.

On this itinerary of Como, you will be accompanied by a tour guide to walk around the city and the villages around the lake. One of the things you'll enjoy most about this tour is walking through the old town, where your tour guide will tell you about the history of silk in the town.

At some point along the way, you'll stop at Villa Olmo to explore it, just before taking the funicular up to Brunate, where you'll have time to take plenty of photos of the panoramic views of the lake. There you will also tour the town of Brunate on foot and learn first-hand about its history.

Interesting details

• Price: You will have to pay around 215 euros per person.
• Duration: It will take you between 6 and 8 hours to complete this experience.
• Means of transport: You will need to walk and take the funicular to complete the journey.
• Advantages of this option: Entrance fees to Villa Olmo are included as well as the funicular. You can customize the tour to suit your interests. It is a private experience.
• Disadvantages of this option: Not suitable for people suffering from heart conditions or other similar medical problems.

On this tour of the lake and its villas you will learn how, since Roman times, this town has become a place of leisure for the wealth y and the aristocracy, so it is not a destination for mass tourism.

During this exclusive guided tour you will discover the artistic treasures around the lake such as Villa del Balbianello, Villa Erba, Villa Melzi d'Eril and Villa Carlotta. The gardens of these villas are an incredible attraction on their own. Your guide will help you learn about the architecture and landscape of the area.

Details of interest

• Price: You can find this experience from 715 euros per person.
• Duration: It will take you up to 8 hours to complete this experience.
• Means of transport: The tour is done in a private car with all the comforts.
• Advantages of this option: Tour guide with accurate commentary is included. It is an exclusive tour.
• Disadvantages of this option: Meals and drinks are not included in the booking price.

This is an independent tour where you can enjoy the attractions of Lake Como on your own. You will rent a kayak for two hours on your own, without guides and without groups.

Before setting off, an expert will give you some tips on how to get out and explore the lake and its surroundings. You'll be able to stop whenever and wherever you want, and focus only on the places along the shore you want to see. This is definitely a tour to include among the things to do in Lago di Como in summer.

Details of interest

• Price: You can experience this tour for a price starting at 45 euros per person.
• Duration: You can enjoy this tour for no more than two hours.
• Means of transport: The whole tour is done by kayak.
• Advantages of this option: A waterproof bag for your belongings is included, as well as a life jacket. The start time is flexible.
• Disadvantages of this option: No tour guide or maps are included.

If there's one visit you can't miss during your tour of Lake Como, it's the local market. On this tour, a tour guide will take you through the Como Farmers' Market to get to know the real traditional flavours coming from the hands of small local producers.

In addition to that, you will have the opportunity to get to know the work of small farmers and producers who maintain the artisan work, following their traditions of producing and selling their food, so more than a gastronomic experience, it is a deep look into the reality and traditions of the local producers.

Details of interest

• Price: You can enjoy this experience for approximately 70 euros per person.
• Duration: It will take you between one and a half to two hours to complete the experience.
• Means of transport: The whole tour is completed on foot. You will have to get to the meeting point on your own.
• Advantages of this option: You can take prams. You will be accompanied by a tour guide at all times.
• Disadvantages of this option: Tastings, drinks and meals are not included. No transfer to and from the hotel or accommodation is provided.

• It is important to keep your feet rested, especially when you are on a walking tour.
• Make sure you dress for the weather, as in winter, the cold can cause discomfort.
• Try to talk to your tour guide before you go on the experience to find out what you need to bring.