Trip info
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On foot, by public transport
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4-10 hours
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English, German, French, Italian, Vietnamese -
Easy
Overview
Your expert local tour guide & driver will show you the best parts of Lake Como, including many hidden secrets you can’t find easily on your own. On this road trip by private car, you will be able to see a lot of sightseeing points within a short timeframe. Apart from explaining the sightseeing points your guide can provide insight into the history and culture of the region and the country Italy in general. The focus of this tour is to see the area like a local. However, this private tour can be customised according to your wishes. Sightseeing points to visit can be agreed upon in advance or discussed when meeting up.
Highlights
- Explore plenty of hidden secrets and feel like a local
- See the main sightseeing places at Lake Como such as Bellaggio
- Explore hidden secrets such as the villages Pigra and Nesso
- Unlimited km of driving included
- Fully customizable itinerary
Itinerary
Como is a historic city located at the southwestern tip of Lake Como. It is renowned for its stunning lake views, elegant villas, a beautiful Gothic cathedral (Duomo di Como), and charming old town streets. The city serves as a main gateway to exploring the picturesque towns and landscapes around the lake, with regular ferry connections.
Admission: Free
Bellagio is famously known as the “Pearl of Lake Como,” situated at the point where the lake divides into two branches. It is celebrated for its picturesque cobblestone streets, charming shops, colorful houses, and elegant villas with beautiful gardens like Villa Melzi and Villa Serbelloni. Its central location makes it easily accessible by ferry from various points on the lake.
Admission: entry to the town is free; specific villas or attractions may have fees
Varenna is considered one of the most beautiful towns on Lake Como, known for its vibrant, pastel-colored houses clinging to the hillside, narrow alleyways, and breathtaking lake views. Key attractions include the charming waterfront, the gardens of Villa Monastero, and the ancient Castello di Vezio perched above the town. It offers a more tranquil atmosphere compared to Bellagio.
Admission: entry to the town is free; specific villas or attractions may have fees
Comacina Island is the only island on Lake Como, historically significant and known for its artists’ houses and a charming trattoria. Lido di Ossuccio is a perfect place for swimming, a popular public beach area on the mainland near the island, offering clear waters and stunning views of the island and the lake.
Admission: Comacina Island has a small entry fee for the archaeological park and Artists’ Houses (approx. 7 EUR); Lido di Ossuccio is free
Villa Carlotta is a magnificent villa and museum located in Tremezzina, famous for its stunning botanical gardens that bloom vibrantly in spring with rhododendrons and azaleas. The villa itself houses important artworks and sculptures from the 18th and 19th centuries, offering a glimpse into a bygone era of aristocratic life on Lake Como.
Admission: 15 EUR for adults
Villa del Balbianello is an iconic villa located on a wooded promontory overlooking Lake Como, known for its elegant terraced gardens and breathtaking views. It gained international fame as a filming location for movies such as “Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones” and “Casino Royale.” The villa is managed by FAI (Fondo Ambiente Italiano) and offers guided tours of its interiors and gardens.
Admission: 14 or 25 EUR for adults depending on garden or full access (including the interiors of the villa)
Menaggio is a lively lakeside town located on the western shore of Lake Como, offering good swimming places, a pleasant promenade, and a charming central piazza. It serves as an excellent base for exploring the central lake area and provides various outdoor activities, including hiking and cycling routes into the surrounding hills.
Admission: entry to the town is free; specific attractions may have fees
Argegno is a charming, often-overlooked town on the western shore of Lake Como, known for its picturesque bridge spanning the Telo river gorge and a small, inviting piazza. It offers a more authentic and less touristy experience, with quaint streets and lovely views. It’s also a departure point for the cable car to Pigra.
Admission: Free
Laglio is a quiet and picturesque village on the western shore of Lake Como, famously known as the location of George Clooney’s Villa Oleandra. The village retains a serene and authentic atmosphere, with elegant villas nestled along the lake and narrow streets leading up the hillside. It’s ideal for a peaceful stroll along the lakeside.
Admission: Free
Monte Galbiga offers some of the best panoramic views over Lake Como, stretching from the Swiss Alps down to the southern branches of the lake. It can be reached by car or through hiking trails, providing a breathtaking elevated perspective of the entire region that is often missed by typical lake visitors.
Admission: Free
Pigra is a serene mountain village perched high above Lake Como, accessible by a funicular from Argegno. This tranquil hamlet offers stunning aerial views of the lake and surrounding mountains, providing a peaceful escape from the busier lakeside towns. It’s an ideal spot for a quiet walk and enjoying the scenery.
Admission: Free
Nesso is a very picturesque village on Lake Como, famous for its deep gorge (Orrido di Nesso) where two rivers meet and plunge into the lake, visible from an ancient Roman bridge (Ponte della Civera). The village is characterized by its dramatic natural setting and historic stone houses cascading down to the water.
Admission: Free
The Orrido di Bellano is a spectacular natural gorge and waterfall located in the town of Bellano on the eastern shore of Lake Como. Visitors can explore the deep, narrow canyon via suspended walkways, marveling at the powerful force of the Pioverna river as it carves its way through ancient rock formations.
Admission: 5 EUR for adults
Sormano is a small village in the mountains above Lake Como, primarily known for the challenging “Muro di Sormano” (Wall of Sormano) cycling climb. Driving the scenic mountain pass road at Sormano offers exhilarating views and a taste of the rugged Alpine landscape, away from the lakeside crowds. It’s a journey for those who enjoy winding mountain roads.
Admission: Free
The Chiesa di San Martino is a charming church steep in the cliffs above Lake Como, accessible by a challenging but rewarding 1.5-hour hike from the town of Griante. The hike itself offers breathtaking panoramic views of the central lake area, and the small, ancient church at the top provides a serene spot with unparalleled vistas.
Time to visit: 3-4 hours (including round-trip hike)
Admission: church is free to visit; the hike is a public trail
Cost
Inclusions
- Local tour guide & driver (Italian or expat)
- Itinerary planning (tour is fully customizable)
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- VAT and all taxes
Exclusions
- Food and drinks
- Tickets for attractions that require entry fees such as museums (optional)
- Tips
Important information
- Please note that this is a tour with a local person or expat, not with a tour guide that has detailed historical knowledge.
- This tour will take place rain or shine.
- Please note that for very late bookings (1 day before the tour) we can’t always guarantee a tour guide that speaks your chosen language. If a guide in your language is not available we will give you an English-speaking guide instead. If you can’t accept an English speaking guide, please ask us first if a guide that speaks your language is available before you make the payment.
FAQs
Your guide can meet you wherever you need to be picked up. You can request a pickup point during the booking process. We may not be able to meet you at some locations which are far from the sightseeing points. In such a case, we will suggest you a more suitable meeting point.
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