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Lake Como by boat: itineraries and tips for planning your visit
- Holiday Home Delo
- Aug 10
- 6 min read
If there’s one experience we recommend to practically every guest who stays with us, it’s seeing Lake Como by boat. Because it’s simply the best way to truly appreciate what makes the lake so special.
From the deck of a boat, the perspective changes, the villages seem even closer, and you notice details that go almost unnoticed from the road.
In this article, we’ve gathered the itineraries we recommend most often, some practical tips and a few mistakes worth avoiding, so you can experience Lake Como at a more relaxed pace and with fewer surprises.
Table of Contents
What you need to know before booking a boat
Many people think of the boat as simply the most practical way to get from one village to another. In reality, it’s much more than that.
If your only goal were to reach Bellagio or Varenna, driving would probably be the fastest option. The reason we recommend taking the boat is that the journey itself becomes part of the experience.
From the lake, you discover perspectives that you simply can’t see from the road. The villas overlooking the water, small harbors, hillside villages, and mountain silhouettes completely change the way you see the area. It’s one of those cases where the destination matters, but the journey matters almost as much.
Over the years, we’ve seen many guests come back enthusiastic for precisely this reason. They had planned the boat as a simple way to get around and ended up experiencing one of the most beautiful moments of their vacation.
⭐ OUR TIP: Don’t step aboard thinking about “getting there faster.” Instead, take the time to look around, choose the best spot on deck, and let the lake accompany you along the way. That’s what makes this experience truly special.
The Boat Itineraries We Recommend
One of the questions we get asked most often is: “Where is the best place to start?” The answer depends on how much time you have available and what kind of day you want to experience. For this reason, we prefer to divide Lake Como into three main areas, each with its own distinct character.
Central Lake: Bellagio, Varenna and Menaggio
If it’s your first visit, this is probably the itinerary we recommend most often. Some of Lake Como’s best-known villages are concentrated here, and boat connections run frequently throughout the day. You can visit Bellagio, cross the lake to Varenna and reach Menaggio within minutes, creating a flexible itinerary without needing a car.
It’s the ideal route for those who want to see the most iconic villages, wander through the narrow streets, stop for lunch overlooking the lake, and spend the afternoon visiting historic villas or botanical gardens.
If you only have one day available, it’s difficult to find a more complete itinerary.
From Como to Bellagio
Those staying in the southern part of the lake can opt for a longer boat ride, departing directly from Como.
The journey allows you to watch the landscape slowly change: historic villas, small villages overlooking the water, and some of the lake’s most elegant residences come into view before you reach Bellagio.
It’s a route we particularly recommend to those who want to enjoy the journey at a relaxed pace, taking time to appreciate the boat ride itself rather than focusing solely on visiting each village.
Upper Lake: Dongo, Gravedona, Domaso and Cremia
Those returning to Lake Como for a second visit, or preferring to avoid the busiest destinations, are often pleasantly surprised by the Upper Lake.
The atmosphere changes here. The pace is slower, the spaces are wider, and the landscape takes on a different character, shaped by the mountains and small villages that have preserved their authentic charm.
Boat connections also make it easy to explore this part of the lake, stopping in Dongo, Gravedona, Domaso and Cremia.
This is also where our Holiday Home Delo vacation home is located. Many guests choose this area because it allows them to set off each morning on a different itinerary and return in the evening to a more relaxed setting compared with the villages of the Central Lake.
⭐ OUR TIP: If you have at least two or three days available, avoid concentrating everything around the Central Lake. Spend one day visiting the most famous villages, but leave room for the Upper Lake too. It is a lesser-known part of the area, and precisely for this reason it can still surprise those looking for a more authentic and less hectic experience.
How to Plan a Day Trip by Boat Without Feeling Rushed
A boat makes it easy to travel between the different villages around Lake Como, but that doesn't mean you need to stop everywhere. In fact, trying to see everything in a single day can turn a pleasant excursion into a race against the clock.
To really enjoy the experience, we recommend following a few simple rules:
Choose just one area of the lake for the day, such as the Central Lake or the Upper Lake, and avoid constantly moving from one shore to the other;
Plan two or three stops, allowing enough time to explore on foot, stop for lunch, or simply enjoy the views;
Always check the latest schedules before setting off, especially if you're travelling during the low season, when services are less frequent. Official timetables are available on the Navigazione Laghi website;
Leave room for the unexpected. Sometimes the best memories come from a lakeside café, a walk along the waterfront, or a village you discover without having planned it.
This is precisely one of the advantages of travelling by boat: you don't have to follow a rigid itinerary, but can shape your day at a more relaxed pace, stopping wherever a beautiful view or charming village deserves a few extra minutes.
Where to Stay to Plan Your Boat Trips on Lake Como
If you’re planning to use the boat to explore Lake Como, choosing a good base can make your entire holiday much more enjoyable.
Many visitors focus on the most famous towns, but staying in the Upper Lake allows you to enjoy a more relaxed experience, without giving up the opportunity to easily reach the main boat itineraries.
Our holiday home in Cremia is an option we recommend for those who want to explore the lake at a relaxed pace while still enjoying every comfort. Its elevated position offers a beautiful view of Lake Como, while the beaches and piers can be reached within just a few minutes, making it easy to set off on a different excursion each day.
The house is designed for those looking for space, tranquillity, and convenience during their stay:
✅ Open lake view to enjoy the panorama every day
✅ Two bedrooms and two bathrooms, ideal for families or small groups of up to 6 people
✅ Furnished terrace and outdoor space with barbecue for relaxing after your excursions
✅ Private reserved parking, particularly convenient for getting to the different piers
✅ Fully equipped kitchen and spacious rooms, designed for stays of several days
✅ Peaceful location in the Upper Lake, away from the crowds but close to the area's main points of interest
After a day spent travelling by boat, exploring villages, and walking along the lake, being able to return to a quiet place where the view continues to accompany you into the evening really does make a difference.
Discover our holiday home in Cremia!
Check availability now for your stay on Lake Como.
FAQ
How much does a boat trip on Lake Como cost?
The cost of a boat trip on Lake Como varies depending on the route, the type of service, and the duration of the journey. You can check the latest prices and tickets on the official Navigazione Laghi website.
How long does a boat trip on Lake Como take?
The duration depends on the itinerary you choose. A connection between two villages may take just a few minutes, while a more extensive excursion can take half a day or a full day, especially if you plan stops along the way.
Where can you take the boat on Lake Como?
The main departure points are Como, Bellagio, Varenna, Menaggio, Colico, Cadenabbia, and many other villages along the lake. The best port to depart from depends on the itinerary you want to follow.
What are the stops on Lake Como’s boat routes?
The boats connect numerous destinations around the lake, including Como, Cernobbio, Bellagio, Varenna, Menaggio, Tremezzo, Lenno, Dongo, Gravedona, Domaso, and Colico. Available stops vary depending on the route and the season.
How can I take a boat trip around Lake Como?
Simply choose your departure point, purchase your ticket, and check the Navigazione Laghi timetable. For a more relaxed experience, we recommend planning two or three stops and allowing enough time to explore the villages.
What is a good boat itinerary on Lake Como?
One of the most popular itineraries is around the Central Lake, connecting Bellagio, Varenna, and Menaggio. If you prefer a quieter atmosphere, you can explore the Upper Lake, stopping in Cremia, Dongo, Gravedona, and Domaso and alternating time on the boat with visits to the villages.
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