What to do in a day on Lake Como? Rent a boat and set off from Bellano

Short on time at Lake Como? If you’re looking for a truly special experience, hiring a boat and departing from Bellano is a brilliant choice: fewer queues and more time on the water. This itinerary will guide you through some of the most captivating spots, with practical tips and suggestions from someone who has already done it.

Boat hire, taxi boat or public ferry?

The public ferry service is very handy—you can find timetables and prices on the Navigazione Laghi portal—but it may not be the best option if you want extra peace, comfort and flexibility. If you’re visiting Lake Como in the warmer months, I recommend spending a day on a boat like I did. Not only will you see villages from the lake, getting close to villas and the most photogenic viewpoints for hundreds of pictures, but you can also enjoy the thrill of a swim in the lake’s clear water. It’s also a great way to try a bit of water sport, like waterskiing!!

Taxi boat or self-drive boat hire?

It depends: do you want the reassurance and certainty of seeing the lake’s top highlights with an experienced guide, or more adventure and independence? Here are two options I found in Bellano—both excellent.

Bellano Water Taxi offers skipper-led tourist hire with brand-new boats that are unique in their category.

The “classic Venetian-style taxi boat”, with elegance, space and comfort that’s hard to match—ideal for family outings, groups and couples. Advance booking required.

Sailing Garage in Bellano offers new, easy-to-handle boats for every need, from couples to families.

They also provided me with a detailed guide so I could head straight to the most interesting destinations on the lake. Advance booking required.

A day on a boat on Lake Como: itinerary from Bellano

If you’re looking for a unique Lake Como experience, hiring a boat and leaving from Bellano is a perfect choice. This itinerary will take you through some of the most fascinating places, with practical tips and suggestions based on first-hand experience.

Departure: Bellano and the charm of its small marina

Bellano is a great starting point for your boating adventure. Its small harbour is well equipped and lets you hire a boat easily—even without a boating licence (depending on the boat’s engine). Before you set off, make sure you have sunglasses, sun cream, a cap, water, a sweatshirt (if you decide to stay out into the evening) and a camera to capture every moment.

Stop 1: Varenna – 15 minutes of cruising

Your first destination is Varenna, one of the lake’s most romantic villages. In about 15 minutes cruising south, you’ll reach this gem of colourful houses, narrow lanes and the famous Lovers’ Walkway. Here you can stop for a coffee with a lake view or visit Villa Monastero with its beautiful gardens. You can moor comfortably at the tourist dock.

Stop 2: Menaggio – 20 minutes from Varenna

Continuing west, in about 20 minutes you’ll reach Menaggio, an elegant town with a lovely lakeside promenade for a short stroll—or you can simply admire it from the boat. From the water you’ll enjoy spectacular views of the mountains and the historic villas dotted along the shore. Just a few minutes by boat from Menaggio is Villa Carlotta, one of Lake Como’s most famous villas. From the lake you can admire its botanical gardens, rich with exotic flowers.

Stop 3: Villa del Balbianello – 25 minutes from Menaggio

Cruising further south, you’ll come across one of the lake’s most iconic sights: Villa del Balbianello. Famous as a film location for Star Wars and 007 – Casino Royale, it’s a real treat to admire from the water—without the crowds.

Stop 4: Isola Comacina – 10 minutes from Villa del Balbianello

Continuing south, another unmissable stop is Isola Comacina, the only island on Lake Como. Here you can pause for a swim in its crystal-clear water or have lunch in one of the local restaurants (booking recommended).

Stop 5: Cruising towards Bellagio – 40 minutes

On the way back, heading north, you’ll pass Bellagio, known as the “Pearl of Lake Como”. The village deserves a dedicated visit, so I chose simply to admire it from the water, captivated by Villa Melzi and its enchanting gardens.

Stop 6: On the way back, stop at Fiumelatte – 20 minutes

If you have time, you can stop at Fiumelatte—or simply admire it from the lake as I did. Fiumelatte is a small stream known as the shortest in Italy, with foaming white water that even gave the village its name.

Arrival back in Bellano – 20 minutes

End the day with an evening cruise back to Bellano. Sunset on Lake Como is magical, with the sky’s colours reflected on the water. Once back in Bellano, you can have dinner at one of the local restaurants before calling it a day.

“Spending a day on a boat on Lake Como, starting from Bellano, is a special experience that combines freedom, breathtaking views and the chance to explore enchanting lakeside villages. After choosing between a taxi boat with a skipper or a self-drive hire, the itinerary takes you to Varenna, with its romantic Lovers’ Walkway, and to elegant Menaggio on the water’s edge. Next comes the striking Villa del Balbianello, followed by a stop at Isola Comacina for a swim in crystal-clear water, and a pass by Bellagio, the ‘Pearl of the Lake’. On the way back, Fiumelatte offers a distinctive glimpse of its foaming stream. Returning to Bellano at sunset rounds off the day with spectacular colours mirrored on the lake, before a relaxed dinner by the shore.”