Top Lake Como Historical Tours

Many visitors to Lake Como head directly to Bellagio and Villa Balbianello, but the city of Como is rich in history and culture. Take a deep dive into the city’s past during this walking tour that covers its most important highlights in just hours. Learn about the its architecture from ancient Rome through the Rationalists, with insights from your guide at every stop.

Get away from the crowds on land and discover the quieter side of Lake Como on this private sailing adventure. Set sail from Bellagio on an elegant 8.5m-long boat to admire the attractions along the shoreline, including Villa del Balbianello, Villa Melzi, and Villa Carlotta. Sail alongside Comacina Island and drop anchor to dive into the crystal clear waters of the lake or relax on board with music, drinks and snacks.

Lake Como is home to dazzling villas and postcard-perfect villages, but getting around on your own can be confusing. With this private tour, save hours by navigating between highlights with a guide. Reach Villa Balbianello via speedboat for a guided tour of the lavish villa and gardens. Stop for a tasting at the most historic olive oil producer on the lake before a stroll through Bellagio and scenic ferry ride back to Como.

Lake Como sits on the foot of the Alps and offers some of the most beautiful scenery in Italy’s Lake District. Explore the historic city center of Como and walk around its medieval streets. Enjoy a cruise on the lake to Villa d’Este in Cernobbio to explore its exotic gardens. Then, depending on the season, stop at either Bellagio or Brunate to walk around and enjoy a coffee or gelato.

Pedal around Lake Como without breaking a sweat on an e-bike, with a digital tour guide at your disposal. A 3-hour tour with a guide in six languages.

Capture the spirit of Lake Como on a walking tour of Bellagio and Varenna, two of the mid-lake region's most enchanting towns. Stop at a historic olive oil mill to taste one of the region's local specialties, accompanied by cured meats and wine. A Lake Como boat cruise takes you to visit Villa Melzi's lush gardens and the opulent Villa del Balbianello, including a traditional lunch at a lakefront restaurant.

Step into a local's home in Como to learn how to make fresh pasta and a classic tiramisu. In an intimately sized small group of just 12 people, you'll hear the tricks to roll fresh pasta by hand, and create two dishes as you learn about Lombardy food from your Cesarine host — part of a network of home cooks who preserve regional culinary traditions.

Leave the tricky logistics to the experts and enjoy a stress-free day on Lake Como with this private tour. Save hours with hotel pickup and transportation to Bellagio to explore at your own pace. Afterwards, set sail for a boat tour of the lake to admire the villas along the shore, docking in the fishing village of Varenna for a stroll. End at the Castle of Vezio for an aperitivo with a view.

Enjoy a mouthwatering introduction to Italian cuisine on this food walking tour of Lake Como. Get the inside scoop on the town’s foodie scene from a local; sample regional delicacies including a tasting of olive oils and finish the tour with pasta at a charming restaurant. This small-group tour with a maximum of 15 people ensures a personalized experience.

Pasta lovers—prepare to be amazed! This pasta-making class at a Cesarina’s home is the perfect way to learn new skills and taste incredible food too. As it’s a private class, you’ll have direct access to your teacher for questions along the way. Learn the secrets of the region’s most loved pasta dishes, and make three recipes. The best thing about the experience is that you get to eat the food at the end with wine included.

Visit a villa winery in Domaso on Lake Como, and experience an authentic Italian family-run wine estate that’s been nurtured through the generations. Ideal if you’re looking for a Lake Como experience with a difference, the visit includes a tour of the wine cellar followed by an extravagant tasting session. You’ll savor local specialities that have been carefully chosen to complement the wine as you learn about viticulture in the northern Italian region.

Use your time in Como to learn more about wine with a sommelier-led tasting session in the heart of the city. Taking place in an elegant wine shop near Como old town, the wine tasting includes plenty of samples along with all the information you need about each varietal. Nice touch: The group is limited to just 12 people for a more sociable and intimate experience.

The spectacular countryside surrounding Lake Como is ideal for exploring on two wheels, but navigating the rural roads with a map can be a hassle. With this bike tour, take in the rolling hills, picturesque villages, and lush vineyards with a guide for a stress-free ride. Cross the border between Italy and Switzerland to marvel at views over the lake and enjoy the relaxed pace of a small-group tour.

See the sights of Lake Como more intimately, and book a private tour with a local as your guide. You’ll explore the lakeside villages alongside a guide who brings his homeland alive with stories of Lake Como history, traditions, and cuisine. The route is carefully planned to fit in visits to the area's highlights such as Bellagio and Cernobbio, but the day can be customized around your interests, too.

Take a break from the bustle of Como and admire views of Lake Como from above with this mountain biking excursion through the Spina Verde Natural Park. Set off with your guide to pedal out of the city and up the surrounding hills along a panoramic route high over the lake. Follow a trail through chestnut woods and past WWI trenches over the border into Swiss wine country before heading back to Como.

See two picturesque lakeside towns in Italy and Switzerland in a single day with this time-saving guided tour. Begin with a guided tour of Como to take in highlights like the cathedral and old town in just two hours. After free time for lunch, hop on the train to Lugano (own expense) with your guide for a stroll through the center of Lugano. Admire the top sights together and enjoy free time to explore and shop before the return train.

Lake Como is one of the top excursions from Milan; with this tour, visit two beautiful lakeside villages in one day. Stroll through Como’s old town with your guide to learn about landmarks like the cathedral and city walls. After free time for lunch, set sail for Bellagio passing villas and gardens along the way. Enjoy a walking tour and free time to explore this postcard-perfect village before the return ferry trip to Como.

Explore the two top villages on the shores of Lake Como in just a few hours with this Bellagio and Varenna tour. Follow your guide through the streets of Bellagio to take in the town's highlights plus the gardens of Villa Melzi, then hop on the ferry (own expense) to cross to Varenna. Learn about Villa Monastero, the Church of St. George, and other picturesque gems during your second walking tour.

Known as a picturesque lakeside town, Bellagio’s beauty is no secret. But explore it with a guide, and you’ll discover the little-known vantage points and sights that many visitors miss. On this tour, you’ll visit a sleepy fishing harbor where rare Larian gondola boats bob on the water, a park, and a botanical garden. Then, finish up with a gourmet lunch at a Michelin-listed local restaurant.

See the best of Lake Como in a single day with this private tour. Set off via speedboat from Como to Bellagio for a guided walking tour of the old town, including stops at the Basilica of San Giacomo and Punta Spartivento. Then hop over to Varenna by boat to stroll the picturesque lanes before catching the ferry to take in the top villas along the lakeshore from the water.

Take in two of Lake Como’s top sights in a single tour with this combined guided stroll through Como and Villa Balbianello visit. Take in the highlights in Como’s old town like the cathedral and Roman city walls in the morning, followed by a break for lunch (own expense). In the afternoon, hop on a speedboat with your guide and cruise to Villa Balbianello, the most spectacular estate on the lake.

The doors of the Castle will be opened exclusively for you, pick up your favorite time of the day. Would it be an energising walk in the morning? A mysterious visit close to midnight? Or a romantic aperitivo watching the sunset? The choice is yours. The Baradello Castle is the symbol of Como and one of the most important historical monuments in the Lake Como area. Immersed in the green of a protected natural park, it is accessible with a beautiful and easy walk and offers a 360° stunning view from the top of its terrace. Its visit is an unforgettable experience, an incredible immersion in the history, nature, and soul of this area.

Explore the village of Lezzeno and discover its mythical stories on this 2-hour tour. Discover the stories behind the witches of the “Devil’s Bridge,” nestled in the beautiful Alpine scenery. Take a small hike up the mountain path for panoramic views of Lake Como below and the neighboring lakeside villages.

Make the most of your time in Bellagio with this tour that takes you through the highlights and hidden gems without the hassle of a map or guidebook. Explore on foot with your guide, beginning at the Villa Melzi gardens and then continuing to the Borgo di Pescallo. Learn about Bellagio’s history and architecture over lunch (not included), and then dive into the heart of the old town in the afternoon.