Small-Group Lake Como & Lugano: 2 Countries in 1 Day, Boat Cruise
- 10 hours
- Free cancellation up to 24h before
- Guided in English
- Instant confirmation
Highlights
Visit two countries and two lakes in one day — Lake Como and Lake Lugano — on a small-group tour from Milan, small enough to reach the places big tours can't, with every train, boat, and border crossing handled for you. Skip the selfie crowds and the overrun hotspots. Instead, cruise past the lakeside villas of Gianni Versace, Ocean's Twelve, and John Legend's wedding, then slip into a quieter side of Como most travelers never see — the real village of Torno or Cernobbio, where life moves at its own pace and the tourist trail disappears behind you. After lunch in Como, cross the border into Lugano, Switzerland — a second country, a second lake, all in an afternoon. No driving, no planning, no chasing trains. Just one effortless day, two countries, two lakes — handled for you. In summer, weather permitting, you can enjoy a swim in the crystal-clear alpine waters. The beach is small and rocky, and the lake becomes deep close to the shore. Don't forget to bring a towel.
Inclusions
What's included
- Funicular ride from Lugano train station to city center
- ✅small group ✅ expert tour guide ✅well planned itinerary ✅authentic not crowded places
- 1-hour Lake Como boat cruise with preebooked tickets
- English-speaking local guide
- Free time in Como & Lugano
- Swiss train & Como lake ferry tickets included
What's not
- Optional
- Lunch
Itinerary
Discover the charming town of Como, one of the oldest towns on Lake Como. Walk through the historic center with your guide, learn about the town’s rich past, and hear stories about famous local families, artists, and celebrities connected to Como. Enjoy the elegant lakefront, historic squares, and relaxed atmosphere before continuing your journey.
Pass by Villa Erba during the boat cruise, a historic lakeside villa in Cernobbio featured in Ocean’s Twelve starring George Clooney, and in Lavazza commercials.
View Villa d’Este from the lake, the world-famous luxury hotel in Cernobbio that has hosted Hollywood stars like Greta Garbo, Clark Gable, Frank Sinatra, Elizabeth Taylor, and George Clooney.
Discover the beautiful Swiss city of Lugano, located in the Italian-speaking region of Ticino. Surrounded by mountains and a sparkling lake, Lugano combines Swiss precision with a relaxed Mediterranean atmosphere. Enjoy plenty of free time to stroll along the lakefront, shop in the city center, taste famous Swiss chocolate, or — during summer — take a refreshing swim in the clear waters of Lake Lugano. Learn how Switzerland became one of the most prosperous countries in the world, with insights into its history, economy, and unique way of life.
From Como, embark on a scenic boat cruise and enjoy breathtaking views of Lake Como while passing by some of the most stunning villas along the shoreline. From the water, admire famous villas featured in Ocean’s Twelve and the elegant lakeside villa once owned by Gianni Versace — icons of luxury and international style.
Torno is a small pedestrian village where you can enjoy a peaceful, relaxed stroll. It is never too crowded, giving you time to slow down and experience a typical Lake Como village away from mass tourism. With its cobblestone streets and charming old houses, Torno feels like a step back in time — when daily life was closely connected to the lake, fishing, and local artisanal traditions.
During the boat cruise, admire Villa Le Fontanelle from the lake, the former lakeside residence of Gianni Versace. This elegant villa is one of the most iconic symbols of Lake Como’s luxury lifestyle and international glamour.
Cancellation
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience starts, for a full refund.
Reviews
5.0
- 51,484
- 438
- 39
- 23
- 10
Ratings come from 1,534 reviews collected by our booking partner. They are travellers' own words, in the order they were written — never reordered to flatter the experience.
Showing reviews written in English.
5Amazing!
Absolutely amazing tour! Barbra was amazing! Thank you so much.
5Good value
Very good tour! The full day gave plenty of time to explore Como and Lugano on our own and for our guide to hilight all the most important sites.
5A rainy morning and sunny afternoon
The weather wasn't perfect and I didn't see George Clooney but I had a great time going around Lake Como and Lugano. Pinacoteca Civica - Como was well worth the €6 but, not enough time to see everything. Our tour leader, The Wolf, was very passionate and informative about her home and great to chat to as well. Grazie.
5The full day excursion...
The full day excursion was well worth the time. We were lucky to have had The Wolf as our guide who handled both the logistics and educational aspects in a delightfully engaging manner.
5Fantastic day exploring Lake Como and Lugano with Andre
We had a fantastic day exploring Lake Como and Lugano with Andre! He was friendly, knowledgeable, and made the whole experience fun and enjoyable. The boat cruise was beautiful, and visiting two countries in one day was an amazing experience. Highly recommend Andre and this tour!
5Absolutely perfect tour !
Wow ! This was a great tour. The messaging regarding the meeting place was very clear , no confusion at all. We really liked the blend of small group ( 15 people max ) and individual time planned for the day. The tour guide was Giulia and she was very clear in all her messaging including around meeting times and locations , very personable, considerate and genuine , and provided lots of interesting information. She ensured she had all of us before moving onwards which provided reassurance for sure. All of the locales we visited in Italy and Switzerland were gorgeous and we lucked out on the weather. We also loved that all the transportation utilized public transportation - trains, ferry and brief funicular rides. This provides a great perspective . Note this is about a tour for anyone with mobility issues .
Know before you go
- Meeting point
- Join From Como: Meeting at 9.25 at the train station of como s.giovanni, at the exit, next to the taxi stop
- Pickup
- Everyone meets at the starting point; there is no pickup.
- Ticket type
- Mobile or paper ticket accepted
- Group size
- Up to 12 travellers
- Operated by
- Abroads Tours
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- MEETING TIME: 08:15 at the square in front of the train station
- This tour involves walking on stairs, uneven surfaces, and cobblestone streets. Children should be comfortable walking independently.
- Please remember to bring your original passport (or National ID card for EU citizens). This is required for our international border crossing into Switzerland.
How it compares in Milan
- Its from-price is 57% below the median of the 227 day trips we list in Milan.
- Its length is typical for the group.
- By number of reviews it ranks 7 of 227.
- The operator lists free cancellation on it.
About Milan
Milan is Italy's stylish northern powerhouse of fashion and design, with a soaring Gothic cathedral, Leonardo's Last Supper and canal-side evenings.
The Duomo, a forest of white marble spires and statues that took centuries to complete, dominates the city centre, and its roof terraces put you among the pinnacles. Beside it, the glass-roofed Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II leads to La Scala opera house, and the Sforza Castle holds museums including Michelangelo's final sculpture, the Rondanini Pietà.
Top-ranked sights in Milan: Milan Cathedral (Duomo di Milano), Da Vinci's Last Supper (Il Cenacolo), La Scala (Teatro alla Scala).
Special offers in Milan
Was/now prices come from the operator, never from us.
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