Small-Group Lake Como & Lugano: 2 Countries in 1 Day, Boat Cruise
Description
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. Stroll the calm lakefront and taste real Swiss chocolate. And when summer weather allows, the crystal-clear alpine water is yours for a swim. No driving, no planning, no chasing trains. Just one effortless day, two countries, two lakes — handled for you.
Tour Options
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.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- 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.
Reviews(1,350)
When planning our trip to Italy, I knew I wanted to include a quick visit to Switzerland. We had originally booked the Bernina (Alps) train excursion, but decided we'd rather spend less time on a bus and more time actually exploring. Choosing this tour was absolutely the right decision! Our guide, Amato, was incredibly knowledgeable, and his communication before and throughout the trip was top-notch. Even though we experienced some rain in Lake Como, it didn't take away from the beauty or the experience. Lugano was even more stunning than we imagined, and our only regret is that we didn't have more time to explore. On our return to Milan, there was an unexpected rail line issue that could have easily turned into a stressful situation. This is where Amato truly went above and beyond. He quickly found an alternate way to get everyone back as efficiently as possible, all while keeping us informed and calm. It couldn't have been an easy task, and I'm so grateful we weren't trying to navigate that situation on our own. This tour was one of the highlights of our vacation. If you're looking for a well-organized day trip with an outstanding guide, I highly recommend it!
A great day out. Our guide, Naji, made wonderful recommendations for lunch, gelato, chocolate and more. On an abnormally hot day she ensured we had plenty of options to keep topped up with water and find shade. All the logistics ran perfectly to plan. The locations to visit were beautiful. A perfect day out from Milan to see Como (Italy) and Lugano (Switzerland).
Our tour guide Chiara was informative and highly knowledgeable. The small group travelled to Lake Como and Torno then continued on to Lugano. All places were absolutely spectacular. Highly recommend this tour. Would do it again!
Naji was a fantastic guide! So knowledgeable & great recommendations. Learnt so much & had such a wonderful day!
Great experience. Very well organized. Perfect amount of time on our own to explore the various cities. Barbara was very knowledgeable and friendly.
Monica is a very knowledgeable and friendly guide, she made our day exploring Como and Lugano very special! I highly recommend this small group experience, it all ran smoothly.
Great trip! Monica was an exceptional tour guide who was very knowledgeable and friendly. She really made a big difference in our trip and was happy to answer any questions we had. Would certainly be happy to book again in the future, was wonderful to see some less touristy places.
Monica took us around and was a cool guide. We enjoyed the experience and Lugana could have been a longer stay.
I dont understand why we wasted so much time going to Lugano...it was very little time in Lake Como...I´m guessing it was the first tour the guide gave...
Fabulous tour! Andy was amazing- gave us a ton of information and gave us plenty of time to enjoy- it’s was just organized enough to be able to fully relax without any stress. Highly recommend! Lugano and Como are both beautiful!
