All products are independently selected by our editors. If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.
There are few better ways to experience Lake Como than from the water, where grand villas, historic gardens and elegant lakeside villages reveal themselves from a perspective reserved for those travelling by boat. At Villa d’Este, this tradition has been refined into one of the lake’s most exclusive guest experiences. Departing directly from the hotel’s private pier, the boat experiences at Villa d’Este offer everything from leisurely heritage cruises to exhilarating journeys aboard some of Italy’s most celebrated vessels.
A Fleet Designed for Every Style of Cruise
Rather than offering a single signature boat, Villa d’Este has assembled a diverse collection that reflects the many ways guests choose to explore Lake Como. Whether the occasion calls for a quiet morning on the water, a romantic sunset cruise or a day discovering the lake’s most celebrated landmarks, there is a vessel suited to the experience.
The Vaporina Villa d’Este
Inspired by the motorboats that first appeared on Lake Como during the late nineteenth century, the Vaporina Villa d’Este brings a historic local design into the present day. Naval architect Carlo Bertorello reinterpreted the vessel in collaboration with Cantiere Ernesto Riva, the independent Lake Como shipyard founded in Laglio in 1771.
Its elegant wooden profile preserves the character of the original vaporinas while incorporating contemporary comfort and craftsmanship. Accommodating up to ten guests, it is particularly suited to relaxed sightseeing cruises, allowing families and small groups to enjoy the lake at an unhurried pace while taking in its historic villas and landscaped gardens.
E-next Villa d’Este
Designed by Frers Design and built by Cantiere Ernesto Riva, the E-next Villa d’Este combines contemporary naval design with the Laglio shipyard’s longstanding expertise in wooden boatbuilding. Inspired by the sporting runabouts of the 1960s, its streamlined profile is paired with fully electric propulsion, allowing guests to glide quietly across the lake.
With space for up to four passengers, the E-next is particularly well suited to couples, photography cruises and peaceful excursions along the shoreline. The collaboration between Frers Design and Cantiere Ernesto Riva brings together modern yacht design with traditional Italian craftsmanship in a distinctly contemporary interpretation of Lake Como boating.
Italian Performance by Tullio Abbate
Guests looking to cover more of the lake in a shorter time may prefer one of Villa d’Este’s Tullio Abbate powerboats.
Armonia combines sleek Italian styling with spirited performance, making it ideal for exploring destinations further along the shoreline, while Afrodite balances the same dynamic character with warm wooden detailing that lends itself particularly well to romantic outings. Each accommodates up to five passengers and offers a faster way to experience the lake without sacrificing comfort.
Experiencing Lake Como Aboard an Iconic Riva
Few boats are as closely associated with Lake Como as a Riva. Long regarded as symbols of post-war Italian design, these beautifully crafted speedboats have carried film stars, royalty and discerning travellers for decades, becoming synonymous with the effortless glamour of the Italian lakes.
Villa d’Este’s fleet includes both the contemporary Aquariva and the legendary Aquarama.
The Aquariva combines the marque’s unmistakable styling with modern engineering, making it an exceptional choice for stylish day cruises.
The Aquarama remains one of the most recognisable boats ever built. Introduced during the 1960s, its polished mahogany finish and timeless silhouette continue to define classic Italian luxury. For many guests, stepping aboard an Aquarama is every bit as memorable as visiting the lake’s celebrated villas themselves.
Both vessels accommodate up to six passengers.
Villa d’Este’s Vintage Fleet
Alongside its contemporary collection, Villa d’Este preserves several historic wooden boats that reflect Lake Como’s rich boating heritage. Each represents a different chapter in the evolution of the lake’s iconic watercraft.
Vaporina Cranchi
Built in 1960, the Vaporina Cranchi is a traditional wooden water taxi whose enclosed cabin and elegant proportions recall the passenger boats that once transported visitors between Lake Como’s grand hotels and private villas. Its graceful design lends itself to leisurely cruises that prioritise atmosphere over speed.
Abbate Villa d’Este Super
Custom-built in 1961 for Villa d’Este, the Abbate Villa d’Este Super represents the sporting craftsmanship for which the Abbate family became renowned. Its streamlined wooden hull and low profile capture the optimism of early 1960s Italian boat design while offering guests a distinctive period experience on the lake.
Lucia
Built in 1971, Lucia completes Villa d’Este’s collection of vintage vessels. Its classic wooden construction and relaxed cruising style make it well suited to scenic journeys that celebrate the lake’s timeless character, offering a gentler alternative to the faster performance boats within the fleet.
Tailoring the Perfect Cruise
One of the advantages of Villa d’Este’s private boating programme is its flexibility. Cruises can be tailored around individual interests, whether that means a leisurely circuit of the lake’s grand villas, a long lunch in Bellagio, an afternoon discovering quieter stretches of shoreline or a sunset cruise before returning to the hotel for dinner.
The hotel’s concierge and experienced skippers help shape each itinerary, ensuring every journey reflects the pace and preferences of the guests on board.
Dining on the Water
Villa d’Este extends its renowned hospitality beyond the hotel through a selection of onboard dining experiences.
The Picnic Cruise transforms a leisurely excursion into a private lakeside lunch, with guests choosing from carefully prepared menus accompanied by Champagne or selected Italian wines.
As evening approaches, the Sunset Aperitif offers another memorable way to experience the lake. Handcrafted canapés and chilled drinks are served as the changing light settles across the water, creating an elegant prelude to an evening at Villa d’Este or elsewhere along the shoreline.
The Highlights of Lake Como
Exploring Lake Como by boat offers uninterrupted views of many of its best-known landmarks, several of which are at their most impressive when seen from the water.
Historic Villas
Among the most recognisable is Villa del Balbianello, dramatically positioned on a wooded peninsula and famous for appearances in both James Bond and Star Wars films. Nearby, Villa Carlotta is celebrated for its neoclassical architecture and botanical gardens, while Villa Pliniana rises directly from the cliffs, combining Renaissance history with one of the lake’s most striking settings.
Celebrity Estates
The lake has long attracted high-profile residents seeking privacy. Cruising past Villa Oleandra, George Clooney’s residence in Laglio, offers a glimpse of one of the area’s most recognisable homes. Other notable properties include the secluded Villa La Cassinella, accessible primarily by boat, and Villa Fontanelle, the former home of Gianni Versace.
Elegant Lakeside Villages
Bellagio remains Lake Como’s best-known destination, where elegant hotels, boutique shops and picturesque streets meet at the point where the lake divides into three branches. Across the water, Varenna offers a quieter atmosphere with colourful waterfront buildings and the Passeggiata degli Innamorati, while Menaggio combines a broad lakeside promenade with elegant cafés.
Further south, Torno, Moltrasio and Lenno reveal a more peaceful side of Lake Como, where historic villas, churches and wooded hillsides frame the shoreline.
Legendary Lakeside Hotels
The cruise also showcases some of Italy’s finest hotels. Returning towards Cernobbio, Villa d’Este itself comes into view with its Renaissance architecture, formal gardens and floating pool.
Elsewhere, Passalacqua has become one of Europe’s most acclaimed luxury hotels, while Grand Hotel Tremezzo remains instantly recognisable for its Art Nouveau architecture and floating pool. Il Sereno introduces striking contemporary design to the lakeshore, while Mandarin Oriental, Lake Como occupies expansive gardens overlooking the water near Blevio.
A Defining Villa d’Este Experience
Few hotels on Lake Como can match the breadth, heritage and craftsmanship of Villa d’Este’s private fleet. From heritage wooden launches crafted by Cantiere Ernesto Riva to legendary Riva speedboats and carefully preserved vintage vessels, every boat offers a distinct perspective on one of Italy’s most celebrated lakes.
Whether cruising between historic villas, lingering over an aperitif at sunset or simply enjoying the tranquillity of the open water, these private boat experiences transform a stay at Villa d’Este into an even more memorable way to discover Lake Como.
