Boat Tour 6 hours - Pick up from Malgrate

1. Departure from Malgrate – The skyline and the "Matitone"

With the mooring lines cast off, the boat heads out into the Gulf of Lecco, offering a superb overall view of the town squeezed between the slopes of Monte San Martino and the spires of the Resegone:

From the boat: Towering above everything is the neo-Gothic bell tower of the Basilica of San Nicolò, a full 96 metres tall and nicknamed the "Matitone" (pencil) by the people of Lecco for its pointed octagonal shape. From the bow you can clearly make out its massive circular stone base: it stands on the foundations of an ancient bastion of the 15th-century Sforza fortifications, built to defend the port and the town.

2. Along the coast at Malgrate and the Moregallo cliffs

We turn west to graze the western shore:

Malgrate and the Rocca: The historic residences of the refined lakeside promenade file past and, looking up at the rocky ridge above, we spot the austere Castle/Rocca of Malgrate, an ancient medieval stronghold of the Recalcati marquises guarding the routes towards the Adda valley.

The Moregallo cliffs: Civilisation gives way to the harshest, most imposing nature: the boat brushes the vertiginous limestone walls of the Moregallo as they plunge straight into the dark water. A wild amphitheatre, hugely famous among climbers and legendary among divers, drawn to its mysterious depths and sunken wrecks.

3. Sailing north – Onno, Vassena and the charm of Pescallo

Hugging the eastern branch northwards:

Onno and Vassena: Two timeless fishing villages, with clusters of stone houses right at the water's edge.

Pescallo village and harbour: We slow down to glide into the sheltered bay of Pescallo (the eastern quarter of Bellagio). Seen from the lake it is pure poetry: an ancient fishing harbour with moored sailing boats, nets and ivy-covered steps reflected in the calm water.

4. Bellagio and the gardens of Villa Melzi d'Eril

Rounding the watershed point, we enter the magnificent scenery of the Mid-Lake:

The gardens of Villa Melzi: From the water's surface we admire the neoclassical terraces, the Moorish kiosk and the famous English gardens that brush the shore with azaleas, exotic plants and centuries-old cypresses.

Bellagio from the lake: The "Pearl of the Lario" reveals itself from its most famous perspective: the monumental central staircase, the Art Nouveau grand hotels and the majestic Villa Serbelloni crowning the hill.

⏱️ Stop ashore (Option, 1 hour): We dock at the pier so you can stroll among the historic stepped streets (the salite), the craft workshops, the panoramic terraces and the typical cafés.

5. The deepest point and the Tremezzina Riviera

We cross the central basin, cutting through the water:

The deepest point: Sailing towards Tremezzo we cross the abyss of the Lario: Italy's deepest lake reaches over 410 metres here.

Grand Hotel Tremezzo: A magnificent Belle Époque icon (1910) with its ochre Art Nouveau façade and the floating pool "Water-on-the-Water". Loved by heads of state and film stars, Greta Garbo called it "that place full of sunshine and happiness" (the actress made it legendary in the Oscar-winning film Grand Hotel of 1932, and one of the historic suites is named after her); it has also hosted world champions such as Kimi Räikkönen and the Hollywood jet set.

Villa Carlotta: Right next door, we spot the scenic Baroque stairways, the lakeside fountains and the famous 8-hectare botanical park, renowned for its spectacular spring blooms of rhododendrons and azaleas.

6. The wonders of the Tremezzina and Isola Comacina

We glide south-west into the most cinematic and exclusive stretch of the lake:

Villa del Balbianello: The most scenic residence on the Lario, perched on the Lavedo peninsula with its celebrated three-arched loggia and umbrella-pruned holm oaks. It is the famous film set of Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones (the wedding scene between Anakin and Padmé) and Casino Royale with Daniel Craig.

Villa La Cassinella: Accessible only from the lake, famous for its absolute privacy and gardens with perfectly aligned cypresses.

Villa Balbiano: A lavish 17th-century residence at Ossuccio, with Italian gardens and golden jetties, famous for being the main set of Ridley Scott's film House of Gucci.

Isola Comacina and its curse: The lake's only island. A medieval fortress razed to the ground by the men of Como in 1169 and struck by the famous excommunication of Bishop Vidulfo ("The bells shall no longer ring..."), a legend that left it deserted for centuries until the "exorcism coffee" folklore invented by the local inn.

🌊 Alternative stop: The Orrido and the Ponte della Civera at Nesso

(Included if you choose the single-stop option)

The Orrido of Nesso: We point the bow towards the Como shore to admire one of the lake's most spectacular natural gorges. The boat slips into the rocky cleft carved by the Tuf and Nosè streams, which plunge into the lake with a thunderous waterfall. Framing the entrance is the Ponte della Civera: a single-span Romanesque stone bridge with a perfect arch, the set of Alfred Hitchcock's first silent film (The Pleasure Garden, 1925) and today a viewpoint famous for breathtaking dives.

7. Crossing to Varenna – Castle and monumental villas

We cross once again towards the eastern shore:

Varenna from the lake: With its colourful houses stacked against the rock and the walkway jutting out over the water ("the lovers' walk").

The Castle of Vezio: The medieval outpost linked to the legends of Queen Theodolinda, watching over the village from the top of its rocky spur.

Villa Cipressi and Villa Monastero: The terraced botanical gardens of Villa Cipressi and the scenic balustrades of Villa Monastero file past, with almost two kilometres of loggias, sculptures and centuries-old cypresses overlooking the water.

⏱️ Stop ashore (Option, 1 hour): We land at Varenna for a romantic stroll among cobbled lanes, lakeside cafés and flowery corners.

8. Down the eastern shore – Lierna, Villa Aurelia and George Clooney

We begin the return route towards the Lecco branch:

Lierna and Riva Bianca: The crescent-shaped natural bay with its white pebble beach and the remains of the medieval fort right at the water's edge.

Villa Aurelia and the Clooney gossip: We admire Villa Aurelia (Villa Besana), an eclectic Art Nouveau masterpiece with a monumental stone boathouse. The story goes that George Clooney, enchanted by the quiet and privacy of this corner of Lecco territory, made an astronomical offer (rumour had it over 100 million dollars) to buy it, only to be firmly refused by the owning family, determined to guard their own paradise.

9. Mandello del Lario and the beaches of Abbadia

Heading south at the foot of the Grigne:

Mandello del Lario: The legendary home of Moto Guzzi, with its picturesque little harbour dominated by the ancient watchtower.

The beaches of Abbadia Lariana: Broad stretches of pale pebbles lapped by clear, emerald water, animated by sails pushed by the afternoon breeze.

10. The return to Malgrate and the farewell of Saint Nicholas

Heading for the final mooring in the Gulf of Lecco:

The Saint's statue on the water: Near the tip of the Maddalena the boat draws alongside the golden bronze statue of San Nicolò, patron saint of the town and protector of boatmen and seafarers. Positioned at water level on a rock jutting out of the lake, it blesses with open arms those returning from their cruise, sealing 6 unforgettable hours of touring.