Milan is one of Italy’s oldest and most influential cities that rose to power without access to water. However, taking a boat tour in the city and nearby destinations is not only possible, it’s also informative, fun and takes you through breathtaking scenery.

Relax on a canal tour through Milan, spend some time on Lake Como, or even head to the Mediterranean coast for a day in Cinque Terre. Your choices for boat tours in Milan may convince you to take more than one!

Here's all you need to know about boat tours, one of the most mesmerizing outdoor activities in Milan.

What are the best boat tours in Milan?

Navigli boat tours

Lesser known for canals than its neighbor on the Adriatic, Milan has its own network of man-made waterways that served as transportation since the 12th century plus entertainment in more recent years - the Navigli canals.

Explore the most interesting venues in Milan that sit at the canals’ edges like the Church of San Cristoforo, the Alley of the Launderers, Santa Maria delle Grazie and a DaVinci-designed navigation basin called “la Conchetta.”

Sip an aperol spritz or wine as views of the pastel railing houses and the entertainment districts enthrall you.

Lake Como boat tours

A 40- to 60-minute ride north from Milan is Italy’s third-largest lake. A magnet for the rich and famous, Lake Como’s idyllic setting leaves no confusion about why it's been a celebrity getaway for centuries. With sparkling waters, charming towns and striking mountains, you will surely fall in love with the area as well.

Meet your guide in the morning to head out of Milan by coach or train. Take in Italy’s alpine foothills, rolling vineyards and ancient villages as your guide points out landmarks. Listen to the backstory of this legendary land until you alight at Como, your boarding point for the cruise.

Most excursion start with a walking tour of Como, a town often overlooked in favor of more glittery locales like Bellagio or Lugano. Your guide will lead you to the town’s highlights like Como’s fortified walls and Piazza San Fedele’s 12th century basilica.

After your guided walking tour, take advantage of free time in Como. If your tour includes funicular tickets, board the cable car to the hilltop village of Brunate. If you have time, wander the village’s picturesque lanes and wooded lanes before heading back to the shore for your boat ride.

Lunch is also available for purchase on most boats. Skirt the shoreline, spying palaces, stony villages and islands against a backdrop of the snow-peaked Alps.

Most boat tours take place on ferries, but some tours have upgrade options for a private boat tour. Snap your fill of photos and absorb yourself in your guide’s commentary.

Private boat tours

Luxuriate in round-trip road transportation that you share only with your people of choice. Speed north to Como for a walking tour before your boat tour. Enjoy a budget-friendly experience with a group tour that offers upgrades for private boat rides, or reserve your outing just for you and your favorite people.

How much do boat tours in Milan cost?

Navigli boat tours cost from €20 per person to €30 per person for a 1-hour tour. Higher-cost excursions provide one alcoholic beverage and hors d’oeuvres.

Lake Como boat tours cost around €95 per person, and private Lake Como tours cost from €155 per participant for a group tour of Como and a private boat ride up to €1,200 per person for a private guided tour with 2-hour cruise.

What is included?

Navigli cruises include a live or audio guide to enhance what you see, and deluxe or sunset cruises serve one alcoholic beverage per person and antipasti.

Lake Como boat tours combine round-trip transportation to Como, a guided walking and boat tour. Some tours will lend you a headset to hear your guide’s narration.

Where does it start?

Navigli boat tours meet in front of the Alzaia Naviglio Grande Hotel and start on the Naviglio Grande. Lake Como boat tours that travel to the town of Como by coach meet at the Milan Visitor Center in Milano Centrale Train Station. Lake Como boat tours that travel by train meet at the central station as well.

Lake Como cruises with walking tours meet at either the Piazza IV Novembre or Piazza della Scala. Some private tours will pick you up from Milan hotels, while others ask that you meet at Piazza IV Novembre or at Milano Centrale Station if you are traveling by train.

How long does it last?

Navigli boat tours last 45 to 60 minutes, and cruises on Lake Como last from 1 to 2.5 hours. Excursions to Lake Como last a total of 8 to10 hours. They entail around 2 hours of round trip transportation from Milan and spend up to 2 hours at each stop.

When is the best time for a boat tour in Milan?

Navigli boat tours are a great way to begin your visit to Milan. Learn the city’s rich backstory, see major attractions and ask your guide for suggestions on how best to fill the rest of your stay in town. Navigli tour boats feature covered as well as open seating areas, comfortable in any weather.

Lake Como boat tours can be pleasant at any time of year. During the summer season, some private tours lead you to ideal swimming spots. Spring and fall can be nice times to avoid crowds. Winter is an unexpected season to visit. The lake never freezes, and you will have little competition for tickets on guided tours.

Are there any combo available with boat tours in Milan?

Cinque Terre day trip plus boat tour

The five medieval villages of Cinque Terre have clung to rocky cliffs above the sea for centuries and have enchanted visitors for nearly as long.

Avoid a complicated train trip or renting a car by booking a tour that makes the 3-hour journey from Milan to Monterosso del Mare. Take guided tours of the five villages on a cruise that makes stops at each locale.

Lake Como boat tours plus walking tours

Squeeze a bit more of Lake Como’s marvels into your day tour by making stops at Como and villages like Bellagio, Varenna, Isola Comacina and/or Lugano, Switzerland.

What happens in case of bad weather?

Boat tours in Milan will be canceled if weather conditions are unsuitable, and you can reschedule your trip or get a refund.

Which other outdoor activities can be done in Milan?

Travel tips

Bring a state-issued photo ID.
If you suffer seasickness, consider taking medication 1 hour before your boat trip.
Wear smart casual clothing and shoes that are appropriate for several hours of walking.
Carry a charged smartphone and headphones to download and access audio guides.

Boat Tours in Milan