Lake Como, mid lake ferry and "attractions"

jules,

I haven't read Rick's "self guided ferry tour", so don't have any information on that. You can easily travel around the lake using the ferries from Varenna. This website provides all the information you'll need - http://www.navigazionelaghi.it/ . That website has a PDF file with the ticket prices, and you can get a one-day pass for the area you want to cover.

The Ferry dock in Varenna is right in front of Albergo Olivedo, and there is a ticket office right there.

Ken, I was on that website, but this time I found the passenger fare tables, thanks. I think the answer is its about 9 euro per loop, and it does look like its HOHO. I think that should be enough info until I get there.

Beautiful vistas:
From the grounds of Villa Balbaniello near Lenno, walk to north side of grounds for incredible views.
In Bellagio, walk out to La Punta and the view of lake and Alps is stunning.

The restaurant at La Punta is also very good.

Rick

I have only used the one-day, 15-euro, "free-circulation," mid-lake (3-zone) pass, which covers as far south as Lenno (but not the next stop for Villa Balbianello; mentioned on p. 235). That's also a result if I request Varrenna to Lenno on their ticket search: http://www.navigazionelaghi.it/biglietti-como.aspx.

The 9-euro, route-specific, circular tickets that I see described on the PDF at http://www.navigazionelaghi.it/doc/pdf/biglietti/como/Passengers%20fares.pdf are for different routes.

Ticket staff in Varenna usually speak enough English to advise you, if you go some time before the boat is due to arrive.

Thank you Laura! That is what I was referring to. I think if the weather is nice (Pleeeeease!) 15 euro, to spend a lot of time on the lake and visiting different spots is a good value.

We are planning a ferry trip in October as well, bu the site I visited appeared to end services on October 6 until the spring. Is this true?

@nwilliams, I see what you are talking about and that is slightly concerning. I sent an email to the ferry company. I would think the ferries would operate in the fall and it could be that they don't load a fall schedule until October. If I don't hear from the ferry company, I might try my BnB or Varenna TI. Thanks for putting this on my radar.

Jules,

I would think the ferries would operate in the fall and it could be that they don't load a fall schedule until October.

You’re correct! There’s a Fall schedule and it will load up in October.

My mom and I stayed in Varenna (a few years back) in early October right around the time the ferry schedule changed.
We did buy the mid-lake ferry day pass and enjoyed visiting some of the lakeside villages ( Menaggio, Bellagio, etc)

Make sure to try a delicious gelato at Gelateria Riva on the lakeside promenade in Varenna.

Have a wonderful trip!

Thank you Priscilla, for your very helpful response! Did you happen to use the ferry to go to Villa Barbianello? It looks like it doesn't go quite that far, but the villa may be just a short walk from the ferry stop? I appreciate the gelato suggestion, that sounds like a must do! Did you visit any of the villas or gardens? I'm trying to really narrow down the activities to the most special, we'd like time for enjoying the ferry and views and also for relaxing on the lakeside with a drink. We are only on Como for about 2 days. Also, any Varenna restaurant suggestions?

Was in Varenna in May of this year. I did the mid-lake ferry pass. Due to lots of rain I didn't do the ferry tour officially but did go to Villa Carlotta & Balbianelo as well as lunch in Bellagio. By the time I had done all 3 I had pretty much completed his mid-lake tour I think.
The ferry dock is a bit of a walk to Balbianelo. You can walk it or take a smaller boat over. His guidebook talks about it. I walked both ways but could see where doing 1 of the legs by boat might be good for photos.
I also 2nd gelato Riva. I think I had it 3 times in a day and a half! Thankfully I walked a lot!

We were in Varenna this past April, and toured Villa B. It's a great 1 hour tour , and the morning ferry to Lenno was delightful. We walked to the Villa, about .5 mile, and then took the speedboat back to the Lenno ferry dock, as we'd been on our feet a lot by then. The speedboat was fun, and we got some incredible shots of the Villa from the water. See if you can frame your photo with the water splash from the speedboat.
Our one mistake was coming back to Varenna on a Sunday afternoon. The return [almost full] ferry was huge and took forever to un/load passengers, so our trip back seemed to move at a snail's pace.
I liked RS' idea to go the furthest from Varenna first, [Lenno], then work your way back by stopping in Bellagio, etc.
You will have a wonderful time in this beautiful area.
Safe travels!
.

When we were in Varenna in May of last year we hired the Varenna Boat Taxi to give us a tour of the mid Lake region. We also chose the tour that included the trip to Villa Balbianello. We were dropped off at the dock of the villa and picked up afterwards to return to Varenna. You can investigate their info online at www.taxiboatvarenna.com.

We have gone by ferry to Lenno to access Villa Balbaniello.
Two options: After getting off ferry head by foot to the peninsula just south of Lenno docks and walk out through the forest on an easy path to the Villa. Or hire a water taxi that is in Lenno at the docks to take you there.
We usually have lunch in Lenno when we go to VB. We toured the actual villa one time bit the real sight to see is the expansive grounds with awesome views.
There is no need for private transport out to Lenno.

Hi Jules,
Oops! I hadn't returned to this thread and just realized that I didn't reply to your last question. Sorry...

Since Varenna was our last destination (at the end of our two week trip), my mom (87 at the time) was too tired to do much sightseeing. [We did not visit Villa Balbianello]

I'd wanted to visit Villa Carlotta, but when my mom saw the many steps leading to it's entrance she changed her mind, so we didn't get off the ferry and went to Bellagio instead.

We mainly enjoyed the beautiful scenery while strolling on the lakeside promenade, eating gelato, and visiting the lakeside villages from the ferry.

The day we arrived was a beautiful sunny day, and we took the ferry (bought the mid-lake day pass) and toured the lake before disembarking in Bellagio. We had fun browsing through some of the shops, and enjoyed a delicious lunch at a Ristorante BabaYaga in the historic center.
After lunch, we walked along Via Eugenio Vitali to Parchetto della Punta, a small park at the tip of Bellagio with magnificent views of the lake.

On our last day, we ferried to Bellagio, then took a bus to the city of Como. The bus to Como was enjoyable as it offered a bird's eye view of the turquoise lake below. When we arrived to Como, it began to rain so we found refuge in the beautiful cathedral. We also enjoyed the most delicious pizza of our trip at Locanda Barbarossa which was packed with locals. Our table was near the pizza oven and we were mesmerized by the aroma and the sight of the various pizzas coming out of it.

Wishing you a wonderful trip!