A beloved promenade landmark at the southern shore of Lake Como, the Fountain of Viale Geno marks the elegant lakefront boulevard where locals and visitors gather to stroll and take in sweeping views of the water. It's the perfect departure point for a sunset boat tour, offering a gentle introduction to Como's charming lakeshore atmosphere.

Perched dramatically on the hillside above the lake in the small village of Blevio, Villa Troubetzkoy is a stunning 19th-century residence named after the Russian aristocratic family who once owned it. Viewed from the water, its neoclassical façade and lush terraced gardens tumbling down toward the lake make for one of the most picturesque sights on the Como shoreline.

One of the most enchanting medieval villages on Lake Como, Torno clings to the steep eastern shore with its narrow cobblestone lanes, pastel-coloured houses, and ancient church of Sant'Agata. The village is famed for its historic silk-weaving heritage and offers beautiful views across the water — a quintessential glimpse of traditional Larian life.

Set within a converted 19th-century villa on the Blevio hillside, the Mandarin Oriental is one of the most prestigious luxury retreats on Lake Como. Its elegant architecture, infinity pool seemingly hovering over the water, and manicured grounds are a spectacle of refined Italian elegance when admired from the lake — a true jewel of the Como Riviera.

A magnificent private villa nestled in the village of Moltrasio, Villa Fontanelle is celebrated for its breathtaking setting and lush botanical gardens that cascade down to the water's edge. Once a favoured retreat of international celebrities and dignitaries, the villa embodies the timeless glamour and old-world luxury that has drawn the world's elite to Lake Como for centuries.

One of the most iconic grand hotels in the world, Villa d'Este has welcomed royalty, heads of state, and luminaries since the 16th century. Its grand Renaissance façade, mosaic-tiled floating pool, and immaculate Italian gardens are legendary. From the water at sunset, the villa's golden stone glows magnificently — an unmissable highlight of any Lake Como experience.

Built in the late 19th century and famously associated with director Luchino Visconti, who spent his childhood summers here, Villa Erba is a grand historic estate on the shores of Cernobbio. Today it serves as a prestigious events and exhibition centre, but its sweeping waterfront, ornate architecture, and romantic parkland remain as captivating as ever when seen from the lake.

One of the most celebrated neoclassical villas in Lombardy, Villa Olmo stands proudly on the western shore just outside Como's city centre. Built in the late 18th century, its grand white façade, symmetrical design, and beautifully landscaped English-style gardens stretch along the waterfront. The villa has hosted luminaries including Napoleon Bonaparte and the future Emperor Franz Joseph I of Austria.

A rare and charming sight along the lake, the Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia is one of the very few football stadiums in the world with a direct waterfront location, its stands running right alongside the lakeshore. Home to Como 1907 — currently enjoying a celebrated return to Serie A — the stadium is a fascinating and uniquely Comasque landmark best appreciated from the water.

A neoclassical temple built in 1927 to honour Alessandro Volta, the native son of Como who invented the electric battery. Housing a fascinating collection of the scientist's original instruments and artefacts, the domed white rotunda sits serenely on the lakefront promenade. Viewed from the boat, it stands as a proud tribute to one of history's most important scientific minds.

An iconic piece of contemporary public art on the Como breakwater, Life Electric is a striking stainless steel sculpture by Daniel Libeskind, unveiled in 2015 as a tribute to Alessandro Volta. Its dramatic jagged form — suggesting both a lightning bolt and the energy of electricity — catches the light magnificently at sunset, making it a spectacular final flourish as the tour returns to port.