Como-Brunate Jeep Sightseeing Tour & Funicular Rail SKIP THE LINE

Brunate gives you the high view of Lake Como without making you walk every steep lane. This two-hour open-top Jeep tour takes you past old villas, small churches, and the Volta Lighthouse, with time for the broad view over Como, the lake, and the Alps.

I like the small maximum of eight people, which keeps the outing quick and personal. I also like the included access to the lighthouse’s panoramic basement, especially for anyone who wants the view without paying for every extra attraction. The main drawback is that the funicular ticket is not included, and the tour’s compact schedule leaves little room for lingering.

• Open-top Jeep access: Reach Brunate’s steep upper streets without turning the outing into a hard uphill walk.
• Small group of eight: Spend less time waiting for people to gather and more time looking around.
• Volta Lighthouse viewpoint: See Como, Lake Como, and the Alps from the basement panorama.
• Liberty villas and old churches: Pass Villa Antonelli, Villino Rubini, Sant’Andrea, and San Maurizio.
• Optional funicular return: Ride down to Como after the tour, but buy the ticket separately.
• Andrea may be your driver-guide: He has been praised for caring for the group and explaining Como well, though the booking details list a driver rather than a separate guide.

Why Brunate is worth the climb

Brunate sits above Como, reached by a steep road and the famous funicular. The village is not a large sightseeing center. Its appeal comes from the combination of quiet lanes, early 20th-century villas, mountain air, and a big open view from above the city.

The open-top Jeep is useful here. Brunate’s streets rise sharply, and the tour lets you cover more ground than you would on foot. You still get out several times, so this is not just a drive-by outing. It is a good middle ground between a walking tour and a private car ride.

The setting also gives the tour a clear theme. Alessandro Volta, the Como-born scientist associated with the electric volt, is remembered at the Volta Lighthouse. The lighthouse was built in 1927 on Mount Tre Croci, and its position makes the final stop the visual high point of the afternoon.

What the $82.21 price covers

At $82.21 per person, this is not the cheapest way to reach Brunate. You can use the funicular independently, then arrange other transport or walk around the village. The price makes more sense if you value transport between scattered sights, a small group, an English-speaking driver, and a planned route.

The included lighthouse basement access matters because it removes one extra charge from the main sightseeing stop. You are also paying for the open-top Jeep, which reaches places that are less convenient on foot.

Still, keep the exclusions in mind. The funicular ticket is not included, food and drinks are not included, and the booking information says a guide is not included, even though an English-speaking professional driver is provided. That wording is worth checking before you pay, especially if you expect a full walking guide rather than commentary from the driver.

The tour caps participation at eight people. For this type of narrow-road outing, that is a useful limit. You are less likely to spend the morning or afternoon waiting for a large group to load and unload.

Starting at Piazza Alcide de Gasperi

The meeting point is Piazza Alcide de Gasperi in Como, near the lower funicular area. This makes practical sense because the route begins in the city and later finishes back at the same meeting point.

Allow a little time to find the exact departure spot. Your confirmation is sent within 48 hours, subject to availability, so read it carefully for the meeting instructions. The tour ends where it begins, which is handy if you have luggage plans, a hotel booking, or another Como activity afterward.

The ride lasts about two hours. That is long enough for several short stops, but not long enough for a slow village wander, a meal, and a full lighthouse visit with every possible extra.

Brunate’s Liberty villas from the Jeep

One of the most pleasant parts of the route comes before the lighthouse. The Jeep passes Brunate’s old village and several 19th-century Liberty villas, including Villa Antonelli and Villino Rubini.

Liberty architecture is Italy’s version of Art Nouveau, with decorative details, curving lines, and a fondness for elaborate façades. You will mainly see these buildings from the road, so do not expect interior visits. The value is in catching the village’s character as you move between the viewpoints.

I like this part because it keeps Brunate from becoming just a lookout stop. The buildings show that the hill was once a fashionable place for summer residences, not merely a transit point to a tower.

Sant’Andrea Church and the older village

The first listed stop is Chiesa di Sant’Andrea Apostolo. The church dates to 1340 and was renovated in the 16th century. You have about 10 minutes here, with no separate admission charge.

Ten minutes is enough for a quick look, not a careful architectural study. You can use the stop to see how modest village churches fit into Brunate’s streets and to pause after the Jeep ride.

The church also gives the tour a useful change of pace. After the decorative villas, you shift to a much older part of the village. The stop is brief, so listen to the driver’s explanation if commentary is offered, and avoid expecting a long guided visit.

The Pissarottino Fountain viewpoint

The next stop is Punto Panoramico di Via Pissarottino, another 10-minute pause. Several Liberty villas appear along the way to the Pissarottino Fountain, adding more architectural detail to the route.

This is one of the places where the small group helps. A large party can crowd a narrow viewpoint or take too long to gather. With no more than eight people, you can get out, take in the view, and return to the Jeep without a long delay.

The exact conditions at the viewpoint can depend on weather and visibility. On a clear day, the elevated position gives you a strong first look toward Como and the lake. In hazy weather, the view may be softer, so keep your expectations tied to the forecast.

San Maurizio and a quiet church stop

Chiesa di San Maurizio is a small church dating from 1592. The scheduled stop lasts about 10 minutes and admission is free.

This is a modest stop rather than a major monument. I would see it as a chance to notice Brunate’s local scale. You are not being rushed through a long list of grand attractions. Instead, you get short glimpses of a hillside village that still has religious buildings, villas, and ordinary streets.

If churches are your main interest, the timing may feel too short. If you prefer a broad outing with several different sights, the stop fits the tour well.

Volta Lighthouse and the main panorama

The Faro Voltiano is the tour’s centerpiece. The 29-meter tower was built in 1927 on the top of Mount Tre Croci to honor Alessandro Volta. From the lighthouse area, you can look over Como, Lake Como, and the Alps.

You have about 25 minutes here, the longest stop on the route. That gives you time to walk to the viewpoint, take photographs, and use the lighthouse’s panoramic basement, which is included in the tour.

Be precise about what is included. The advertised benefit is access to the panoramic basement, not necessarily a climb to the very top of the tower. A separate account of the site describes a 144-step climb and a €2 adult charge, but fees and access can change. If the upper tower matters to you, ask the driver or ticket staff on the day.

The view is the reason to book this experience. You see Como below, the lake stretching through the hills, and the Alps beyond. On a clear day, it is a strong payoff for the ride up. Bring sunglasses and sunscreen in summer. The open position can feel bright, and there is little point in reaching the viewpoint only to discover you forgot basic sun protection.

Returning by funicular or Jeep

The final stop is at the upper funicular station. You have about 10 minutes to look at local shops and buy souvenirs. From here, you may choose to ride the funicular back down to Como, but the ticket is not part of the tour price.

This creates a small planning question. The experience ends back at the meeting point, but the supplied route specifically presents the funicular ride as optional. Confirm with the operator how the return works on your departure, especially if you want to ride down rather than remain with the Jeep.

The funicular is also a useful choice if you want to make the return part of the experience. It gives you a different view of the steep connection between Brunate and Como. If you skip it, budget for the separate fare.

Do not assume the tour includes a meal break. Food and drinks are excluded, and the schedule is only about two hours. Eat beforehand or plan something in Como after the activity.

How the small group changes the experience

A maximum of eight people is one of the best practical features. Small numbers matter on a route with short stops, narrow streets, and a vehicle that needs to keep moving.

You can ask a question without speaking over a bus group. You can also get back into the Jeep promptly after the church and viewpoint stops. That makes the two-hour schedule feel more workable.

The tradeoff is that the tour may feel structured. You are not free to spend half an hour at every villa or church. The route is designed to show you several parts of Brunate, not to provide a long independent visit at one site.

The driver is listed as a professional English speaker. Andrea has been praised for looking after the group and explaining the city, and for making the open old Jeep part of the fun. Since the booking information does not include a separate guide, confirm whether your departure includes guide-style commentary from the driver.

Weather, clothing, and who should book

This activity requires good weather. If poor weather cancels it, you are offered another date or a full refund. That policy is helpful, but you should still plan for changing conditions on the hill.

Smart-casual clothing is requested. Wear shoes suitable for getting in and out of the vehicle and walking short distances on village streets. The tour is not described as requiring strenuous hiking, but it does include several stops and the lighthouse area may involve uneven ground.

Most people can participate, and service animals are allowed. The tour is near public transportation, which is useful for reaching the Como meeting point. Because the vehicle is open-top, sun protection and sunglasses are especially sensible in summer.

I would choose this for someone with limited time in Como, anyone who wants the high views without a long climb, and visitors who enjoy a mixture of scenery, architecture, local churches, and transport. It also suits a small family or couple who prefer a guided route to working out Brunate independently.

I would think twice if you want a slow, detailed visit to the lighthouse tower, a full meal during the outing, or a guaranteed licensed walking guide. The tour moves at a brisk pace and includes only selected access.

Should you book the Brunate Jeep tour?

Book it if you want an efficient introduction to Brunate and the best chance of seeing several sights in two hours. The open-top Jeep, small group, and Volta Lighthouse panorama give the outing a clear value, especially if steep streets would limit your walking.

Skip it if you are happy taking the funicular alone and exploring at your own speed. You will need to pay separately for the funicular in either case, so compare the $82.21 cost with how much you value the Jeep transport, English commentary, short stops, and included lighthouse basement.

For most first-time visitors with only a short window in Como, I would consider it a sensible splurge. Just confirm the return plan, ask what commentary your driver provides, and remember that the dramatic top-of-tower climb may cost extra.

FAQ

How long does the Como-Brunate Jeep tour last?

The tour lasts about two hours.

Where does the tour begin and end?

It begins at Piazza Alcide de Gasperi, 22100 Como, Italy, and ends back at the same meeting point.

Is the funicular ticket included?

No. The funicular ride down from the upper station is optional, and you must buy the ticket separately.

What is included at the Volta Lighthouse?

The tour includes access to the lighthouse’s panoramic basement. A separate charge may apply for climbing to the upper part of the tower, so confirm current access and fees locally.

How many people can join the tour?

The activity has a maximum of eight participants.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The activity requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.