The Italian Lakes are a group of lakes in the north of Italy that offer impeccable views, a wealth of culture both ancient and modern, and all the glitz and glamor you can imagine. You may have heard the term “Italian Lakes,” but what are the lakes that form it, how do they differ from each other, and how can you visit them? With our decades of experience in Italy, we’ll answer those questions and more. Let’s take a look at the Italian Lakes!
What Are the Italian Lakes?
While there are more bodies of water in the area than just these, here are the most famous (and our favorite) Italian lakes:
Lake Como
Lake Como is the best-known of the Italian lakes, located in the north of the country just 25 miles outside of Milan. The lake is framed by towering limestone and granite mountains and its shore is dotted with picturesque small towns, grand villas, and the mansions of celebrities. Even if you’ve never been there, you’ve probably seen Lake Como before—several famous movies have been filmed here, including Star Wars Episode II Attack of the Clones and the James Bond film Casino Royale.
Lake Garda
Italy’s largest lake is Lago di Garda, located in the center of northern Italy between the cities of Brescia and Verona, traversing Italy’s Lombardia and Veneto regions. Part of the lake forms a canyon between the Alps, which means you can expect gorgeous alpine scenery in the North. The Southern part of the lake enjoys a unique microclimate that allows unique plants to flourish alongside of olive trees. Lake Garda is perhaps best known for its picturesque villages and spa culture.
Lake Maggiore
Visit Piedmont and head to Lake Maggiore, which has shores both in Italy and Switzerland and skirts the southern edge of the Alps. It’s best known for the Borromeo Islands (Isola Bella, Isola Madre and Isola dei Pescatori) that dot its clear waters, plus quaint villages, sprawling botanical gardens, and grand villas. The lake offers plentiful opportunities for hiking or cruising around on a private boat.
Lake Orta
Just west of Lake Maggiore lies Lake Orta, a small but nonetheless beautiful Italian lake separated by its larger neighbor by the enormous Mount Mottarone. This lake is one of northern Italy’s best-kept secrets, and offers visitors complete tranquility. It’s known for being a spiritual place thanks to Sacro Monte, a mountain that has served as a pilgrimage site dedicated to St. Francis of Assisi. There is an island within Lake Orta is a Benedictine monastery with 60 nuns who have taken a code of silence.
How Do the Vibes of the Italian Lakes Compare?
Despite being lumped together into the phrase “Italian Lakes,” each one has a distinct vibe of its own. Here is how our favorite lakes compare:
- Lake Como. If a posh and exclusive vibe is what you’re after, Lake Como is the place to go. Home to George Clooney, Madonna, Sylvester Stallone, and other Hollywood A-listers, this lake is private, serene, and upscale, although many of the towns on its shores are far from pretentious. The city of Como on the lake’s southwestern tip is a luxury destination, with an elegant center, designer shops, and manufacturers of world-renowned silk.
- Lake Garda. Compared to Lake Como, Lake Garda is far more down-to-earth, and an ideal destination for outdoor enthusiasts or families seeking fun activities. Because of Lake Garda’s size and terrain, it offers a greater variety of views than some of the other lakes, plus plenty of opportunities for recreation. This lake can be crowded and lively in the summer, when it serves as a popular vacation destination for European families.
- Lake Maggiore. Although Lake Maggiore doesn’t have the celebrity presence of Lake Como, it has welcomed a number of famous visitors over the years—Ernest Hemingway was a frequent guest at the Grand Hotel des Iles Borromées in Stresa, and important historical figures like Napoleon also spent a lot of time in the area. Today, you may catch a glimpse of Donatella Versace who purchased a home, known as La Verbanella. Compared to some of the other lakes, Maggiore is quieter and less touristy, although it still maintains a sense of elegance thanks to a number of impressive villas with sprawling gardens, plus the opportunity for island hopping on a private boat.
- Lake Orta. Among all the Italian Lakes, Orta is a hidden gem. It’s smaller and quieter than its neighbors, offering the perfect setting for a romantic getaway or relaxing vacation. Rather than being crowded with buildings, Lake Orta’s shores are full of thick, green forests that add to its magical appeal.
Do any of these vibes seem like a perfect fit for you? Send us an email to learn more!
What to Do at the Italian Lakes
While exactly what activities you get up to at the Italian lakes depends on a few factors (such as what time of year you visit, which lake you choose, and what your tastes are), here are a few favorite lake activities:
Outdoor Adventure
With nearby mountains and plenty of water, the Italian lakes offer a number of existing outdoor adventure opportunities. You can hike in the mountains, rent a boat for the day, go swimming, or try a number of water activities like kayaking and sailing. Walk through nature or picture-perfect towns, rent a bicycle to explore at a different pace, or just soak up the great outdoors while having an aperitivo at a cafe.
Town Hopping
A highlight of a visit to the Italian Lakes is town hopping from one fairytale hamlet to another. Favorite towns around Lake Como include Varenna with its castle and many art installations, Bellagio (known for fragrant gardens and its colorful center), and Tremezzo, where you can stay at the 5-star Grand Hotel Tremezzo. Sirmione (home to the Scaligero Castle), Garda Town, and Salò are favorites around Lake Garda. There are also Roman ruins to explore Grotte di Catullo, the ruins of a Roman villa built between the end of the 1st century BC and the beginning of the 1st century AD. Stresa in Lake Maggiore is not to be missed, a and makes a great base for exploring, and the medieval island town Orta San Giulio on Lake Orta will steal your heart!
Food and Wine
Like anywhere else within Italy, you can expect exceptional food and wine wherever you go around the Italian Lakes. Try the food of a Michelin-starred chef on a quiet island of Lake Maggiore, sample fresh fish from the waters of Lake Como paired with risotto, try local specialities like polenta or tajarin pasta, or savor Lake Garda’s classic dessert, Cassata Gardesana made of ricotta and laced with candied fruit and honey. You may not have heard of the Italian Lakes as a wine region, but some of the best wines in Italy are made nearby. Bardolino, a light red wine, is grown in the hills east of Lake Garda, while the Alto Piemonte region south of Lake Maggiore produces crisp Erbaluce whites and bold red blends.
Cultural Exploration
If you’re interested in Italian culture and history, the lakes have plenty to offer. Wander the grounds of Lake Como’s impressive estates, like Villa Balbianello (featured in Star Wars), Villa D’Este, Villa Carlotta, and the beautiful gardens of Villa Cipressi. Visit the UNESCO World Heritage site Sacro Monte di Ossuccio, or museums that display everything from fine art and silk to archaeological marvels, Roman baths, and more.
On Lake Garda, explore the Roman ruins of Sirmione, visit Villa Feltrinelli that was once home to Mussolini, or check out one of the lake’s many impressive castles. While spending time near Lake Maggiore, visit cultural and historical sites on the lake’s islands, like the palace of Isola Madre, the 11th century buildings on Isola dei Pescatori, or the Borromean Palace on Isola Bella. During your trip to Lake Orta, cruise by private boat to the small island of San Guilio, with its narrow alleyways, Basilica of San Guilio, and the Master Ecclesiae Monastery.
When to Visit the Italian Lakes
Since the Italian Lakes district is located in the north of the country, near the Alps and not far from the Swiss border, it does experience cold weather more dramatically than other places in Italy. The best times of year to visit this idyllic region fall between April and October.
Visiting in Spring
When visiting the Italian Lakes in spring, keep in mind that the temperatures may still be low enough to require dressing in layers. Even so, it’s a wonderful time to be in the area thanks to the many botanical gardens and villa gardens that bloom this time of year, dousing the hillsides in color.
Visiting in Summer
Summer is high season at the Italian Lakes, and for good reason. This is when the weather is warm (as high as 80 degrees), the sun is out, and the lakes come alive with activity including hiking, biking and kayaking. If you’re hoping to hike, swim, or boat around the lakes, plan your trip for the summertime. There are plenty of local festivals and outdoor markets happening then as well to give you a taste of local culture. Just remember that you’ll be sharing the lakes with many other visitors (especially at Lake Como and Lake Garda), so if privacy is what you’re after you may want to pick a shoulder season instead.
Visiting in Autumn
Temperatures begin to sink in September, but it should still be warm enough to explore the lakes during this time. Autumn is a lovely season for a visit to the lakes because there are fewer tourists, plus the scenery begins to change as the season shifts. Local festivals continue throughout the fall, so there will still be plenty of things to do.
How to Visit the Italian Lakes
Each of the Italian Lakes has so much to offer that you may not want to combine them all in one trip! Choose one that matches your interests and settle into life there for a while, or spend a few weeks in the area and visit a couple of the lakes at your leisure. With our extensive experience bringing guests to soak up the magic of the Italian Lakes, we have the know-how and insider connections to set you up with the trip of your dreams, complete with luxury accommodations, tailored experiences, incredible meals, off-the-beaten-track adventures, and more.
Have further questions about what sets each Italian lake apart or ready to inquire about a bespoke journey? Get in touch today!
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